TERRE HAUTE — I pulled up to the little black box and waited for a faceless voice to ask for my order. I was fishing around in my billfold for money when I heard, “Welcome to Booger King. Can I help you?” I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. Not getting a response from me, he asked again, a bit louder. “Welcome to Booger King. Can I help you?” I was able to control myself long enough to tell him I wanted a large diet coke. No sandwiches for me, please. Not here, anyway. I shuddered to think how a sandwich made of kingly boogers would look, let alone how it would taste! Chuckling to myself, I resisted the impulse to correct the young man’s pronunciation, just in case he sickened some other unsuspecting customer. (It would do well for B.K. employees to remember that burgers come from cows. Boogers most decidedly do not!)
A number of years ago, I sat through an entire Sunday School hour listening to the teacher explain that we needed to set golds for ourselves. The number one gold we should have would be to lead our families and friends to Christ. Another gold we should keep uppermost is to live a Christ-like life. Each time he spoke of golds, I wanted to shout: “Goals. The word is goals!”
Granted, some people say they don’t feel comfortable speaking around me. They know I teach English and writing classes, and most know that I do a bit of writing as well. I must confess, it is rather difficult for me to keep from correcting common grammar goofs that pop up in everyday conversations. I have to bite my tongue when participles dangle, pronouns don’t have an antecedent, and subjects and verbs don’t agree.
Mispronounced words have a different effect on me. They make me laugh. When I hear someone’s rough has a leak, I know they mean roof. When I hear someone ask what is playing at the theeater, I know they mean theater. Ask me for a nakin and I will hand you a napkin. And if you oral the hinge on my backdoor, I know you will need to use oil to get the job done.
There’s a fabulous hymn in most of our hymn books. With meaning, the song proclaims that if we are covered in the blood of the sacrificial lamb, we know that when God sees us, he is looking through the filter of the blood of his son, Jesus. That blood washes away our sin. Washes — not warshes.
People often say that they don’t tell others about Christ because they “don’t talk good.” They say they don’t know how to speak well and get really nervous. So they leave the evangelism up to those who can “talk good” and know what to say.
Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 14:19, “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” Paul knew what was really needed was the instruction, not fancy words that cry out for interpretation. Sure, I know what those churchified words mean. I know what it is to be a transgressor that has been sanctified and redeemed. I can correctly use words like justification and dispensation. But what good would that do me if I could not speak five intelligible words of instruction?
Fanciful religious vocabularies would have no meaning if I could not explain to others that sin is what separates us from God. Romans 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” But God sent Jesus to earth to be offered as a sacrifice. 1st John 4:10 says God “sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Hebrews 7:27 tells us that Jesus “does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
Five intelligible words — sin, sacrifice, once, for all. I understood those five simple words when I first became a Christian. So did you. And that’s all we really need to know to teach others about Christ. If we know enough to become Christians ourselves, we know enough to lead others to Christ. So forget the fancy words, the correct pronunciations, the proper subject/verb agreement. Just remember what Jesus means to you and go tell others.
Then we can all sing, “Are you warshed in the blood of the Lamb?”
Verna Davis may be reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Five intelligible words — sin, sacrifice, once, for all
- Religion
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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Church briefs
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Ministry seeks funds for fans
Covenant Cooperative Ministry is collecting financial contributions to purchase electric fans for the Summer Fan Program.
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It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up
I first wrote the following words in November 2004. Unfortunately, things don’t appear to have changed all that much. So, here goes — prepare yourselves for a “rerun.”
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I admit it. I cry. A lot.
I admit it. I cry. A lot. I cry when I watch TV, for those Hallmark commercials get me every time. I have even cried while watching reruns of Law and Order, for goodness’ sake!
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Church briefs: May 19, 2012
Church briefs
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Don’t let a grudge rob you of living in peace with others
In 1870, Julia Ward Howe asked for “all women in all places to all rise up and oppose all wars.” She called it A Mother’s Day for Peace. The idea never caught on.
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Church Briefs: May 12, 2012
Church briefs
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THE JOY LADY: A few last words that should be taken to heart
My husband and I rarely argue. The more we live together, the more we agree with each other, and we have found that arguing just isn’t worth the effort.
- Church Briefs: April 28, 2012
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THE JOY LADY: April 28, 2012
Last Sunday, as we do most every Sunday, my husband and I went out for dinner after church with some friends.
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Christian recording artist endorses Valley author’s book
Bryan Duncan, Dove and Grammy award-winning contemporary Christian music pioneer singer and songwriter, recently endorsed Clay County author Marjorie E. Hopkins’ book.
“Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife,” is a “must read,” Duncan said. -
Indiana female priest challenges Catholic church
A former Catholic nun went through an ordination ceremony in Indianapolis to become a priest in defiance of the church’s ban on women becoming priests.
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CHURCH BRIEFS: April 14, 2012
Terre Haute St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Services Sunday in the historic church at 217 N. Seventh St. include Eucharists at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday school and middle/high school youth group meet at 9 a.m. Afterward, join the camaraderie, coffee and conversation in the Great Hall. -
THE JOY LADY: Worship never has been and never will be about us
King David was a mighty warrior, a popular leader, a talented musician and a prolific hymn writer.
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Seminar on ‘Caring for the Barren Woman’
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at 645 Poplar St. in Terre Haute, across from Vigo County Public Library, invites the greater Terre Haute community to a free seminar at 11:30 a.m. April 21.
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Easter services at St. Mary-of-the-Woods: A Miracle Retold
The miracle of a risen Christ doesn’t stop at an empty tomb, church leaders told the devout on a brilliant Sunday morning.
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Ministry to screen families for free food distribution
Covenant Cooperative Ministry will begin screening 400 families by taking applications
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THE JOY LADY: Perhaps we understand what we want and disregard the rest
March Madness is over, and I’m going to miss all those wonderful basketball games on TV. I don’t understand how people aren’t inspired by a game of basketball.
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Church to offer Financial Peace University series
New Providence Presbyterian Church announces an upcoming Financial Peace University class series for all area residents beginning at 2 p.m. CDT April 15 at the church at 1751 N. 2250th St. in Paris.
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Church briefs: April 7, 2012
Children’s Religious Education begins at 10:50 - There are two groups, youth ages 5 to 9 and Tweens, ages 10 and up. Child care for younger children is provided for the entire service.
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THE JOY LADY: In April or any month, you’re foolish if you deny God for lack of understanding
On April 1, 1957, BBC reporter Richard Dimbleby announced that because of an extremely mild winter, the dreaded spaghetti weevil was virtually eliminated.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 31, 2012
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Interactive ‘Passion in the Park’ beginning Thursday in Fairbanks Park
An interactive nondenominational community-performed drama of the Easter story, “Passion in the Park,” will be staged Thursday through April 8 at Fairbanks Park. Nightly shows will be at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
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Sisters of Providence plan ‘Come and See Weekend’ April 13-15
The Sisters of Providence will host a “Come and See Weekend” April 13-15 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Catholic women ages 18-42 who are considering a call to apostolic religious life are invited to attend.
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THE JOY LADY: ADo you ever wonder if people frustrate God?
Throughout the years, our family has had its share of pets. We’ve loved and buried hamsters, tropical fish, little bitty turtles, dogs, cats and other assorted critters.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
- RELIGION BRIEFS: March 24, 2012
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Wise men and women are always learning
Reality has hit me like a medicine cabinet full of Metamucil. I am officially — oh, dare I say it — growing older.
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‘Make It, Bake It, Grow It’ dinner and auction set
Armstrong United Methodist Church, on U.S. 40, east of Marshall, Ill., will host its 11th annual “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” dinner and auction on March 24.
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Church Briefs, March 17, 2012
Church briefs
- More Religion Headlines
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Church briefs: May 26, 2012
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
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Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
