Cheroots

I was recently reminded of how quoting someone should be taken seriously and with great care. When I worked with journalists on corporate newspapers, videos, news releases, it taught me to proofread with attention to detail.

I remember an instance with a new sportswriter on a local newspaper. He interviewed a coach and quoted him as saying, “That’s all cheroot.” Nothing in the article referred to cigars. The photo of the coach did not show him smoking a cigar. I believe the coach used a phrase unfamiliar to the young man, “That’s all she wrote.” It means that is the entire story – everything has been said, there’s nothing more.

It’s a good reminder to check quotes. If this is a news article, be certain the quote is accurately written and attributed. There’s an entire Wikipedia page listing common misquotes.

The Bible is often misquoted. How many people look upon money as being the root of all evil? We need to look closely to find that’s not true:

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:9-10 KJV)

I do not know of a person who has memorized the entire Bible. I do know a number of preachers who prepare their sermons and can quote quite well the verses they reference. I prefer the way our preacher does it, having us turn with him to the scriptures and read them ourselves.

When I post scriptures here, they are copied in their entirety from e-Sword, along with the version citation. I don’t want to make a typo bringing them into a document. Not adding to nor taking away. That’s important to me.

I also look up the scriptures I point to. My memory isn’t too good. Just recently I answered a quiz and made an error on a relationship. The word I remembered was in the scripture reference, but it was only a part of the relationship. To be certain, I should have looked up the scripture regarding Mordecai’s relationship to Esther. Instead, a remembered word flashed along synapse in my brain and an incorrect answer was given.

As well as we know the Roman Road verses, it is much better to read them from the Bible as we witness. That teaches that we depend on His word, that we use His word and that His word is important enough to pass along to others.

When the words are contested, do as the Bereans were described in Acts 17:11 – check to see whether these things are so. For example, some versions use the word “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14, others use "maiden" or "young woman." Thus some look upon this as confusing, conflicting or a reason for disbelief as a prophecy of Jesus’ birth. A serious look at the culture of the time tells of deadly consequences for extra-marital sex. Proof of virginity was sought and displayed in tribal cultures, thus a young unmarried woman would synonymous with virginity, unless proven otherwise.

Never accept what I write without looking it up yourself. I could be wrong. It is my firm belief that God’s word is not.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)