http://ericcarroll.org/logs/timing The taxonomy view with a depth of 0. en http://ericcarroll.org/logs/a-time-to-laugh-and-a-time-to-shut-up <p>We had some good discussion going on last night at the Disciplines of a Godly Man study about Taming the Tongue. One of the things that came to mind towards the end (but I didn't have time to share) was this:</p> <p>As men, we like to laugh and cut up and have a good time. However, we <em>must</em> be careful not to overdue it and I think guys are notorious for this (myself included).</p> <p>As men, we shouldn't be a chucklehead. The dictionary defines a 'chucklehead' as a stupid person, but I tend to view it as a person that has to continually be joking and trying to be funny. There's a time to laugh and have fun, but there's also a time to be serious.</p> <p>Solomon said it best:</p> <p><strong>Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:</strong> ¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:<br /> ² a time to be born, and a time to die;<br /> a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;<br /> ³ a time to kill, and a time to heal;<br /> a time to break down, and a time to build up;<br /> ⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;<br /> a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<br /> ⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;<br /> a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;<br /> ⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose;<br /> a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<br /> ⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew;<br /> a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;<br /> ⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate;<br /> a time for war, and a time for peace.</p> <p>Now, notice verses 3, 4 and 7:<br /> ³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; <em>a time to break down, and a time to build up;</em><br /> ⁴ <em>a time to weep, and a time to laugh;</em> a time to mourn, and a time to dance;<br /> ⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew; <em>a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;</em><br /> (Emphasis mine)</p> <p>I like to laugh and cut up like the next guy, but I'm working hard to make sure I'm not overdoing it on the joking side. There are times when someone needs to be built up where a joke isn't appropriate for <em>their needs</em>. There's also a time when someone just needs you to sit silently <em>with</em> them.</p> <p>Basically, it isn't always about us. <em>We're</em> not supposed to be the center of attention at all times. We're to put the needs of others first and, while they may need a laugh some times, it isn't all they ever need from us.</p> Bible chucklehead joking laughing manhood seriousness timing Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:59:47 -0600 eric 2614 at http://ericcarroll.org