Keyboards

Please excuse the spelling in the next line, but I need to show you what is happening to my keystrokes.

Pl.eazsxe esxcusxe the sxpel.l.ing in thisx l.ine, but it isx azn exazmpl.e ofv how crazy my k,eyboazrdc hazsx become. Hitting one k,ey cazusxesx two chazrazctersx to print.

OK, I’ll go back to correcting again.

Once, on a business trip to Taiwan my keyboard acted up – e, l and t didn’t work, at all. Somehow, I remember it as being easier to insert a missing letter than to take time to delete these extra ones. Either way, communication is slowed or misunderstood.

Misunderstandings are to be avoided, making communication one of the most important features of our lives. Misunderstand a recipe and it may end up inedible. Misunderstand an officer and it could mean a bit in jail.

Peter admonishes us to be ready to provide answers:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)

That means we must understand what we believe about God and be ready to explain why. I would venture to guess that we’re not doing a good job of that. And, I’d venture to guess that the natural inclination not to discuss religion nor politics has a lot to do with that.

Is religion discussed with those whose views disagree? Or is the subject avoided – religiously! How can we determine what and why we believe if we never look at alternatives? Is our religion only by memorization and rote? Or can we discuss the foundations of our beliefs in relation to others.

Job, a part of the Christian Old Testament and Jewish writings, was an Edomite. Not an Israelite. Ruth was of Moab, though she followed her mother-in-law into Israel. Esther was in Persia, and the name of God is not to be found in her story. What if any of these had not discussed religion or politics?

The book of Acts contains instances of combining religion with politics. To such an extent that: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28 KJV)

Almost is not enough.

Some, when they hear the word of God react as Felix:

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25 KJV)

When will it be convenient?