Red, Hot, Chili Peppers & Me
I know that sounds like a concert, but it's not. You may remember that 1 1/2 years ago, while preaching, I said in Khmer that we would study about "another Jesus" instead of "another time about Jesus". A few months ago, I switched the word for "kingdom" with the word for "hell".
Imagine, just for instance, that you were teaching Hebrews in the Khmer
language. Also, imagine that you may not be very good at the language, but you try hard. (Several years ago, when asked about my teaching ability, one of my sons said, "No, dad's not very good, but he tries hard." I think he was kidding.) Anyway, also imagine that it had been a long week, it was the afternoon class when everyone is sleepy & it was very hot.
Then, imagine that word of mercy is "Ma-thah" with a long "a" on the first syllable and that the word for red, hot, chili peppers in "Mah-tha", with a long "a" in the last syllable. You can see where this is going. Imagine what would happen if you switched the two words. Instead of teaching about God's grace and mercy, you would be teaching things like this,
"because of God's great love, He gives us all the red, hot chili peppers we need" and
"we can know we are saved because we have grace and hot chili peppers"
Imagine that your polite students would try not laugh. But, someone would start to snicker, then another would add to that and suddenly you would have a full chorus of laughter. I, wait, I mean you the imaginary teacher, would not realize what you had said wrong. Finally, when they told you, you could all have a good laugh.
---- Rich P.S. Looks like we will be in the States June 16-July 5 for Randall & Kassie's wedding. Hope to see you then.
Imagine, just for instance, that you were teaching Hebrews in the Khmer
language. Also, imagine that you may not be very good at the language, but you try hard. (Several years ago, when asked about my teaching ability, one of my sons said, "No, dad's not very good, but he tries hard." I think he was kidding.) Anyway, also imagine that it had been a long week, it was the afternoon class when everyone is sleepy & it was very hot.Then, imagine that word of mercy is "Ma-thah" with a long "a" on the first syllable and that the word for red, hot, chili peppers in "Mah-tha", with a long "a" in the last syllable. You can see where this is going. Imagine what would happen if you switched the two words. Instead of teaching about God's grace and mercy, you would be teaching things like this,
"because of God's great love, He gives us all the red, hot chili peppers we need" and
"we can know we are saved because we have grace and hot chili peppers"
Imagine that your polite students would try not laugh. But, someone would start to snicker, then another would add to that and suddenly you would have a full chorus of laughter. I, wait, I mean you the imaginary teacher, would not realize what you had said wrong. Finally, when they told you, you could all have a good laugh.
---- Rich P.S. Looks like we will be in the States June 16-July 5 for Randall & Kassie's wedding. Hope to see you then.
Comments