Quick Hits
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Consider the Source
“Consider the source,” they say. We’re told we don’t have to listen if what we hear is rude or mean or overly critical. We’re told we can dismiss a message if the messenger is not on the up and up, if they have an ulterior motive, if they would profit – in any way – Continue reading
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You came by it honestly
There’s a joke I love to make. I look at someone and say “If it’s not one thing, it’s my mother.” It’s funny because the real phrase does not actually end with “it’s my mother” (take it from me: explaining jokes is always a good idea). But it’s also funny because it rings true. Even Continue reading
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Horses Not Camels
“If you hear four hooves galloping in the distance, you should think ‘horse’ before you think ‘camel.’” The human brain is predisposed to the novel. We like grand explanations. If anything interesting occurs, we follow that one symptom down a rabbit trail to the determent of all other factors. But most problems are the same, Continue reading
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Someone Somewhere is Wrong About Something
So? Let them be wrong. They’re wrong. Big deal. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that egregious wrongs and injustices don’t matter. I’m questioning why someone (you? me?) thinks they (you? me?) are always right about the solution and why they (you? me?) think they (you? me?) need to be the one to solve it. Continue reading
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People are doing the best they can
I admit I used to scoff at this idea. When I’d hear it, I’d be reminded of Edward James Olmos, in Stand and Deliver, when his character (Jamie Escalante) was before the school board asking for more funding: School Board Member: “Mr. Escalante, we’re doing our best.” Jamie Escalante: “Well, your best isn’t good enough!” Continue reading
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A 3-Point Plan for Being a Good Christian
1. Walk 30 minutes a day. No kidding. And this is a minimum dose. What? You thought the spiritual life wasn’t going to involve your body? Did you forget that God chose to become human in a body? I’ve never met a spiritual mature person who wasn’t paying attention to how they treated their body. Continue reading
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It is better to receive than to give
One of the Desert Fathers, Abba James, said: It is better to receive hospitality than to give. I think it’s pretty clear that both sides of the equation are good, both giving and receiving. However, the Desert Fathers reverse the order of importance, and that actually makes a lot of sense to me. If humility Continue reading
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Four Very Short Stories about the Church
1. Poor Helen. Rev. Schneider really got worked up. She simply wanted to know if Mormons could go to Heaven. 2. As he lay in the hospital bed, all he could think about was her shoes. Rev. Miles would never have worn something so flashy if he was still the pastor. 3. Jamie was convinced Continue reading
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The thing I fear the most
The thing I fear the most is looking stupid in front of other people. I will go to great lengths to avoid it. Being forced to say “I don’t know” is physically painful. This is not a metaphor. It literally hurts in my brain to admit I am ill-informed and have either made a mistake Continue reading
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You can deal with it now or later. Later is worse.
There is no vice which lacks a defense, none that at the outset isn’t modest and easily intervened—but after this the trouble spreads widely. If you allow it to get started you won’t be able to control when it stops. Seneca, Moral Letters When problems start, they are small. A lot of people look at Continue reading
About Me
My name is Landon Whitsitt. I live in Oklahoma City. I have a wife, four kids, and two dogs.
I’m a pastor and a speaker. I’m a writer and a thinker. I’m a photographer and musician.
the Schedule
New posts go up every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
PLGRM 