Philip Yancey... he shares a rendering of the Beatitudes... written by JB Phillips... a reversal that applies to the kingdom of this world:
Happy are the "pushers": for they get on in the world.
Happy are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.
Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.
Happy are the blase: for they never worry over their sins.
Happy are the slave-drivers: for they get results.
Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.
Happy are the trouble-makers: for they make people take notice of them.
I see myself... and others... among these worldly...
... the hard-boiled... a temptation I deal with... when things are hard... easier for me to harden... than bear the agony of love...
... they who complain... at times... this is me... and others around me... working words... to make a way...
... the blase... here I see a loved one... understand a heart... that chooses to be blind to sin...
... the slave-driver... a demeanor I could easily choose... with the blase-rebel... currently under my roof...
Convicted... by the tendency... to embrace the way of the world...
Encouraged... by the insights revealed...
Affirmed... in my sense... of what's going on in another...
Inspired... to remember... to eat... the Words... of the One full of grace...
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3-10
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