Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #26 |
||
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
JESUS calls US to be |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
||
(*) Our Words (*)
Don't Always Say What We MeanBy Bill Love
[In THE CHRISTIAN APPEAL, May 1997 issue [2310 Anna St,
Amarillo, TX 79106, edited by Gene Shelburne et al], is
a simple article about Learning How To Listen.]In the popular situation comedy Home Improvement, Wilson (the hero?) was trying to shed light on Tim's problems.
"Well, you know what Aristotle said about Plato, don't you?"
"Yeah," Tim replied, "Keep the lid on it, or it'll dry out on you."
Serious barriers to communication sometimes keep us from really understanding what people around us are truly saying. Perhaps we need to learn better how to listen.
One of the barriers is just the distance between our words. Tim had no idea (or we are to suppose he didn't) who Plato was. Not because he was stupid, but just because he and Wilson had traveled different paths.
Another barrier is the ambiguity of word usage. A bride and groom look forward to their honeymoon. She dreams of shutting the world out and enjoying their love nest by the sea. He looks forward to taking her deep-sea fishing in the company of several good friends. Both use the word "honeymoon," but they mean very different things. Before this misunderstanding is straightened out, they're apt to use many more words!
A third common barrier is preconceived notions about the other person.
"He's from Vermont, and you know how they are."
"She's a new member, and you know what she's after."
"Did you know he voted DEMOCRAT in the last election?"
"Well, she HAS been here 25 years."
A psychiatrist, an engineer, and a doctor got lost while hunting in the Canadian woods. Coming upon a trapper's cabin, getting no answer at the door, they stepped inside to wait (and not freeze meanwhile).
In the corner, they noticed a wood-burning stove suspended on a platform near the ceiling, The psychiatrist explained this oddity as the trapper's psychological problem caused by isolation.The engineer said it was an ingenious form of forced-air heating. The doctor said the man had arthritis and couldn't bend over to feed the fire.
When the trapper returned, they asked him why the stove was up in the air.
"Simple," said the man. "My stove pipe is too short."
A simple rule for communication is this one: If in doubt, ask. No one minds hearing: "I'm not sure what you mean. Please explain."
A subscription (in the U.S.) to CHRISTIAN APPEAL is only $7 per year.
Beautifully printed. Edited for brevity and poetic
beauty. A good buy for every Christian.
From: Lyle1321@aol.com Date sent: Fri, 23 Jan 1998
Subject: the lyle file (25)Proper Thinking
We all face every situation in our lives with only our presuppositions. We come to each challange with an already predetermined method of solving it. Our presuppositions are learned. They are the grids through which we see and solve problems. Some have learned to run from them and others block them out.
Some assign their problems to someone else and some play the blame game. Some folks see life as a series of problems while God's people see life as a series of opportunities and answers.
When people become old enough to think, and know they are thinking, they must know how to question their conclusions and come to new conclusions. How is this accomplished?
"...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things."
-- Philippians 4:8-- Lyle Ensminger --
Brief Bible Study #26 from Ray Downen. To go back to
Viewpoint's first page, click < here. Or here to go on to Viewpoint Study 27. For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.
