Lately I鈥檝e been mulling over the power of a number of specific kinds of words known as conjunctions. These seven short words, 鈥渇or, and, nor, but, or, yet and so鈥� can change the entire meaning of a statement.
For example: 鈥淚 was going to make hamburgers for supper but decided to order pizza this evening鈥�. Actually, this is true, I鈥檓 too busy working on this article to cook; besides, I wanted a break.
Another example:鈥� I was going to work in the garden this morning but it was sort of raining so I decided to stay indoors.鈥� Another absolutely true statement that describes my change of plans.
While the first example relieves me of cooking and doing dishes, the second also contributes to my sedentary lifestyle, at least today鈥檚 lifestyle.
In a far more gratifying way, I鈥檝e been soaking up peace and thanksgiving as I鈥檝e listened to a CD with Lynda Randle. A verse and chorus of this song, written by Tracy Dartt, is as powerful as any conjunction I can think of.
鈥淟ife is easy, when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known
But things change, when you're down in the valley
Don't lose faith, for you're never alone
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night.鈥�
In an example from Ephesians 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul wrote, describing how God changed our hearts and minds to reflect His graciousness:
鈥淏ut God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much,聽that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again.鈥�
