Feeding the Poor and Speaking Eloquently

When I was younger I was fascinated by language. I love words. One of the reasons my vocabulary was enlarged is because I had a fifth grade teacher who didn't believe in suspensions or writing sentences for bad behavior. Whenever one of her students was busted she would have us sit out our recess time by pulling out a big dictionary, turning to a page and telling us to write the words and their definitions as our punishment. Needless to say I learned a lot of new words during the fifth grade!

When I became a Christian, one of the mandates of Jesus that truly challenged me was his command to minister to the poor as often as I had the chance and means. I take that directive seriously. Now I have found a way to kill two birds with one stone. I was directed to a great little website, www.freerice.com that allows you to build your vocabulary while at the same time donating rice to feed the poor. In about ten minutes of having fun while learning new words I was able to contribute the equivalent of about two pounds of rice. I plan on spending my coffee breaks at this site for the next few days.

Give the site a visit. Learn a few new words and warm your heart knowing that you have fed a few hungry children effortlessly.

What the #$%@*& is Going On!

Is the above caption offensive to you? Even though actual words weren't used? I guess we don't have enough swearing in the home, on television, during traffic jams and golf games. Now it seems that we are being given permission to swear at work.

I don't think it's my imagination, but language in the public square has gotten more guttural. It is not unusual to hear children cussing in front of adults, and even their parents. What used to be reserved for the locker room has now become mainstream.

With a language as rich as English, I find swearing to be a lazy man's shortcut to expressing himself. I have long admired the British legislators who are able to cut down their opponent in Parliament without using a single off color word. Now that is verbal craftsmanship!

I have heard of tests being done where people carried around tape recorders for a full day. These people were amazed and some actually ashamed to find out just how much swearing they do. It has become so normal, that many don't even realize they are engaging in it.

Jesus reminds us that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." He also said, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." There must be an abundance of really bad stuff in a lot of hearts.

How about it? Would you be willing to carry a tape recorder in your pocket for a full day to find out whether you have a problem with coarse language?