As I reposed in the WC this morning, I got to thinking.
A common occurrence--both the thinking and the reposing.
How often do we think about "doing our business" and should we? I don't mean in a should we spend more time thinking about bowel movements? kind of way. Instead, I realized that it would be possible to argue, from Scripture, that we should not think about sitting on the pot.
How many times have you heard Philippians 4:8 quoted? I mean, the Bible clearly says that we should think about whatever is lovely and pure... and potty stuff isn't that. This mentality has been used to demonize all sorts of "less than holy" topics.
But then I got to thinking about the pot upon which I squat: Someone, who was not Thomas Crapper, had finally been fed up with his chamber pot (or whatever) and thought about how to make a better waste trap.
And I am grateful for that.
Furthermore, as I think back on the majority of Scripture, the Bible contains far more examples of things that are not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise. There is a ton of rather graphic sex and violence in the Bible.
Why?
Because we live here. We must learn to interact with a world that is far from God's perfect plan. We must learn from the past. We must remember and meditate on what others have been through in the past to make wise and godly choices in the present.
And, yes, it is good to think on whatever is perfect... but that does not mean that we should not/must not think on whatever is not.
I guess this all goes back to the Intent, Content, and Response mechanism: What is your intention behind your thoughts because that means far more than the content of them. And even more than that, what kind of response does what you are thinking about engender in you? Your motivation and the outcome matters far more than the thought itself.
So, yes, be careful what you dwell upon...
...but, please, feel free to think about toilets or whatever.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
I get it!!!
ReplyDeletePhew!!! I get it!!
(smile)
Andrea
Luke, just wanted to thank you for visiting my blog this year and for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord bless you and your family as you continue to worship and serve Him,
Sheila
I have often wondered what it was like for people before the flush! Especially women. I must say that I am truly grateful for indoor plumbing and waste removal systems, that's for sure!!! Outhouses, sears and roebuck and leaves, oh my! hahaha
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. Who knew one could combine toilet talk and the bible into one entry?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had your family had a wonderful Christmas too, Luke. Have a Blessed New Year too!
ReplyDeleteTammy
Oops, that was supposed to say you AND your family. Sometimes the fingers get ahead of the thinking!
ReplyDelete:)
Tammy
As one who lives in a country that had nothing but "squatty potties" not all that long ago (my husband grew up with one in his house), I am very glad that someone was thinking on the pot, or about it, or whatever... Let's just say that I am thankful that I don't have to squat. At least not in my own house;).
ReplyDeleteWell, the verse that you quoted also said to think about what is true and honest. Sometimes truth is not beautiful and those ugly facets of human existence need to be addressed so that we can better understand how to improve life for others.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the beauty of bowel movements...I don't see how anyone can't see the beauty in how balanced our body is in the way it utilizes food and gets rid of waste. That is actually fascinating if you are a geek like me. LOL
Luke, I had to check the date of your post in order to be certain you weren't hiding behind the couch at my place last night!
ReplyDeletehusband and kids: {various and sundry bodily function jokes.}
me: "Can you please reign in your graphic humor? There are *women* present, for pete's sake!!"
husband: "Hey, at least I've taught them to joke with the proper names of body parts, instead of some crude slang . . ."
me: {deep sigh, longing for the good 'ole days before this humor became the current fare}
:D
Love it, just love it. Such truth in your potty post. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere was an excellent article dealing with this in World magazine awhile back. It was actually in a review for the show The Shield, I believe. Of course I can't find it now.
Glad you all enjoyed the post <smile>.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for taking the time to comment and share your tidbits of wisdom.
~Luke
You know, there is quite a bit of scatological humor in the Bible... see this bit from a Mark Driscoll sermon.
ReplyDeleteThere's another two dollar word to add to my arsenal: scatological humor <smile>. Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Luke
Very well said! Different perspective than I've ever read or heard before and I have to say thanks.
ReplyDeleteLori, glad it was at least a little thought-provoking, even if it was different <smile>. Thanks for stopping by to read it!
ReplyDelete~Luke