So I was thinking the other day...
What makes a lie a lie? Which of the following are lies?
1) "Dude, I must have had 50 of those dinner rolls."
2) "Danger? That's my middle name."
3) " That meal cost me an arm and a leg."
4) " How do I get big muscles? Well, ya know, steroids kinda help...."
See, we recognize the first statement as an exaggeration, and not to be taken seriously. The second and third statements use a figure of speech easily understood by most Americans, and not to be taken literally. The last statement though, you aren't so sure. Am I joking or being serious? If I leave you thinking I'm serious, have I told a lie? Especially if later you found out I don't use steroids, and that my big muscles are simply through hard work, would you think I had lied to you? Did I?
Or does it really depend on the speaker's motives, regardless of how the other person interprets it? If I intentionally try to deceive someone with a statement, it's a lie, and if I am simply trying to be funny, that makes it simply a joke?
Hmm, penny for your thoughts?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
godliness: exception for the road?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19308664/
Here’s one thing I believe the Roman Catholics do indeed have right: the 10 Commandments for drivers. I believe this issue is important for all Christian drivers, especially for those in big cities like Los Angeles. Geepers, in LA, people are crazy drivers!! What’s more, some of them are the godliest Christians I know. Hmm, “So what’s the big deal?” you ask...
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” says 1 Corinthians 10:31. “What does it mean to eat to the glory of God and to drink to his glory? Moreover, what does it mean to do EVERYTHING to his glory? I had an interesting thought yesterday… Do we do bring God glory when we do something good for others, even when the other person will never know who we are or the reason we are doing it? Or equally, do we dishonor our Lord even if the recipient of our wrath will never know we are a Christian? I think the answers are obvious. Ahhh, let us talk about the original topic now then, shall we? DRIVING.
This then is what I wonder, don’t we bring God dishonor when we do cut people off, not let people in, speed 20 miles over the speed limit? “But it’s justified!” you say. “There was a jerk that was not letting anyone in, and he tried to come into my lane. I gave him a dose of his own medicine. That should have taught him a lesson.”
Whoa whoa whoa. Take a chill pill and spit out the Hator-ade for just a second and really think. Do we honestly think the other person will respond, “Oh, I was such a jerk earlier, but wow, this guy not letting in me sure taught me a lesson. I got my just desserts.” I bet you anything in their mind they thought about you: “What a jerk!”
My point is this: We unconsciously expect others to perceive our fulfillment of justice the same way we do. We simply cannot do that, and especially in a situation where like driving where we will often never exchange a word at the opposite driver.
Listen to Proverbs 25: 21-23 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Could this actually be applied on the road?? Could our graciousness actually spur thankfulness in others?
I think all Christians should drive as if a huge “I am a follower of Jesus” sign is stuck on the roof of your car. How would that change the way you drive? Let’s glorify Christ even when others do not know we are Christians. Isn’t it hypocrisy when we only act good and proper when there are other people around, and especially others know we are Christians?
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" said Gandhi.
"Paying back a bad driver by a bad action only perpetuates a society of angry drivers, " says Cdubb.
Here’s one thing I believe the Roman Catholics do indeed have right: the 10 Commandments for drivers. I believe this issue is important for all Christian drivers, especially for those in big cities like Los Angeles. Geepers, in LA, people are crazy drivers!! What’s more, some of them are the godliest Christians I know. Hmm, “So what’s the big deal?” you ask...
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” says 1 Corinthians 10:31. “What does it mean to eat to the glory of God and to drink to his glory? Moreover, what does it mean to do EVERYTHING to his glory? I had an interesting thought yesterday… Do we do bring God glory when we do something good for others, even when the other person will never know who we are or the reason we are doing it? Or equally, do we dishonor our Lord even if the recipient of our wrath will never know we are a Christian? I think the answers are obvious. Ahhh, let us talk about the original topic now then, shall we? DRIVING.
This then is what I wonder, don’t we bring God dishonor when we do cut people off, not let people in, speed 20 miles over the speed limit? “But it’s justified!” you say. “There was a jerk that was not letting anyone in, and he tried to come into my lane. I gave him a dose of his own medicine. That should have taught him a lesson.”
Whoa whoa whoa. Take a chill pill and spit out the Hator-ade for just a second and really think. Do we honestly think the other person will respond, “Oh, I was such a jerk earlier, but wow, this guy not letting in me sure taught me a lesson. I got my just desserts.” I bet you anything in their mind they thought about you: “What a jerk!”
My point is this: We unconsciously expect others to perceive our fulfillment of justice the same way we do. We simply cannot do that, and especially in a situation where like driving where we will often never exchange a word at the opposite driver.
Listen to Proverbs 25: 21-23 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Could this actually be applied on the road?? Could our graciousness actually spur thankfulness in others?
I think all Christians should drive as if a huge “I am a follower of Jesus” sign is stuck on the roof of your car. How would that change the way you drive? Let’s glorify Christ even when others do not know we are Christians. Isn’t it hypocrisy when we only act good and proper when there are other people around, and especially others know we are Christians?
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" said Gandhi.
"Paying back a bad driver by a bad action only perpetuates a society of angry drivers, " says Cdubb.
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