Big Buts of the Bible

Say What?

"But is a fence over which few leap."  German Proverb

What do you make of this expression?

But: Politically Incorrect?

We live in a day when almost everything we say can be construed as harmful, hurtful, or hateful.  It's getting to where saying "good morning" to someone might land you in sensitivity training.  Even the little three letter conjunction but has its detractors.

I recently read a post by a self-proclaimed Personal Success Coach suggesting that, to be successful, one needs to cleanse the word but from their vocabulary.  He writes:

The word but has many variable uses. Unfortunately, many use this word when they are criticizing or giving feedback.  Most people are so used to it that they feel a but coming.  It is usually preceeded by reluctant praise. The but that follows takes the attention away from the positive and puts the focus on the negative, turning the overall tone of the remarks negative.

I think the man needed more hugs as a child.

He goes on to use Mike Brady as an example (70's television dad of the Brady Bunch... told you he needed more hugs as a kid).  He points out that Mike's use of buts was negative.  See these examples:

Jan, we know that you love Marcia, but it is not right to be jealous of her.

Cindy, we appreciate you sharing with us, but tattling on your siblings is wrong.

Greg, we know you were only trying to help your sister, but lying is never the answer.

Alice, we love your cooking, but do you think we could have something other than red meat at every meal?

Perhaps he could have been more positive without using the word but.  Let me take a stab:

Jan, it's awesome that you love your sister in spite of the fact that she is prettier, more talented and all around groovier than you.

Cindy, you need to be careful about what you share because one day you could end up in a government witness protection program.

Greg, the truth is always groovy.

Alice, you seem to be seeing a lot of Sam the butcher these days, eh?

Yep.  Those worked better.  NOT!  Why the fear of clear communication?  A little but can go a long way to expressing honesty and bringing clarity.  These things aren't bad and shouldn't be shied away from for fear of being negative.  My thinking: the self professed Success Coach needs a week of therapy.  But then again--I love the word but.

But What's It All About?

A website? Facebook fan page? Twitter updates? A big but of the week? A but-i-ful quote?

What's this all about?

As a preacher and teacher I'm convinced that paying close attention to the little three letter conjunction 'but' can make a tremendous difference in getting more out of your bible reading.  I've been beating that drum for nearly twenty years now.  And now my theory is making its way into manuscripts, lessons, and articles--it's time to go blogosphere.  It's time to go public.

Here on the site you will find several bible studies a week based on appearances of the word but.  They will be filed under the heading "Big Buts."  You will also find articles having to do with the conjunction--some serious, some humorous--all aimed at broadening our exposure to the word, and its impact on us.

So bookmark this page or subscribe to it.

The Facebook fan page is just that--a social media avenue.  I'm pretty pleased with the way word is spreading--we're only a few weeks into this experiment and already we've eclipsed 200 fans.  Great job!  Tell others.  Invite.  Suggest.  Invite some more.  Suggest some more. 

What you'll find in the Facebook posts are daily Biblical buts.  Think of it like a Daily Devotional verse. 

In both the website and the Facebook page you'll find a place for some interaction.  So, join in.

Subscribe.  Become a fan.  Tell others.  Let's share the jouney.  Oh, and along the way, I promise that you'll get more out of your bible reading and study.

But--i--ful Quote

You've seen the weekly beautiful... I mean but-i-ful quote in the left hand column of the page.  Every now and then a quote comes along that is worthy of appearing in the main panel.  If you've caught the commercials for Disney's Princess and the Frog movie then you've heard this quote with your own ears.

 

"Don't make me light my butt!" -Ray the Firefly

I know that has two t's in it, but (with one t) admit it, it's pretty funny.

D'an Sh'i

You never know when you'll need to say 'but' in Mandarin.  Be prepared!

A Classic But

Here's a classic but that is sure to take you back.

I

Admit it. You remember busting out that big but when you were in 2nd grade, right?

Implied in Idioms

idiom ~ def.: (noun) an expression comprehended through regular use, the meaning of its words understood figuratively rather than literally.

but ~ def.: (conj.) on the contrary, yet, except, unless, otherwise; also the best word in the English language for lending clarity to communication according to author/pastor/blogger darin michael shaw

Idioms. You hear them all the time. But do you recognize the big buts behind them?

Turned out to be "a blessing in disguise," did it? What you mean is that it appeared to have been a bad thing BUT it turned out to be a good thing after all. I'm happy for you! "It was a wild-goose chase" you say? I'm so sorry that you ran all over the place searching BUT you never found what you were looking for. Did you look in the couch cushions? "Believe it or not"--and by that I mean that it seems impossible BUT it is really true--I find all sorts of missing items in our couch. Petrified french fries sometimes too. 

So many idioms, so many buts!

"All talk and no action" means that someone makes a lot of noise BUT produces no results. If they're "beating around the bush" then they are giving you lots of hints BUT they don't want to tell you directly. But perhaps they're really "drawing a blank" which would mean that they're really trying BUT they just can't find the right words.

You get the idea.

"For all I know," and by that I admit that I don't know BUT I suppose it could be true, every idiom may have a big but behind it.  Here's my point: Buts are everywhere. Look over your shoulder, I'll bet you'll see one! They are a part of practically every conversation we have--whether explicit or implicit, they're there.

Be on the lookout. Spot them. Catch them in idiom. They will always bring more clarity to what's being communicated. You wouldn't want the meaning of what someone is saying to "slip through your fingers," would you? You know what I mean--you wouldn't want to be close to catching their point BUT narrowly miss.

Can you think of other idioms that would be defined around a but? Chime in.