You don't have to be a texter for misleading messages to be communicated. Here are a few church bulletin bloopers from the past (thankfully, I don't think these were from our bulletin here at Southport UMC).
. . . The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
. . . For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
. . . The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
. . . The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
. . . During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
. . . Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It is a good chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
Oops! Never mind!
These days, Facebook may be the vehicle of choice to deliver a misunderstood message (and even to "like" or "share" a message). Oops! Never mind! (Thankfully, on Facebook, we can delete a post by "moving it to trash.")
Instead of needing to use this phrase, "oops, never mind," maybe we should T.H.I.N.K. before we "speak." The acronym T.H.I.N.K. used in this way means: 1) "T" - is it true; 2) "H" - is it helpful; 3) "I" - is it inspiring; 4) "N" - is it necessary; 5) "K" - is it kind.
We may all be guilty from time-to-time of speaking, or texting, or posting before thinking. (Me too!) But if we would just T.H.I.N.K., maybe "oops, never mind" might just become a phrase that can become obsolete.
What do you T.H.I.N.K.?
Grace and hope to you,
Pastor Doug
