Thursday, July 7, 2016

Build: Five Minute Friday

Twitter party: when you type the same tag as everyone else and then read their posts. It's like a chatroom, only better, because it's the Five Minute Friday friends. #fmfparty
This week, we're over with Kate Motaung, talking about the word Build.

And, Go!

Immediately, my childhood memories flooded in. Attending a small private school with my sisters and brother, my mom was a first grade teacher. Your words can either build somebody up, or tear somebody down. How are you using your words??

That concept is based on this passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
"For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."

More building continues in verses 12-18
"
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

And I present to you the formula for a Christian body, built on a good foundation.
We on the internet have much to say. When a tragedy occurs, we are blindsided. We want to make sense of evil. Evil does not make sense.

We try to speak to gain some sense of control, but often we don't know what we are saying.
And? Sometimes we can make it worse.
If ever you are offering comfort, please, in all good intentions, say NOTHING if your sentence begins with "at least".

"At least you have your other children..."

"At least it wasn't..."

Instead, try "I'm so sorry you're going through this." "I'm praying for you."
Better yet? Just be there.

Life is not a competition among believers. Life is a PR. Are you doing your best? Will your muscles (faith) be stretched and pushed and challenged, so that you build stronger muscles?
No perfection necessary. If we were perfect, we'd have no need for a Savior.
His faith was tested, and ours will be too.
Let's encourage and build each other up, shall we?

~Tammy

P.S. Thanks for stopping by! Tell me your url or your linkup # at Kate's this week and I'll return the favor.


And, here's a video of 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, just for fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgOYArq1FY8





20 comments:

  1. Oh yes, let's build each other up.....nothing less! We were thinking much along the same lines tonight. We can never make sense of evil but we can indeed build each other up. I'm a few in front of you this week; in the #5 spot,

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    1. Loved your post, Tara!
      And yes, the same scripture too. :)
      So glad for your building and encouraging!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  2. I guess I'm on the right track. When someone I know suffers something horrible, my usual reply is "Whoa, dude. That SUCKS." Sometimes 'sucks' is modified by and all-purpose seven-letter adverb without which no New Zealander could complete a sentence. But I digress.

    Lovely post, Tammy.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/07/your-dying-spouse-178-something-big-fmf.html

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    1. Andrew,
      you made me think and then made me laugh. I'm sure there are some very proper New Zealanders that would take offense at your blanket adverb. Ha ha ha!
      And yes, acknowledging where that person is at in that moment, that validates them.
      You're definitely on the right track, save the "kiwi" for the tart ones who use it themselves.
      Oh, thank you for the joy and laughter today, Andrew!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. Tammy, as one who fell victim to the cruel power of words as a girl, I've worked hard to speak words of life to those around me, and to teach and encourage our boys to do the same.

    You shared such a great passage! Thank you for sharing your heartbeat here, my friend!

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    1. Jeanne,
      such truth. I too was victim to words and actions. For years. I'd prefer sticks and stones because those bruises usually go away.
      We've had that conversation before, though. So good to have you back!
      Love,
      Tammy
      And P.S. You are an EXCELLENT mom!

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  4. Yes-Just be there! Oh those "at least" statements. There is so much beauty in the silence of just loving someone. Beautiful post, Tammy.

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    1. Marcy,
      thank you sweet friend! :) Yes, those at leasts. I've been guilty myself. When I was on the receiving end, it finally clicked, though.
      No more.
      Love you!
      -Tammy

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  5. This is so true. I made such a mess with my words that I began to hold them all in and went through years of battles alone even while being in the church because I was afraid of making the same mistake. There is so many women out there I think that need someone to do as you said and just be kind, don't try to fill in the silence just because, but just "be" there for people and pray too. I appreciate your words tonight, here and on mine.God bless you, Tammy!

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    1. Meg,
      thank you. SO glad we could touch each other's hearts tonight. :)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. "See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people."
    I wish more people lived by this!

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    1. Marisa,
      me too. One life at a time, we can make that difference, though. And we do. We never know just who is reading something we wrote and God is using it because we obeyed and offered.
      Keep writing!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. Thanks for the reminder - building each other up in the love we've received. Thanks for this encouragement! Blessings to you today. FMF #11

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    1. Yay! Shannon I can't wait to read your post. You always encourage me.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  8. Love your take on the word! Such a good reminder in times that are complex and awful and tough :( We have to use our words for good not evil... Thanks for sharing :) (#22)

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    1. Emma,
      thank you. I hadn't heard the most recent tragedy but I didn't need to, I guess. Evil has always been painful in our world. Setting brother against brother and taking life from the very beginning.
      We can love and we can pray. (And we can encourage the brothers and sisters we are tasked with raising to love, not kill.)
      :)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  9. Words can be so destructive, whether they're intentionally unkind or just thoughtless, but they also have so much power to build each other up when we use them in the right way. Thank you for your words which always build me up. (#15)

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    1. Carly,
      thank you. I hope that will be my legacy. That I was courageous and kind. (Cinderella 2015 reference) That I used my words for building up, not tearing down.
      You are a joy to pour out encouragement upon. Your words bring life to me!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  10. Girrrrrl... you know I love you, right? Okay. Just checking. (#35)

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    1. Tondra,
      well if I didn't yet, I do now! :) So glad you enjoyed this post.
      Love,
      Tammy

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