Real Life

With Pastor Steve

November 8, 2024

 

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me! ~ A kid’s response to name-calling

  Now how many of you ever said that as a kid?  I know I did.  It’s a natural response at the time, because you don’t want someone to get the best of you.  But the truth is… those words did hurt and would continue to hurt.  Verbal abuse is one of the cruelest things that a human being can do to one another, and it doesn’t even have to be done by raising our voices. We can cut someone to shreds with sarcasm, slander, lies, anger, and put-downs.  And we so easily do it, not just in person, but in social media in today’s world. However, we can choose a better way.  This polarized, divided world needs a better way.

  In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul calls us into that better way.  The Colossians used verbal weaponry as an art.  But many had just turned to Jesus.  So, he says, “your words matter. You used to walk in these ways… but now, by choosing Christ, you’ve been renewed. Therefore, it’s time to start walking in the image of your Creator.  It’s time to start speaking life.  It’s time to stop the slander, the malice, the speech that does not edify.  And use your words to heal, strengthen, encourage, and build up.” May that be true in our world today as well.  And that’s … real life. ~Pastor Steve Rowe – Eaglebrook Church

               

Eaglebrook Church

Your “Brook” church in the Northwoods  EaglebrookMinocqua.org

Sundays 10:00 a.m. @ 1025 Margaret Street in Woodruff