Another pithy little saying that comes to mind is "I don't want to be so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good." anonymous

I, on the other hand, think the statement is bogus ... unless it is viewed correctly, that is. :) Now, I recognize what is being criticized by the saying, but I think the wrong thing has been identified. The direction of the comment suggests that too much Jesus, or too much of the Spirit, would make a person of no earthly good (and that has always been the lie of the deceiver) but the truth of the matter is that too much religion is the cause of this syndrome. :) The contemporary Christian religion and mindset has given rise to the perception that those who are the most devoted to God are the ones who are most devoted to the institution, and/or its teachings and practices. Funny, that's the same false perception held by the people in Jesus' day.

Actually, the very concept of heavenly-minded has come to have little to do with setting one's affection on things above, as in Christ himself, but has far more to do with the religion of man that has built itself up around the idea of Christianity. There is nothing quite so tragic in the realm of the religious institution according to those who are comfortable with a moderate amount of devotion as when one of their own takes it to extreme and becomes caught up with his own devotion.

If the phrase heavenly-minded does in fact refer to the very life and freedom of Christ then there is no such thing as having too much of it. The very essence of the religious mind revolves around its own self, and NOT around Christ, though it will use Christ to its own means in order to promote itself. It's no wonder that those who get caught up in too much of this mindset discover that their devotion to God seems to cut them off from the very ones the real God would love through them.

Keep the real Christ in your thoughts - and even let it carry you away - for HIS life is so very real, and very connected to true relationship with those around you! :)

Love, Jim