So, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning at 8:30 we have a Ships Staff meeting, to get updates from the different ministry areas (which consist of: Bible Core Course, Intro. to Primary Health Care, Discipleship Training School, and School of Navigation and Seamanship).
This campus is so big that sometimes it can be challenging to be all on the same page, let alone all being in the same place at once wouldn't happen without an arrangement.
These meetings are generally just a catch up, have a little bit more personal connection aside from all the "business" and "busyiness" talks.
Today, however, we were blessed to have the incredible Christian Fox sit in and speak with us.
Christian has been leading our Wednesday morning Bible Studies for our school.
Christian has served with YWAM since 2001, during which time he has staffed a number of DTS' and lead Bible Core Courses. Over the years, he has been heavily involved in Biblical scholarship and study methods within the context of our schools.
This morning it was nice to have him lead us aside from the morning's he teaches the entire school, little more personal.
What was his topic of the morning you ask?
Encouragement and Sarcasm.
Here's what I learned.
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John Maxwell has some pretty amazing quotes if you look them up.
The one used this morning went along the lines of 'invest in others, not in how the world will make us happy'
Everyone loves to hear an encouraging word.
"We need to give people flowers before their funeral"
This statement spoke heaps to me.
Imagine: You are going to the funeral of a beloved friend. You bring a bouquet of flowers, take the time out of your "busy" schedule to attend, you sob and long to speak with your friend, you speak love - joyful memories - everything wonderful you remember about this person.
But.. how often did you tell them that while they were alive? Truly?
How people speak at funerals, is how we should be speaking to our friends all the time.
Were you encouraging them while you had the chance, or tearing them down?
Who doesn't want to be around someone who speaks "life" and not "death"?
Who speaks happiness instead of destruction?
Words are powerful.
Proverbs 12:18 "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."
Proverbs 15:4 "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 16:24 "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
(Bible is full of reasons to build up one another.. Possibly relating to the fact our Creator is Love)
We need to be more encouraging to one another.
Do you know someone, that when you're around them they are constantly complaining and it just brings you down? Imagine if we did the opposite of that all the time! How much better would you feel?!
If you see something in somebody, say it.
Bless them all the time.
Create a culture of community.
Ephesians 4:17-32
(I will type this at the bottom of this post, so you can read it if you'd like)
-I should be living a life that refuses to make excuses of why something is ok for me to do.
I shouldn't be justifying things against the Bible.
Put off my old life.
I am not that person anymore.
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Sarcasm.
(Cripes.
If you know me, you know sarcasm is my language.
Strong conviction this morning. . .)
Sar-casm: to tear or rip the flesh off;
a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
Synonyms: cut, dig, offense, indignity
Not a very happy word is it?
How long have I carried this with me?!
Our words nip/gnaw at one another, eventually we consume each other!
Imagine, every sarcastic remark you make towards another person tearing off a bit of their flesh. Do it enough, eventually the person will perish.
How true is it we must control our tongues?
People may be able to laugh off your smart remarks, but you truly are ripping them a part little by little, and people can only take so much.
You are speaking such negativity over them, possibly embarrassing them, insulting them without even knowing it.
I personally know this is something I have struggled with since being in Kona.
Some people will ask me questions with the most obvious answer that I "can't help" but respond in a sarcastic way! How foolish!
Now, not only do a couple students not enjoy talking to me, but I feel like I've been walking blindly.
I am very thankful that we live and learn; thankful we are always being taught.
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So, along with my conviction this morning I decided to do a little research in to sarcasm.
I stumbled upon this website with seven reasons why sarcasm is unhealthy and wrong.. After reading thru, I have to say I completely agree.
1. Sarcasm is a lie and not the language of the Kingdom.
John 8:44 "He (satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2. Sarcasm fosters insecurity.
3. Sarcasm interferes with authentic community.
"Often things we are unable to say seriously but still feel.
Can often be a challenge to sort out the truth from lies when a sarcastic person speaks.
Sarcasm allows them to maintain their mask of hypocrisy."
4. Sarcasm discourages inquisitiveness.
"Derides people from asking simple questions.
Causes some people to be cautious to talk at all."
"When I reveal my ignorance on a topic I often must brace for the sarcastic blow that may or may not fall. My confidence is in Christ and not myself so these comments do not destroy me but are nevertheless unappreciated."
5. Sarcasm interferes with good leadership.
I've been called to leadership in YWAM, enough said.
"Secure people make good leaders; if sarcasm is a symptom of insecurity then the better a leader you are the less sarcastic you are."
6. Sarcasm undermines true humor.
"How many times have you ever belly laughed to a sarcastic comment? The best you can hope for from sarcasm is snicker."
7. Sarcasm is the language of bullies.
This is a straight up apology to anyone I have ever offended with my words.
This has been a sub-conscience tool I've used to cover up my own personal flaws and insecurities.
I will miss it, because I think it's hilarious, but it's very hurtful, rude, harsh, demeaning, and heaps of other negative words.
I don't want anything negative in my life, and if I can change, I will.
I won't be perfect. I will struggle with this. I won't be as "funny" (yes, I think I'm funny).
But I'll feel a lot more confident in my relationships, hopefully be more approachable, be more trusting, and full of life.
Something legit to go along with this, I'm being honest and truly feel bad.
Don't antagonize me, don't ask me how my "non-sarcasm" is going.
Please.
Like anything else, it takes time. I will stumble.
But I want to be more loving to every single person, so today, I lay down my sarcasm card.
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I hope this encouraged you in one way or another!
This was my own personal conviction that I felt like sharing with you!
Love you all, thanks for taking the time to read :)
xo
Live in Love :)
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Ephesians 4:17-32
(NLT)
Living as Children of Light
With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
But that isn't what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy.
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
--AMEN--
(I got the seven sarcasm reasons from: http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/06/the-sin-of-sarcasm/ just so I don't potentially get in trouble)
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