DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXCLAIM!
DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXCLAIM!
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Readers Representing the Pastor
February 12 – 18, 2024
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DEFINITION
According to “Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary,” the word, “EXCLAIM” means “to cry out or speak in strong or sudden emotion.”
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NATURAL RESPONSE
During normal conversations, each of us has had opportunities to convey our surprise regarding something about which we’re speaking. It’s a normal element in conversation. Since Mary Baker Eddy instructs us to read “according to conversation” and with “fervor,” we shouldn’t avoid using exclamations in our conversational reading.
She also advises us to read according to how we feel about what we’re reading, just as she did. And, since an exclamation is a response to how we feel about something, it’s appropriate to include exclamations in our reading—if we want to sound sincere, genuine.
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PUNCTUATION HELPS
When we’re reading texts in the Holy Bible and in Mary Baker Eddy’s “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the writers often give Readers a clue that they’re reading something that should be exclaimed. I’m referring, of course, to exclamation marks or exclamation points ( ! ).
But sometimes writers don’t include them, thereby leaving it up to the Reader’s inspiration.
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EXAMPLES
In this week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson Sermon titled, Soul,” there are loads of exclamatory-worthy texts in both the Bible and “Science and Health.” The following are just a few:
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Ezekiel 34:26
“…there shall be showers of blessing.”?? Wow, that’s a lot of blessings!
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Matthew 15:30
And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them”? That’s a lot of people to heal!!? Wow!
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Matthew 15:37, 38
“And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”
“And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.”
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Wait a minute…. Seven loaves of bread and a few fish fed everyone? Wow!
And they were all filled? That’s awesome!
And there were left-overs?!? That’s amazing!
There were seven baskets of leftovers. That’s a lot of leftovers!
And the baskets were full??? Outstanding!!
Okay, now hold on…there were four THOUSAND men? No way!!
Plus, women and children?!? That’s beyond belief!!!?
领英推荐
In this account, I’ve counted eight absolutely astounding elements—each one just as amazing, or even more amazing than the one before it. So, to me, each is worthy of exclamation! There’s no way I could read that in a “ho-hum” voice.
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S&H 210:11-16
“Knowing that Soul and its attributes were forever manifested through man, the Master healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, feet to the lame….”
Four amazing feats! Well, that certainly doesn’t happen every day in my experience! So, it amazes me; and I must exclaim it!
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Luke 8:54,55
“And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, ‘Maid, arise.’”
“And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; and he commanded to give her meat.”
Jesus raised a dead girl back to life! If I had witnessed that, I’d be over the moon if I had to describe it to someone else. It would be a powerful exclamation!
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IDEAS ON DELIVERY
Before we accurately describe these amazing events, we must first ask ourselves how they make us feel. Or how would we have felt had we been there witnessing the events. We’d be amazed, blown away, shocked, awe-struck. Well, that’s how I’d have felt. Those sorts of things just don’t happen on my street all the time.
And, if I were witnessing something like these accounts; and if I were on the phone, describing it to my wife or a friend, there’s no doubt in my mind that my voice would be “exclaiming” everything I was witnessing—because that’s how I’d honestly be feeling. That would be genuine and natural.
If, however, I’d described them in an indifferent or nonchalant voice, I’d be very ingenuine and dishonest about the degree to which I was inspired by the wondrous events.
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VOCAL TRAITS
My voice would have:
·???????? High pitch
·???????? Loud volume
·???????? Strong projection
·???????? A tone of wonder, gratitude, awe, shock, etc.
·???????? Either a rapid pace, trying to get the words out as fast as possible to match the level of excitement—OR, an exaggeratedly slow pace, searching for words that would be adequate to describe such amazing events.
·???????? Strategically placed pauses to allow the listener to absorb and appreciate the wonder of what I’m describing
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VALUE OF EXCLAMATION
Events worthy of exclamation—IF they are positive events—can be very motivating to listeners, IF we can read them in ways that touch their hearts and sensitivities. It can strengthen their commitment to study and practice to the point at which they, too, can demonstrate the wonderfully amazing works.
If the events are shockingly evil, our exclamatory delivery will serve to sound the alarm, helping protect our listeners from experiencing similar evil.
So, don’t be afraid to exclaim, when it is merited. It can bring blessings.
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Don Feldheim
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