"A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes they got the biggest piece." Ludwig Erhard
"Tolerance is the vision that makes one see things from any others' viewpoint." Anonymous
When Rome had been humbled by Carthage, some members of the Roman Senate suggested that Rome seek some compromise. An old senator leapt to his feet and cried, "Stop! Remember this - Rome does not go to battle. Rome goes to War."
At first glance what possible problem would anyone have with compromise or tolerance? These seem to be noble traits that help keep peace between people. But what if compromise or tolerance for someone else's standards actually causes you to undermine your own standards? What should we do as Christians when the two come into conflict? How do we know when to be gracious enough to see things from another's point of view and when we must "go to war" and stand firm for our own beliefs? Let's see if the following Scriptures can shed some light on this matter. Enjoy!
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Acts 5:17-32
1 Corinthians 5:9-11
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
PSSSST! Here is a sneak peak into next week's topic - Faith and Doubts
January 24, 2010
January 19, 2010
Political Correctness
"If all printers were determined not to print anything until they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed." Benjamin Franklin
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Thumper, in the movie, Bambi, (and millions of moms all over the world.)
Examples of political correctness:
Vehicle appearance specialist - car washer
Horizontally challenged - fat
Vertically challenged - Short
Chronologically gifted - old
In transition between careers - out of work
We have all heard the term politcal correctness used in our language today. The Wikipedia describes it as "A linguistic concept aimed at removing words or terms that would be perceived as offensive to certain groups, especially racial or cultural groups." Some people find it helpful or tolerant, while others find it repulsive to speaking the truth. Some can be humorous, like the examples above, but the use of language has always been one of the most powerful means of either lifting someone up or tearing them down. The old children's rhyme that ends with "...but words can never hurt me..." missed out on the reality of being at the wrong end of brutal language. Still it often seems that many have taken political correctness to an extreme. Here are a few questions for you to consider: Is there a place for politically correct language in the Christian life? What makes the difference for determining when politically correct language is a mask for a lack of conviction and when it is truly sensitive to the feelings of others?
Here are a few Scriptures to help get the conversation rolling. Enjoy!
Colossians 4:6
Titus 2:6-8
Proverbs 16:21
James 5:12
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Thumper, in the movie, Bambi, (and millions of moms all over the world.)
Examples of political correctness:
Vehicle appearance specialist - car washer
Horizontally challenged - fat
Vertically challenged - Short
Chronologically gifted - old
In transition between careers - out of work
We have all heard the term politcal correctness used in our language today. The Wikipedia describes it as "A linguistic concept aimed at removing words or terms that would be perceived as offensive to certain groups, especially racial or cultural groups." Some people find it helpful or tolerant, while others find it repulsive to speaking the truth. Some can be humorous, like the examples above, but the use of language has always been one of the most powerful means of either lifting someone up or tearing them down. The old children's rhyme that ends with "...but words can never hurt me..." missed out on the reality of being at the wrong end of brutal language. Still it often seems that many have taken political correctness to an extreme. Here are a few questions for you to consider: Is there a place for politically correct language in the Christian life? What makes the difference for determining when politically correct language is a mask for a lack of conviction and when it is truly sensitive to the feelings of others?
Here are a few Scriptures to help get the conversation rolling. Enjoy!
Colossians 4:6
Titus 2:6-8
Proverbs 16:21
James 5:12
January 11, 2010
Faith in a Public Forum
"Faith is found beside the most refined life, the freest government, the profoundest philosophy, the noblest poetry and the purest humanity." Theodore T. Munger
A daredevil once strung a tightwire between two skyscrapers in New York City. As a crowd formed he asked how many believed he could walk across without falling. A few cheers went up. So the man carefully and successfully walked across to the other building and back. Next he asked hoiw many believed he could cross the wire while carrying a 75 pound bag of sand. A few more people joined in their approval and watched as the man once again crossed the chasm and back, returning this time to loud cheers. A third time the daredevil asked how many believed he could successfully make it across and back this time carrying two sacks of sand loaded in a wheelbarrow! The crowd roared their encouragement as the man once again completed the amazing feat. Finally the man asked if the crowd believed he could carry another man in the wheelbarrow across and back? The throng erupted with shouts of approval, but when the daredevil asked for a volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow ...there was silence.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33
The daredevil in the story above publicly demonstrated his belief in his ability to perform a death-defying act of balance. The crowd, after seeing several successful crossings professed their belief in his abilities as well. But when asked to participate in the event, their faith suddenly shrunk and no one was found to do more than be a spectator.
This lesson deals with the question of whether or not Christians should be open and visible with their faith, especially in public forums, from politics to schools or workplaces to the grocery store. Is there any place where we should not be open about our faith? Are there any circumstances under which we should perhaps not hide our faith but not be particularly demonstrative about it? Can we always declare that our faith is what guides our decision-making no matter what the topic of conversation?
Here are a few Scriptures to consider as you post your comments. Again I will wait until Sunday to post my own. Enjoy!
Matthew 5:14-16
Romans 14:9-13
Acts 4:1-20
A daredevil once strung a tightwire between two skyscrapers in New York City. As a crowd formed he asked how many believed he could walk across without falling. A few cheers went up. So the man carefully and successfully walked across to the other building and back. Next he asked hoiw many believed he could cross the wire while carrying a 75 pound bag of sand. A few more people joined in their approval and watched as the man once again crossed the chasm and back, returning this time to loud cheers. A third time the daredevil asked how many believed he could successfully make it across and back this time carrying two sacks of sand loaded in a wheelbarrow! The crowd roared their encouragement as the man once again completed the amazing feat. Finally the man asked if the crowd believed he could carry another man in the wheelbarrow across and back? The throng erupted with shouts of approval, but when the daredevil asked for a volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow ...there was silence.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33
The daredevil in the story above publicly demonstrated his belief in his ability to perform a death-defying act of balance. The crowd, after seeing several successful crossings professed their belief in his abilities as well. But when asked to participate in the event, their faith suddenly shrunk and no one was found to do more than be a spectator.
This lesson deals with the question of whether or not Christians should be open and visible with their faith, especially in public forums, from politics to schools or workplaces to the grocery store. Is there any place where we should not be open about our faith? Are there any circumstances under which we should perhaps not hide our faith but not be particularly demonstrative about it? Can we always declare that our faith is what guides our decision-making no matter what the topic of conversation?
Here are a few Scriptures to consider as you post your comments. Again I will wait until Sunday to post my own. Enjoy!
Matthew 5:14-16
Romans 14:9-13
Acts 4:1-20
January 4, 2010
Little White Lies
"Those who are given to little white lies soon become color blind." - Anonymous
"Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment" - Proverbs 12:19
Once there was a mother who asked her young daughter, "Do you know what happens to little girls who tell lies?" To which the young daughter replied, "Of course I do. They grow up and tell little girls they'll get curly hair if they eat their spinach."
Is the mom in the above story guilty? Does it really make a difference if no one is being harmed? Or does the harm being done seem as little to others as it does to us? Is harm being done to the relationship even if the particular circumstance causes no pain? Does the degree of the lie make any difference to the integrity of the person telling it?
Here is the question for the week - Is there really any difference between a "little white lie" and a big fat lie?
Here are a few Scriptures to help you determine your answers and responses, feel free to quote your own as well. You'll get my response on Sunday, January 10th. Enjoy!
Judges 16:4-21
Acts 5:1-11
Colossians 3:9
James 3:1-12
"Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment" - Proverbs 12:19
Once there was a mother who asked her young daughter, "Do you know what happens to little girls who tell lies?" To which the young daughter replied, "Of course I do. They grow up and tell little girls they'll get curly hair if they eat their spinach."
Is the mom in the above story guilty? Does it really make a difference if no one is being harmed? Or does the harm being done seem as little to others as it does to us? Is harm being done to the relationship even if the particular circumstance causes no pain? Does the degree of the lie make any difference to the integrity of the person telling it?
Here is the question for the week - Is there really any difference between a "little white lie" and a big fat lie?
Here are a few Scriptures to help you determine your answers and responses, feel free to quote your own as well. You'll get my response on Sunday, January 10th. Enjoy!
Judges 16:4-21
Acts 5:1-11
Colossians 3:9
James 3:1-12
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