As much as it pains me to admit it....

From time to time (more often than I like to admit it) I make verbal blunders. It's one of my many flaws that God uses to remind me of my utter imperfection. Then when you add to it the fact that what I say on Sunday mornings is recorded for the world to hear again and again and again, it makes verbal blunders much more humbling. I want to share with you a few blunders that I have made over the past few months so that you will know that I know I did it. I also want you to be sure that I appreciate those precious people who tell me when I use words that I think are words that aren't really words. Of course I may, from time to time, attempt to coin a word as my very own and I reserve that right. Let me tell you just a few things that I have blundered over just since being at Haven and this short list certainly isn't comprehensive:

1. On several occasions I used the word "irregardless" to express the thought of the word "regardless." I looked up the word "irregardless" and it is, in fact, in the dictionary. However, it is an improper combination of the words "irrespective" and "regardless." I think I've probably used the word "irregardless" for years and will probably use it again...but I'm sure going to try not to.
2. My recent sermon on December 28, focused on the three major Christological heresies of the 5th Century and how the Definition of Chalcedon helped frame how we are to understand "the Word became flesh." One of those heresies, Eutychianism, is credited to a man named Eutyches (U-tic-ese). However, I got tongue tied and repeatedly called him Eutychetes (U-tic-a-tese). Now chances are great that no one present had any idea of my blunder but I guarantee that there will be someone who listens to that message online and catches it. Sorry, Eutyches.
3. Just this last week (I amaze even myself), one of my sermon application points had to do with the fact that God will work whether I obey Him or not. If I chose to disobey then He will either work around me or move me out of the way - meaning that "everyone is expendable." However, what I said was "No one is expendable" and then proceeded to explain it as I described above. I know what expendable means and yet I wrote it, typed it and spoke it the exact opposite way.
   

So I share all this to say "I goof up, as much as it pains me to admit it." I say and do dumb or wrong things. Sometimes I do them on purpose and sometimes by mistake or accident. I need grace in big dump truck loads. It's not easy for most of us to admit our imperfections (though they are as clear as the nose on our face). But it sure is a good way of trying to maintain some measure of humility or at least reality. Why don't you try it for yourself this week? Admit to someone you trust some of the dumb things you have done lately. Maybe even be transparent enough to share some of the sin you struggle with and pray together about it. I think James 5:16 will give you more than enough reason to do so.