Quote 13...

Quote 13… “Mama always had a way of explaining things so I could understand them.” …

Communication is vital isn’t it? You can lecture for hours, read a zillion words, write a zillion more…But unless the thoughts are conveyed, you’ve just wasted time, energy, and ink. (…or in my case, memory on a computer.)
Sometimes, I get an attitude and mindset that I need to be right about every single thing, as well as make sure you are correct too. Sometimes, I skip right over the message, and focus on the method.

I’m sure I’m the only one guilty….

Don’t misunderstand me. Being correct is of the utmost importance, but sometimes I correct form, when form doesn’t make a bit of difference.

Mama talks baby talk so baby can understand. THAT is the important thing. Understanding. And baby talk is far from correct grammar !

I’ve heard folks argue over which translation of written scripture to use, as if Jesus used one of them. (He did use one, and I understand it was Hebrew….I don’t understand Hebrew much better than I understand the original KJV.)

Translations line the shelves of bookstores now. There are groups of scholars from all over the globe who regularly gather to examine the old documents and manuscripts. They study the language of the era, and they consider how words were used in all sorts of literature of that day.

They consider what words we use today, and how we use them. Which, by the way, changes from generation to generation. Big time.

Scholars’ goal is to take the message in that old manuscript, written to that ancient world, a document that used their language and their words, and then communicate the message of it to our world today, using our language and our words.

I bet the people of other foreign languages don’t have this axe to grind….I’m pretty sure there’s not a lot of Bibles written in Chinese. Certainly not the King James Version ! And I’m glad I don’t have to read either of them. But I am thrilled that the Chinese can read and understand what was once only written in Hebrew or Greek.

It is certainly a good thing to be educated in the correct use and form or words. It’s a far better thing to be able to use all of them to effectively transfer a thought from one mind and heart to another.

We are told to “ …grow in the grace and knowledge…”(2Peter 3:18)

I wonder if some of us don’t need some refresher courses in grace. Are we impressed with our knowledge and the other person’s lack of it ?

Might we need to heed the words of Paul…. Certainly I do.

“ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up…” (2 Cor. 8:1)

It is the message that is important. Not the method, not the pronunciation, not the spelling, not the punctuation, not the grammer.

Father, may our desire be to grow in grace and not simply knowledge. May our knowledge be only a tool to help us build others up and communicate the message of Jesus Christ.