Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tedashii Blacklight - Get It!

Tedashii's new album Blacklight has just released and is holding the #2 bestselling Hip Hop/Rap album and #8 overall album on iTunes.  It deserves every bit of this recognition!


The song below ("He Lives") is my favorite on the entire album...Enjoy!


Saturday, May 28, 2011

Discussing Racism and Discovering The Chorus of Corporate Confession

Soong-Chan Rah's book The Next Evangelicalism has been an eye-opener.  I have become more aware of the culture that I have been blinded to.  More than that, the cultural sins that "we" are guilty of.  For all of my life I have been highly uncomfortable with saying or hearing the word, "Nigger."  Typing it makes me turn in my seat.  I have never really considered myself a racist, and have based such a judgment on the fact that many of my dearest friends just so happen to be black.

But I was not prepared for this comment from Rah.  It came on the heals of his discussion on individualism and materialism.  We have such materialistic goals along with a relentless desire to meet our own personal needs that we cannot see, and often neglect, the sins we have committed as a culture, as well as the injustices that are currently oppressing others.  This is why we are so prone to confess and address individual sins in our churches, but are less prone to confront and confess the sins of our society.  This is why pastors are often defrocked for sexual sin, while many all-white-middle-class congregations are oblivious to their inherent racism and narcissism.

Many of my personal definitions of cultural racism were blown out of the water with Rah's definition - the "comment" referred to above.  He writes: "It is too easy to dismiss and disavow individual culpability for the sin of racism.  But if we were to use the language of corporate sin then we are all complicit.  Anyone that has benefited from America's original sin [the stealing of land from American Indians and the stealing of labor from African Americans] is guilty of that sin and bears the corporate shame of that sin."

This is a huge statement; and a definition of cultural sin that, at first glance, I am struggling with.  Granted, he does go on to clarify and further elaborate; but he does not lessen the impact or the implications.  And, he doesn't leave his own people out.  At one point he tells of a talk that he presented to a number of Asian students in American graduate school.  He enlightens them that they too have taken part in "America's original sin" by benefitting from a school that was originally subsidized by the fruits of slave labor.

There is a quote from John Dawson later in the chapter that I am more inclined to lay hold of.  Dawson states: "If we have broken our covenants with God and violated our relationships with one another, the path to reconciliation must begin with the act of confession.  The greatest wounds in human history, the greatest injustices, have not happened through the acts of some individual perpetrator, rather through the institutions, systems, philosophies, cultures, religions, and governments of mankind.  Because of this, we as individuals, are tempted to absolve ourselves of all individual responsibility.  Unless somebody identifies themselves with corporate entities, such as the nation of our citizenship, or the subculture of our ancestors, the act of honest confession will never take place.  This leaves us in a world of injury and offense in which no corporate sin is ever acknowledged, reconciliation never begins and old hatreds deepen."

I guess the reason why I am writing and asking for discussion is that I believe that I am ready and willing to confess and repent of any racism that we are guilty of.  I long for the day when racism is considered ancient history.  I, like Dawson, believe that unless we are aware of our cultural sins, we will continue to absolve ourselves of all responsibility, as well as fostering an environment where reconciliation never begins and old hatreds deepen.

But I don't really know where to start.  And I am not sure if Rah's definition of America's original sin is something that I (and "we") know how to repent of.  Inability to fix what happened is no excuse not to confess involvement in what happened.  I understand this.  I hate our particular history of killing American Indians and enslaving African Americans.  If corporate confession is a way to heal racism, I want so badly to be a part of that chorus.  But what does the chorus sound like?  Can someone help me get there?

I am all ears. Please comment.



Thursday, May 26, 2011

Faith, Certainty, Berkhof and Oprah

Out of all the Systematic Theologies on my shelf, I have a special love for Berkhof.  When you read this work, you get a sense that Berkhof was both theologian and pastor.  What he writes is not terribly difficult to read, though it will have you thinking for some time.  This book, in my opinion, is a must have for every library.

Here is a sample on faith.  He writes: "The certainty of this knowledge has its warrant in God Himself, and consequently nothing can be more certain. And it is quite essential that this should be so, for faith is concerned with spiritual and eternal things, in which certainty is needed, if anywhere. There must be certainty as to the reality of the object of faith; if there is not, faith is in vain. Machen deplores the fact that many lose sight of this fact in the present day. Says he: “the whole trouble is that faith is being considered as a beneficent quality of the soul without respect to the reality or unreality of its object; and the moment faith comes to be considered in that way, in that moment it is destroyed.”

I could not agree more; especially in the wake of Oprah's sermonic finally yesterday.  Sure, she made reference to GOD and even mentioned Jesus.  But then she quickly began speaking of God as if He were impersonal and entirely subjective, using the pronoun "it" instead of "Him".  It was strange.  This subjectification is not uncommon in our day as Berkhof and Machen observed.  It seems one only need faith, and it doesn't really matter what or who the object of that faith is.

Sure the object of Oprah's faith may be God, but if the object is not exclusively Christ the Lord, it ceases to be true, certain faith.  I am convinced it is for this reason that faith is so commonly misunderstood.  The masses who place their faith elsewhere cannot see how one can be certain at all.  And this is understandable.  Without Christ, there is no certainty whatsoever.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

When Does P0rnography Disqualify You From Ministry?

This is a good video that at least addresses the issue.  I am not sure it answers it completely, or, if the question can be answered in such an objective manner.  I will propose, however, that the question must be answered and addressed on a regular basis.  To avoid the issue is like avoiding cancer - it doesn't just cease to exist because we cease to think about it.

Those of us in the ministry must not be so naive as to think ministers are not struggling with at least a regular temptation in this area.  Some may not have an issue at all; but to assume that most do not is a grave mistake.  I want to be clear.  I am not saying that most ministers have a p0rn addiction.  I am not saying that most ministers are currently struggling with regular p0rnography use.  But I am saying that to keep the issue strictly a secular matter, or one that only our congregants deal with, is prideful and dishonest.

Ministers are not immune to lust.

But here is the catch.  What if a minister is struggling?  Can he say anything about it to his fellow elders or ministers?  What will they say - or do?  Will they insist that he step down from ministry?  Can he lose his job or credentials?  The fear that accompanies the answers keeps strugglers in the dark.  And that is the rub with ministry and p0rn.  If I confess, I may lose my job.  I better not confess.  The only problem is that lust thrives in the dark and, if left there, will quickly grow to the status of addiction.

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I have a testimony closely related to the issue.  During seminary, I was graciously counseled by a good friend (who was a counselor) on a regular basis.  I needed to know the answer to the question at hand.  With good, gracious, godly, and courageous accountability (that is still in my life today - wife included), the question was answered. I am walking in light, and my conscience is clear.  There simply is no other way.  We can trust Christ.

The issue has to come to the light.  The questions have to be answered.  If we stay silent, people will die.


Pornography and Ministry from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.



Monday, May 23, 2011

The Gospel and Engagement (720 Words)

All of life is redemptive - that is, we can look at very simple, ordinary things and view them redemptively.  Because every single one of us is created in the image of the Triune God, we have real points of contact with every single person in a variety situational contexts.  It is the ontological nature of all of life to be theological (in other words, we can look at reality and learn about God).  And it is the ontological nature of every human to worship when confronted with such revelation.

Case in point: the marriage engagement.

As a pastor in a fairly young church, I have tried to take every opportunity to show how engagements are amazing pictures of the Gospel message proclaimed throughout history.  It would not be inappropriate nor impossible to give a Biblical Theology based on the experience either.  Here are my basic points as I think through this and as I communicate it to others.

First, the slavery of dating.  You couldn't pay me enough money to enter back into the dating scene.  I'm not sure how much stress a human being can handle.  Does she like me today?  Will be be together tomorrow?  She picks her nose...crap...should we break up?  A thousand things run through the minds of dating couples, most which are answered at a single event.  Engagement.

Second, the down payment.  The transaction is highly symbolic and meant to bring a load of relief, excitement and rest.  The man shows his intent to spend the rest of his life with the woman by giving her a ring - an engagement ring.  All of her questions are answered - Does he love me?  Yes.  Does he accept me?  Yes.  Do I bring him joy?  Yes.  But there is more.  All of his questions are answered as well as she embraces his gift and places it on her finger.  Does she accept my love?  Yes.  Will she spend all of her days with me?  Yes.  A similar transaction takes place when Christ gives us His Spirit (Eph 1:13-14).

Third, the wilderness of waiting.  After the girl shows off her new ring, the work begins.  In excitement, she begins planning while the man begins preparing a home.  The busyness of this time, I think, is essential!  Idle waiting is often filled with sinful activity.  While the clock slowly ticks, our sinful nerves are prone to twitch.  My engagement was only five months; but it seemed like eternity.  It was exciting but also frustrating.  Why?  Because the wilderness is a time when we have some but not all.  We have the promise but not the consummation.  We have the "now" but also the "not yet."  Its a time of deeper intimacy; but no sex...yet!

Forth, hoping and obeying.  What makes the wilderness endurable?  Hope.  In just a short time the waiting will be over. Engagements are designed to end.  When the hope promised is more glorious than the present reality, we are more inclined and encouraged to practice obedience.  When we can see an end to the waiting, we are more willing to wait.  But if you take glorious hope away, watch obedience go with it.  Imagine an engagement with no honeymoon (no sex) and you will see an engagement with no obedience.  See a Christian with no hope and you will see a Christian with no obedience.

Finally, The Day of Consummation.  After the waiting is over, life together begins.  The honeymoon night is merely a shadow in relation to the glory one will experience in heaven.  The glory of marriage makes the engagement period seem small.  My engagement period, though long while I was there, was really just a vapor.  We look back at that short time and say, "remember when?"  And this is what heaven will be like.  We will look back and say, "Remember when?" The glory of heaven is worth the obedience and endurance of waiting.  Temptations are short lived.  The pleasures they offer pale in comparison to the joys and pleasures at the right hand of God.

Christ, our Bridegroom delivered us from the slavery of singleness (alienation from God).  He placed the Spirit in our hearts (the ring).  He placed the hope before us (the promised consummation).  And we eagerly and obediently await His glorious return (the Great Wedding Day).

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Responding To Gay Ordination

Here is a helpful article concerning the decision by the PCUSA to allow the ordination of clergy without regard to sexual orientation.  In this article Professor Fortson III, a church historian at RTS Charlotte, states:

Concerning homosexuality there has been absolute unanimity in church history; sexual intimacy between persons of the same gender has never been recognized as legitimate behavior for a Christian. One finds no examples of orthodox teachers who suggested that homosexual activity could be acceptable in God’s sight under any circumstances. Revisionist biblical interpretations that purport to support homosexual practice are typically rooted in novel hermeneutical principles applied to Scripture, which produce bizarre interpretations of the Bible held nowhere, never, by no one.

While many may not have a lick of interest in the PCUSA, they probably do have at least some interest in how Christians relate to homosexuals and other related social issues.  Activists and media are not hesitant to report the engagement of Christians in, what many call, hate crimes.  Hate crimes do exist and are committed by many professed Christians; however, just because a Christian believes homosexuality is sinful behavior does not mean that the Christian is involved in hate crime.

This post is an admonition to Christians to represent the Christ who is full of truth and grace.  It simply will not do to state the erroneous nature of the PCUSA's decision while at the same time expressing a less than loving attitude toward homosexuals.  It is an indictment against the PCUSA to allow homosexuals into their pulpits; but it is an indictment against us if we do not invite homosexuals into our lives, homes and churches.

Simply put, it is possible to love those with whom we disagree.  Doctrine does not afford us a convenient occasion to distance ourselves from sinful people.  Should this be the case, especially during our days, we are communicating that we are ignorant of the Christ who did not distance Himself from us.  When we identify sin we must hear the incarnational mandate to love, die, bear burdens, and preach the gospel.

But if we sit back in doctrinal snobbery and keep our lives clear of the sinful inconveniences of others, I fear that in just a short time, the ordination of homosexuals will be a relatively small concern.

See Justin Taylor's post for more on this topic.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Monday Music - It's Deeper Than Rap (PRo)



I would highly suggest getting PRo's album Redemption.  These guys have a message.  They are "unashamed" (Rom 1:16).  They are being heard.  We should listen. 

Friday, May 13, 2011

Hillarious! Enjoy!

I watched this three times in a row and literally cracked up laughing every time...thanks Pop.

We Can't Afford To Stay Ignorant of the Non-White Church

We have all heard the saying, that Sundays in the South are the most segregated day of the week. Here in Mobile, there are over 400 churches, which, in truth, can be categorized as much for their denominational bend as their racial makeup. Some say that style of worship is the main cause. I disagree. While style may be a cause (no one doubts the differences), it is not the cause.

Love trumps style. I have seen it with my own eyes. Style is the main issue for consumers; but it is almost a non-issue for those who consider it an undeserved privilege to worship the God who saves all sorts of sinful people. This is not an indictment, but an observation. If taken as an indictment (as I, myself have), we may be consumers more than worshipers.

What is interesting is that it seems we are okay with this reality. We acknowledge the issue - that Sundays are segregated - but do little about it. Its almost as if we believe we can continue this way until the Day Jesus returns; and that the health of the church will suffer little to no consequence. As a result, we continue doing things the way we always have. We worship with white folks, and listen to white folks, and subscribe only to blogs which are written by white folks (I just looked at my feed list - all white folks).

What is true is that we are suffering the consequences of this reality. Day by day what goes on within the church walls falls out of step with what goes on outside of those walls. Day by day, the inside of the church resists diversification, while the outside is becoming more diversified. While we see the outside outgrow the inside, we conclude that our churches are in decline. We are wrong. Hear this sobering observation from Soong-Chan Rah:

"The American church needs to face the inevitable and prepare for the next stage of her history - we are looking at a nonwhite majority, multiethnic American Christianity in the immediate future. Unfortunately, despite these drastic demographic changes, American evangelicalism remains enamored to an ecclesiology and a value system that reflects a dated and increasingly irrelevant cultural captivity and is disconnected from both a global and local reality."

Love not only covers a multitude of sins, but it also covers a multitude of styles, differences, and non-moral cultural aggravations. It is time that American Christians ask if we living the Gospel. Are we worshiping the God who is both unity and diversity? The one Gospel (unity) is powerful to save everyone (diversity). While the outside world has embraced diversity without unity; we have embraced unity without diversity.

But Rah states that this is not the case with the global Church. Outside of our Western, White, middle-class walls there exists a gospel-centered multiethnic church. This church is far from decline, far from segregated and far from what we may have ever seen. We must only look beyond ourselves and follow their lead.

For further reading on this topic, I highly suggest Rah's book The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church From Western Cultural Captivity.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Parenting - What the Books Say vs. What Actually Happens

Kevin Hale, pastor of Christ Church Conway, is a good friend of mine.  He, his wife (Annie) and 5 children (or six - maybe she is pregnant right now - I lose count) live in Conway, Arkansas.  While the Hale's left Jackson, MS just after my first year of seminary, their Christ-centered imprint will be upon our lives forever.

I read this today from his blog and couldn't stop laughing.  He was posting an exert from Kevin DeYoung's article on parenting.  If you have more than one or two books on parenting, then you know exactly what he is talking about.  Enjoy!

Kevin DeYoung writes:

There are already scores of books on parenting, many of them quite good. I’ve read several of them and have learned much. I really do believe in gospel-powered parenting and shepherding my child’s heart. I want conversations like this:

Me: What’s the matter son?
Child: I want that toy and he won’t give it to me!
Me: Why do you want the toy?
Child: Because it will be fun to play with.
Me: Do you think he is having fun playing with the toy right now?
Child: Yes.
Me: Would it make him sad to take the toy away?
Child: I guess so.
Me: And do you like to make your brother sad?
Child: No.
Me: You know, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. That means loving your brother the way he would want to be loved. Since Jesus loves us so much, we have every reason to love others–even your brother. Would you like to love him by letting him play with the toy for awhile?
Child: Yes I would daddy.

I try that. Really I do. But here’s what actually happens:

Me: What’s the matter son?
Child: I want that toy and he won’t give it to me!
Me: Why do you want the toy?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: What’s going on in your heart when you desire that toy?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: Think about it son. Use your brain. Don’t you know something?
Child: I guess I just want the toy.
Me: Obviously. But why?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: Fine. [Mental note: abandon "why" questions and skip straight to leading questions.] Do you think he is having fun playing with the toy right now?
Child: No.
Me: Really?! He’s not having fun? Then why does he want that toy in the first place?
Child: Because he’s mean.
Me: Have you ever considered that maybe you are being mean by trying to rip the toy from his quivering little hands?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: What do you know?
Child: I don’t know!
Me: Nevermind. [I wonder how my brilliant child can know absolutely nothing at this moment.] Well, I think taking the toy from him will make your brother sad. Do you like to make him sad?
Child: I don’t know.
Me: [Audible sigh.]
Child: He makes me sad all the time!
Me: Well, I’m getting sad right now with your attitude! [Pause, think, what would Paul Tripp do? Thinking . . . .thinking . . . .man, I can't stop thinking of that mustache. This isn't working. Let's just go right to the Jesus part.] You know, Jesus wants us to love each other.
Child: I don’t know.
Me: I didn’t ask you a question!
Child: [Pause.] Can I have some fruit snacks?
Me: No, you can’t have fruit snacks. We are talking about the gospel. Jesus loves us and died for us. He wants you to love your brother too.
Child: So?
Me: So give him the toy back!

Then I lunge for the toy and the child runs away. I tell him to come back here this instant and threaten to throw the toy in the trash. I recommit myself to turning down speaking engagements on parenting.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Christ's Love for Us

I’ve been reading Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, by John Bunyan. Bunyan talks about the greatness of Christ’s forbearance, meekness and love to his people as he without end bears the burden of our continued provocation and sin against us. Bunyan says, “Were we but capable of seeing how this Lord Jesus has been tried even by his people, ever since there was one of them in the world, we should be amazed at his patience and gentle behaviour to them.”[1]

Bunyan goes on to show that Christ’s gentleness and patience is beyond the scope of anything that a mere human could hope to exercise towards a people that God had given him. He shows us that even Moses that greatest of prophets was incapable. Bunyan says,


God did once give Moses, as Christ’s servant, a handful of his people, to carry them in his bosom, but no further than from Egypt to Canaan. And this Moses, as is said of him by the Holy Ghost, was the meekest man that was then to be found in the earth. Yes, and he loved the people at a very great rate; yet neither would his meekness nor love hold out in this work. He failed and grew passionate, even to the provoking of his God to anger under this work. ‘And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?’ But what was the affliction? Why, the Lord had said to him, ‘Carry this people in thy bosom as a nursing father beareth the suckling child, unto the land which I swore unto their fathers.’ And how then? Not I, says Moses, ‘I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. If thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand…and let me not see my wretchedness’.[2]


We can learn two things, at least, from this comparison of Christ and Moses. First, the love of Christ for us is indeed great, beyond anything we can imagine. The Lord, is indeed pitiful, slow to anger, and of great mercy. Not only is it great beyond our imagining, but is something so great that no mere man could give it to us. It is only the Divine God/Man who can love us and forbear towards us in this way. We should thank God daily for the gift of so great a Savior. Second, for those of us who God has called to be under-shepherds of Christ in leading his flock, we must recognize our inability to love and care for God’s people as we are called. It is only in the power of Christ the great Shepherd that we are able to love God’s elect, and then only imperfectly. We must flee to the Father in humility seeking his help and power to love his people. None of us can match Moses and even he was not equal to this task.


[1] Bunyan, John. Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ. The Banner of Truth Trust. Carlisle, PA. 2004. p. 20

[2] Ibid., p. 21


Amazing Video of Tuscaloosa Tornado

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Safe But Stagnant - How Hope Changes Everything

Note: This post is 617 words.

I have found that, as Christians, we are really good at talking about what Christ did, and what He has saved us from.  He died the death we deserved to die.  He lived the life that we should have lived.  These are glorious truths that ought to permeate every word we say.  But these truths are not all of the truth.  They are not all of the Gospel.  They are not all of the Good News.

I confess.  I have paid little attention to the hope of glory.  I have spoken much about what Christ has saved us from; but very little about what He has saved us to.  And I don't think I am alone.  I have read and heard very little concerning, what the Apostle Paul deems, the very foundation of Christian faith and love (Col 1:1-5).  As a result, I believe we have become, what I call, a "safe but stagnant" people.

Consider an analogy to clarify.

Imagine that you are walking on a rope-and-plank bridge like you see in fantasy movies.  It is common that in these movies, especially ones filled with action, one side of the bridge is detached by an adversary, while the good guys are hastily making their way across.  As the bridge hangs there, the people hold on for dear life.

Let's drag the analogy into our context.  If one side of the bridge is faith (in what Christ has saved us from) and the other side is hope (in what Christ has saved us to), then the middle of the bridge is the Christian "walk" of love.  If the adversary detaches our hope, we are left holding on to the hanging bridge.  We are safe because it is still attached to the faith side.  But we are stagnant because we no longer have hope.

Hope is not something foreign to everyday human experience.  People are always placing their hope in a future day - a vacation, a new job, graduation, retirement, a dream house, etc.  And once these things are "seen" as something that can be realistically obtained, lives are drastically changed.  People begin to live differently now because of the hope in the future.

Those who have a vacation in view become more frugal with their resources.  Take the vacation away (no hope) and they spend money more frivolously.   When a guy gives a girl an engagement ring (the "down payment"), they both are encouraged to abstain from sexual relations (obedience) as they await (during the wilderness) their honeymoon night (the future "consummation").  Take the glory of the "consummation" away, and immorality seeps in.

When we understand that there is a guaranteed future glory, we are more willing and encouraged to endure the struggles and temptations of this present wilderness.  When we lose the hope, we become like the church in Corinth - we "eat and drink for tomorrow we die."  Without hope we are more prone to pragmatic wandering.

I have a dear friend who is homosexual.  He cannot fathom living this life without the hope of a satisfying same-sex relationship.  Sure, the Good News of what Christ has saved us from will do him well.  But the Good News of hope, of what Christ saves us to, will serve to encourage him to endure this present wilderness, so that he might gain the ultimate satisfying reward in glory.  He needs to hear about heaven.

When life is seen through the lens of our hopeless imagination, sex sits exalted on the throne as the pinacle of human pleasure.  But when life is seen through the lens of Christian hope, sex is merely a shadow that will one day fade when the Son comes in His glory.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Great Comparison of Federal Budget vs. Household Budget

Here is a great article from Dave Ramsey where he puts the federal budget numbers into "practical terms" that we can understand.  It's hard to believe that the solution can be so simple; but after he gives his comparative analysis, it's hard to believe that it's not.

He writes:

Whenever the talking heads on TV start talking about the national economy, most of our eyes start to glaze over. The gigantic numbers that they throw out there are ridiculous; most Americans have no idea what those numbers mean in practical terms. So, I thought it’d be fun to turn those figures into something we can understand a little better—like a household budget.

The federal government will take in $2.173 trillion in 2011. That’s their income, and it sounds pretty good. Until, that is, you factor in that the federal government will spend $3.818 trillion during the year. So, just like many families, the government’s outgo exceeds their income—to the tune of $1.645 trillion in overspending. That’s called the deficit. Altogether, the government has $14.2 trillion in debt.

What would happen if John Q. Public and his wife called my show with these kinds of numbers? Here’s how their financial situation would stack up:

If their household income was $55,000 per year, they’d actually be spending $96,500—$41,500 more than they made! That means they’re spending 175% of their annual income! So, in 2011 they’d add $41,500 of debt to their current credit card debt of $366,000!

What’s the first step to get out of debt? Stop overspending! But that means a family that is used to spending $96,500 a year has to learn how to live on $55,000. That’s a tough pill to swallow. Those kinds of spending cuts seriously hurt, but it’s the only way out of debt for John Q. Public.

If I ever got a call from a family that was spending $41,500 more than they made every year, you would definitely expect me to yell at them for their dumb behavior, right? Kids, no more McDonald’s four times a week. Snacks come from the grocery store now. And we’re not going to the movies for a while, so break out the board games and TV Guide. This family has a problem, so it’s time to amputate the lifestyle!

It works the same way for the government. You can’t borrow your way out of debt, whether you’re a typical American family or the entire U.S. government. At some point, you’ve got to say, “Enough is enough!” and make the hard cuts necessary to win over the long haul.

(HT: Z)