On Language
Not long ago a request was made of me to consider the language I use when writing for this blog. The one commenting noted how "shocked" he was that I use language like sucks and phrases like pissed off when writing. What was shocking to me was the person didn't even note the title of my December 21, 2005 post!
I am a paradox when it comes to the written and spoken word. There are times when I use language flippantly tossing out overused and, therefore, meaningless phrases like pissed off or that's hot or spare me your feeble attempt at levity. I should even admit that two weeks ago the words that's too legit to quit could even be heard coming from my mouth. I'm well aware that when I use language in such cheeky ways the weight of consideration given to what I say is lessened.
But there are times - when I preach, teach or when I counsel - that I choose words carefully. Rarely do I preach extemporaneously for I believe that when speaking of/on/about/to God each word should be given consideration. I'm serious about the words that flow from my mouth in these moments and this is where the paradox lies. Sometimes I'm quite flippant, sometimes I'm very serious.
But ultimately the words can get in the way of what's really going on because we have put an undue and undeserved amount of weight upon them. Ultimately language is secondary to the thing which it represents. Ultimately language recedes into the background as the thing the language describes takes front and center.
And so I'll continue to be a paradox when using language on this blog and in my own life knowing that my language is ultimately not where judgment lies. The greatest example of what I'm talking about is the way evangelical Tony Campolo has been known to begin a sermon.
"Tens of thousands of children died last night because of poverty related issues and we don't give a shit."
After a brief moment of silence he continues.
"What's disturbing to me is that just now, in that brief moment of silence, more of you were concerned with the fact that I said the word shit than with the fact that tens of thousands of children died last night."
-
I am a paradox when it comes to the written and spoken word. There are times when I use language flippantly tossing out overused and, therefore, meaningless phrases like pissed off or that's hot or spare me your feeble attempt at levity. I should even admit that two weeks ago the words that's too legit to quit could even be heard coming from my mouth. I'm well aware that when I use language in such cheeky ways the weight of consideration given to what I say is lessened.
But there are times - when I preach, teach or when I counsel - that I choose words carefully. Rarely do I preach extemporaneously for I believe that when speaking of/on/about/to God each word should be given consideration. I'm serious about the words that flow from my mouth in these moments and this is where the paradox lies. Sometimes I'm quite flippant, sometimes I'm very serious.
But ultimately the words can get in the way of what's really going on because we have put an undue and undeserved amount of weight upon them. Ultimately language is secondary to the thing which it represents. Ultimately language recedes into the background as the thing the language describes takes front and center.
And so I'll continue to be a paradox when using language on this blog and in my own life knowing that my language is ultimately not where judgment lies. The greatest example of what I'm talking about is the way evangelical Tony Campolo has been known to begin a sermon.
"Tens of thousands of children died last night because of poverty related issues and we don't give a shit."
After a brief moment of silence he continues.
"What's disturbing to me is that just now, in that brief moment of silence, more of you were concerned with the fact that I said the word shit than with the fact that tens of thousands of children died last night."
-
posted by jch at
9:12 PM
46 Comments:
I, like you, try to choose words of testimony very carefully. Even those carefully chosen words can be a disaster. So my "Plan B" is to extend much grace to all about words chosen and used in the hopes that the same consideration will be given me.
I don't know you at all but the words of this blog and testimony of God's work and your faithfulness through the struggle have blessed me. And you have plenty of reason and opportunity to use the phrases, "sucks" and "pissed off". Sometimes those are the only words that fit, I'm sure.
If there is ever time to use a swear word, I think the time to use it is when your baby is in the hospital. I think they are very strong words, but sometimes those strong words are the most appropriate because they are so strong.
2 legit 2 quit, you say? I say right on, bro. Unsettling that we give a shit about shit. I do want my spring to overflow with fresh, clean water, but I want it to do so with passion for the grace given me and with grace for the salty springs.
Well, I'm the guy who started this uproar. I appreciate your honesty, Joe, and the honesty of all those who have replied.
I agree that God is more concerned with our thoughts and motives than our actual words. But....
I think there is a whole lot of rationalization going on here. Blaming your somewhat shocking words on the circumstances that prompt them is, to me, trying to justify your weakness.
There are untold thousands of us who face horrible circumstances without resorting to gutter language. What a testimony it is when a Christian who is in dire straits speaks with careful and reserved words.
Our best example is Christ, who met adversity either with calm verbage or total silence.
I guess what I'm saying is that you can do better. And that indeed, the world is aware of your language and forming judgments based upon it.
Thanks for the forum to speak about this.
Tim Perkins
Thanks also, Joe, for your honest expression. One of my favorite things about you has always been your casual ability to just be who you are in every situation. I love that you do not conform to typical standards, because I think that makes you a more honest person, and that's good for ministry.
I can see the uncomfortable side of what language we use in our public statements (like a blog), but words are meant for us to use to convey all kinds of things. Sometimes emotions and experiences, and even flippant conversations, just go better if we use words that are strong enough or commonly accepted enough to fit right into what is being conveyed. If everything we ever said was as carefully weighed as what we say about God, then we'd be mentally exhausted all the time. It doesn't have to be that hard or that much work.
So, please continue to use whatever language your heart speaks, Joe. The reality of you is what makes you special and what makes you good at what you do. You and Laura are amazing, refreshing people. My life has been blessed by words you have spoken to share emotion, to tell jokes, to pray over me and to speak the name of God in countless ways.
Tony Campolo's point is a great one. What has happened that we would be so concerned about a silly little word while children, God's children, die of hunger while we throw food away? It just doesn't make sense.
Joe- Keep being who you are. We need more authentic and honest people in the world. Thanks for transparent in this way. By the way, do the words Camp of the Hills ring a bell with you?
I appreciate the candor. It's your life you shold express it in your own words. There's no weakness about that.
So, I could leave a comment on my own but instead I'll refer to something interesting I read on another favorite blog of mine a few weeks ago (for all you CCfB'ers, this is from the same post I quoted a couple weeks back in class).
"So anyway, J said to me, "You know what would be a really cool adult education class at a church? A class titled 'So what the fuck is the Trinity, anyway?'" Then we remembered that Jimmy had apologized for slipping "the S word" at the last Thad's meeting. This took us back to the topic of being welcoming and comfortable. We would never use the F word in church because that might offend people ....
But here's J's take on that: So what? What's so bad about offending people? Using the F word would offend some people, but to other people it would actually signal to them that this is a safe place. That may sound weird to a lot of you. But I will tell you, when my priests swear in front of me, it tells me they are not uptight. When they drink and listen to popular music and have tattoos or whatever, (unless it's an act to be "relevant") I think, wow, this person is like me. This person is not like what I think a Christian is like (having been duly informed of stereotypical Christians by movies, TV, and fundamentalist preachers). This person is not like my mom or neighbor or the TV pastor who are holier-than-thou - this person is real. And yes, I can get all that from my priest saying "Shit.""
here's the link (can't be a good academic without referencing your source, right?): http://feminary.blogspot.com/2006/03/planting-watering-watching-it-grow.html
I'll be looking forward to this new round of classes at CCfB Joe--creatively titled, "how the hell do we read the Bible anyway?" :)
Guess I'm the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
Won't anyone come to my defense?
Tim
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I have to agree with Joe. (Sorry Tim.) It's your word (not your words) that matters most as well as the truth of your message. What's appropriate or offensive in language is determined by the community, but it doesn't make it necessarily right or wrong.
The language I see here on this blog and in the comment are disappointing and lazy.
Chrisitans should rise above this commonplace, insidious vocabulary and do what Paul says in the Bible.
How can you respect someone who uses language like this??? Sure, it may be down-to-earth to you. Jesus was a down-to-earth guy. I don't recall him "ministering" through bad language and poor choice of words.
Brett
Paul uses "creative" language in the NT in a few places; our current versions of the Bible are somewhat tame, however, in their translations. I have a question. How many Christians who read this blog came to Christ because they were attracted to the purity and/or piety of other Christians? This is an honest question.
What is the purpose of refraining from cursing? Holiness? "Be holy as I am holy?" "Do not take the Lord's name in vain."? Do we think that through our holiness or separate-ness from others that we are in fact doing so to draw others to Christ (or at least or interpretation of him), or do we set ourselves apart because we like having something to hold over others that serves as a barrier between us and the world?
For my money, people don't want to hear about how pious someone is (especially new Christians or those who are curious).
People want to hear the "test" in your testimony for your story to be transformative and connecting. We are diverse people, and our ways of speaking will reflect that diversity. Do we honestly believe that God is not present in such language or that such language is incapable of revealing God? I find such a conclusion to be personally untenable and unfaithful.
From all these comments, I see a point.
I think the greatest lesson Jesus taught us, was to love people who are not like us. That's hard isn't it. Language, lifestyle, actions, sins, faults, color, background, jobs, culture, habits....
I think it's so interesting that this has sparked such debate. I'm a big fan of a well-placed swear word. There are many emotions, situations, etc. in life that I believe are conveyed most effectively with a big ol' curse word. Because I am soft-spoken and uber-polite, my patients will often apologize to me when they use a "bad" word to describe their circumstances. But I've found that the more frustrated I become with life, the more sweary I become. These are my end of the line words, for use when I've run out of non-offensive vocabulary to describe the circumstance.
Joe, through reading your blog I have come to admire who you are as a Christian. If I lived in Brooklyn, I would love to attend your church. It is evident in the Faith that you have shown through your struggles that you are a Godly man. I don't think that the language that you use should make anyone think less of you as a Christian. I admire the fact that you are not an uptight, judgemental Christian that we unfortunately see too often. I am sure that by you just being you and not sugar coating your words, you have made people feel much more comfortable in an environment that may be new to them. If that is a way to open the door for someone to Christ, then you are doing the right thing.
Joe,
I completely agree with you and your use of language. Somtimes slang words or phrases are the most appropriate and sometimes the most holy.
One poster said this: "Our best example is Christ, who met adversity either with calm verbage or total silence."
Jesus calling pharisees "brood of vipers" on several occasions, the disciples "ye of little faith", "faithless and perverse generation", "raca" (As a seromin isllustration on the sermon on the mount, among other instances showed that Jesus used both the vernacular slang and curse words to illustrate his point. I doubt any of these were uttered with dispassionate and calm demeanor, or tone.
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My favorite example from Jesus is Mark 7 (Matthew 15) where he says, "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?” If the translators were a little more courageous, it might say something like, "...it enters not the heart but the stomach, and then you shit it out in the latrine".
So ironically, he makes a point out purity having to do with what comes out of a person and uses pretty raunchy language to do it. So what do we do with that?
Last time that text came up in the lectionary, my church was having serious sewage problems in the women's restroom. We were comforted to see Jesus talking about exactly the topic that had occupied more than one board meeting of late.
peace -- Katie
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Sorry dude, I have to disagree with you on this.
A good friend told me, "Profanity is the TOOL of the IGNORANT".
By reading this blog it sounds like you have had a good education, thus it should be easy to come up with words that don't have bad connotations.
If my daughter heard a man of God say "suck" and she asks what that means, I will direct her to you so you can explain it to her.
I am an educator, a father, and most importantly, a servant to God. I don't know God as well as I want to, but I do know one thing. What comes out of our mouths is a direct reflection on who we are and what we represent.
I hope I didn't bog this down.
Blake
Has anyone noticed that three of the four complainers are from Texas and the fourth is from Mississippi? Here's a clue: The U.S. is not culturally homogenous. In many parts of this country no one gives a shit if you say "shit" on your blog.
I'm personally more offended by the Yankees propaganda that Joe inserts periodically.
Whoa. What did I start? Wow.
Another concern of mine is this: if questionable language can be a tool to relate to the lost, what other questionable things would you consider doing? Sleeping around? Cheating? Stealing? Where do you draw the line?
Okay, I'm 57 years old. I live in the Bible belt. But when I hear the kind of language you folks are endorsing, I'm led to wonder what else about your life is just like the world's.
God bless us all with truth.
It's extremely difficult to enter this topic sans the glasses of judgment. On multiple occassions the Bible warns us to be careful how we choose our words. I take that to mean at all times - not just when we think it's appropriate to be holy. Conversely, I do agree with Reed that Jesus used language at time that might not have been considered 100% appropriate for his time - ala the Tony Campolo message. My thoughts on the Campolo message - what did that prompt people to do? Hopefully to get committed toward ending hunger in their community.
To the person that thinks dropping the F-bomb is cool and hip - gimmee a break. That's crude and vulgar and you know it. If you really want to go for shock value - why not just fire up a doobie next time you go to church or drop your pants (commando of course) and ask people what they think of your anatomy. That'd do the trick wouldn't it? Jesus and your mother would be really proud.
There are a lot more people who read this blog that feel bothered by some of the sentiments of doubt, frustration, and language choices. There happens to be just three people who have commented to voice that opinion, but there are a lot more people out there who feel the way they do.
I think there is something that no one has addressed that has a significant influence on this discussion. Going to Joe's original post, he talks about how deliberate and careful he is in choosing his words when he preaches (although the first few sermons he preached at MCOC he used the word 'folks' which I gave him a very, very hard time about). Carefully choosing words are central to his efforts in teaching the Gospel. Yet even with that deliberate care in preaching, he still occasionally drops a few bombs or would even have a few drinks (if he liked alcohol).
I can't help but think that what is particularly bothersome to some people about this has to do with the fact that Joe is a senior minister of a church. People seem to have a hard time seeing ministers go through periods of doubt, anger, or frustration with God. Ministers can talk about having doubt, but everyone looks for the conclusion of those expressions to have an upswing of hope or a nice bow of "it will all be ok." Joe and Laura have authentically depicted what anyone would feel going through what they have been through. And there were numerous times where it didn't look like things were going to be ok.
I believe that the majority of people aren't just supporting swearing for swearing sake, but rather support the idea that their (or a) senior pastor can and should be free to express who they authentically are as a human Christian in any and every context. I can understand people being bothered by Joe and Laura's expressions on this blog over the last year. Our paradigm and expectations of a senior pastor and a his wife are such that public expressions of doubt, fear, anger, and frustration don't mix well with our notions of how ministers and their wives should be. But who's at fault? Is it them or us? If we allowed our ministers more room and grace to be authentically who they are (fears, failings, doubts, and all) I think we would have a lot less damaged ministers and there by less damaged churches and probably more effective evangelism.
If Joe and Laura were lay people I would hardly think that their expressions would bother people as much as they have.
well said, Jason.
41 comments on language and amazingly not as many when Ira was battling in the trenches. But wait this is the c of c (assumption) where we like a good battle over the weightier matters of the law. Not discounting our prayers but this is the matter of things. I got some interestering comments last week on a blog called the proper use of the F-Word. But when you actually live life, words like this come up. And sometimes they are appropriate. And after reading about Ira's saga over the last year how can we ever doubt a young couples faith in their God by the proper use of the word shit.
I hope Ira grows up in Christ's church and not ours.
I'll be quiet now.
well said Happytheman--people's judgments, especially for something as trivial as language is what turns me off from church, especially the C o C, of which I went to school with over 13 years. Joe--I would love to bring my family to your church because you seem to come from a non-judgmental place and are passionate about what you believe in--rather than a shame on you attitude. I loved your blog about Brokeback Mountain too--which sent many into a fury. I have followed this blog to keep track of Ira and am truly amazed by you and your family, you are so strong and I admire you all. You guys are in my daily thoughts and am joyful with you all in Ira's return home.
I hate to keep adding comments to the discussion on language but...
If Joe says that things "suck" it helps me to understand how frustrated, and discouraged he and Laura are at that moment. If he says "shit" then I KNOW things are really not going well for them. Since I've never met them in person words like "suck" and "shit" convey how things "really" are for them.
If he says they suck then they really must. Ira has had lots of bad days so I think the language is appropriate to describe how they feel. For me, reading things "suck" or things are "bad" have two different meanings when it comes to how Ira is doing.
Please continue to tell us when things "suck." By that, I know when you are having a harder time and I know that I need to pray "extra" for you on those days.
Continue be well, Ira.
Victoria, language is not trivial. Verbal communication is critical. It imparts a message, both through inflection and word choice. We can't afford to treat it flippantly.
I don't think any of my detractors has yet addressed the question I raised about where you draw the line in being "real" and "authentic". How far will you go? What besides language would you compromise in order to make the unchurched (or "unJesused") comfortable with you?
I think this is a slippery slope that mirrors the rapid degradation of society morals in the past decades.
When I hear someone with coarse language (and I include "piss off" and "suck" in that category), my immediate impression is that this must be someone who is sloppy with other behaviors.
To address your question, Tim, I think that there are some serious lines of communication that are being crossed here with people speaking to completely different justifications for cursing. From your comments it seems as if you are understanding cursing to be a tool that Joe, and others, emply so as to gain people to Christ. However, authenticity does not necessarily have anything to do with an evangelistic enterprise. It simply reflects who we are without pretense.
The point I am getting at is that the language we choose is not a compromise, it is the fullest embodiment of an emotion that communicates an otherwise ineffable experience. We do not choose to use offensive language because we want to be "relevant." To do so would be no better than the current trend in churches to latch on to whatever popular book or theology is going around (whether it's Purpose Driven Life, Prayer of Jabez, Your Best Life Now, etc.). These are inauthentic expressions of faith because they do not follow from personal wrestling and ownership of experience but are rather lazy appropriations of others' work for the sake of applicability (regardless of the dangerous theology therein). People are not attracted to Joe (or any other Christian) because he (or she) curses (or for others, has tattoos, drinks, etc.) but because he is willing to be vulnerable and honest in his relationship with his wife, his children, and God. That this honesty includes some cursing is a rather small part of what makes Joe who he is.
Your question is an interesting one about how far we will go, though. Paul and the other apostles were asking the same questions in Acts. We seem to have forgotten how big a deal it was that Jews (who later became Jewish Christians) were expected to eat with pork eating Gentiles whose eating habits conjured up dishonorable images of Antiochus Epiphanes IV sacrificing a pig to Zeus in the Temple's Holy of Holies. How did they go from having a faith concerned with remaining kosher to eventually agreeing to be in conversations with Gentiles who were the embodiement of uncleanliness? Much was thrown out, and that slippery slope has made people like you and me guests in the house of Israel.
As for your last sentence, perhaps the problem has more to do with our assumptions than with the content of what Joe (et al.) is saying. Our assumptions often keep us from the necessary dialogue and subsequent understanding that results from not jumping to conclusions on the basis of initial impressions.
I agree with Tim that the use of language is not trivial. Language reflects and embodies reality. That is the very reason why I believe that using foul language is necessary at appropriate times.
If I were to lose my job, for example, and did not allow myself to use foul language to describe and name the awfulness that I was experiencing, I believe I would do more damage to myself and others than actually using the accurate and authentic foul language.
In regards to children, I think it is ridiculous to compare the behavior of adults and children. There are many things we as adults do that we don't want our children doing, because they are immature, merely mimicking adults, but without full understanding of what they are doing or saying. We don't want children to cross the street without holding their hands or using a foul word, because they don't understand how to do these things properly. And this is why I wouldn't curse in front of my kid.
But when my daughter someday experiences something so bad that she utters a foul word, I want her to feel that it is an authentic expression and that it is OK. Otherwise, we ourselves and our children will come to believe that anger and pain are not appropriate emotions for Christians. How far from the truth that is! Rather, I believe God seeks to identify with our pain and echo our curses of evil.
Tim - while I've agreed with many of your comments - I've heard you say twice that "When I hear someone with coarse language (and I include "piss off" and "suck" in that category), my immediate impression is that this must be someone who is sloppy with other behaviors."
I think that attitude in itself is a slippery slope because it comes across to me as judgemental. Do you feel the same way when you see an obese person? Which sin is "worse" - gluttony or cursing? And, is it your duty to speculate the level of sin in someone's life? When I'm on the golf course and I'm with someone who uses colorful language I might think "this guy could stand a little emotional control". However, I don't think "I wonder if this guy also cheats on his wife".
Tim here again. I must admit I am astonished at the responses. I'm also glad we are civilly using this forum to discuss this.
I guess we are all going to have to agree to disagree about this. There is no doubt that language is not a salvation issue. I'm going to heaven with all the coarse-speaking believers. No doubt.
But I can't help but think that y'all are justifying your weakness with words. You're saying it's okay because it reflects your true feelings. Is your vocabulary too shallow that such words are the only avenue available to express what's deep within you? I think that's a crutch you're using.
Krister, as far as being judgmental, let's face it. We all judge others as a matter of course. We make instant evaluations. It isn't a salvation judgment...it's a character judgment. And we can't help it.
Personally, I'd be scared of blending in with the godless folk so that differences between them and me are inperceptible. We are a called-out people and and should be "different" in a positive sense.
At my advanced age (57), it's critical, I think, for me to exemplify a Christian gentleman. If my language was "worldly", most folks would toss out that "gentleman" tag.
Thanks again for all your responses. And don't forget to pray for Ira, Joe, and Laura.
Language is limited. It cannot have more importance than the things we describe because the things we describe are more complex than our language. Think about God. There are no words to describe God. God is a Rock. God is a Redeemer. God is a Deliverer. Each of these words describe God but they do not give us the full picture.
Language and the importance given to words is a social construct. Words have meaning because we give them meaning. The verse mentioned from John 1 refers to the Gk. word logos which connotes the sense that Christ was somehow co-existent with God and was part of the creative process in making the world and continues to be an animating force that gives life reason for being. I consider this to be very different from our language (although certainly powerful and symbolic) and how we understand words (i.e., such an interpretation would seem to have required, "In the beginning were words, and the words were with God...") Christ was the Word, but each word is not representative of Christ. Unless the strong authority to which you defer is God Him/Herself, I would suggest that our language is infinitely less important than the objects they describe. I believe that when we begin to give language (or anything that represents that which is sacred) more power than the reality it struggles to convey we teeter toward idolatry.
Tim-I must have posted right after you did; just wanted you to know that I never said you were being judgmental. Perhaps you were reading the post written prior to yours by KentF.
Excellent point, Kentf. My thoughts exactly.
It really is amazing how long we've kept this conversation going. If Joe had originally blogged world poverty stats, I'm not sure I would have logged on to comment...twice. And that bears some reflection, doesn't it?
I was talking about this with my sister the other day... Why the religious right gets so worked up about abortion but not about children's poverty. Why not both? And we admitted that it's just so much EASIER to apply energy (mental, spiritual) to issues where you can clearly keep your own hands clean. Don't think abortion is God's plan? Don't have one, or if you did, be really sorry. Then you can shout about it, get arrested for protesting it, cast your vote by its litmus test, etc. with a clean conscience.
Same with cursing: you can simply decide not to do it, as a matter of personal piety/purity, and then you can jump on those who do. Your hands are clean; your mouth is clean. You have exerted sufficient energy for today toward helping God get God's way in the world.
But on a subject like world hunger or poverty stats, none of our hands are clean. At least if you're reading this blog, you have access to a computer and Internet access... and thus somewhere near the narrow top of the world pyramid of power, which is stacked on the backs of those at the wide, wide, wide bottom. And it really just doesn't feel like I can DO anything about those tens of thousands of children who died last night from poverty-related causes. So I think I'll think about foul language instead... at least on that one, I've got some meaningful agency, you know what I mean?
I think this is symptomatic of our infatuation with individualism, the idea that I-I-I-I-I can/should/will make a difference -- even Oprah says so. But since I really can't make a difference in world hunger, I pick issues that are small enough, personal enough, for li'l ol' me to get just right all by myself.
And still, those kids are hungry. They're dying tonight, dammit. Does the American church give a shit? Anybody wanna' say some curse words about that, about those kids and their moms and dads and the f**king impotence that our idolatry of the individual has wrought? God help us.
Katie
OK, that does it. I call a cease and desist order.
Let's all go back to our lives.
Tim
Lord, please give us the heart of Christ.
Mr. Perkins, I find it interesting that you recently used this "word" in your blog to describe how you feel about your employer:
"#%@#+%&!!!!!"
Now, I know it's not an actual swear word. And yet, there MUST have been a swear word in your head when you typed out all those characters. Otherwise, you'd have just typed in the actual word.
Disguising swear words by using lots of symbols doesn't make your language more gentlemanly. The world will read that symbolic word as the curse word of their choosing. Didn't you know that when you wrote it?
I respectfully ask you, how was what YOU wrote any different than what Joe writes on THIS blog?
Amazing. Surprised at the big response.
I talked with my teenagers about this at length yesterday. Their thoughts are very interesting.
Don't underestimate the power of words. And don't abuse them. There are times when strong words are necessary, but they lose their power when used frequently and flippantly.
Don't underestimate the influence you have as an adult over kids and teenagers. They judge you by your actions - and your words.
What the %^&*? Just kidding..
I completely hear ya..
I love teenagers and I have been able to not only get into a conversation, but stay in a conversation, by just basically telling them how pissed I have been in my life. This world is just sometimes shitty. Say doodoo if you like but it is.
I am not a cusser but have been known to say a few words. I mean saying "shoot" with attitude or "rats"..man... what is the difference..I know the answer to that, fellow bloggers..
looks like you are doing an amazing work with that amazing family..take it easy and don't let people stiffle you..its between you and your God..there is a time and place just as you said.
Just a Texas girl finding her way to your blog..Peace..
I skipped a bunch of these comments - only because I'm at work and have limited time right now - but I think it's horrible... and absolute travesty... that Joe, as a father, needs to defend his expressions of frustration and anger regarding Ira's situation. If I were in Joe's shoes, every other blog entry would begin with "shit" and my wife and friends (many of which commented above me) can attest to my infrequency of swearing.
To echo someone way above... it's horrible that this post has 62 comments (so far!) and the post below about Ira turning 1 - a MOMENTOUSE OCCASION - has only 5.
How wonderful it is to have so many readers of a minister's blog. Sharing the Good News with the world is easier now than ever. The numerous posts have shown that this subject does hit the nerves of so many. Do we have an underlying guilt that we haven't admitted yet? The same tongue that praises our Savior is the same tongue that we will use curse. It would be interesting to see if Job ever cursed. I've been teaching a youth group class on taming your tongue this past semester. We've talked about cursing, lying, boasting, and so forth. We had 3 goals: to equip teens with knowledge and skills to 1.) ensure the words of their mouths are pleasing to God (Ps 19:14), 2.)keep their tongues from evil (Ps 34: 12,13), 3.) and make the vow: "I have resolved that my mouth will not sin."
Here are verses that may relate:
Eph 5:4 "Nor should there be obsenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
Pr. 8:12,13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and arogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."
Pr. 10:31 "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse."
Col. 3:8 "But now you must rid yourselves of...filthy language from your lips."
These are strong verses and I am sure there are more. We should never be the ones to judge each other, but we should emulate Christ as much as we can. I don't expect a new Christian to immediately rid all poor language from his vocabulary...it's hard to break habits. But I would expect an eventual change. By accepting Christ, we forsake our old selves and clothe ourselves in Christ, with the Spirit living within us. Will I judge someone for cursing when the find out a loved one was unexpectedly died? Of course not. But I do think that our daily words are a strong indication of what is inside us. Remember, the Holy Spirit lives within us. I choose to let the verses speak to you. God can say things so much better than any man.
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