Sunday, July 13, 2008

Going "Hmmm..."

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that you have read numerous times before yet a certain verse, phrase, or sentence catches you and you think, "Wow, I don't think I remember reading that before?" That happened to me early this morning. I am reading through Matthew again and these verses were the unlikely culprits.
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37
Being a preacher, I understand the power of words and the necessity of choosing them carefully. However, do I apply this same principle in my own life, in the way I speak to family, friends, neighbors, the lost, and even on the blogs? Verse 36 is especially sobering; Jesus said we will give an accounting for EVERY word spoken. I'm not a fan of the "video-tape rollback" theory of how the judgment is going to be carried out, but if it has any merit, I will be watching with my head hung low, humiliated for a very long time.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tony, "but if it has any merit, I will be watching with my head hung low, humiliated for a very long time."
Won't we all, my brother, won't we all.
The verse which has you pondering comes into my mind many times in a given day. It's probably no accident that I write numerous posts about controlling one's tongue, thoughts, attitudes and conversations, is it? selahV

Kerri said...

Tony,
Don't you know . . . hasn't anyone explained to you the rules of etiquette in posting, and especially quoting, Scripture on your blog? I'm very fond of both of your blogs, so I'm happy to take the time to explain it to you: Anything you post should be sprinkled with sugar, tickling to the ears and tender to the emotion. There are just certain passages that are not for posting. Just look around at all the prosperity gospel. They've got this down to an art.
Okay . . . that's about it . . . just wanting to help you out here and prevent the possibility of my reading your blog and feeling convicted about anything again!!!!!

Tony said...

Mrs. V,

Yes, we all will. Thanks for your constant reminder at your blog about the power of the tongue. I need it!!! I need that verse to come into my mind many times every day. That is why I'm committing them to memory. Ask me how its going in a day or two, K?

Kerri,

Hi! I would have never given you over to be a snarky person. Uhhh...you are being...snarky ...uhhh...aren't you? ;)

Karma Shuford said...

WoohOOoo. A potential partner in snark.

Sometimes (most of the times, actually) I honestly think I would be better served to just commit to keep my mouth shut and my fingers off the keyboard.

Definitely an area I need to work on. :/

M. Steve Heartsill said...

Kerri and Karma, partners in snark...

There's the name for your homeschool, Karma, Snark Academy...or, how about Academy of Snark.

Tony said...

Guys,

Its best NOT to encourage Karma. It just is. OK?

Karma Shuford said...

Let the record show the the Rev. has issued the decree NOT to encourage a sister in Christ. :)

Tony said...

You got that nose ring yet? Don't call me "Rev." until you do.

Karma Shuford said...

". . . and lead me not into temptation.. . ."

Karma Shuford said...

Back on topic -- If it were *just* our words that were judged, we could probably "handle" it. However, it is the heart behind the words that can make it even worse.


(Memorized them yet?)

Kerri said...

Hi Tony,

okay! I just looked "snark" up on the online urban dictionary. No, I'm really not a snark, but I admit to being very sarcastic in my comment. I'm not usually so snarky. I'm fond of your post, and am so weary of the tickling ears/prosperity life garbage with no hint of accountability that permeates everything in our "christian" culture. My snarkiness is really a masked affirmation of your post.

In His AMAZING love,
k

Karma Shuford said...

I, however, am typically snarky. :) But, don't let him fool you, Tony really does think I'm cool.

I think. or, he tolerates me because of my husband, who doesn't have a snarky bone in his body.

:)

Kerri said...

Karma,
I enjoy reading snarky banter . . . just not so quick on my feet to author it much.

Anonymous said...

So, the real question is, will we be held in account for all the comments we typed but never hit "enter" on? :)

I am SO grateful for the privilege to edit and preview before posting and commenting. Even with that I still regret a large percentage of my words.

Tony said...

Kerri,

I understood; I was just being snarky in my response. :)

Thanks for the good words of affirmation for my blog; I appreciate that very much!!

Karma,

I do think you are cool.

Really.

Honest.

Seriously.

Still working on memorization.

Bernard not talking these days?

Karma Shuford said...

Bernard is working crazy hours and had the equivalent of a deacon's meeting tonight (if we had more than one deacon). He may get on later.

Anonymous said...

the equivalent of a deacon's meeting tonight (if we had more than one deacon)

Karma, are you saying that Bernard just sat in a room by himself talking?

Tony said...

Well, you could count that as one person who would genuinely listen to him.

Anonymous said...

You guys are too much.
Thanks for the laugh.
I really needed it today.

Karma Shuford said...

Bernard's not a deacon. (So, does that mean no one was listening to him?)

We have an "administration board." The long range plan is to replace it with deacons, but for now, we have one deacon and 4 or 5 board members.

CB Scott said...

Sobering, is it not?

cb

Karma Shuford said...

cb -- the original post is sobering, or the fact that we only have one deacon?

(I'm assuming you mean the original post, and I would agree, but I want to make sure).

CB Scott said...

Mrs. Shuford,

The reference was to the post. I had not read the comment thread.

I have now read your comments and will say; One of the churches we planted back in the early 70s had no deacons for over three years. Things worked just fine without them those three years. Frankly, things worked just fine even after we got a few also.

cb

Karma Shuford said...

cb, I thought that is what you meant, just wanted to make sure.

We had no deacons (and no board), for a couple of years, then just a board, When our current pastor came, we started the move to the deacon board. That is where we are currently.

In theory, eventually, we will make the transition to the more traditional(as in how most Baptist churches do it) deacon set-up.

Tony said...

Joe,

You're welcome!

Karma,

There are only four deacons at Grandview and it is a real blessing.

So, does that mean no one was listening to him? Just pickin' on he who will not stick up for himself. ;)

I actually think Brother Barnyard would make a fine deacon.

Karma Shuford said...

So does Daryl. "Brother Barnyard," though feels differently.


(LOOK -- I'm posting from work. Not sure how -- all blogs were blocked last week)

Tony said...

Wow, I feel like I'm talking about Bernard behind his back (good thing this is open commenting!), but I have discovered that I would much rather have a man serve as a deacon who finds himself incapable than one who thinks that is exactly where he should be. I don't know how B "feels" about it, but if I'm interpreting the pixels correctly, and what I know thusly about B, then IMHO, that makes him all the more qualified.

God makes up for weakness much more quickly than toning down "strength".

Karma Shuford said...

Got 'em memorized yet?

Tony said...

Got 'em memorized yet?

Close! Still stumbling on verse 27 a bit.

Bernard Shuford said...

Huh.

Bernard Shuford said...

:)

I've written a lot of long comments on here lately, so I just thought I'd be a little less verbose today.

As well, just letting the Babe know I'm always around somewhere watching for people who make fun of me. :)

Tony said...

That's funny. Its exactly the same reason I avoided commenting on the post about children's church at your blog.

And wait...we don't make fun of you here...do we?

Bernard Shuford said...

Daggone. Don't ever feel the need to be silent over there. :)

And don't ever feel the need to agree with me in order to maintain a friendship. I'm a big fan of disagreeing with dignity.

Karma Shuford said...

I'm assuming you have them memorized by now? :P