You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Poignant moment this afternoon...
The wifey works with blind co-workers. She happened to see one of these delightful ladies board the bus prior to hopping in the car with me. As the bus (and our car) seem to be heading in the same direction, she rolls down her window and waves at her blind friend sitting beside the window seat on her side of our car. I wanted to crawl under my seat - well, maybe just a little bit.

Earlier today...
I told the beagle to go to her cage (as we were leaving for the workday). Her name is "Mustard" - no, the poodle's name isn't "Ketchup", we were merely going down the spice rack. Apparently this hound has a stellar grasp of prepositions - as she went "to" the cage but did not go "in" the cage. Guess the Mustard wasn't flowing as well as we'd hoped.

This past Monday...
I'm trying to get the pups squared away, put the food out on the deck, water (check) and go searching for the leads (a.k.a. leashes) whilst yonder dogs bark-and-bay (loudly, wanting out). I was NOT walking in the Spirit by the time I found them, realized that the reason the leads were beside the "other" door was because the "man of the house" decided over the weekend that we would be taking the pups out THAT door. I sheepishly apologized to my wife.

 
Last month...
When I went to "Wally World" and purchased a DVD, I decided to do the whole "self scan" thing - figuring I'd save time. So, after a couple of taps on the touchscreen, bagged my item, showed the cashier/jockey my receipt, passed the greeter... and set off the alarm. So, after going back two MORE times - and noticing folks who weren't even in line at some of the OTHER (read: normal) check-out lines leaving the store BEFORE me... I get the permission of Der Commissar to proceed with my guilt-ridden purchase, walking out feeling like "public enemy number one".

Earlier this year...

When our work office moved just north of the city, I took the opportunity to setup a co-worker for a practical joke. Most of the buildings were older than my father and use to "house" people. So, after walking about with two of my co-workers, I turn to the "mark" and point up to the third floor window, asking her, "Hey - did you see that, looked like a woman wearing a housecoat staring down here at us." Fast forward one week. I sneak in to the work area, after coming back from lunch, sit down outside her office and intermittently start tapping on the drywall. When she stops talking on the phone, I stop - when she resumes, so do I. Then I hear her say, "Let me call you back, I don't know what's going on in here." She comes around the corner and I tactfully introduce her heart to her tonsils (classic).

Couple of Halloween's ago...
My wifey had a marvelous notion to buy a fake, brown, wire-and-Styrofoam, four foot wide (legs) spider for our house. Not to be outdone, she wanted it to scare our eldest with it - who is near-deathly afraid of them. So-o, her younger sister gets wind of the freakish ambush awaiting her sibling and places a video camera in the closet, where I placed said arachnid (yep, I cow-towed and joined the hooligans). So-o, as you might've guessed, all went according to plan. Yep, our eldest opens the closet door and (yep) she freaks HARD - caught on camera, and, yep... if I wasn't a Christian, I'd definitely know WHY I was going to Hell after that one. MMLIA

What Ship Are We Booked On?

The 21st century Christian church in America has it (chiefly) wrong. Fellowship is not discipleship.

Now, Fellowship, in and of itself is not the problem - in fact, it's NECESSARY within the family of GOD; but, without Discipleship, even the best Fellowship will cannot grow the Kingdom of GOD the way Scripture intends.

As a body of believers meeting corporately (read: in a gaggle called "church"), we know that...

...rightly divining Scripture, by itself, is BIBLE STUDY.
...building relationships, by itself, is FELLOWSHIP.
...Christian service, by itself, is MINISTRY.
...communicating our needs to the LORD, by itself, is PRAYER

I fervently long for these things; but, what I want even more so is DISCIPLESHIP - to build all of these individual things (above) in to those who, walking in the Spirit, subsequently being in one accord, could be embolden in our church family for Christ in such a way as to impact our area of the county like its never been done before.

By way of example, for those not familiar with the concept of DISCIPLESHIP, it...

...goes through Scripture and doesn't ask, "How does that make you feel?" but rather, "As Christians, how then should we live in light of this?"
...gets intimately involved in the lives of others where folks become accountable to (and for) each other - "warts and all", per se
...grows individuals, prepares them to use their spiritual gifts for ministry, and partners with them - ensuring no one "goes it alone"
...grabs a hold of GOD's promise and prays fervently for each other, knowing that confidence is there - trusting whole-hardheartedly in His Word

More examples of what this looks like...

In Fellowship, one says, "We need to reach the lost."
In Discipleship, one says, "I desire to pour myself into you, who was once lost, to build the kingdom."

     "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Jesus, Mat.28.19.esv)

In Fellowship, one says,  "We love GOD and the family of GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I love GOD enough to pick up my brother's cross and walk with him."

     "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Jesus, Luk.14.27.esv)

In Fellowship, one says, "We love to hear the Word of GOD, because He has set us free!"
In Discipleship, one says, "I love to do what the Word of GOD says, because it can set those who were walking "in the Way" with me, free!"

     So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jesus, Jhn.8.31-32.esv)

In Fellowship, one says, "We came together, having so much in common, to worship the LORD and to edify fellow believers."
In Discipleship, one says, "I set out, apart from the comfort of my group, and went to my brother (or sister) because they had a need for encouragement and were in want."

     "And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (Luke, Act.2.44.esv)

     "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Luke, Act.4.32.esv)

In Fellowship, one says, "We pray for each other, lifting our prayers up, together, to GOD."
In Discipleship, one says, "I got to know you well enough to pray for you the moment you voiced it, grieved with you in the darkest hour, and genuinely rejoiced when He delivered you from within these circumstances."

     "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James, half brother of Jesus; Jam.5.16.esv)

Fellowship requires the follow-on of Discipleship. Discipleship requires some basis of Fellowship to be effective. So, the questions beg...

Do you merely want Fellowship; or, are you needing Discipleship? And, are you at a place (or in a position) to disciple others? Ready to jump "ship" or to "board"? MMLIA

I'm Not An Island... I'm A Continent

The late English clergyman and poet, John Donne (1572-1631) was attributed the following quote from of one of his works on meditation, as saying...

"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."

There - you learned something today. You might want to sit down if the room's spinning on you - can only take SO much enlightenment at one time, eh?

Not As Strong As We Think We Are

Saw someone today I hadn't seen in a while - and when I say "seen" I don't mean via Facebook... I mean "seen" without the assistance of this "bane-and-blessing" known as technology.

It heartens me when these folks take the ferry from their "Island" (either by choice of His design) - conversely, what disheartens me is that there are many out there that want to be proverbial "Islands".

Everybody needs help, from headaches to hangovers, from splinters to (heart) splints, from callouses to cancer - if it weren't so, you wouldn't ever be in dire straits.

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." (Gen.2.18.esv)

Double the Work Versus Half A Care?

Do we dare jump off our "Island" - leaping headlong or feet first?

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Eccl.4.9-12.esv)

Hello? This was written by one of the most (if not THE most) DEPRESSED individuals in The Bible. And, if he realized this... what's our excuse when we throw ourselves back into the briar patch (if you don't understand the reference, Google it)? His highness was brought low, even on an "Island" of fame, fortune and glory.

Having X-Ray Vision

Time wanes on - both on-and-off our "Island"; but we don't. Just because I use to act like Superman, looked like Superman (try to hold the chuckle in, will ya'), didn't make me Superman... I'm mortal enough to know (now) that although everything still "works", some things "hurt" when they do (LOL).

And getting together (fellowship) ain't the same as getting to know you, getting to know all about you... getting to like you, getting to hope you like me (kudos to R&H). That would be an honest, open and transparent discipleship going on there, boys and girls - no secret identities (a.k.a. masks), being the same in both public and in private!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb.10.24-25.esv)

Damaged Goods or Good-n-Damaged?

People act like that don't want the very thing which you ain't caught. Oh, it's always more comfortable to keep folks at arms-length by bugging out for our "Islands"... why let those Christians get close, they'll only see everything about us and we'll get hurt.

Like any of our family members EVER hurt us before, right? It's true, those who know us best wound us deepest. They find the buttons... and press them.

They paint a big ole bullseye on the back of our heads, get a bead on us and then KA-POW, right?

Sorry, not everyone who says they ARE concerned are concerned with injuring you. But, we need to take the first step and lay that vulnerable side out there. Just know that in the vulnerability, something sacred is grown... a Continent (1Cr 12:20-26.esv). MMLIA

Things Scribbled on a Receipt

Sat down and ate breakfast this morning - with a lot on my mind; so, I jotted down some thoughts about the "human condition" - e.g. inside a church. What I came up with was more questions that I'd care to shake the proverbial stick at - what my "take away" was included answers and some more unanswered questions through Scripture...

As a church, how do we edify each other?  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... (Heb.10.24.esv)

Do we really want fellowship without discipleship?  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Act.2.42.esv)

Are we concerned about those whom we do not know as well within our church body, and let them know they're missed when not here?  My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (Jam.2.1.esv)

Do we really desire to walk this journey with fellow believers who know us well enough to correct us, challenge us and love us (sometimes) despite ourselves?  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1Jo.1.7.esv)

Within our body of believers, where is our desire to "be transparent and to "broker some openness"? Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (Act.4.32.esv)

If followed around for a week, would we be found to be the same person we are at church as we might be at home, at school or at work?  Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Eph.4.25.esv)

Have we emptied ourselves into the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phl.2.4.esv)
Why is it easier to share our difficulties with complete strangers, whom we can comfortably keep at arm's length, versus those who want to know us?  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Jam.5.16.esv)

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? MMLIA

 

Grown Apart, Thrust Back Together

Crisis brings out the extremes in people - both good and bad. I wrestled with even writing this post - but did so, not fully aware of what the fallout may be.

In as much as I'd like to think what a upcoming situation will look like (in my sanctified imagination), reality shows up like the you-know-what-it-is and pops me in the back of the head with reckless abandon. Once my proverbial vision clears, I have to start the art of scanning the room for adversaries and discounting the handicaps I find within the room through the filters I apply.

Old wounds and new egos...

My early years, specifically those before Christ, were not the best years of my life (regrettably). Not only did I "go through the motions" with liturgical Christianity, I had a skewed version of what "normal" was - and when you add siblings to the mix, well... there was ample opportunity to shift blame, manipulate and hurt others for the protection of yourself, to vent one's frustrations or to get over on one's parents easy.

Fast forward thirty plus years and we all become products of our environments (both past and present). What we experienced then, shapes us today. We can take our wounds, bandage them and learn or continue licking the wound(s), keeping it fresh and moist to have it temper our lives... usually not for the better. These experiences usually affect how we deal with those in-and-outside-of the family. It's been my sad lot to see this play out in the lives of those I love.

I didn't walk in the hospital today with a proverbial ax to grind; but, I did get a sense that there was some downed limbs in the yard of someone else that I was having to step over to get to the other side.

Empathy versus sympathy...

I understand no one truly knows how anyone else around us feels (exactly). Far be it from me to "know" what my mother feels seeing her husband unconscious on a hospital gurney; or, how any other family member wishing to portray (on the outside) to the rest of us how they "got it all together" is really spazzing on the inside. Granted, I'm no mind-reader - but that goes both ways.

I empathize because I understand the feelings of helplessness, futility and isolation as I watch the strongest man in my life quelled by a simple thing like anesthesia, seeing him unconscious and wondering, "Is he going to be alright?" It's very much (genuinely) internalized. I will graciously give a "pass" to those who talked back to me today, talked above me and even talked as if I was not in the same room because emotions were running "high" today.

Sympathy is the man looking down into the hole in which the other man fell and shakes his head as he hurries by. Empathy is the one who crawls down there with him, rope in hand, ready to assist in a humble manner.

From the outside looking in...

Part of a mother's nature is to "protect her young" - I've come to realize that mantra never ages, even though her children do. There were times today when I was convinced that my mom wanted to bear the brunt of the shock of the events first, before allowing her son to succumb to the ill-affects of any news. Admirable, if I was 12 and grew up in a perfect home.

Arriving when we did to the hospital, and playing "catch-up" (in a sense) with some small bits of information that I didn't already have, combined with the realization that (as events unfolded) I was back on the elementary school playground... and the game was "keep away"... and I was the one in the middle. It was as if "spectator" was an honorific title bestowed upon me way before I arrived... or they thought I was still 12.

Perhaps the reason many of us feel like we're on the outside looking in is due to someone shutting the front door as we're wiping our feet to come inside?

One family, many roles...

Being raised in a matriarchal household afforded me much to resent and much to be thankful for - let me explain this duality.

First, the resentment - I saw my mother as the only one able to wield power - both to punish and reward... I did not view her as the "nurturer". Because of her own upbringing, I lived out the legacy which had been handed down to her, by many generations of godless patriarchs. And, in that framework, I became aware later (as a young adult) that her parenting style did not afford "males" a favorable position within our home.

Secondly, the thankfulness part - it afforded me "starting point" to go off of. When I got married and had my own children, I had already learned what not to do; so, my wife and I began with the balances of our own experiences and resolved to:

1. love both children unconditionally, even when anger could dictate otherwise
2. treat both children as equals to each other, gender aside
3. never punish in anger
4. allow punishment to fit the crime, per se
5. never put off punishment with "wait till we get home" or "wait till your father gets home"
6. allow our children to suffer "safe" effects of "less than stellar" decision-making
7. live out our lives - warts and all - the same way at home, as in church

Now, that doesn't mean we raised "perfect" children; but, I'm hoping that they have had a better childhood than I and my brother and even my sister. Now, to her credit, I have long-since reconciled with my mom - and her role today is not so much so that of matriarch, but of an adviser, a sage and a mother.

Discounted experiences don't sell well here...

Education and wisdom are entirely two separate things - I believe I covered this on my "Well Isn't That Special" post back in May 2012.

Perhaps in the larger clinical discussions I was not solicited for input - whereas others were and/or freely offered it - because (either) of the lack of alphabet soup behind my name or a serious effort not to get to know me. After all, what do I know, right?

I mean, just because you work at a major health insurer for eight years, supervise medical personnel, deal with PHI, review medical records, discuss behavioral health diagnoses with doctors at work, heed the advice of your pharmacist-father for the better part of your adult life, etc. etc... doesn't mean jack, right? Whoopsie, I sorta discounted the second excuse, didn't I?

GOD is God, denominations be danged...

Praying - oh my. Today was downright hilarious in this sense. No, I'm not being disrespectful here; but, the stylized habits some of us subscribe to if we do pray - that's awkwardness to the nth degree, and possibly worth the price of admission.

We prayed twice today (corporately) for my dad. Most held hands... a few did not. In fact, when I attempted to "continue the circle" with one to my left, they acted as if I was a zombie and jerked suddenly backwards. However, in their defense, they were liturgical in their church choice, somewhat liberal in holding to social norms, thought a little too highly of themselves than they should and (albeit unverifiable) probably not saved. Hope they never want to get prayed for in the future if they find themselves in a room full of evangelicals who are true believers. LOL

Lessons learned...

Although we truly see the measure of folks' character when they're stressed-and-pressed, we should see some evidence of Jesus there too, if we proclaim Christ. I pray that they did in me - even if a small bit - as I am not the man I once was, praise be to GOD. MMLIA

Restoring the Shape of the Dropped Ball

Dorothy 1993

After fetching my eldest from the clutches of Mississippi - just kidding - and returning her safely to the nest today... despite the state of Alabama's exceedingly slow timetable for interstate "improvements", Georgia's rains and South Carolina's rush hour(s)... I gathered my thoughts across the last 30 days.

There's been a lot transpiring in my home, at work, in our church and even within the respective camps which have had the benefit of my daughters' cumulative experiences to employ for youth ministry. And, considering the tempo of activities and efforts here-and-there, I have taken a few moments to ask myself,

"What more could I have done that might've effected a better outcome?"

Now, I'll be the FIRST person to tell you that I haven't "arrived" (my wife, will be a very close "second"... but, sometimes she's "first" - especially when I ain't looking). I tend to play the role of "Monday morning armchair quarterback" and over-analyze things to death. I believe - to some degree - this is hard-wired into most men; and, although not a "geek" per se, I do find myself grouped in that gaggle.

When I was much, much younger (and lighter), I was real quick to attack the offender (or get mad at myself when it was me) as anyone who dropped the proverbial "ball" made life tough for the entire group (i.e. my teammates in football, my cohorts in combat arms, other analysts at my insurance job, etc.). Getting "bent outta shape" was just something I did... too well.

So, in the interim... life lessons come-and-go, people die, tears are shed, companies lose money, people are offended, yada, yada, yada.

So, over time, I've found it a tad more fruitful to shift the focus from "blame" to "recovery". Then, given that I control no one's thoughts, motivations and actions other than my own, I asked myself two questions, one...

"What do I need to do?"

Well, whether the Holy Scripture is your guide, or not, none can argue with the ethic it presents:

"[Employees] are to be submissive to their own [employers] in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." (Tts.2.9-10.esv)

Okay, simple enough (BTW: pilfering is "stealing") And, secondly...

"What do I do when others don't, can't or won't?"  

Yeah, here's the "rub"... before answering THAT one, I have to "assume" (yeah, I know what happens when we "assume"...) that either I'm going to hold fast to one set of tenets to guide every facet of my life (e.g. the Holy Scriptures) or I employ "situational ethics" - that is to "tailor" the situation according to the outcome I desire. By the way, I choose the former, not the latter.

Therefore, I have (lately) been taking the "restoring and rehabilitation" approach to dealing with organizational deficiencies. For example, I ask myself (only because these have ACTUALLY happened)..

When IT doesn't communicate and deliver updates to requested reports requested, I...

When HR doesn't get a personnel action loaded into the applicable payroll cycle, I...

When someone outside your "food chain" doesn't provide me a piece of data that senior leadership needed, I...

When someone tells you to pick them up at a certain time and you wind up waiting, I...

When a friend says they'll do something for me and forgets, I...

In my reactions, do I consider other Scripture?

"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." (2Cr.2.11.esv)

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Eph.4.29.esv)

That is not to say that it must be done in a hyper-sensitive nature, skirting around the issue entirely; but, on the opposite end of the spectrum, it shouldn't be done in a cold, calculated unloving manner either... even if we're "right". Our LORD Jesus was a very balanced person - being both Man and GOD - and gave us examples of how to deal with "difficult situations" and/or "difficult people".

So, what happens AFTERWARDS? Do we give the ball-carrier another opportunity to run it into the "end zone"? Do we scoop up the mistake, own it, attempting to do it ourselves - becoming either "savior" or "martyr" in the process?

Wish there was an easy answer. But, I offer this for the moment...

Just because something "falls through the cracks" doesn't mean we have the obligation to repair/remedy it. It might not have needed to be undertaken in the first place; or, simply, some things have to fall apart before the lesson can be learned in order for it to be built stronger. MMLIA

Southern Convention - Come to Order

By convention, things in the South are slow to change. Amen and amen.

However, that's a blade that cuts both ways... and I know ALL about cutting oneself (rabbit trail: just because it says "Safety Razor" doesn't mean it is - as the beagle bays at the child gate, quite certain that I have inflicted a series of mortal wounds to my face).

On one hand, the pace at which things change in the South usually means that the sense and sensibility of day-to-day convention is not lost on those dealing with us Southerners. Making a deal where both parties could - for all intents and purposes - ratify with a handshake, nowadays, takes a lawyer (another blog, for sure - sorry Johnny - love you, Cus).

And then, on the other hand, it reinforces several stereotypes about "Southerners" altogether: beat-up trucks, hound dogs, guns, wearing ball caps, using antiquated terms (i.e. honey, dear, sweetie, sugar, ma'am, sir, etc.) and taking worship to a whole new level (e.g. by putting on our best and arriving early, ready to cheer... never mind, that's another blog). Yes, I meant to be facetious - that and sarcasm are the two distinct dialects of the English language in our culture.

Now, I could tout ALL the wondrous reasons why being, living and breathing in the South (humidity aside, cough... cough) are leaps and bounds better than life in a gob of other places where one may hang one's proverbial hat - but, I won't. Instead, fix your gaze on the following - my top three pet peeves regarding "Southern Convention":


"I'll be there if I can."

Okay, if I had a dollar for every time I heard THAT one tossed out - like a "stupid grenade" - I'd be able to buy the buses that K-12 education needs in this state (Education Lottery blog on the horizon folks, stay tuned). Part of me wants to say, "If you can WHAT - tell time, have nothing else more interesting to do, have a normal bowel movement?" What happened to folks who had the presence of mind to write down events on a paper calendar? Who moved other "wishful" things on/off the calendar date(s) to accommodate things that REALLY matter? Some things to consider the next time you feel compelled to offer up that patent answer...

"But above all, my Brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth... but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation." (Jas.5.12.esv)

"Do or do not. There is no try." (Yoda, Star Wars Episode 5, 1980)

 
"Oh, just bless their heart."

Really? That "code" has been broken for a while now and yet I STILL hear it batted around - and most using this colloquialism aren't Christians taking prayer requests, my Brothers and Sisters. Knowhutahmean, Vern? Let's all say what this really means, all together know... "The speaker thinks this person is an idiot." Daddy always told me that you shouldn't be surprised what you catch, given the bait you use. In this regard, it baits others to enjoin in gossip. Yep, I said it... just laid it flat-on-out-there: GOSSIP. Good rule-of-thumb: if they're telling you about someone who's not in the room... what happens when you leave the room? Hmm. How about concentrating to be a bit more "positive and family-friendly"...

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Heb.10.24-25.esv)

"People always mean well. They cluck their thick tongues, and shake their heads and suggest, oh, so very delicately!" (Norman Bates, Psycho, 1960)


"You know how they are - they didn't mean anything by it."

That's a load... of bricks. A load of bricks dropped from the second story window on the unsuspecting victim's head, figuratively of course. This heinous example of rudeness is either demonstrated by or towards a Southerner. The take away - for my friends who are "mathematically challenged", paints a picture (you're welcome, Sarrah) where the recipient (victim) should be the one apologizing to the brick-layer. So, which is it - "high road" or "low road"?

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. " (Eph.4.29.esv)

Sarah: You're the Goblin King! I want my brother back, please, if it's all the same.
Jareth: What's said is said.
Sarah: But, I didn't mean it.
Jareth: Oh, you didn't?  (Labyrinth, 1986)


We have First Amendment rights granted by the Constitutional Convention - that's a given if you're a citizen of these "United States" - so there's really no changing what people can or cannot say (for the most part anyways...  I acknowledge that shouting "Hi, Jack!" in the airport terminal would not be the most clever use of my afternoon in a security office, but I digress).

Magic wands and wispy potions of coercion aside - if I could have the LORD grant one last request right up before this shell is vacated, it be that everyone had to be honest, open and transparent for one month. Can you imagine what would happen in the General Assembly and up yonder in Washington D.C. (a.k.a. "Castle Conundrum" or "the Puzzle Palace")?

I now declare this convention is adjourned. MMLIA