That's a lesson I still find myself learning.
I know that I can be sarcastic at times. I also know that some folks hate sarcasm and often times for good reason. As someone who has a gift for gab it is not that unusual for me to sin with my tongue (or keyboard). Anyway, I just wanted you all to know that I am going to be working on my tone. It's not because I have been flooded with criticisms. Rather, I had a good talk with someone about this issue and I felt convicted that sometimes I can communicate a truth in a way that is not very helpful for some (particularly for those who don't really know me).
That is not to say that there is not a biblical category for satire, polemic, and even open mockery of error. However, I don't want to be perceived as a jerk because I'm pretty sure I'm not one. I will not stop speaking up on issues that matter but I will be more mindful of how I say certain things.
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6 comments:
"REALLY?! You REALLY think that???" ha
Miss you brother.
For those of you that don't know my friend Jason, it's an inside joke.
Great to hear from you! Isn't it your birthday? The Big Three Oh!
Miss you a lot man.
Todd, you have my full support--although I am a jerk. (Do you know the Mark Heard song...)
I get lonely sometimes / It's not your fault
I'm a man who follows his own tracks until he's lost
I'll keep on going round and round until I'm found...
It's not you. I'll be okay I'm just a jerk is all
It's alright. It's just my foolishness. It's not your fault.
Mark also thought he was a fool, too.
But if you ever need a demonstration on the most effective methods of putting one's foot in one's mouth, I'm an expert.
Alan,
Pullin' out the Mark Heard reference! Very nice. Love Mark Heard. He was a great song writer.
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. Glad you're around.
Thanks for writing that. I'm learning myself the importance of tone...especially at home. Makes a huge difference. FYI, maybe it was just me but your tone yesterday (Feb. 1) seemed warmer, especially at the end, which I really enjoyed. And your messages continue to be well written, powerful, and Word-centered. Bottom line, glad to have you at COS! (Been going there since '78.)
I appreciate your comments on your tone etc. There has been a lot of noise and unabashed shouting by the evangelical church over the past years. Much of it has been misdirected. Actually, your "in-your-face" (at times) posture is suppose to play well here in the rough and tumble Northeast. Maybe it's the Main Line manners thing. I'm a Philly guy and don't mind a little atty'tude (though I have taken some exception to your Blog. We're probably on different side of that spectrum. Yes, there are a few Christian liberal democrats out there - I am one!). I am, as they say, still marinating in the Bog stuff and will respond eventually. Overall, your messages have been challenging, inspring and, most importantly, they have been packed with gospel truths. And that's what's important. (An aside: I would like you to name names if you criticise other evangelicals 'some of whose books you may have read' or something like that, hence the 'half-quotes'. The bottom line: You are preaching what is important and you have been consistent and on target in your admonitions to the mannerly minions. Keep it up. Just remember, you're not in Kansas anymore...You gotta be glad about that....Would love to buy you a coffee sometime and chat...
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