The Wall Street Journal—Of Clubs and Towels

I developed the habit of reading The Wall Street Journal as a young man. It is a well-rounded publication that focuses on both the economy and culture. At times, I laugh out loud at something that was most likely not intended to be funny, and others that are written to be humorous. At other times, I shake my head at the stupidity that humanity (that’s us) can exhibit. Let me share two things that caught my attention this week, along with the lessons we can learn from them.

Cudgel

I have seen this word before, but I had to look it up. If you play Scrabble, you most likely know it. The writers, Nick Timiraos and Brian Schwartz, used it in the subtitle of their article: High renovation costs give the president a cudgel to erode public trust in his adversary (I emphasized “cudgel”). I am sure the authors are knowledgeable and studious; however, their use of cudgel instead of the more profane and common name, club, sent me on a wild goose chase investigating the word cudgel. I learned the definition: a short, thick stick used as a weapon. I learned how to correctly pronounce ‘cudgel,’ which was first used as a word before the 12th century, and that it could be used as a verb, such as ‘cudgel one’s brain,’ meaning to think hard. I also learned the names of other clubs used as weapons, such as a billy club, a night stick, and a knobkerrie. It was a fun chase; however, I never read their article. My lesson from this story: Don’t be so clever that your communication distracts from the message.

The Apostle Paul, a brilliant mind and soul, stated, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4, NIV).

Towels

The clickbait begins by saying that people can go their entire life without knowing why towels have lines in them. Wow! I don’t want to go to heaven and find out that lines in towels are on the Bingo card. I did not click and read the article; instead, I looked it up on what else, Good Housekeeping. As a favor to you, to prevent you from living your entire life without knowing about the lines on towels, I will provide you with the answer from Good Housekeeping.

The lines, often called a “dobby border”, on bath towels are not just decorative. They serve practical purposes, including preventing fraying, enhancing absorbency, and providing a more durable finish. These lines are also believed to help maintain the towel’s shape and prevent shrinkage during washing. (https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/a65037229/what-is-towel-line-dobby-border/)

So, there you have it —the answer to that gnawing question: Why do towels have lines? How could you know without hearing, and how could you hear without someone to tell you?

The Gospel

One can live their entire life without knowing what the lines on towels are for or what cudgel means without any consequence; however, there is one message everyone needs to hear. Saint Paul asks:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14, NIV

I don’t care if you know about towels or clubs or most other things, but I do care that you know about God’s love for you. He is not against you; He is for you. There is nothing you have done to yourself, or that others have done to you, that God can’t heal. Eternal life is found in Jesus. Paul tells us that: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved, Romans 10:9. Not just believe, mental assent, but believe in your heart.

Towels, who cares? But my concern is: Do you know Jesus?

Running the race, with a noticeable limp,

Dr. James D. Allen

Read more on Facebook or check out my book on Amazon: A Pastor’s Guide to Life’s Journey: Decisions, Depression, Forgiveness, Marriage, Prayer, and Wisdom Click on Amazon below.

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Amazon