In the gospel of John chapter 9 we read of a Sabbath day encounter
between Jesus and a blind man. After rebuking his disciples for
their remark about the cause of the blindness (they thought it was
because of sin, either the blind man's or his parents') Jesus spat on
the ground, made some mud, and put the mud on the blind man's eyes.
He then told the blind man to go wash.

When the blind man washed the mud from his eyes, he was able to see.
His neighbors were amazed, but the Pharisees were angry that someone
would heal a man on the Sabbath!

The man who was once blind entered into an exchange with these
religious leaders. They tried to convince people that the man was
lying, and that he hadn't been born blind. The man produced
witnesses to attest that he was. Then the Pharisees explained that
Jesus was a bad man for not keeping the Sabbath, and the formerly
blind man said, "I don't know what kind of man this was, all I know
is that I was once blind, and now, I see."

Religious leaders will always try to keep you in the dark about many
supposedly "higher spiritual truths." It's a way of controlling the
church population, bringing in the money, and diverting attention
from their own shortcomings. All too often I hear of pastors being
referred to as "anointed" when they are just really good salesmen.
But once someone comes along with hard questions, that person is
labeled as contentious and sent away.

Christianity isn't about magical incantations and supernatural
nonsense. It is a means to live a rich, rewarding, abundant life.
If you are caught up in a crazy, charismatic church whose leadership
is trying to control your life and your finances, it may be time to
take a closer look.

Here's mud in your eyes!

Jack