8/18/2004

BEING REAL

This will be a short Blog. An honest one, too.

If you have been reading my Blog, and are pretty impressed with this guy who writes these things, don’t be. I am not someone to look up to.

It dawned on me today that I had to do something about people seeing me in a better light than what reality actually shows. Too many times, people have told me things in person that lead me to believe the attention in my life is going to me, not to Jesus. I want that to stop, right now.

I am just a man, and not a very good one, either. I am learning how to crawl in my faith, because I keep stumbling. I haven’t got it all figured out, I don’t know everything, or even most things. Like everyone else, if there is a question asked, I, too, am not always certain of the answer.

I need advice as much as the next person, and if you receive advice from me, take it with a barrel full of salt. I need Jesus as much as anyone else, and probably more. My tongue is not tamed, and I am arrogant. I can spew forth a stream of expletives that would make you wonder whether I ever knew Jesus in the first place.

This last part is the most important part. Not once, and I mean not even close, has any change in my life come through any effort of my own, not since I have known Jesus. I have tried, but ALWAYS fail. That isn’t exaggeration, that’s the truth. Every single good thing in me came about by the hand of Jesus. It didn’t come about because I was surrendered, or had great faith. It came about because I gave up, and Jesus did the work.

I fail all of the time. But you see, that’s why I love Jesus so much, because He makes me REAL. So don’t think more highly of me than what is written here. I am not being hard on myself. I know the truth, and this is it. If you want to encourage me, that is fine. But please don’t make excuses for me, I don’t need them, for I am not ashamed that I need Jesus so much. I really am not. Living the abundant life to me means being free to be real, to be me. I am always changing, but not by my hand, so if you see something in me that you think is praise worthy, then know that the praise is due to Jesus, and all I ask is that you give it to Him. Thank you very much.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tom,
I’m not sure if you mean me, but I’ve been following your post for a few weeks. Your style of writing, and the way you share your faith I enjoy. Tom, I am not an eloquent writer so please keep that in mind, I do not look up to you or see you in a better light. Some of what you write is one-sided, and for lack of a better word, quite arrogant. I have never taken advice from you, nor do I intend to in the future.
Just as you appear as a real looser, you do a complete turn and give it to Jesus. This is the reason I have been following your, whatever here. Also some of the comments are good.
Maybe I will start commenting more……
Sue.

Tom Reindl said...

Sue,

Thank you for being honest. Actually the people I was talking about are people I know in my local area who might have started reading this blog. The trouble is, I want to be looked upon in an honest, real light, and that doesn't happen too often. However, maybe much of it is my fault. Maybe I haven't been real enough to them, until now. I don't know.

Yes, you are right, my style of writing is very arrogant. I am really trying to not be that way. I have a long way to go. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Tom,
I am from your area, I just don't know you.
Sue