I have another confession. Every now and then I will use my kids as an excuse to get out of doing something. Like if someone invites me to a party that sounds really boring and I don't want to hurt their feelings, I'll say "We can't find a babysitter." The only reason I do that though is I am a liar.
But I think that lie is better than when someone asks you to help out at church and instead of saying, "no" you say, "let me pray about it." Really? I asked you to help me clean up tomorrow night after the youth group and you feel like that's something you need to run past the Savior of the world? He's going to give you the thumbs up or thumbs down on whether or not you can help me stack chairs for seven minutes?
Not that there aren't some situations that call for a "pause while I pray" response. My wife recently did that when she was asked to be a core leader for her CBS group in Atlanta. But I would argue that 47% of the time when we say "let me pray about it" we are just saying that so we can avoid saying no and can go home and email the person a big no instead of doing it in person.
(This one was Amy's idea. She is awesome. No lie.)
Friday, April 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
21 comments:
Right on!......what happened with the free book email?
Free book chapters are still on schedule to be emailed to folks that want it on this Sunday.
Thanks
Jon
ha ha ha. I've had that when we ask for help with Sunday School. You know, those parents who when asked to give a hand say something like "I'm not good with kids". Really? Then why did you have 4?
Just as an anal editing sidebar: You run it PAST the Saviour of the world, not "passed". ;) Sorry, I'm a nerd that way.
LOL, love the chair example...so much funnier than the one I gave. :)
Along the same vein - what about Christians who say, "I'll pray for you," and then walk away. Do you really think they're going to remember? I used to do this when I was a baby Christian until I realized I often forgot. If someone needs prayer, pray with them/for them on the spot.
This was funny until I realized that I am 100% guilty...
What up w/ the free book chapters? how do we get on the list?
-Shawn
shoot me an email with "free book" in the subject at theacuffs@yahoo.com if you want the first few chapters
I really get ticked when I hear this - and I don't use it unless it's really soemthing that I do need to pray about for a decision. I think I've said it 2-3 times in my life (not that that's all I've prayed but generally say something else over this line.)
maybe you've already done this one but I'm just new to your blog have haven't read it all yet.... but what about the famous line of "I'm calling to tell you so you can pray for..." or "Put so and so on your prayers list because..." and then they go on to spread the juciest gossip!! I HATE it when people try to disguise the spreading of gossip as a 'prayer request' for someone else!!!!
Is 117 going to be using "I'll pray for you" as a synonym for "You're wrong."
true.
true.
we are liars
Yes and yes. One of my own personal favorites is after being in a "new" Bible study for a while - the Leader starts picking out people (seemingly at their own whim) to .. say.. branch out and start a new Bible Study/small group. The conversation goes:
Leader: "Hey - you - It's been really great having you as a member of our study. You're insightful, you're always on time and seem to be really on top of things."
"Newbie": Um. Great, thanks. It's been a cool 6 months being here.
L: "So, yeah. We think you would be GREAT at leading a study of your own. Wanna give it a try?"
N: ummm....
L: Oh - you can get back to me tomorrow.
N: ummm....okay...I guess I'll go pray about it.
Thus giving Newbie a 24-hour window to - NO PRESSURE - give their answer to the Leader.
but mabye that's just me.
(and yes - admittedly - I've been on both ends of that spectrum)
What's CBS?
I used to do volunteer work for a Christian organization that does child sponsorship. "I need to pray about it" is a fairly standard response. I always wished I could say, "Really? You think if you pray about giving this child food, clothes, an education, and a chance to find Christ, that The Lord might come back and say, "No, I want you to spend that money on eating out & going to movies."???
Haha I had a friend that would do this for everything!!
And I really mean everything...
"Hey can you pass the hot sauce dude?"
"...I'll pray about it."
I like what Debbie said.
The other side of the coin is just as frustrating. I'm booked at my church with way more than I should be. And as all busy-at-church-already people know, when someone else has a great idea, WE'RE the ones they come to when they need people to help. I've finally gotten to the point where I say politely, "I'm sorry, but I've got so many things going on already that my work at those things is suffering, so I just can't help you this time." To which they respond, "Well, pray about it and let me know." As in, "I'm not accepting 'No'. You're going to help me because I want you to, and God (being my personal guilty conscience and baseball bat) will eventually tell you I'm right if you pray over it!"
I just found your blog yesterday and LOVE it! On the subject of post 116...a similar phrase that cracks me up is using "feeling led" for everything. I once had a roommate who told me that she didn't "feel led" to take the garbage out! What??!! Hillarious.
Bible College 101: God told me I am going to marry you one day...
Hilarious! Love your blog, dude.
Seriously....just say no.
Post a Comment