"In Our Thoughts and Prayers"

I’m sure you’ve noticed that every time someone has an accident or other unfortunate event in their lives, there will be some who will immediately tell them that they are in their “thoughts and prayers.” Whenever I hear someone say such a thing (often on TV or some other form of mass media), I can’t help but wonder if the person saying such a thing really understands what they’re saying. I know that this is usually offered as some sort of consolation to the one who is the victim of the mishap. But does the speaker understand what he or she is saying? More than likely they do not. All too often you will hear people say such things who, by the way they conduct themselves and the things they say on a daily basis, have no concern for the spiritual and who, dare I say it, probably do little if any praying.

Out of the Abundance of the Heart!

"Words are power. Whether used to twist or reveal, language matters..." Washington Post

If you're older than five, you're more than likely to have heard the saying "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It is one of those little rhymes that parents teach their children to help them understand that they need to let go of insults and hurtful words sent in their direction. But, as with so many of these sayings that we all too often take for granted, it is not true. Sure, sticks and stones will hurt your bones, but words can be as painful as any physical object. And they can be as or more painful because of the effect they will have on the soul of the hearers. And that is not even to take into account that many a child will understand the rhyme as meaning that they can insult others without hurting the hearer.

"I've Done Graduated"

The other day I was listening to a preacher discussing the peace that God gives those of us who are His. During a particularly poignant segment of the message, he mentioned that he had spent some time in the hospital visiting a brother on the edge of eternity. According to the preacher, a lady who works in the facility, wanting to give comfort to the bereaved, said that "this is okay because this will only add another angel to heaven." This was said without knowledge as to who the individual on the verge of death was or what was his particular belief system.