Friday, August 24, 2012

the high cost of free advice





Since my open heart surgery I am amazed at the amount of free medical advice I have been given. With all this free advice readily available, why do we have an insurance crisis? Particularly when it is free, no appointment needed, and most times unsolicited. It seems everyone is an authority. From not knowing what open heart surgery is-it is not stints, to being told that I should have had a pig's valve installed-my valves were OK, to never hearing of an aorta, the old theory of open mouth, insert foot is given in many illustrations. Which leads me to one question for them, would you take your own advice? To which they reply, "I'm just trying to help..."rather indignantly. We may not have found the cure, but maybe the cause.
When I was a service advisor I would get occasional people who have researched their symptom on the Internet, and then proceed to tell me the problem, and how to solve it. My reply was always the same-"right click and have the Internet fix it." Without proper diagnosis, which can be extensive, how do you know if you have found the cause. The common theme being they didn't want to spend any money. Then why buy a Land Rover? Have at least another car because it will live in the shop. Your garage is for the loaner while you still make the payments. Lee Iacocca said it best, "you never put two #2's together to make a #1!" Or to quote Rodney Dangerfield, "look out for #1, and don't step in #2!"
I know a guy, well meaning whose name is Vince. He was hired as a crew chief of a race team, but thought he knew it all. And rather than doing his job which was running the team, tried to reinvent the wheel-and ended up with a flat tire. Which we already had plenty of, wonder whatever happened to him?
Lately I have watched as churches take worldly advice for spiritual problems. Giving God advice. I know one thing, you cannot solve spiritual problems with physical advice. But you can cure worldly problems with spiritual advice. I hear of one church "teaching" its flock how to witness. Use buzzwords, the four spiritual laws, and the Roman's road approach. Anything but the spirit, which changes lives, not you. Wonder whatever happened to that pastor, and his flock? We are to love-try being my friend and I'll listen long before you start preaching at me. I'm gone when you do. I even had one well meaning, but zealous man visit me in CCC, talking to me as if I was in sin, I finally had him banned from visiting. Jesus put it simple-if thirsty, give drink. Naked, clothe them. Hungry, share your lunch. And if stuck in a hospital bed or jail cell, visit. Which I was, fighting to survive. care about his religion, I was saved, and in the spirit. If only he would have listened. To which many have, and still do. Let the spirit guide, for not only was this man incorrect in much of his theology, but also in his approach. Pray for those who are like him-particularly those in pulpits. As I was reminded by a friend who has backslidden, hypocrisy is the most dangerous and destroying thing the world hates, from Christians. It's ok for them to be duplicit-just not us.
Have you asked the Holy Spirit to guide your day? Or are you still leaning on your own understanding? You can't do both. The tire may only be flat on the bottom, but it is still flat. Trust God. He will give the words, and preach the gospel daily, only using words when needed. A hug can tell more about Jesus than how much you gave to missions. Keep the agenda simple-only Jesus. And watch as God will work in your life.
For the rest of you, right click, and join the others who have gone astray. Remember-nowhere does Jesus say to go out witnessing-you can turn Him on or off. He tells you to be a witness, something no class, not preaching, and no doctrine can teach. Leave the switch on at all times. It takes the spirit. Without the spirit you will only have a form of godliness, but never fully know God. And if you are not for Him, you are against Him.
As for free medical advice, I have been released from all restrictions by my doctors, and as of Tuesday I am riding again. With only one doctor to go-my wife. But her love has helped me get to where I am, never neglect the influence of a loving nurse. Or wife.
And to all that ask, thanks, yes I am fine. In the spirit...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com