Of Blogs and Language

Joe, my comments here about language are not intended as a criticism of you – but of determining whether a language style is one I’d endorse for my family and friends. As we all know, people do what people do! I am not personally offended, only hesitant to recommend certain blog language to those close to me. This, of course, means they must miss the good stuff too.

“Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.” Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

So likewise, I excoriate myself with this quote:
“Socrates seems to be the philosophical napkin with which the ensuing cultural thinkers of history wipe their mouths of pedantic ooze.” Unknown

Before (and a while after) I trusted Christ as my Savior, I jaw-boned a verbal blue flame with the best (or worst) of ’em. Thankfully, the Lord did not make it a requirement that I clean up my language in order to secure my eternal life in Christ. The “F” bomb (as it is called now) was a common word of mine and I used it (and many others) with abandon. (I thank God that by His Grace I have eternal life — not by my actions or quality of words, but simply by my mental decision to put my faith in Christ as my Savior.)

However, as many have said, “Words mean things.” Here is a Biblical statement, “but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.” I believe a malediction strengthens no argument.

Shortly after I trusted Christ, I realized that as I spoke, my young children and friends listened — and many times mimicked what they heard. Finally I concluded — I can express my thoughts just as well (maybe better) without the necessity of unseemly language. I am thankful my kids and g’kids have followed my lead into a more civil language style (at least when they are around me.)

Again, I emphasize — this note is not critical of you, but is indicative of my desire to see my family read Conservative and/or Christian sources which do not emulate the “average.” I pray my kids and g’kids strive to be above average… Joe, I’m not just “pickin'” on you — I have a similar problem with Rush when he goes off on a tear with off-color language, innuendo and puerile topics which he seems to enjoy. Rush, who has such a brilliant mind, would be just as effective without them. I cannot tell my g’kids to tune in to him — for fear that they will think I am OK with such words and thoughts.

This verse means a lot to me:
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 1:13

Guess I’ll hop down from my pulpit, thanks for your forbearance.. (Fret not — at my age, I can’t hop anywhere.)

Thank God I am in Christ eternally, determined by His Grace and my choice, not by my behavior.