You'll have to wait a bit, until next Tuesday, to join me in celebrating Dictionary Day. Working with the "fun holiday" calendar this year (41 weeks now), there have been many entries that I have ignored, some which I've written on with no special impulse to observe, and a few that have caught my fancy and I've marked the occasion myself. This one falls into the latter category for it honors the most loyal of my companions in the nearly 40 years of linguistic endeavor. All other outside sources seem to come and go...give me a Bible and a dictionary and I have at my fingertips all I seem to need.

While there are tons of different dictionaries from which to choose, including many with specific topical intentions, October 16th was chosen as the day because it marks the birthday of major American lexicographer Noah Webster...he would now be 260. When his American Dictionary of the English Language was issued it lived up to its name...it was one of the first to recognize that as a budding nation we should no longer rely on England to set the standard for the English words we would use in the States. An important benchmark on our way to independence was the publishing of our own dictionary.

They say that English is the most difficult language to learn...while other languages provide enough words so that there's one for every different usage, English provides fewer words and imbues variant definitions to them. If you need examples just crack your dictionary anywhere and you'll find most words offer surprisingly dissimilar delineations. On top of that, words which have completely diverse spellings and meanings often sound the same...quite confusing! While word origins can be interesting and pronunciation keys helpful, hearing like sounds while understanding multiple meanings can be challenging...for me I see only opportunity!   Certain words appearing in scripture, even if the writer intended specificity, when translated in English the shift in focus can expand our insight...many a sermon has been a walk through a forest populated with scores of distinctive trees!

Like its companion Bible on my shelf, a dictionary is a living listing...words are added, some which are archaic drop away, and the definitions often find fresh meaning in our current context. It might also be helpful, when looking up a word, to check with the "neighbors"...the entries before and after often offer illumination. Before dictionary in the dictionary comes diction: " the choice and use of words in speech and writing." I admit to poor conversational diction...not in my pronunciation but through inferior or mediocre choices of words that are tinged with unfortunate emotion. To neglect careful selection of words and allow them to be influenced by baser instincts is counterproductive to both understanding and relationship...I am sorry for that.

Immediately following dictionary  is dictum :  "a short statement that expresses a general truth ." Could I forego longwindedness (my specialty) and in the briefest manner describe myself? My ideal would be " baptized child of God ."  The focus moves from who you are to whose we are.   What is your dictum? I invite you to join me in this statement for yourself...embracing it would clarify your present, acknowledge your past, and secure your future. In so many words you will be defined by and define the truth of love...God's for you and yours for others.

Affectionately and definitely yours,

Pastor Brent,