by Jim McDoniel

When I was young, my mother objected strongly to my sister or me telling the other to "Shut Up." Those words said in assertive fashion were simply not to be in our vocabularies.

Later in life, I heard that teachers were encouraged not to tell an unruly class to "Shut up and sit down." However, just maybe, under the right circumstances, the words could be used. What do you think about them?

On his television show, Dr. Phil McGraw was speaking to a mother and her sister who yelled constantly at one another and at a son and nephew. He told the mother, "You need to shut up!" His audience applauded.

ESPN radio has the weekly "Just Shut Up Award." I never participate in the voting to determine who gets the award, but I rather enjoy hearing that the listening audience would like to tell some sports person who has complained too much to "Just Shut Up."

I trust that civilized people are concerned about making sure their choice of words is appropriate for all to hear. Still, I remember the admonition of Paul regarding how much we speak. His words, chosen by the Holy Spirit, are certainly appropriate.

He writes, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11, KJV).

Again in 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

Surely, these are enough words for today. After all, I would not want to earn someone’s "Please Shut Up Award."

God over life and hades, the world shrinks from talking about death. It accuses "religion" of introducing fear into the process of dying, but it is the atheist, the agnostic, the wicked, who so often are afraid to die. Man in general fears facing the unknown, trembles at surrendering breath.

We know, O Lord, that for the faithful, death is gain, to enter into life eternal. This hope superimposes itself on our fears and quiets our spirit. We know that to depart is far better, where no tears, no pain, no suffering mars our brow. We but lay aside this earthly tabernacle to receive a body of the resurrection.

So we thank you, Father, for hope and peace and joy, and for the foretaste in the present, through your Holy Spirit, of what will be ours forever. In the name of him who preceded us into heaven. Amen.