Tag Archives: language

Yes, and …

talking

Did you know about something called “yes, and … ” thinking used in improvisational comedy and even in business? It is a rule of thumb that says that a participant in a conversation should accept what another participant has said (“yes”) and then expand on that line of thinking (“and”). It is a way of continuing a dialogue and letting the others in the conversation know that you are listening and paying attention.

It strikes me that “yes, and … ” thinking can be used very effectively in discussing Jesus with others. Say, for instance, that someone says to you, “Jesus is my Savior.” Then you could say in response, “Yes, and he is with you.” Or you could say, “Yes, and he gives you strength.” Or “Yes, and he will guide you.” The list could go on, of course. But the point is that using any number of additional attributes of Jesus in a “yes, and … ” response will lead to more discussion of and expansion on the role of Jesus in our lives. Jesus is not someone you can pigeon-hole in a box and compartmentalize. He permeates through every aspect of your life and thoughts and experiences. Just when you think he is limited to one thing, think again. As the Bible says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16). Now that’s a lot of “yes, and … ” language! Let us continue to be “yes, and … ” people for Christ.

The Language of God

language of God

In the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible, we read that people on earth at one time all spoke the same language. In their arrogance, they decided to start building a massive tower that would reach to the heavens. But God confused their language, the Bible says, taking their power away and humbling them (Genesis 11:7). The building of the tower stopped and the people scattered to various parts of the world.

The story of the Tower of Babel has some vital applications to our circumstances today. I am thinking now about how many groups of people in the world are starting to speak the same languages of hate and discord no matter what their native languages may be. They are building “towers,” if you will, of influence and power that are negatively influencing the advance of the kingdom of God in the world.

Into the growing spread of divisive language, our God enters and breaks up the network of hostile talk to replace it with a language of love, which is then spread to all the world. The result is a discourse that is grounded in Christ and not on ourselves. It is a communication that is built on giving and not taking away. The language of love transcends all other languages and fosters forgiveness over domination.

God wants there to be no more babbling about what we dislike in one another, but, instead, an understanding that we work better together when we speak first in love.

Signs of the Resurrection

He is risenThe church that I attend has a sign language interpreter who communicates the words spoken and sung in worship to a group of hearing impaired parishioners. I must confess that I am very often drawn in to her signing and am moved by it.

Recently I noticed that the sign for “He is risen” is two fingers pointing downward, then floated down and placed upon the palm of the other hand. A very literal and visual interpretation of that event. I somehow sense in that sign the miracle of the resurrection and yet the humanity of Christ in the depiction of his body.

What other “signs” of the resurrection of Christ do we see in the world?

I think of flowers budding from seemingly barren ground. I think of butterflies emerging from very rough-looking cocoons. I think of wobbly baby birds that take wing and fly.

The miracle of the resurrection is still astounding and surprising to us. We should never take it for granted.

It is still something that we should marvel at and contemplate as something beyond our imagination.

It is something that is true and real and connected to us and our future.

For we know that when our Lord returns on the Last Day, our bodies, too, will be raised to new life. As it says in Romans 8:11: “He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

What a comfort to know that Christ’s resurrection means our resurrection and his new life means new life for us, forever with him. Let that message be our source of strength today and every day until he comes!