Tag: life

Have Texts Replaced Conversations?

I really love technology.  I am truly grateful for the inventors who brought us technology that make tasks in our lives faster to do and more convenient.  Some of the things the cell phone can do really amaze me.  Now a days I find myself doing more texting than talking.  It really comes in handy if you want to convey a short message and don’t want to hold a conversation.  But the last time I texted someone I got to thinking.  We used to laugh and talk just about everyday.  But now have texts replaced conversations?

True text has made it convenient to say something quick.  In the old days when you had to call someone to briefly convey a message, you’d say “I’m not going to hold you”. But then one of you would say something and the call went on a little longer before you know it y’all would be talking for hours.  Texts cut down the possibility of that.  Also with texts you can’t feel emotion.   Emojis and word abbreviations don’t get into your soul.  Whereas a voice can let you know if somebody is feeling fine or happy or sad. It lets you share their happiness, or sadness, or love as you can feel it in their voice.  I love the technology of texts, but they can never replace a good old fashioned conversation filled with emotion.  As sharing emotions makes us stronger humans like iron sharpening iron.

Scripture reference:

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Is This Hell?

My initial learning about Hell was that it was a place where you go to after you die if you have not been saved meaning you had not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior or repented of your sins.  Hell was a place of eternal fire and permanent separation from God.1  Just the thought of that makes me cringe as that is such misery and the thought of being in a fire is just unbearable.  But at one time things were really going bad for me.  It seemed to be no end in sight and time was just slowly creeping by.  And the thought came to my mind was; is this Hell?  Perhaps Hell is more than just fire?  Maybe it’s unbearable conditions on earth and one can be placed there even if they are not dead.    

After a few days things got better.  So I know my thoughts were just that and I was not in real hell.  But I never want to be.  I don’t know if real hell is only fire but one thing for sure, is that it is permanent.(Luke 16:26)  On earth, God’s mercy can change the conditions of a righteous praying person.2  But once one is condemned to hell, there’s no hope of suffering getting better3  That’s enough to scare me into staying in the grace of the Lord and to do my best to live according to His words and principles.  Because I sure don’t want to have to ask again-is this Hell?

Scripture references:

1 Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

2 Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

3 Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Understanding Reasons For Suffering In Silence 

Why didn’t they tell me?  I thought I was close enough and important enough to know.  These are the questions I used to ask when I tried to understand why some people didn’t even tell the ones they were close to the trouble they were going through.  But after going through some challenges of my own, I got a better understanding on why people suffer in silence or don’t disclose to even close ones what’s going on with them.  

My biggest understanding came in the area of illnesses.   Sometimes one may feel sick a day or so and if asked how they are feeling, they may respond OK.  This could be because they know what they have is not serious and they’ll be better in a day or so. Therefore, it’s no need to elaborate.  But what about an illness that may last a lifetime?  Still, one may not say anything because; one, it’s not life threatening.  Two, and often, they don’t want close ones to worry or be stressed out about it; and three, they feel there are more important things to pray about and others to focus attention on.  

The second area I got a better understanding of was finance.  The pandemic really hurt a lot of people financially.  Yet, some were reluctant to ask for help because they were embarrassed.  Especially if they have always been in a position to pay their bills.  

The third area I got a better understanding of was loneliness.  The pandemic cut off a lot of social activity.  On top of that, many lost friends and companions and now in the later years find themselves all alone.  As the opportunities to socialize are limited.  They avoid conversations about others getting together for holidays and special occasions as the know they are likely to be alone.  Finally, there’s the fear that these deeply personal matters will end up being told to others who really shouldn’t be told.  

The Bible says there is nothing hidden that should not be revealed 1.  So, at the right time folks will tell or reach out for help about their plight.2   The important thing I learned was not to be upset with them for not saying anything.  As I learned, it is not because of you, it’s just their personal choice.

Scripture references:

1 Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

2 Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: