Archive for January 23rd, 2010
Jingle Talk
Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Random thoughts, tagged God Thoughts, Poems, Random thoughts on January 23, 2010| 1 Comment »
My family and I have watched a 12 part BBC series on the Charles Dickens comedy Pickwick Papers. Many scenes are funny and others sobering. And since it is evidently true to the book, I could recommend either. Without giving away the story, there is a despicable character named Mr. Jingle whose oddity is speaking in one to three word phrases with dramatic intonations and short pauses. There is a complete economy of words and yet a rich and clearly understood meaning to all that he says. I do not encourage his actions but his speech compels me to want to learn this mode. While reflecting on this speech the other day I attempted to write a poem in that form. I will know if I have succeeded if you understand the poem. If you know the subject about which the poem speaks, comment your knowledge below:
Temptations rife
Hazard all
Indiscretions, fall
Shame, strife
Blame wife
Cover all
Oh the gall
Death not life
Pay the fife
Lost all
Darkness fall
Sorrows rife
Took the knife
Once for all
Order tall
Gave us life
May I have a Word with you?
Posted in General, Poem, Random thoughts, Remembering, Strength, Sustaining, tagged Random thoughts, Remembering, Strength, Sustaining on January 23, 2010| 2 Comments »
One of the ways that God has given us to communicate with people is through words. Body language and acts of kindness, hatred, or neglect are other ways. Not only kind, encouraging words, but constructive criticism words and instructive and insightful words that build someone up and demonstrate concern are helpful. As the Proverbs say, “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad,” (12:25) and “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word,” (15:23) and “Faithful are the wounds of a friend,” (27:6) and “Heed instruction and be wise,” (8:33) and “the tongue of the wise brings healing,” (12:18), and “he who forsakes reproof goes astray,” (10:17) and many more good words.
But I have observed that though the eargate be open and the volume be sufficient and distractions be few, many good words are not heard. In fact, the emotional baggage and relationship histories can shut a mind down to where it not only refuses to accept good words, rejecting them or twisting them to have some nefarious meaning or intentions, but such a mind can deny before witnesses that the words were ever spoken. Though this is an amazement to me, I have both observed it and commited this crime of unkindness to the speaker. So, I am resolved to hear better and attribute intentions as purer to words that are of benefit to me while understanding that discouraging or untrue words may well come from a speaker who does not fully understand the source of their own intentions. To this end I have composed a poem:
What is the need for a stern word From loved ones, colleagues, or stranger A cautionary note not absurd When it rescues one from dangerWhat is the use of a taught word Is it something you need to know Keep you from running with the herd Help your mind continually grow
What is the goal of a wise word Of discernment that penetrates So that on your life you may gird Tools for living, such worthy traits
What is the help of a kind word With regular sincerity Just like a beautiful song bird A seasonal sound rarity
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