I just want to scream! I can’t believe the thing that person just said! How dare they do that! What nerve!
Or . . . perhaps try this. Speak tenderly.
I’ll tell those civil rights bashing so and so’s what they can do with their clubs and tear gas. They want to dismantle our camp? I’m committed to non violence, but I am going to shout and scream until someone listens!
Maybe it is possible to speak tenderly.
All those political debates make my blood boil. The candidates are so full of their pursuit of power that they’ll say anything to get a few more votes. They’re demeaning whole populations in order to please bigots and extremists. I’d really like to give them a piece of my mind!
I wish I had the sense to speak tenderly.
I don’t think that the call to comfort and tender speech in this week’s Bible reading from Isaiah 40:1-11 is a “this is what to do for all time” kind of instruction. I do think that it is good advice to consider in all situations, however.
What would it be like if more and more and more folk decided to speak tenderly?
Showing posts with label Isaiah 40:1-11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isaiah 40:1-11. Show all posts
11/30/2011
12/08/2008
Comfort
Last week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Coming home) provided the basis for yesterday's sermon for the second Sunday of Advent at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk.
12/01/2008
Coming home
Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
Have you ever been afraid to return home? Was it because you’d done something so terrible you thought there was no forgiveness possible? Was it because you’d been gone so long that you thought there was nothing left of home for you? Was it because you’d forgotten what home was and you were worried that everyone would be disappointed?
Others have felt that way, too.
This week’s Bible reading from Isaiah 40:1-11 carries with it similar emotions to the ones anyone who has ever been afraid to return home has likely felt. It starts, recognizing the fears of a people who have been in exile for so long, with words of comfort:
May this advent season be one filled with comforting homecomings for all who have been estranged.
Have you ever been afraid to return home? Was it because you’d done something so terrible you thought there was no forgiveness possible? Was it because you’d been gone so long that you thought there was nothing left of home for you? Was it because you’d forgotten what home was and you were worried that everyone would be disappointed?
Others have felt that way, too.
This week’s Bible reading from Isaiah 40:1-11 carries with it similar emotions to the ones anyone who has ever been afraid to return home has likely felt. It starts, recognizing the fears of a people who have been in exile for so long, with words of comfort:
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.Have you been estranged for far too long? How do these words of comfort affect you?
May this advent season be one filled with comforting homecomings for all who have been estranged.
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