Now that we’ve gathered together let us make some  mindless small talk and share some superficial chitchat.

“How are you?” “Fine, and you?” “Fine, thanks.” “How about the weather we have been having?” “Yes, it is something.” “Hurrah for the local sports team!” “Did you hear about the latest office or community gossip?”

Around that point, I get stumped because I am not very good at making small talk. I have run out of things to say and have to repeat myself. Where do we go from here?

I confess to a certain degree of frustration over chitchat. I know that it is one of the oils that allow conversations to get going and lubricates the wheels of social intercourse. Yet, by and large, it is pretty meaningless, trivial stuff. 

I find it particularly frustrating when dealing with other Christians.

Do we not have more significant things to share? “How is God working in your life?” “What real struggles (or joys) are you facing?” “What is God teaching you?” “What ministries and missions are you supporting these days and why?” “What did God share with you during your prayer time today?”

There are all kinds of exciting, meaty topics we can discuss, things that matter for all eternity. I don’t suggest for a moment that every conversation must be a deep theological debate filled with the latest and greatest Christianese. 

We don’t have to be stern, stoic, or religious when conversing. Our discussions can still be light but filling, and there can be plenty of laughter.

There are many areas where we can encourage one another, grow together, and bear each other’s burdens. Yet, when you walk into many churches or visit with many Christians, it takes a Herculean effort to get past anything completely superficial.

The Apostle Paul had some strong words for the infant-like nature of the church in Corinth.

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, or you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

We may not quarrel when we stick to small talk, but we certainly act worldly. The world has nothing more profound to offer. We need to stretch and grow up a bit.

There are indeed places for quick, superficial conversations. It is true that it is not wise to bear the innermost secrets of our hearts in an indiscriminate matter. Yet, there is so much more that we can share with others. 

We serve an awesome God who is hard at work in our lives and the lives of others. Let us learn to talk about that.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

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© 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

The news article showed a building that is  dangerously close to collapsing entirely. Indeed, it wasn’t safe to enter. The cause? A poor foundation.

We often talk about the need for good foundations in faith and life, but it is surprising how seldom we take the time to build them.

Relationships are often built on lies. There are the lies the world tells us about what good relationships are. There are the lies that come from our own experience. We build on lies about our expectations of a relationship. We lie about who we are and who we want our partners to be. It is no wonder that so many relationships crumble or, like this old building, are in danger of falling.

Non-Christians plan their eternity on a wide variety of things. They wish and hope that, somehow, God will let them skate through their sin. They hope that all roads lead to God. On judgment day, Christ’s words will ring damningly in their ears.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Even those of us who know Him and have our salvation assured do not build on solid foundations. We live our lives based on half-truths, other’s opinions and wishful thinking. We seldom take the time to go to God’s Word, chew on it, and truly digest its contents. We are often foolish builders.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

Poor theology and doctrine won’t keep you out of heaven if your faith is truly in Christ.  However, it will distort your view of who God is and what your relationship with Him and others ought to be. It will rob you of joy and blessings. 

What condition is your spiritual house in? Is it firmly anchored in the truth of God’s Word, like the wise man building on the rock? Is it sinking into quicksand? Is it leaning dangerously like that old porch?

It is not too late to do some repair work. Get into the Word and learn what it has to say. Then, apply that knowledge to shore up the weak spots.

Until next time, may you be resting on a solid foundation.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

© 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.