Category: Excuses

11/6/2020

Those Pesky 'Sorry buts' 2020

Note of Clarification
The following blog commentary is about the little word 'BUT' ..but.. it is not to be confused with the word 'BUTT' (aka bottom.. aka buttocks, ) which always makes Minions laugh.

I recently read a quote by Tim Keller on Twitter.. 'Repentance is crucial for renewal and restoration', and full disclosure honesty is required for true repentance.

Very true, BUT it is often easier to say "I am sorry, BUT.." then insert my favorite excuse/rationalization of what I am supposedly sorry for.

Here are a few I am sorry BUTs.

I am sorry I lost my temper, BUT that jerk in the car next too me honked his horn at me while I was texting my mom. He had it coming when I flipped him off and shared my four letter vocabulary instead of a four spiritual laws tract.
I am sorry I am 15 minutes late to work today, BUT the coffee line was very long at the Starbucks drive through window.
Yes Mr. Bill collector, technically speaking I did not pay my electric bill on time, BUT I thought my wife took care of it. She said she would.
I know those two donuts were not on my diet BUT I did not want them to go to waste. .. I want them to go to my waist.
I want to give more to the church, BUT I just purchased a new I-Phone 50! and a new 120" HD TV to follow Joel Osteen on.
Yes officer I know you stopped me for speeding, BUT I think my speedometer maybe needs calibration or .. something.

Next let me share a couple gender specific 'sorry but' prayers.

As a man I can simply repeat the Man Prayer from Red Green.. "sorry I'm a man (and a slob), but.. I can do better, if I have to, AMEN."
In contrast the Woman's Prayer tends to be more compassionate.. or maybe just passionate, as she concludes "sorry I am so upset.. but.. he is driving her nuts! JUST LOOK AT HIM!"

Hmmm, maybe we should raise the bar and strive to do better than either of the above man, or woman's prayers.

Back to Tim Keller's words of wisdom. 'Repentance is crucial for renewal and restoration', and full disclosure honesty is required for true repentance. Not much wiggle room for any sorry buts.

BUT.. Hey I am a pretty good guy. I go to church, love my wife and stay out of trouble.

But who am I fooling? Not God. He knows my secret doubts, rage, anxiety, envy, mumbled profanities, and other more quiet rebellions against what I know is right in my heart.

I have too often compromised time, resources, and talents that were truly a gift from God. This does not include my bigger past sin (ie alcohol) that almost killed me. For all these and more I am sorry.. no buts.

Mark me down as a work in progress.

What would be possible if we all were truly repentant and inspired by the love of God? It could be a revival this fallen world needs.. like.. NOW!

May God bless each of you on your spiritual journey, where you are blessed and used by God in ways that are beyond your dreams. My our hearts be repentant, and open to receive the promise of God's Grace.

Jeff (no ifs, ands, or buts about it) Larson

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9/11/2020

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At least I never.. (insert excuse here)

Ever console yourself regarding your behavior, words, judgments, and/or circumstances that makes you look bad by qualifying a these moments by saying something like ..

“Well at least I am not like ‘so-in-so’. Or the infamous backwards apology that goes like…

“I’m sorry BUT” and the but is followed by a litany of excuses that makes your apology anything but apologetic.

"I'm sorry BUT your face got in the way of my fist?"

and just like that.. man grades his life on a curve.

So today I am going to console those of us with bad budgets, bad marriages, bad kids (actually they are not bad kids, only 'good' kids making bad choices), bad job, bad health, bad attitudes, or bad hair with.. men, women, and circumstances from the Bible and our world today.. that are intended to make us feel better.

Are you ready? Well let’s get started.

The Old Testament
- Yes my wife and I argue sometimes, but at least I never gave her away
- Nor had reason to tell my wife I was saved by a prostitute
- I have worked some bad jobs, but never as bad as guard duty on the Walls of Jericho.
- Yes I get migraines, but at least I never had a LITERAL splitting headache
- No I have not always liked my neighbors, but at least it never became.. violent.
- I will confess now and then I have occasional adult acne (argh) but at least it never went rogue!
- OK on occasion I skip my daily shower, but at least I never smelled like FISH BARF

The New Testament
- Not everyone agrees with my strong opinions, but at least no one wants me dead (that I know of)
- My Credit Rating may not be perfect, but at least my finances are not public knowledge.
- I have not always listened to God, but at least He has not used a Blinding Light to get my attention.
- I confess I have fallen in sleep in church, but at least I have never fallen out of a church pew (yet)
- Not everyone likes my cartoons but at least (so far) I am not the target of murderous 'anti-humor' zealots
- I have had a number of minor health issues over the years but at least I never been bit by a snake
- I confess to a few speeding tickets in my life, but at least I have not done jail time

TODAY
- I am no Einstein, but at least I know the difference between figurative and literal.
- I am not a perfect husband, but at least I no longer THINK OUT LOUD... often.
And finally..- I may not be perfect, but at least I am not ONE OF THEM! .. sorry.. it is the cheese that made me do it.

So while life's trials and circumstances real, at least I never have to face them alone. This is not a Christian cliche' , but is our rock solid hope we have with Jesus.

Psalms 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

May God bless each of you this day. May you be inspired by at least you never are alone in this life. If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Jeff (at least I don't attend a snake handler church) Larson

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Those Pesky 'Sorry buts' 2020

At least I never.. (insert excuse here)

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