Thirty Nine Times
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help.jpgI heard the other day that the phrase “build up” was used in the New Testament thirty-nine times. I haven’t had time to confirm all thirty-nine, but I’m starting. Thirty-nine seems like a pretty substantial amount. I mean it doesn’t mention it once then drop it. It keeps repeating it… thirty-nine times…

“Build Up”, as in “the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.”- 2 Cor 13:10
-or-
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”- Ephesians 4:29
-or-
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”-1 Thessalonians 5:11

I’m a pretty cynical guy, there’s no doubt about that. I think we all know how much easier it is to tear someone down than it is to lift them up, especially when it requires you lifting them above yourself. I heard a sermon the other day that had nothing to do with building people up, but when the pastor mentioned that there were thirty nine references to “building up” it made me stop and think about why. It also made me start to wonder how many people I build up. How many people do I proclaim are doing a great job? How many people do I talk about in my everyday life and genuinely build them up? Do I build my wife up for everything she does? Do I build my kids up for the things they are learning and accomplishing?

Obviously there was in Biblical times, and I believe now, a pretty common theme among Christians tearing each other down far more than they are building each other up. Even as I read different blogs, the far more common posted about (my blog included) is the negative state of the church and the negative state of people in general. We have this forum now where we are allowed to preach our beliefs to anyone who will listen and we focus on the things that are wrong. And some of us are right. Some of us know what we are talking about and have studied and come to some pretty amazing conclusions. Some of us have every right to point fingers at these ne’er do wells, sort of like Paul had the right to… but then he says this and messes the whole thing up.

“We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”- 1 Corinthians 8:1

I want to try something. (and it’s pretty early in the morning so I don’t know how good of an idea this is) I want today to be “Positive Post Tuesday”. Let’s today, all write something on our blogs that builds another person up. Someone who is doing an amazing job at something, or someone that is changing the world around them by living the way they are supposed to, or someone that you feel needs building up and deserves it. Write about them and comment here with the post address to your blog. Then at the end of the day we can all go through the links and check them out. Sound good?

Euphrony, this might cross the gender blogging line, but don’t worry, I will post something manly later in the week… maybe we can have “Hunting Talk Friday” or something for balance.

Ready? Go.

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Mar
4
2008
6:24 am

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34 Comments so far
  1. Shawn Mar, 4 2008 7:34 am

    It’s interesting how “Build Up” is used 39 times and Christ received the 39 lashes.

  2. P.D. Ross Mar, 4 2008 7:52 am

    Awesome idea!

  3. Blake Mar, 4 2008 8:02 am

    Nice ideal Here’s a contribution:
    http://blakethompson.net/2008/03/04/build-up/

  4. euphrony Mar, 4 2008 8:55 am

    Exceptions prove the rule. I keep saying that. Kristen probably has had an influence in this, by association. I’m sure a nice manly post will balance nicely - just don’t schedule it, as that would defeat the purpose.

    I’ll be posting a little something later today. I was actually thinking about this topic driving to work this morning, as I listened to a particular CCM artist whose musical styles are not my favorite. I’ve toyed with posting something snarky about this artist for some time, but I keep stopping myself as I do not want to be mean-spirited and discouraging of my Christian family.

  5. Kari Mar, 4 2008 9:48 am

    http://karislusser.blogspot.com/2008/03/positive-post-tuesday.html

    Great Idea Brody!

  6. gene Mar, 4 2008 10:37 am

    –
    i appreciated this post…it’s REAL easy for all of us to talk bad about the Church and other Christians.

    then i remember that i’m talking about Jesus’ bride…not something i would do to one of my earthly friends…

    blessings

  7. My Friend « Mar, 4 2008 10:38 am

    [...] had planned on writing a blog about Desiree’  today.  Then  I read Brody Harper’s blog requesting that we take time today to blog positively about someone to nip some of the net [...]

  8. andira Mar, 4 2008 10:44 am

    Thanks for the post! http://andiramusic.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/my-friend/

  9. Luke Mar, 4 2008 11:51 am

    I agree… This is a great, refreshing post!
    http://lukemundy.com/?p=225

  10. annie Mar, 4 2008 12:29 pm

    Fantastic idea, Brody.

    http://redcedar.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/positive-post-tuesday/

  11. Kjaere Mar, 4 2008 1:29 pm

    I made my post… on my personal blog… hmmm… you think, Brody, you could list both my blogs (you have “Why That Plate”, but not my personal blog)… either way… doesn’t really matter to me :-)

    Light is Sown like Seed

    “Light is Sown like Seed”

  12. Kjaere Mar, 4 2008 3:56 pm

    hmmm… I guess my post turned into more of a building Everyone up post and not a single person :-)

  13. Rowan Mar, 4 2008 5:25 pm

    As a non-blogger (yes, we do exist), I’ve taken this committment today to let my hub and our girls (Model “A” and Model “B”) know how amazing they are are and how much I appreciate their individual contributions to the joy in our world. This was also the focus of our study today in Ecclesiastes. Guess God is trying to reach me about my words! I didn’t know the Holy Spirit lived in TN! :-) Thanks for the challenge, Brody.

  14. [...] up” are used in the New Testament about 39 times.  That’s a lot.  After reading his post and the passages about “building up” I took a look at myself and wasn’t rejoicing [...]

  15. Alymc Mar, 4 2008 6:36 pm

    That was convicting for me. Thank you.

    http://alymc.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/positive-post-tuesday/

  16. [...] Rather than tearing each other down with words and actions we’re called to build each other up. Brody’s starting a revolution. Times 39. I’m jumping on the [...]

  17. Emily Mar, 4 2008 7:59 pm

    Love it. Here’s my brick in the building.

    http://emilywithaheart.com/2008/03/05/put-your-brick-in-the-building/

  18. Michael Mar, 4 2008 9:19 pm

    Came across your blog through the breadcrumbs. What an awesome idea! Here’s my contribution.
    “Reed All About It”

  19. Sammi Mar, 4 2008 9:55 pm

    i’m a little late in the day but great post brody! there are so many things to complain about so it was nice to take time to love on someone.
    http://samanthacrandall.blogspot.com/2008/03/positive-post-tuesday-pass-it-on.html

  20. Kelly Mar, 5 2008 12:27 am

    Thanks to you and God for the excellent idea Brody! My link is as follows: http://chinedum.wordpress.com/

    God bless you all as we follow the light of the world.

  21. Nathan J. Emmans Mar, 5 2008 12:37 am

    Hi Brody, that’s a pretty good idea I think. I’d already blogged today prior to reading your suggestion or I definitely would have blogged upliftingly. It’s kind of interesting to me that I have to be constently reminded to be nice to other people. (or at least not be mean.) Thanks for the reminder. Peace, hope and love- Nathan J. Emmans

  22. [...] http://brodyharper.com/2008/03/04/thirty-nine-times/ [...]

  23. courtney Mar, 9 2008 10:16 am

    The other day my youth group leader, found your blog. He came to church the next day and read it to us and gave us the challenge of building someone up, I really enjoyed this and it made me think about the message you were sending out. This blog has done alot for me and my dad having had a massive heart attack last month, has really made me think about all the things we a christians don’t do that we should. I just wanted to comment and let you know that Tis blog has showed me something rerally special. Thanks

  24. [...] Post Tuesday” Blogging, Who Wants To Change The World A Little? | RSS Last Tuesday we tried something that seemed to work pretty well, and from what I can tell struck a cord with a lot of people, which [...]

  25. [...] Post Tuesday Building Up, Friends | RSS I noticed last week that only two guys posted “Positive Posts“. I know for a fact that there are more than two males that are reading this blog. I wonder [...]

  26. Positive Post Tuesday « redcedar Mar, 25 2008 1:25 pm

    [...] just want to build up Jay today because he is such a good friend.  Every morning, he comes by my desk to say hello and [...]

  27. [...] I’ve talked about Michael on here before, but this week I wanted him to be the subject of my positive post. I’ve known Michael for almost three years now. We met at a festival in Wisconsin (I think) [...]

  28. Positive Post Tuesday « redcedar Apr, 8 2008 8:33 am

    [...] Jess, if you read this post, I want you to know how blessed I am to have you in my life.  I thank God for your friendship, and I hope you know that I will always be here for you.  I love you, Beautiful!  And I hope you feel built up! [...]

  29. [...] for us to practice.  Let’s see how many posts we can get today.  If you are new you can go here and read how this whole thing started.  Then the rest is easy.  Just write something nice about [...]

  30. [...] Brody got this thing started and I keep rolling with it.  It’s cool to say nice things about nice [...]

  31. heather o. Apr, 30 2008 11:56 am

    what a great idea..i’m totally going to start doing this. it’s easy for me to post sarcastic stuff on my blog, so i’m up for the challenge..as martha stewart would say ‘this is a very good thing..’

  32. [...] something nice or not say anything at all.  This week is a little different because I wanted to build up you guys.  The readers of this here blog.  The people that keep coming back here to hear what I [...]

  33. [...] been meaning to write this since Tuesday but haven’t gotten around to it. This is my build up post of the week. I’m in the middle of a very transitional time. I’m kind of doing the [...]

  34. Positive Post Tuesday « redcedar May, 13 2008 6:29 am

    [...] am out of town right now, but I didn’t want to miss out on Positive Post Tuesday, so I ACTUALLY PRE-PLANNED this one! Yes, I really [...]

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