Metacommunication

[marks]

Which is very unfortunate, as the greatest teaching of Christ (imo) was His silence when accused and during His sufferings. As a certain wise man said:

The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance enters where there is no space. This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master’s way.​

That's just it, icxn. Given the dichotomies of face to face conversation, what is not said, what is not answered, hard words that are softened by the eyes, soft words made firm by tone, considering all of this and more, it's all the more important to watch what we say, how we say it, and give good consideration to how it may be received.

And then there is the question, what is are real intention in choosing the words we do?

And I'd add to the Master's way, leading by example. Imagine if we all were determined to give a good example for others to follow, based on how we would like to be addressed?

Much love!
Mark

 

[marks]

@marks ...where you at?

Very sweet to ask! I have inconsistent internet access.

I sometimes wonder what my absences may suggest to people!

Much love!

 

[marks]

Yes, one is polite, one is with 'feeling' and a putdown !!

Good distinction! One is cognitive, the other is emotive.

Since emotions aren't registered in written form the same as in person, or even by voice, then the only emotion in the written medium is what is put there, either with derogatory, or inflammatory, or . . . words, or with good words.

Much love!
Mark

 

[marks]

..and they can be very wise..Christian could learn something....which mahatma gandhi showed us..and spoke of his disappointment in "christianity".

Christianity today is nothing like the "christianity" of Jesus Christ..He must weep.

We fall far short...

Hi ByGrace,

I love your screen name! Given what it means, how short do you think we actually fall? Do we fall that far short? Do you not edify me and I edify you?

Do we not have differing ideas about various things, and still, you edify me, and I edify you? Hopefully I do!

The thread from @Episkopos of "Righteousness is as Righteousness does", while I have my objection as I've posted, yet remains the truth that our faith will be seen in works, though it is not defined by works. That same faith that gives us entrance into God's family through rebirth into righteousness will go on to inform the remainder of our lives.

I think that there is either love or envy. Love wants you to have your good. Envy wants your good for me. Love gives and uplifts. Envy takes, and tears down. Envy demands others feed it. Love nourishes all around.

You are relational, and I am not so much. So I appreciate very much your welcome to me. I feel certain in what I'm saying about this, I feel certain that the warmth of relationship is sufficient to overcome division of disagreement, save in our faith in Jesus, and His death, and His resurrection.

Its a good thing!

Much love!
Mark

 

[Helen]

Hi ByGrace,

I love your screen name! Given what it means, how short do you think we actually fall? Do we fall that far short? Do you not edify me and I edify you?

Do we not have differing ideas about various things, and still, you edify me, and I edify you? Hopefully I do!

The thread from @Episkopos of "Righteousness is as Righteousness does", while I have my objection as I've posted, yet remains the truth that our faith will be seen in works, though it is not defined by works. That same faith that gives us entrance into God's family through rebirth into righteousness will go on to inform the remainder of our lives.

I think that there is either love or envy. Love wants you to have your good. Envy wants your good for me. Love gives and uplifts. Envy takes, and tears down. Envy demands others feed it. Love nourishes all around.

You are relational, and I am not so much. So I appreciate very much your welcome to me. I feel certain in what I'm saying about this, I feel certain that the warmth of relationship is sufficient to overcome division of disagreement, save in our faith in Jesus, and His death, and His resurrection.

Its a good thing!

Much love!
Mark

Hello Mark
Good to see you.

You are right, @bbyrd009 is often picking us up on the use of 'we'. I should say - 'I' fall short. "He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not ...."

Im not as 'full of love' as I should be. I don't extend the amount of Grace which has been extended to me. I did quite early in my walk nail the forgiveness thing, God showed me very clearly that unforgiveness is a poison which will destroy us inch by inch if we clutch to ourself. If I find it hard to forgive then I 'stay on my knees' until I break through it. But those other area do not come so easy. I fall short.

I find I lose my cool when I see legalistic dogmatic people declaring that "if christians don't do this, or if they don't believe that, then they are not real christians and destined for hell. That to me is like a red rage to a bull.

You have no idea how much I hold myself in check in some of these threads.
If they can feel that way about christians what are the feeling toward the unwashed! Where is the brokenness , where are the tears for anyone else.
Sometimes I read posts by different people and almost choke ...and sit on my hands to stop myself responding.

No, I am not broken yet, I still fall short on grace and love...and probably other areas too. And, as you probably know, I am far far from being a works person..."By Grace through faith ..." every time.

And yes, you are one on here that does bless and edify me for sure.

And I am one who in the end , when the chip are down, will always choose relationship over proving myself right. I have found in my christian life .. which has been over half century now ...that the issue is never the issue , life is always the issue. 'Choose life '..

And yes, you spotted it...I am a relationship person

Bless you...H