During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, "John, where's all the hay?"

"Sorry, sir," John called down from the hayloft. "I ain't had time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here." (1)

I had to chuckle when I read this account.  Appearances are important, but appearances for the purpose of fooling people isn't being honest with ourselves or others.  

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."  Colossians 3:9-10

If we claim Christianity, it ought to actually mean something!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike /  The Open Word