Three Little Words

Posted on by neilnorheim2015

Words are amazing vehicles for communication. We are all involved in that personally, sometimes in a group discussion, or even a teaching or preaching opportunity. The reminder is a caution about assuming whether that communication has taken place. The personal illusion may be that communication has happened.

There is this adage: “I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I don’t think you understand that what I said is not what I actually meant.” Little words impact us in powerful ways and often from unexpected sources. I remember a third-grade boy telling me that the very next week his grandparents were going to be in church to hear me preach. So, he said, “Please be sure you make your sermon points clear.” That kid understood the power of words. He also knew that while my vocation involved words, those words needed to be understandable. It was a good reminder. Another occasion happened during my first student ministry. I was preaching on a Sunday morning and was impressed with some of the words I used and was sure it would impress the congregation. It was one unlikely person who gave me invaluable advice. He was not that kind of advisor that was usual because he usually came late to church and left early. Rarely did I ever get to speak to him personally. But on this Sunday, he stayed and waited until everyone had left. (He knew I had grown up on a ranch and was accustomed to having cattle to feed.) He came to me, shook my hand, looked me squarely in the eyes and said: “Preacher, you’ve got to get the fodder down where the cattle can get to it.” That is all he said and with a kind smile he just turned and left the building. I needed to hear that wise counsel. I just did not expect it would come from him. I have not forgotten it.

In our communication skills, God blesses us with serendipitous moments that leave a lasting impression. And, it usually does not have anything to do with the academic degrees of our advisor.

The three words that stick in my mind today, are words that came from my flight instructor who was preparing me for my private pilot’s instrument rating. Following a training flight, he asked me to join him in his office. It was then he asked this: “Can you tell me the three words that describe your adequate preparation for flying anywhere?” I stood still thinking of how I could use only three words to describe my readiness: 1) I thought about the aircraft, its number, fuel burn, necessary speed for rotation off the runway. 2) I thought about what the weather was now and what it would be at my destination airport. 3) I thought about what was necessary in pre-flighting the aircraft and the checklist that would be needed. 4) I thought about the necessity of filing a flight plan properly. 5) I knew that radio frequencies needed to be written down for use during the flight. There were all kinds of facts rolling around in my brain. But I could not think of how to describe that in three words. I confessed I did not know what those words were and he said: “All available information.”

How simple that was! I began making a personal application to family conversations that had not had that qualifier and conclusions that were wrong because of not having it. I thought of lessons, speeches, and sermons that I had delivered without that consideration. I considered bad decisions I had made because I did not have all the information I needed. I also knew the caution I needed to give myself about “all available information.” It was simple too. Just because I knew the information did not mean it had to all be included in my presentation. But if I did not get that info, I just might not deliver a clear understandable word.

So, what are some of the ingredients I need for my preaching? I include these: 1) I need to know who is in my audience; 2) I want to know the current culture; 3) I want to consider the timing I have; 4) I want to know the Biblical text and its language implications; 5) I want to make sure Jesus is the focus; 6) I want to be sure to pray about the practical application of Scripture for living; 7) I want to invite and challenge people to make a decision. What do I need to do that? I need the same three words used to file a flight plan. WHY? I want to arrive safely on my final approach. I want that for you too. I want you to get to your destination along with me. Then we can anticipate the Father, saying: “Welcome Home!”

Fragile

Posted on by neilnorheim2015

When a package arrives at our house marked, “FRAGILE,” I always am curious to see how the item was packaged and wrapped inside. (Is it bubble-wrap? Is it cut foam to match a specific shape? Is it Styrofoam noodles? Is it simple newspaper?) Of course, I am disappointed if I hear the tinkling of broken glass when I move the package. The very word “fragile” carries with it a sense of careful and cautious handling. 

What happens if I forget fragileness? What outcomes may happen if I ignore the delicate composition of something? What results may take place if I forget that our lives- yours and mine – are fragile? I do not know of instances where our lives or our bodies are ever marked with the labels like: “Fragile;” “Handle with care;” “Breakable”! Yes, I am aware of “Intensive Care Unit” ICU; and I know about “Cardiac Intensive Care Unit:” CICU. I am really thinking about our view of life before medical personnel must get “intense.”

WAIT! Yes, there is a reminder from the Bible: 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay . . . The knowledge of Jesus being the Lord and knowing we are His servants, has been given to us, like a message in a clay pot. My “clay pot” is fragile and so is yours. We may have denied that we are vulnerable, but every risk we take will soon reveal the possibility of being “hurt.” So, if that is true, and it is, how do we remember that other people, who also have the knowledge of Jesus, can be injured, cracked, or broken? That could happen to people, who do not know Jesus at all, too.

A stone can break a clay pot. A stone can injure us. Careless handling may mean a clay pot can be dropped and broken. Carelessness in human relationships can wound, injure, or even break that connection. Neglect in the care of a container, like a clay pot, may bring a spoilage to the contents. Ignoring the unique history or contents of a person’s life may create a sense of abandonment or rejection. That sense of rejection could produce a roadblock to any further influence you could have with that person. Angry words do not affect a clay pot, but they do impact people causing hurt feelings and a possible broken heart. The destruction of a person through abusive speech is both demeaning and oppressive. This kind of thing happens when we forget “we” and “they” are fragile clay pots.

Have I been there? Yes, I have and the sickening feeling that follows that kind of ungodly behavior is prompted by God’s Spirit of conviction and my own personal guilt. (Guilt is not a bad feeling. It is an indicator that I know I was wrong and need a change that will begin with a sincere apology to the one I have hurt.) While I do not like the feeling of guilt, it is a healthy response that prompts a desire to admit, confess and seek forgiveness from my victim.

Here is a suggestion for today: Ask God to help you remember that you are fragile and that every person you meet today is breakable too. If we can remember that we will “Handle With Care.”

Absolutely

Posted on by neilnorheim2015

That was her standard answer to the question that I asked about something being possible for her to do. That one-word answer assured me that the task was to be done and I could count on it being done in the time requested. (Just for review, I also wrote a request on paper of what I had asked and thanked her ahead of time for doing it.)

Have you thought about “absolutely”? How about absolute? Or are there absolutes in our modern multi-cultural, self-centered mindset? The answer is always a YES! But, while this answer is simple, there are many who have bought the current philosophy that believes there are no absolutes. At least that is the verbal response to a discussion about the subject. Stick with me as I attempt to unpack some reasoning about “absolutes.”

While you may have friends who say there are no absolutes, they expect and insist that others do practice absolutes:

  • Every time fuel is purchased, there is an expectation that what is paid for is an exact gallon. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services verifies that using officials who inspect the gas pumps and use a calibrated test measure called a “prover” to certify that the pump is delivering the amount at the stated price and gallons. (You can check this the next time you purchase fuel and see the sticker certifying the inspection.)
  • Grocery stores must have their scales inspected for the same reason to certify pounds. The same expectation is found for grain elevators. (That’s the reason trucks are weighed full and empty.)  Everyone expects that absolute accuracy.
  • Builders and contractors use a tape measure to guarantee length, width, and depth.
  • Engineers utilize measuring tools that reveal ten thousandth of an inch.
  • In lighting we expect correct wattage, voltage, amperage, and lumens.
  • In culinary arts we expect proper temperatures and verify those with thermometers.
  • In accounting, we expect to have accuracy, not just opinion.
  • In sporting contests, we expect the rules and boundaries to be carefully observed. (Now we routinely use “instant replay” to verify decisions.)
  • In theology, we expect the Almighty God to be absolute, simply for consistency.
  • In everyday life we expect truth to be told and are willing to have evidence examined to prove it.

Why do we assume absolutes? Just a few reasons would include consistency, safety, fairness, justice, and guidance.

Yes, there will be folks who will say foolishly that there are no absolutes. But they expect others to provide absolutes for their everyday living. The time for argument takes place when personal morals are discussed, under the ruse of rejecting absolutes.

Really?      Absolutely!