We’re building things at my house.
Hubby decided to increase the backyard deck when arrangements were made for the church staff Christmas party to be at our house.
He needed a project.
After the addition is complete, we’ll clean and paint the deck.
We love our backyard, even though in the summer it’s mosquito invested.
I’m upstairs in the turret doing some building of my own. Writing a book.
The Wedding Chapel comes out next December, a story of love and loss, of lies and pain, and restitution.
We’re all builders you know.
Building up our children, our spouses, our friends, even strangers.
Word are the greatest hammer and saw the world will ever know.
We can use our words to build or to tear down.
Far too often, we use them to tear down.
All in an effort to really build ourselves up.
Or in some cases, with parents, to correct or inspire a kid. But instead, the words belittle, rip apart and tear down.
Lately I bristle at the dialog on a few sitcoms.
Big Bang Theory which Hubby and I watch in reruns.
Man, they are snarky with one another.
There are times when I’m not sure why they like each other.
Last Man Standing has taken a turn for the worse.
Did the writers just run out of funny stuff.
The last few episode have been nothing but an exchange of barbs.
I’m not even sure I can call it real conversation.
Mike, a conservative businessman goes toe-to-toe with his grandson’s father, a liberal beer truck driver.
The show was funny in seasons one and two, dealing with family life.
Then it was as if the writers put on “objective hats” and created a character to “balance” the conservative views of Mike.
Oh, that journalism would have such objectives.
Sitcoms interject various points of view while journalism resorts to preaching, mocking and entertaining.
Like this CNN anchor who played a distress 911 call from Bistol Palin who had been attacked.
“Sit back and enjoy,” she said.
Huh?
It’s a mad-mad world. 😉
Anyway, the sitcom barbs are uncomfortable. My spirit churns.
And I wonder, in all our campaigning to stop bullying, why we show rudeness and demeaning, cutting others down, as funny?
My prayers to become more Christ-like have raised the bar on me.
And the things i used to love seem shallow and pale. Hurtful.
Gasp!
Ultimately, we are to build each other up, as well as ourselves.
Jude says it best:
Jude 1:20 (NASB)
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…
So, what tools do you have in your hand and on your lips?
Are you using them to build up or tear down?
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