J John: Hold to the Truth

In with the Quips

J. John started in fine style again... with a story about someone in a store who'd just said to the customer "we don't have it". The Manager bounces in, assures the customer that it was ordered 2 weeks ago, and when the customer has gone, asks the employee what they wanted.... "Rain"!

Video Clips
An interesting compilation of video clips, asking those in London if they thought it was acceptable to lie... the general consensus appeared to be that it's natural to lie, particularly if it's to protect someone!

Chris Kilby

Formerly a drug-addicted member of a band, Chris Kilby now heads up Life Church in Southampton, and was interviewed by Claire Carson about how honesty, integrity and faith are central to his life now... and nothing has ever made him as happy as God, and is continually asking God to remove anything that is in his way/prevents him geting closer.

Lies Lies Lies

• "One Size Fits All"
• "We're on our way"

The inventor of the lie-detector said that people basically tell lies... as kids do when they insist they haven't had biscuits (mouth surrounded by crumbs!)

We live in a society of "truth decay". 

Do you lie on your Job Application?
As a research project, a job was advertised for electricians who were specialists in 'Sontag Replicators'. They received 179 applications, although there's no such thing... 

4 students who didn't turn up for their morning's exam (citing a flat tyre) were surprised to find their teacher so relaxed. She offered them a chance to retake the test. Sitting the 4 of them in corners of the room, she said "Answer me this question...... which tyre was flat?"

Tongue Twisters

The tongue, a small instrument, capable of enormous damage!

The "sermon on the mouth".

Bette Middler famously said "I don't know how much of what I say is true"... it's become so normal in society to lie... in journalism, facts are not checked, etc.

Careless Talk Costs Lives

Gossip Ruins Lives: 

• "Hearing something you like about someone you don't"
  
• All the detail, no facts
• Travels fastest over a sour grapevine

If someone says "I probably shouldn't tell you this", I'd suggest "Don't then!"

The Bible Warns Us Against:

• Gossip
• Slander (malicious untruths with the intention of doing harm)
• Flattery (say to a person's face what you wouldn't say behind their back)

Show more GENUINE appreciation, don't flatter

Steps to Improve

1. I need to examine my heart (what comes out of the mouth reflects this)
2. I need to refuse to gossip (listen more, talk less, if you're not willing to sponsor it with your name, don't say it)

Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it mean!

Say it if:

• Is it true? Yes!
• Will it benefit anybody to say it? Yes!

"Prove to Me God Exists"

Confusing between:

• Maths (rational)
• Science (hypothetical)
• Personal (valid)

God is PERSONAL, to be experienced, not proved. It's like trying to describe a kiss (personal) as an exchange of molecules (rational/scientific)!

The Blackboard

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" - was there ever a bigger untruth?! Names stick "on the blackboard of life". Jesus comes not to rub it in, but to rub it out!

Get to Jesus via "Kings Cross". 

Embrace the healing you can get by refusing to believe the lies that others have told you about yourselves... (whether intentional/unintentional)

Better Late Than Never
Before J. John is on stage again tomorrow night, with "Prosper with a Clear Conscience", I wanted to get this belated blog up. Week has been filled with job interview, applications, and some time out!