News:

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. -Steven Wright

Main Menu

A Drugstore Cowboy- or the real thing?

Started by Roscoe, May 29, 2013, 05:53:53 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Roscoe

   Drugstore Cowboy? Or the Real Deal?

  Acts 8:9
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

       

Drugstore Cowboy... We've all saw them. They walk into the room, with their pressed jeans, bright colored shirts with pearl buttons, pointed toed boots made of exotic skins.   It starts with the hat, perched just so on the head. The belt buckle, the size of a dinner plate, bright shining, silver, with gold trim. The swagger, the mannerisms, they have got it all down.

Yet something doesn't look right. The hat- a little too clean? The boots, a bit too polished, maybe even creaking a bit from newness.

That belt buckle is expensive, yes, but it's made of silver that no REAL cowboy would dare risk daily. Slowly, the differences emerge. They become even more clear when the "real deal" walks in.

The real deal is wearing jeans that are faded from many washings and work. They may even have a hole or two. The real deal's boots are scuffed and dirty- may have a little mud or worse on them from repairing that fence. His shirt's an old comfortable flannel...no pearl buttons here. And the hat- all beat down, stained from sweat...

Yet, one of the "cowboys" knows what it's like to fix a fence, ride a horse, help with calving, and work hard for his supper.

And one cowboy just looks like what you think a cowboy should be.

In the passage of scripture we just read, Simon had convinced the people of his city that he was of God. He had all of the signs and wonders, all of the window dressing that showed him to be a great prophet or minister.

Yet it was just that- window dressing. Simon put more time into cultivating his appearance than into becoming that which he wanted to be.
Likewise, today we have to be careful of becoming Christians after the manner of Simon. It is all too easy to get all of the mannerisms of a "Christian".

I once worked with a man who claimed to be a minister, and even pastor a church. But every time a woman walked by, he had some of the dirtiest comments to say, and would carry on about the woman.

Yet if you saw him in his "Pastor" mode, he had the mannerisms down. The actions of a minister, the words of a minister....but they were just window dressings of a Christian.

In the 1800's and early 1900's, it became popular to build a store front that appeared to be a second story. Veiwed from the front, it looked for all the world like a two story building. Yet a look from the back proved that the building was "all hat and no cattle"- just a carefully cultivated appearance of something that did not exist.

Likewise, today's world leaves us with many falsefront Christians. The initial appearance is that of a Godly person- yet under stress or closer examination we see the cracks and the true colors of their facade.
We must be careful to cultivate a walk with God that is genuine and true, with no sign of a facade.
People need answers and help, they don't need an illusion. An illusion won't provide shelter, an illusion won't feed their needs, an illusion won't do anything for them.
Oh, but the Real Deal- He can. And will. Don't be a false front or a Drugstore Cowboy.
Potstirrer and snoop extraordinaire   "I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world."- Thomas Edison

Lynx

#1
And a real cowboy doesn't have much time to hang around the drugstore looking good.  He's gotta mend that fence before the cattle get out, and somehow find some time to get them wolves what been killing his cows.  If you see him at the drugstore he's probably there to buy some tylenol.


It's real easy these days to be a christian, especially here in America.  But I can see where it's getting harder, and looks like it's going to get harder yet.  The more unpopular christianity is, the fewer "drugstore cowboys" there will be. 


EDIT:  And by the way, good post.
"Do you sing at church?"
"Yes I sing at church, I sing at home, at work, in the car, at the supermarket, at Wal-Mart..."
:sing: :sing: :sing: :sing: :sing: :sing:

mini

We use to call them goat ropers.  They couldnt handle the cows, but wanted to wear the boots.

Good post.
DISCLAIMER: All rights reserved. Meant for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Not necessarily the view of this website. This supersedes all previous notices.

I wonder if we made a wax figure of Mini, and then melted it, if we'd get Roscoe... -MellerYeller

clark thompson

Quote from: Psalm_97 on May 29, 2013, 06:17:51 PM
And a real cowboy doesn't have much time to hang around the drugstore looking good.  He's gotta mend that fence before the cattle get out, and somehow find some time to get them wolves what been killing his cows.  If you see him at the drugstore he's probably there to buy some tylenol.


It's real easy these days to be a christian, especially here in America.  But I can see where it's getting harder, and looks like it's going to get harder yet.  The more unpopular christianity is, the fewer "drugstore cowboys" there will be. 


EDIT:  And by the way, good post.




I agree. To many people though already have christianity as a religion but don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Lord made a Way.