With all the subtlety of a sledgehammer...

I knew it was coming...

Have you ever had some little skin irritation...a little "something" that you saw, but didn't fully appreciate until you actually touched it?  You expect some discomfort...why wouldn't there be.  But, when you actually interacted with it, there was no pinch or sting, but rather the feeling that this spot had been hit by a small, nuclear-tipped armor piercing missile that was flung at you by a large howitzer, or perhaps, a battleship. Well, that what my little boo-boo feels like. When the battleship from which this barb was flung was your praise and worship leader, the sting is even worse.

Let me explain. 

I posted a "long-winded and tiresome" rant on another blog that I maintain that was a less-than-gracious indictment of some "goings on" at the Christian Academy-a private school that recently constructed a new campus adjacent to the subdivision where my family lives. Without going into unnecessary details, let me simply state thatI have reconsidered my position. This redux on my pointed observations was the result of another pointed observation-this one aimed at me by my praise and worship leader, Jess-a woman with a remarkable ability to see through layer after layer of crap and point out the big picture. What makes this even more amazing is her ability to do this with only a sideways look, a long and telling sigh or a remarkably nuanced "MmmmmmHmm."  Being firm and true in our faith takes commitment, perseverance and humility. In about 3 seconds, Jess pointed to a chink in my spiritual armor and made a silent but earnest challenge for me to fix it post haste. Since then, I have come to the following conclusions. 

-I am accurate in my empirical analysis of the situation. 

-My rightness is irrelevant when taken within the context if the Christian faith I claim to embrace. 

-As a believer in God's grace and the majesty of the redemption found in the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ, I am bound by faith and obedience to forgive, to refrain from passing judgement and from bearing earnest ill will against those who wrong me or mine. 

Is this right, fair and just?  

Well, it's doesn't matter. My witness should be ironclad and joyfully given. But, the thing is, it is right, fair and just. If I am earnest in my belief, and I am, I can see the folly in sin as a response to what I perceive as sin. 

Two wrongs never make a right. 

I included this verse of Scripture in my original post. 

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39 (KJV)
How wrong I was. In the words of the wonderfully articulate Pastor Jeff Dunn, "Let it go."
I owe an apology...several actually. 
I apologize to God, the Father who forgave me when there was only the promise of me. 
I apologize to my daughter, Coralie, about whom much of this was concerned. Your dad set a terrible example. 
I apologize to my wife, Deb, who pointed out that I was as worthy of contempt as  those I held in contempt. 
I apologize to Jess, who has put great faith in me, and who I do not wish to disappoint. 
I apologize to Walt, Justin, Matt, Jason and Skip. Our little project will fail spectacularly if we...I do not practice what we preach. 
And, lastly...
I apologize to those whom I indicted with such venom. I'm sorry for my words.  They were born of anger and hurt-never a good launching pad for a dialog between those who claim to be Christ followers-and I am referring to myself. 
In the end, if a resolution is needed between those involved, I will find another way to achieve it. Otherwise, live and let live. I'll wait in line when I must. I'll stay home or stay away when traffic is "difficult."  
As I have said in the past, I have spent far too much time preparing Coralie for the trappings of the outside world, and not enough time making an effort to improve that world...for her OR for God. 
I hope I'm learning.