HEAD(hed), (n.) 1. the top part of the human body or the front part of an animal where the eyes, nose, east and mouth are. "Your brain is in your head." DIBS(dibz), (n.) 2. a thick, sweet syrup made in countries of the East, especially the Middle East, from grape juice or dates. [Arabic "debs"]--World Book Dictionary, 1976.
“Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know. Among the most necessary knowledge is the knowledge of how to live well, that is, how to produce the least possible evil and the greatest goodness in one’s life. At present, people study useless sciences, but forget to study this, the most important knowledge.”
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The Greatest Story, I mean "Lie," no, I mean "Story," Ever Told
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I'm a Texan by birth, and everyone knows that Texans enjoy nothing more than a good lie story. Many take great pride in their ability to yarn. Must be something in the water, or the air. Too many cattle, perhaps.
Two riverboat captains who got into a shouting match around the campfire one night about who was the better liar. One of their crew suggested a contest to find out who could tell the best lie. Wagers were made and the captains took a moment to gather their thoughts. The first captain stood up in the light of the campfire and spun his story of that summer the Old Muddy ran so low and dry that they used their paddle-wheel steamboat to plow and furrow the once soggy bottom. They turned miles of the rich riverbed into farmland. The soil was so rich that instead of waiting weeks, the first crop came in mere days in the heat of the summer sun. As they began to harvest the corn by backing their paddle-wheel downstream through the fields, the summer sun beat down so hard that all the corn started to pop. The popping corn filled the sky so much that it blocked out the sun and winter set in and they had to shovel their way out of the snow, which subsequently melted and got the river flowing again.
Everyone around the fire hee-ed and haw-ed, slapping knees, holding their sides, laughing uproarously. Everyone that is, except for the other captain. The proud crew slapped their captain on the back with cheers of congratulations while he stood with a grim smile, arms crossed, staring at his rival across the fire. The other captain, still seated, dropped his head down on his chest and stared at his feet.
All fell silent, save for the crackling of the fire and the locusts in the trees.
The second captain looked up, and everyone leaned forward, straining to hear. His mouth opened, he took a deep sigh and said, "I believe every word of it."
As far as this Texan is concerned, that may be the greatest lie . . . or it may be a close second.
Lying is fun. This is what makes magic work. Lying is what drives the enterainment industry. But closer to home, when talking with people about lying, I often hear this: "Sometimes we lie because it may be better than telling the truth." I brace myself here because I know what is coming. "What if your wife comes to you and says [and the speaker turns sideways, elevating a hip], 'Honey, does this make me look fat?'" It's weird, but it’s like everyone went to the meeting and agreed this would be the response.
The speaker usually shrugs and looks at me like this has got to be the greatest problem ever on the face of the planet ever across all time--ever. "What I am going to say? 'Sure, Sweetie, it makes you look fat?'" And then they rationalize how the lie is beneficial to the cause. To prove my point (and other videos will follow later, so remember I told you people will say this):
Here is my response:
Rationalizing lying does not solve the problem of lying. The response to “does this make me look fat?“ is primed for a false answer. Here’s what I mean: “does this make me look fat?” is not the same as, “am I fat“ or “have I gained weight?” The question is, “do the clothes I am wearing give the appearance that I am fatter than I may really be?” Guys, you have no reason to lie because the answer is about the clothes, not your sweetie.
Ladies, if after you get dressed and you feel the need to ask, just stay in the room, change clothes and don't put your husband in such an awkward position to decide if he has to lie or not. And don’t put yourself in the position of living in a lie. If, after you change and all your clothes give the appearance that you look fat, then it may be time to ask the other question. If the truth is uncomfortable, then do something about it. Don’t take it out on your man -- besides wouldn’t you be upset if he intentionally lied about anything else? Where does trust end and begin?
Truth hurts. If your man tells you the truth, you should thank him because he is honoring God by telling the truth. If your man tells you the truth, find something else to wear, or get busy so you don't have to ask that question and put either of you in an awkward position.
Why make such a big deal of this? Because a lie, regardless of the reason, is a lie. People who tell lies are liars. God is all about truth.
Listen to truth, as found in God’s Word:
Exodus 20:16, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Proverbs 14:25, “A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.”
Proverbs 19:9, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”
Revelation 21:8, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Breaking God’s moral commands is what sends people to hell. God does not punish people because He is mean or vindictive, but because man rebels against God. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the TRUTH and the Life--the only way we can enjoy God forever is by admitting our sin (that we are liars) and asking God to save us from the penalty of sin (hell) so we can live in truth. We no longer have to lie for any reason, but tell the truth in love, like I am doing now.
Don’t die in your sins. Repent and embrace the truth of God’s love.
July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors
“My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn? Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the fame, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse. Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse Why should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Wh
John Locke published his Treatise on Civil Government in 1689, a work influential to the development of our Declaration of Independence. The focus of this reading is, “An Essay Concerning the True Original Extent and End of Civil Government.” Locke announces that consent to live by the constitutional laws of government is rooted in the fact that all men are created equal. No one is born one over or better than another, but we actually owe one another, our greatest debt being love for others before ourselves. In the so-called “state of nature”, anyone choosing to break the smallest of laws declares himself to be above all law and others; therefore, the lawbreaker deserves judgment, even punishment, by those who keep the law. “The state of war” is “the right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction.” Slavery, says Locke, is a state of war; however, if one party consents to be obedient to another with limited power, then there is government. Of all governmental powers, suprem