Devotionals

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Government regulation is a lot like using a Ketchup bottle -- you
either get none or too much!

This will be tongue-in-cheek nit-picking, so don't take it too
seriously. I'm picking on a certain word only to make the point that
in Christendom we adopt handed down sayings, behavior patterns,
etc., without giving any real thought to them -- we repeat handed
down habits, etc., without ever examining their validity. I keep
pushing and hoping for a thinking church.

This is one example. There are some circles where the most
commonly heard word during prayer is "just" -- Lord, we just
praise you; Lord, we just need you; Lord, we just trust you, etc. I
hear young people pray this way, and I know they picked it up from
hearing older folks pray the same way.

I am not saying it is right or wrong, good or bad. But I think we
need to examine this word to see if it is a good or poor choice of
words for this purpose. As used in this sense, it appears to be an
adverb with synonyms being "merely or simply." That connotation
doesn't indicate a sense of importance but rather a sense of "O well,
whatever." Here's an example of the word used in the same way --
Rom. 12:9 (nlt), "Don't just (merely, simply) pretend that you love
others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of
the good."

I would rather hear more positive statements like: Lord, we really
praise you; Lord, we genuinely need you; Lord, we totally trust in
you, etc. Instead of mouthing handed down time worn phrases,
let's start thinking about our prayers instead of going through rote
routines. It's not a big deal -- I'm only trying to make a point.
Think!

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