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Mean, Mean People
What are we gonna do about these mean, mean people?
Where does it come from?
I can’t really say for sure.
What are we gonna do about these hurting people?
Love might be the remedy
And Jesus is the cure.
-”Mean, Mean People,” by Mark Bishop
The lyrics to Mark’s song have been rolling around in my head the last few days. Maybe it’s the stress of the holidays. I don’t know what it is, but it seems that some people allow their inner Grinch to surface around this time of year. (Although I must confess, “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is one of my favorite kind-of-not-really Christmas songs.) Did you hear about the woman who pepper sprayed 20 people at a Walmart on Black Friday? True story. Her response when questioned by police? “I don’t care. I’m getting my TV.” Most sane, rational people hear that and think, “That’s crazy. I’d never do something like that.” Yet we sting each other with spicy words so often without a second thought.
It’s really hurtful and frustrating when those who profess to be Christians don’t always treat each other as Christ would, and we have all been guilty of that at one time or another. The Bible says that we will give an account for every careless word we have spoken (Matthew 12:36). That means every snap at your spouse or children, every “private discussion” about someone else, every Internet comment you thought was anonymous. Every careless word. (Don’t know about you, but I’m convicted.)
So what are we gonna do about these mean, mean people?
We’re commissioned by the Lord to try to do a little more
To take His love into a hurting world.
This world is hurting and looking for grace. We Christians are flawed people, but we answer to a holy God. So if you have been mean to someone, go make it right. If someone has been mean to you, bless them, pray for them, forgive them. Hurting people hurt people, but love can be the remedy, and Jesus is the cure.
May we all receive and extend grace.
(For “Mean, Mean People,” click HERE.)
So True!!! So True!!! So True!!!
AMEN. The ONLY cure.
Thanks Lauren! I needed that…we have felt the worst hurt ever in our lives in recent months and are slowly recovering. We have been praying but haven’t blessed them and not sure we have forgiven either. Love you for sharing the truth with us! Merry Christmas to you and all of your family!
Lauren I believe its just that the enemy knows his time is short and he is using and attacking all those he can. Thats why we must remember Greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world… The world is controlled by 2 Spirits Anti-christs spirit and Christs Spirit… Its just a shame that the majority of those mean people are controlled by that other spirit…..God bless you and Have a Blessed Christmas…
Mark Payne
Until we acknowledge Him as King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Great I Am, until we Crown Him with many crowns we’ll continue to live in a world fed by hate, meanness, strife, madness and sadness…..we’ve permitted prayer removed from the classroom, ten commandments no longer deck our halls of justice, a litany of injustices occur each day. Until we bow the knee, proclaim Him as Lord and Savior of all creation, as a society we’ll continue to suffer….indeed, this is a fallen world, our society is headed down a southern, slippery slope….yet, we can turn the tide, if we honor His Name, if we, as a nation seek His face, if we proclaim Him as the Lord of our lives, if we will praise His holy name. His love is sufficient,enduring and eternal. He’s our constant Friend and His love for us knows no end.
I am sorry for these mean people. we all need the Lord in our lives. We need to pray for each other especially for the mean people.
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. God bless you Lauren and your family. You are a true witness for the lord as you bless people in song.
A word of encouragement from God’s word. Proverbs 3: 5,6.
Double Amen! (And that reminder goes for me,too, to mind thy tongue, thy thoughts, and thy heart.) In spite of mean, mean, people, ya’all have a Happy Holiday Season and a Blessed and Prosperous 2012!
AMEN Lauren. I happen to work retail and I agree with you! It does bring out their inner grinch this time of year.
However, they are all souls who need a Savior. We need to show them love, pray for them, and bless them. So right.
You got me Lauren, I’m feeling a little convicted too precious! (Oh wait, that was the HOly SPirit using you!)
By the way Lauren you are so precious! Enjoy your first Christmas being married! Make LOTS of memories!
love in Christ,
alicia
Powerful mini message, I’m GUILTY! Lord PLEASE forgive me! I believe the Lord allows the ugliness to come out in ourselves and others to reveal what is really in us. Otherwise we go on believing that we are above scorn and hate. We can be grateful when He shows us who we are apart from Him so we can repent all over again and get back our first Love. Thank you Jesus! And thanks Loren for sharing this, God Bless You!
I agree with you totally Lauren. I know from time to time that I’m guilty of doing so. I think that it is our Adamic nature rearing its ugly head in us when we would act like the world would to say hurtful things to one another. Yes, we should act like Jesus even when hurting people of the world say evil things. I definitely know that sometimes it hard to refrain from doing so, but if we act as Jesus would have us we are letting a light shine in a dark world.
Enjoy the Christmas holiday and remember what Jesus did for us.
You’re absolutely correct Lauren!! It’s amazing how people treat other people.
Do unto others as you would have the do unto you.
Thank you for those very wise words Lauren. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. God bless you…
AMEN!! One of the best movies I’ve ever seen is the “Grace Card.” It will make a grown man cry like a baby because of its message. The “grace card” reads: “I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always.” Whenever my husband, Mike, and I come across someone who is really grumpy and doesn’t treat us nice…like a waitress in a busy restaurant…we’ll leave that card for them. I don’t know what the outcome is or if those people even read the card. However, God’s grace is never ending, and perhaps when we stop and give a little grace, those “grinches” will feel His love.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Gail
Thanks!! That’s soo true
I agree. There is such a problem in our schools with bullying. It has always been, but it’s on an upward rise. It’s growing to uncontrollable measures. Another bullying matter is with the elderly. I know what its like to be bullied, because I got it at school, and then when I got it as hard or harder. I saw a video on bullying, and teens in school are considering suicide as a way out. This is such a tragic issue. I pray for all who are having to do with mean people and bullying.
I meant to say when I got home, I got it as hard or harder. Thanks
Forgiveness is a word Jesus used quite often. More so in deed than in speaking. But He commanded us to do so as well. It heals us as much as the other person, and it starts on the inside, in our hearts. May we do so each day as we strive for the mark. God bless.
Stephen Widener
Wow…thanks so much for your thoughts, Lauren. I think we’re all convicted, and seeing our own sin helps take our mind off folks who maybe haven’t been so nice to us! Love will conquer all. Wanda
prayers for susan and josh fowler. 1st baby due in 6 weeks cant wait till she comes. her name is going to be hazel catherine fowler. lots of prayers needed for me also next tuesday i am going to chorlette to a kidne doctor. so many prayers for that please.
love yall
bailey oxner and the oxner family
Well said Lauren. What’s worse is that a Christian’s worse enemy is a Christian. We are quick to talk the talk and point out the faults of others. We judge others by their outward appearances, by their “social status” and in God’s eyes, we are all equal. I thank you and your family for being loving, unjudging people. When you work with mentally challenged adults, it’s amazing how many friends you really have and how people treat you and how they treat them. You and your family have always extended God’s love to my group whenever we have been around. All we can do is pray that the enemy doesn’t win us over into that “mean” spirit. We need to plead the Blood and annoint ourselves every day. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Happy Birthday Lauren!
May your day be filled with joy and happiness. On the lords day may all your birthday wishes come true! Praying for you ( and your family) always.
– Kortni W
Happy Birthday ! Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Happy Birthday!!!!!! I hope this one is the best one ever!
I wish you the very best, for you and Brian.
always in my heart
Louise
Hey Lauren! Hope you had an awesome time yesterday on your birthday. Love your singing!
Have a Merry Christmas!!
Love and Prayers,
Emily
Mrs. Alvey, you mentioned something about your birthday when you were in Opelika last week and your mom and dad puting you under the tree . neat story. getting to see all of you was such a wonderful . belated birthday gift for me. i purchased all of your music that i did not already have and have been listening to nothing but Talley sounds for thae past week. Merry Christmas, David
Well put Lauren!!!! I know that I am definitely guilty of saying things I don’t mean sometimes. I think everyone should come to your website and read this, cuz it’s JUST what we need!!!!
Have a very blessed Christmas!!!!!!
God bless,
James
Whis you all a Blessinmg Christmas . Thanks for blessings this year
Love you guys.
Looking forward to heare from you.
Happy New year to.
Hugs from Marita
My daughter works for a drug rehab in Tennessee.
I have just recenly heard the song you do The Broken ones.
Every time i play it, i allways get a tear to the eye and goose bumps.
Its like the song was written with her in mind.
She loves the broken ones.
God bless you Lauren, and Merry Christmas.
This is soo true!! Thank you Lauren for posting this, it’s such an encouragement!:) God Bless you!!!!:) <3
Lauren, I was in Carrolton tonight to see you guys perform. I was sad to hear, and see that you where sick and couldn’t sing. It broke my heart that you weren’t up there, and to know that you are ill. The performance was phenomenal as it always is. Brian has quite the pipes. I was amazed. I hope you get well very very soon. Oh, I almost forgot.. Congratulations! The last time I saw you guys, before tonight was when you visited my little church of Reform First Baptist.. so I haven’t had the chance to give you my well-wishes, Here’s to wishing You and Brian all the happiness in the world. I look forward to the next time I hear you all. You’re truly amazing , Lauren.
In Christ, and Love
Taylor <3
Lauren, I missed getting to hear you sing with your husband and parents yesterday evening at Carrollton, AL. I hope you get to feeling better. Brian and your parents did provide a blessing with their singing unto God. May the Lord bless you to get well. I’ll be praying for you.