I got to meet with a church from Kansas last weekend, and over dinner the pastor’s wife told us how using the word freakin’ was crossing the line. “Lines” freakin’ suck - both literally and figuratively. Now with all due respect to the pastor’s wife, she had never been exposed to that kind of culture before so it was admittedly a little shocking for her.
Lines are dumb. They force countries to fight over nothing. They force me to wait forever at Wal-Mart (especially at 2 am).
I remember when I was afraid of joining a fraternity because of that “line.” I remember when I didn’t want to go to the school I go to now because of that “line.” On a greater level, men and women have lived and died trying to cross a line.
So what’s the big deal with lines anyway? I hope to cross the line.
PS - I am going to Red River New Mexico this Spring Break, and I have never been skiing before - definitely crossing the line.
March 11, 2007 at 19:56
Well, it seems I crossed a line when I married my husband. Gosh. I guess one would say I cross two of society’s lines–I married a person of another race, and I married a man much younger than myself. You can’t imagine how many times I’ve been told by women, none-the-less, that culturally, older men are suppose to marry younger women. Lately, however, I’ve noticed I’ve gotten more, “Well, good for you’s,” when I mention my younger husband.
Coming from an upbringing that had many, many, many lines drawn to box me in, made me a fearful person. I’ve been forced by life to just say, “What the heck, I’m going over that line”.
I do still believe there are some God drawn lines that are for our protection.
Well, enough about lines. I’m having to worry about making one of those “deadlines”. If I don’t, well; the secretary won’t get my grades online in time to print the report cards that are due to go out next week; the parents will be angry that they haven’t gotten their kids’ report cards; my principal will then be mad at me for having to spend so much time on the phone with irrate parents, and my students will be upset that they don’t know. . .
Hmmm!! Lines, lines, lines, lines. . . .
March 11, 2007 at 22:11
I completely agree with the pastor’s wife…We all know what word “freakin” is a substitute for and that is not appropriate for any one who names the name of Christ as their Lord…as christians we are to be in the world, and not of the world….we are also not to let any corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth….true, the Bible does not say “thou shalt not use the word freakin”, but come on….let’s use God’s Word as our plum-line…not worldly culture of the day….Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever…
March 12, 2007 at 09:40
@Angie
Are you serious? Let’s get real … I know that’s probably crossing some line as well but I’m all for the line crossing. Almost everything we all do everyday could in one way or another be looked at and interpreted as something God would frown upon, but what does God really want? I think someone who takes the time to make sure he/she never says “freakin” is missing out on the big picture of things. Let’s get real and work on the things that make sizable improvements in our lives as Christians. If you want to live your life not saying “freakin” then great, I really do applaud you but I’m going to worry about the stuff that really matters.