11 Jun, 2009
Millionth Word Added to English Dictionary
A US monitoring firm has declared Web 2.0 the millionth word in the English dictionary. The firm scans the internet and once a word or phrase is used 25,000 times it recognizes it as an official word in the English language. The term Web 2.0 beat out terms Jai ho, NOOB and slumdog. Traditional dictionary makers are casting doubt as to the methods of the Global Language Monitor but the fact remains that in this modern world new words are popping up all the time. We see and use words in almost every facet of our lives. TV ads, billboard signs on the highway, internet ads, talking and texting to one another, etc...
The list goes on and on. We often just accept the fact that this is the way things are without really questioning the importance of words in our lives. Surely, many words that cross our ears, eyes, or fingertips are more important than others. In a world that doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon (and one that is adding more words every year), I think it is important that we get God's take on the concept of words.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
John 15:26-27 (NIV)
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
What does God think about Words?
We are bombarded with words from every direction. Our parents are constantly talking to us or at us with advice on how to do this or do that. Our friends are chattering in our ear about the latest fashion or cool video on youtube. Our teachers banter on and on about this subject or that subject. Granted, many of the words we hear from these sources are important ones but at times we feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of WORDS. How do we decipher what is important and what is not?
The creator of words is God Himself. We would do well to pause and remember that the source of life is called "the Word." God has given us the Bible to communicate His purpose for us. These words are living and active. In other words, through the Holy Spirit, we are moved to look at life through God's perspective and communicate with Him on a daily basis. Knowledge of the Scriptures is not enough. Remember, historians, athiests, and even Satan himself have a knowledge of the Scriptures. It is "how" we come to the Scriptures that will make all the difference. We should come to the Bible as a child comes to his father asking the Spirit of God to guide us in this process. This simple exercise will often open our minds and heart to begin to walk in godly ways. When we are tempted or unsure what steps to take, a nudging of the Holy Spirit will often remind us of a passage that could very well give us clarity in world full of confusing "words."
- Make an effort to read your Bible everyday this week. Try and focus on a particular section such as the Sermon on the Mount, Romans 1, etc... and ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
- Memorize a short section (maybe one or two verses) that were particularly meaningful to you.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance in sharing with a friend how a passage of scripture has given you guidance or comfort in a particular way (this can often be a non-threatening way to spark the curiosity of a non-believing friend about your faith).
- March 2010 [6]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
