Almost every week I listen to a podcast called "The Tech Guy" which features Leo Laporte. In accord with my friend Jerrie's advice, I try not to learn too much. It typically will play in the background of some study I'm doing. A couple of weeks ago he was taking about the tactics of those who produce software or hardware of trying to give freebies or befriend in some other way those who will in turn review their products. Laporte refuses to keep the products he receives for review. But in the discussion he had a powerful if not deep comment: "It's hard to do a negative review of something when you're buddies with the guy who made it."

Amen brother! I'd advise my friends and acquaintances who seem to constantly want to bash the Lord's church, either locally or universally to remember those words. Most everyone I know has the occasional wish that some thing or another was different or gets put out with someone or some group over some frustration - but please - some seem to have a constant ax to grind, a ceaseless criticism on their lips - a continual verbal brick to throw. After hearing their lectures, laments and lambastes I begin to wonder, "are they buddies with the guy who made it"?

Biblically, when Jesus appears to Saul on the Damascus road, He asked "Why are you persecuting me?" As far as I've been able to ascertain Saul had never previously even met Christ, so how could Saul be harming Him? He was harming His church, His People and therefore hurting Christ. Friend when you belittle the church, when you disparage the church, when you mock the church, you belittle, disparage and mock the Lord.

If you're a "buddy" with the guy who made it's mighty hard to give it a negative review. So, next time you speak unloving things about the church that belongs to the Lord, you might investigate your love for HIM!

Let's look for opportunities to give that which we love, the Lord and the Lord's a positive review.