GPiper
September 30th 2003, 06:22 AM
Each of us while in the process of living builds our own dictionary. I have a Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary sitting just above my computer. On the front cover are the words, “The Voice of Authority” and in deed it is. But as I live my life I choose what words I’ll include in the Gary Piper Dictionary of Life and in some cases edit “The Voice of Authority.”
Take for instance the word ‘fear’ in the Gary Piper Dictionary of Life the definition of fear is scratched out and in its place you’ll see “please refer to respect.” Respect is a much more disarming word than fear. When I have respect for something or someone it means that I’ve had a personal encounter with that person or that thing. Fear has the connotation of a red light! Respect has the connotation of a yellow light.
Do I fear God who has ultimate love for me? No, I respect God because of my experiences with him. My respect for him has been built on my encounters with his love for me on those occasions when I could not love myself and on his sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on my behalf. By respecting God I am free to seek a deeper relationship with Him through Jesus.
Do I fear Satan who has ultimate hatred for me? In both cases I choose to respect them not fear them. No, I respect Satan because I’ve experienced his deadly pull on my life. Through my respect of his deadly pull I’ve been more aware of those occasions when his icy life has sought to undermine my respect for God.
Words of our language not only contain meanings but they are symbols as well. Take for instance the word ‘help’ in some Dictionaries of Life the word help comes with the symbol of weakness. In the Gary Piper Dictionary of Life the word ‘help’ symbolizes strength. We need Jesus Christ to help us cope with life as we now live it and we need him to escort us into eternity with God. Those who refuse to ask for his help because they see their need for Jesus as a weakness are in for some surprises!
Take a few minutes today and review your Dictionary of Life. Perhaps it needs a little updating!
Jesus Christ needs to the first and foremost word in every dictionary!
Gary
Take for instance the word ‘fear’ in the Gary Piper Dictionary of Life the definition of fear is scratched out and in its place you’ll see “please refer to respect.” Respect is a much more disarming word than fear. When I have respect for something or someone it means that I’ve had a personal encounter with that person or that thing. Fear has the connotation of a red light! Respect has the connotation of a yellow light.
Do I fear God who has ultimate love for me? No, I respect God because of my experiences with him. My respect for him has been built on my encounters with his love for me on those occasions when I could not love myself and on his sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on my behalf. By respecting God I am free to seek a deeper relationship with Him through Jesus.
Do I fear Satan who has ultimate hatred for me? In both cases I choose to respect them not fear them. No, I respect Satan because I’ve experienced his deadly pull on my life. Through my respect of his deadly pull I’ve been more aware of those occasions when his icy life has sought to undermine my respect for God.
Words of our language not only contain meanings but they are symbols as well. Take for instance the word ‘help’ in some Dictionaries of Life the word help comes with the symbol of weakness. In the Gary Piper Dictionary of Life the word ‘help’ symbolizes strength. We need Jesus Christ to help us cope with life as we now live it and we need him to escort us into eternity with God. Those who refuse to ask for his help because they see their need for Jesus as a weakness are in for some surprises!
Take a few minutes today and review your Dictionary of Life. Perhaps it needs a little updating!
Jesus Christ needs to the first and foremost word in every dictionary!
Gary