To our church family,
Sam and I would like to thank you for your love shown to us during my recent surgery and time of recuperation. For the many cards, flowers, visits, food, reading materials, and other kind things, we truly thank you. We are truly blessed by our loving church family.
Sam and Dorris Beck
Subtle Lies and the Deceptions We Sow
“Lying is not only saying what isn’t true. It is also, in fact especially, saying more than is true…” –Albert Camus
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16
In other words, do not lie.
Now, before you dismiss this passage of scripture as out of touch with reality or inconsequential to modern life, consider that it’s one of the Ten Commandments. Still not impressed? This is not an isolated commandment. The scriptures are replete with references imploring us to be honest.
On Tuesday morning, I heard a disturbing story on National Public Radio’s show Morning Edition. The segment was, “The Truth Is, Lying Might Not Be So Bad.” Commentator Shankar Vedantam was reporting on the conclusions discovered from a recent scientific study on lying:
“Researchers found something that we won’t find surprising: Once participants (in a study on lying) told the first lie, the second lie became easier to tell. And the magnitude of lies increased over time.”
One scientist put it this way: “It turns out that the brain also reacts very strongly to a first act of lying, but then as we keep on lying more and more the brain stops reacting to it. So, we start by being aware of this dishonest act and we are at least aware of it, but over time it just goes into the background and we don’t pay attention to it.”
According to the study, we typically won’t change our behavior until we experience enough discomfort from the consequences of our deceit to alter our ways.
As Vedantam concludes, “The first step down the path to deception makes every step easier.”
When we ruminate on the commandment that we are not to lie, most of us will admit that telling straight up falsehoods is wrong. We’ve experienced enough pain from telling outright lies to make us think twice before we boldly proclaim that we did not eat all the oatmeal cream pies when in fact, we did.
We know this is wrong and we know we will be punished for it. In truth, our spouses love their fair share of the Little Debbie Snack Cakes.
No, for most of us, deceitfulness comes in the form of changing the truth to fit our needs and desires. We report an event from our point of view. We shape the hearing of a conversation according to our best interests. We omit details. We emphasize the wrong things. We overinflate and use hyperbole. We tell the story the way we want to tell it.
Is that a lie? Yes. Yes, it is.
When we push and pull on the truth to suit our own ends, we are violating God’s commandment. In the first place, when we manipulate reality to fit our own agenda, we are making ourselves out to be our own god. It is a selfish posture that seeks the best for ourselves. Second, others will discover that we are not trustworthy. They will experience us as shifty dodgers who cannot be relied upon. This is not a good recipe for healthy relationships as this kind of deception results in suspicion, conspiracy theories and toxicity.
I can’t remember who told me this, but I’ve never been able to shake it. Trust is earned like money is earned and banked. Deceit spends the currency of trust. And when the vault of trust is empty, it won’t matter how significant that final withdrawal of trust is. When your trust is bankrupt, the relationship ends. It’s why we say that something was, “The straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Jesus calls Satan the author of lies. In him there “is no truth.” Satan deceives because his motivation is clear. He wants us to be our own god. The Deceiver wants us to pursue what’s best for ourselves. He wants us to believe the lie that what is best for us is what’s best for all. This has something to do with a snake in a garden, but I digress…
There are two things that are required here. First, we’ve got to stop telling falsehoods. Period. Second, we’ve got find ways to acknowledge when we are wrong, or have messed up. We should be forthcoming about other people’s points of view, even when they’re not in our best interest. Few things earn our respect more than individuals who can admit when they are wrong, and have a reasonable outlook that is circumspect.
And finally, we’ve got to be aware that lying is like a cheap, but effective drug. Once we start, it’s hard to stop.
NC After School Workshop
Kelly Brown, 1st Explorers Ministry Director will be leading a workshop session next week in Charlotte, NC at the NC Center for After School Programs Synergy Conference on Growing An After School Program in a Rural Community. He will share with attenders about how 1st Explorers was started 4 years ago and how it has grown over the years.
Mission Moment
Our Church is pleased to support CBF Global Missions in moments like these where unity and love are modeled and shared.
"Recently the ladies in my ministry and I learned to crochet "plarn" (plastic yarn) mats from used grocery bags -- a very useful skill in a country where these bags are everywhere. The crocheted mats are lightweight and waterproof. For those living in a tent year round with the cold ground in the winter and the hot air in the summer, the mats allow the air to circulate under and through the mats, providing a cooler place to sleep. At first, the ladies were surprised at the idea of using plastic bags like this, but they soon caught on and crocheted all the bags I'd brought with me. They were quite taken with the idea of using something which costs them nothing to create a useful item for their tents."
- Anonymous CBF field personnel serving in the Middle East
An Invitation
The Tuckaseigee Baptist Association WMU invites our church to attend their annual meeting on Thursday, April 6th, at Faith Baptist Church. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. with a salad supper (bring a salad to share). Special music will be provided by Hollerin' Home and Deborah Taylor will share her experiences in the midst of Hurricane Matthew's devastation which caused $1.5 billion of damage to eastern North Carolina.
Women's Brunch and WMU Worship Service
LADIES BRUNCH ON SATURDAY!
Ladies, you are invited to Brunch this Saturday, April 1st, at 9:30 a.m., in the Mission and Fellowship Center. Highlights of this event will include the "Parade of Nations" by our GAs, special music by Hannah James and Linda Stewart, good food and fellowship, door prizes, and a special message from Phyllis Elvington. Phyllis' talk will center around "The Praying Woman". What an inspiring and fun morning it promises to be! Don't miss out! (Bring your Bible!)
Phyllis Elvington, Guest Speaker
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE REMINDER
The women of the church will lead the worship service on Sunday, April 2nd. GAs will participate and a woman's chorus from WCU will bring special music. Our guest speaker will be Phyllis Elvington, a resident of Green Sea, SC and an active member of Tabor City Baptist Church. She is the author of 4 books and well known for her energetic, uplifting, and well-prepared Bible studies. An awesome woman of God who loves to laugh, Phyllis will motivate us and inspire through her message "By All Means". Invite someone to join you for this special service -- and don't forget to bring your Bible!
Homebase College Ministry
Homebase is a new college student ministry at Western Carolina University that provides services, assistance and training for students who have aged out of foster care and residential centers. Through its dynamic outreach center, Homebase, students who have no parental or family support can get help navigating their college experience. The center offers classes, food assistance, laundry facilities, a computer center, and emergency housing. Homebase is a resource for students to connect with each other and caring people they can count on. The ministry is led by former pastor, Dr. Jim Dean. Individuals can assist this ministry by providing $5, $10, and $15 gift cards from local grocery stores, gas stations, and businesses that can be used to help support student needs. Donations of cleaning supplies, paper towels, and toilet paper are also helpful. Homebase is usually open from 12:00 noon to 10:00 PM Monday through Friday. Feel free to contact Jim Dean at 508-0035 for more information. Homebase is a ministry of the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina.
Family Photo Sessions
1st Explorers Family Photos Fundraiser
Heather Kindy will be taking family photos for 1st Explorers families. A percentage of the proceeds will go to support 1st Explorers. Payment will be due at the photo shoot. Prices and sign up link below!
Sign up for a photo session here: http://signup.com/go/zRLc4p
Teacher Workday Care
April 12 & 13 from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Fees: One Child: $35.00; Two Children: $50; Three Children: $75
Sign up on our website here: http://firstbaptistsylva.com/giving/
Parents Night Out Care - March 31st
Parents Night Out
March 31 from 5:30 - 9:00 PM
Fees: One Child: $15; Two Children: $20; Three Children: $30
Sign up on our website here: http://firstbaptistsylva.com/giving/