Tracy's thoughts

As the reigning King of Justification, I feel proud to be able to say I’m better than you (see, I can even justify pride!).

I grew up in a pretty safe environment and didn’t choose many rebellious paths. I don’t know why I was given the background I have, but that’s what I got. Growing up in an environment like that can lead one to believe that he doesn’t make many mistakes (more on that in an upcoming sermon). But my point today is that because I tended to believe I didn’t make many mistakes, I could justify just about anything within my supposed moral, biblical bounds.

Now you may be thinking, “Whoaaaaa, there, Tracy. Where are you going with this thought?” I am saying that I believe we all, to some degree, justify what we want in our lives (selfishness). Anywhere from eating too much ice cream to outright prideful behavior (sin). Here are two simple (and embarrassing) examples from the reigning king’s life. Number one, as some of you know, my main addiction is watching TV and too many movies. It continues to amaze me how late at night, when I KNOW I should be going to bed, I can somehow rationalize that watching a 2 ½ hour movie won’t set me back the next day – even though I have a plethora of experiences to tell me otherwise. I want to do it, so I figure out a justification for it. Sometimes I can even con my wife into watching with me (how’s that for taking care of my spouse when she has the four kiddos to watch the next day!?!). Number two, I hate admitting I’m wrong. More often than not, I can justify and manipulate in my mind why my position is better than or correct over someone else’s. Unfortunately, most times my justifications and manipulations are focused on my own selfishness and…dang it…my pride.

Ahhh, selfishness and pride. Those are two of my favorite subjects in my kingdom. They continually help me maintain my grasp as the reigning King of Justification. I can so relate to the latter half of Romans 7.

We all justify, I just think I’m better at it than you! :0
What do you think?

Oh, one last thing, I can even justify messing with Eric’s computer and changing his screen saver marquee (see http://www.gcfweb.org/b2evolution/blogs/index.php/eric)!! It was just too easy to do…