Sliced Diced and Mashed/Lost Art

Lost Art

And the judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

                                                                                                              …Isaiah 59:14

           

            My husband and I were driving around our city of Springfield, Missouri commenting how there doesn’t exist morals, and godly character any more.  The words proper, decent, and appropriate are words which my husband refers to as relative. Meaning—depending on how individuals perceive, or view the subject matter, is whether it is right or wrong.  I even found myself looking up the word proper in the dictionary to see if there was a p or pp, since the written form is almost archaic.

            Discussing further, trying between ourselves to solve the world’s dilemmas, it was mentioned how we don’t see any integrity displayed.  My bother-in-law applied for a job, went to the interview where a question was asked of him, “If you saw a fellow worker stealing, would you turn him in?”  Interesting isn’t it, that the question would need to be asked?  The code of thieves is, “Don’t tell.”

            A couple of days later, we were driving in a residential neighborhood when I caught a glimpse of a yard sign with “Integrity for rent” in big lettering.  I chuckled to myself as I thought, If you haven’t any integrity, rent some.  We are almost to that point aren’t we?

            Of course, the integrity sign displayed a home realty company advertising on their rental property.  We have to have a sense of humor in this world of mixed up values.

            I know where a guide for living can be found with tools that will equip anyone to be proper, decent, and appropriate in every way; in the Word of God.  His Word is not archaic, it is Truth.  Here, integrity is not rented it is free, for those who choose to live a godly life in Christ.  A question that deserves pondering, “Why is it hard to find these qualities in our Christian family, when we have it displayed so clearly in the person of Jesus Christ?”

Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Honest Truth

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet ye are not able. For ye are carnal...

                                                                                                            ...1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Randy and Janice told me about their grandson's first day at school.  Kindergarten is a fun time for most parents and their children, getting the feel of a true classroom for the first time. 

Randy asked his grandson how his first day went, and was taken by his response.

"It's OK!"

"Do you like your teacher?" asked Randy.

"No!"

"Why not?"  Randy continued to probe.

"Because my teacher is old, ugly and wears glasses," exclaimed the kindergartner.

Randy piped up and said, "You aren't going to say that to her are you?"

"No, Grampa, I was going to write her a note!"

Needless to say Grampa Randy was taken back by his reply, and set out to explain to him how we don't always say or write what we think.  Some things are just best left unsaid or unwritten.

               In this case we find a bit of humor, because of the age and innocence of a child.  Randy and Janice did imply their grandson loves to speak whatever is on his mind.  Paul speaks what is on his mind, and has written to the church of Corinth.  Paul writes truth in love.  Randy's grandson spoke truth not in love yet, for his teacher.  In a few weeks ask the same question and his grandson may feel differently.  Paul though writes truth in love, about the carnality in the church. 

            Paul tells the church they are still drinking milk, or taking baby steps when they should be eating meat and walking giant steps as a church.  They are busy arguing whom they will follow.  Do we follow Paul? Paul asks the question, ...was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?(1 Cor.1:13).  

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect (! Cor. 1: 17). 

            Truth most times, is like getting hit on the head with a walnut by a chipmunk.  Randy's grandson told from his perspective how he saw his first day as a child in kindergarten.  It may not have been said the way we would say it, but he was just not impressed with his first day because it was not what it was cracked up to be. 

Paul on the other hand wrote truth as instructed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  I, though, would not recommend writing a note to a teacher telling her she is old and ugly.  Words like this would not win brownie points if he wants to pass kindergarten. Wouldn't that be something to fail Kindergarten?

 Preach, write, walk or talk, but do it in truth and love.  It takes both to be effective.