STORY: On Trial
Have you ever been sworn in at a court hearing? I have. I will never forget what I swore to while holding one hand up and one hand on the Bible. The bailiff asked me, “Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” I swore to tell the truth. The truth is a big deal in court. Not just a partial truth but a whole truth. Not truth mixed with lies nothing
but the truth. And not merely in front of mortals, but in front of God!
STORY: Truth Games
There are several games based on identifying the truth. A television show called To Tell the Truth aired for all of my childhood. The show’s host told the panelists about an unusual occupation or experience while presenting three possible contestants. Two were imposters and one was the true character. The panelists asked questions to determine the truth. The imposters could make up lies to convince the panelists they were the spotlighted name. The authentic character had to tell the truth.
Another game we still play today is called “Two Truths and a Lie.” It is a great mixer to learn more about the others playing the game. People who are “good liars” have an edge over those who have a “tell” when they aren’t telling the truth. I’m competitive and I want to win, but is it such a bad thing to be a “bad liar”?
STORY: Live Your Truth?
So many people say they just want to be able to live their truth. They believe the best way to show respect for others is to let them live t
heir truths. But how can truth be truth if it’s not the
same truth across the board? Instead of condoning the truths of others that go against God’s truth, I find ways to acknowledge people so they know they are seen and heard, regardless of what “truth” they chose.
Why is absolute truth so comforting? Because we can count on it always being the same and never changing. No circumstance can turn it into a different truth. No year in time, no place on the map, nothing can cause it to transform into a new truth.
STORY: Truth Be Told
One of my favorite songs on the airways right now is “Truth Be Told” by Matthew West. It speaks to me regarding so many of the things that matter in my life. But one aspect is universal we all are in the pursuit of truth and sadly, there is so much false truth and fake news out there, it is sometimes hard to differentiate between truth and lies.
Let us seek and find truth, above all other treasures. When we find truth, it is the key that unlocks all the rest.
STUDY: Truth in Gospel of John
STORY: Oklahoma Fish
Papa loved teasing me when we visited on vacation. It was easy to pull the wool over my eyes I was so gullible! One of his favorite pranks was when he told me we were having Oklahoma fish. It was my favorite, and no matter how many fish we pulled from the Mississippi River back home in Louisiana, Missouri, none of them ever tasted as good as Oklahoma fish. It must have been the way Granny prepared it with her special mix of cornmeal. Or maybe it was the type of grease or the temperature of the gas stove. Or her specially seasoned cast iron skillet. All I knew was it was delicious, and I ate my fill of it every time.