The Fire of London

In 1675 a fire devastated London England. Nine years later Sir Christopher Wren laid a foundation stone in what would be his greatest architectural achievement --the building of St. Paul's Cathedral.

It took him thirty five long years to complete his task, and when it was done he waited breathlessly for the reaction of her majesty, Queen Anne.

After being carefully shown through the structure, she summed up her feelings for the architecture in three words: "It is awful; it is amusing; it is artificial."

How you would feel if these words were used to describe the work of your life! But upon hearing these words from his Queen he heaved a sigh of relief and bowed gratefully before his queen.

How could this be? The explanation is simple: In 1710 the word awful meant "awe-inspiring," the word amusing meant "amazing," and the word artificial meant "artistic."

What to our ears might sound like a devastating criticism were in that time words of praise.

Quoted from The Desperate Preachers Website Lectionary Discussion of John 1:1-14

The Sun and The Wind

Legend has it that the sun and the wind got into an argument one day over which’ was the stronger. When a traveller came down the road, they decided to settle it by seeing who could force him to take off his coat. The sun hid behind a cloud and the wind blasted him, but that just made him wrap his coat around him more tightly. Then the sun came out with its gentle caressing warmth and shone on him and he was forced to take his coat off. Think about that! Angry words only make others withdraw, shrivel or shut down, especially if they’re already insecure. Angry words just confirm their worst fears and opinions about themselves! But gracious words help them to...open up...discover what’s good about themselves...and motivate them to reach higher.

*Lost . . . A Word*

I lost a word yesterday,
Unguarded, from my tongue;
It slipped into the atmosphere -
Then trouble had begun.

A dozen others followed it;
They filled the room with grief,
No matter then what word was said,
It could not bring relief.

If only I had stopped that word
Before it crossed my lips,
My day had been a happy one -
And sweet with fellowships.

I think I wasted yesterday,
Hurt self as well as friend,
Today I want to watch my words,
And let not one offend.

Gertrude McDaniel - Quoted from Cybersalt.org email list