Jesus and the ATM... I did not have an adequate answer to his inquiry, "Didn't you see that I was waiting for the ATM?" I did not have an adequate answer, so I did not respond the first time he asked me. I did not have an adequate answer, so I could not respond the second time he asked either. If he had asked again, I would not have had answer. I was not ignoring him behind smoky self absorption. I just did not have an answer. I did not have an answer because I did not do anything wrong. I did not purposely cut in front of him, I did not usurp his place in line at the ATM. He was waiting behind the tinted, heated windows of his large gas guzzling MAN truck. The line for the ATM was 20 feet from the driveway where his truck was parked. I did not even know there was anyone in the truck. I could not have known if he was waiting for the ATM machine, preparing a sealed deposit envelope, smoking a fatty or making plans to invade Idaho. I could not have known because I am not a member of the Mind Readers Society of America. Most days, I barely know what is going on in my own mind, let alone that which is going on in the mind of someone sitting in a running, heated automobile staring at the world from behind tinted windows. If I could read minds, it is quite likely I would have sensed his irritation, sensed that I had inadvertantly wounded him in some way and I would have let him use the ATM before I did. I am a patient man. I was not rushing anywhere. I rarely rush to or for anything. I could easily spare the 20-30 seconds involved in completing the average ATM transaction. I guess he is very important, could not spare the time and I trammled irreverently upon the mighty principle of the matter. As I get back in the car, I see the reason. Jesus Saves. Jesus is Lord. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Damned Christians. He can probably recite name, number and verse of obscure Biblical references to justify anything he does in life. He got the power of Jesus behind him. He has turned his life over to the Lord, but he is still a damned fool. He reads his Holy Bible front, back and sideways. He still does not get it. He goes to Bible study every Wednesday, Sunday school, regular church services, potluck dinners, rummage sales, bake sales, leads a youth outreach ministry, tithes ten and prays every night before bed. He still does not get it. He knows shit about Jesus. If he knew anything about Jesus, he would remove the stupid bumper stickers from his truck and stop parading his faith around town like a hooker showing shining wares of thigh and ass. If he knew anything about his Lord, he would cease the empty posing and practice. Practice turning the other cheek. Practice forgiving those that sin against him. Practice doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Practice humility instead of hubris. This world is in pretty rough shape when a heathenous, surely going to Hell or worse, cursing, potty mouthed, non-believer like myself has to tell a devout Christian brother to behave more like Jesus and less like an arrogant, overbearing asshole, less like an uptight, middle aged asshole, less like a the world revolves around me and only my asshole. Remember... Jesus may love assholes like you, but, He loves the rest of us too. That's just the kind of God He is.