“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)
 
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God is Kevin Kirby's higher powerGod is Kevin Kirby's higher power
Tuesday, 03 August 2010 
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Show Don't Tell
Written by Sally Bair   
Sunday, 22 August 2010
In story writing, authors are advised to show action rather than tell about it. It’s better to write, “Sam’s heart beat fast as a bird’s wing as the tornado raced along the highway” than to say, “Sam was scared of the approaching storm cloud.” Instead of telling the reader that “Susie was upset when she saw her kitty up in the tree,” show action to satisfy the reader. “Susie’s stomach flipped over at the sight of her kitty clinging to a thin, wavering branch high in the maple tree.”

The phrase, “It was a beautiful day” says almost nothing. How can the reader visualize a beautiful day unless we show by our words that purple sunrise is peeking over snow-capped Old Baldy as a wispy breeze stirs among pines?

It’s better to show than tell in our spiritual lives also. “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves … Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 1:22, 2:18 )

It’s easier to say, “I’ll pray for you,” than to pray for the person on the spot. It’s easier to say, “I love you,” without showing some token of our love. It’s easier to tell a needy neighbor, “I’ll call you,” or “Let me know if you need anything,” rather than “May I bring you a meal tonight?”

Words tend to slip from our lips too easily. We may recite our creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth ….” the same day we face a new  problem and, disregarding our professed belief, struggle with our own solution. God must be disappointed when we offer Him lip service only instead of showing by our actions that we truly do trust Him.

Jesus showed His love through His good works, and we are to follow His example. Paul prays in Colossians 1:10 that we “may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work.” By showing the love of Christ in concrete ways rather than merely telling about Him, we bless not only the recipient but God Himself.

Lord, help us to Show Don’t Tell. Use us to better show others Your love, mercy, and grace through our actions rather than merely through our words. In Jesus’ name, amen.

www.sallybair.com    
 
 

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Christian Quote

“To be laughed at is no great hardship to me. I can delight in scoffs and jeers. Caricatures, lampoons, and slanders are my glory. But that you should turn from your own mercy, this is my sorrow. Spit on me, but, oh, repent! Laugh at me, but, oh, believe in my Master! Make my body as the dirt of the streets, but damn not your own souls!”
--CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

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