Words to Live By

Recently, I read on another blog post about someone whose words had been stolen and used without permission or credit given. I've heard of people doing this before, and we all know that plagiarism has gone on for centuries. However, I never would have thought that someone would copy my words and use them without asking my permission or giving me credit. You see, I'm just a little blog. I write my posts mostly as a journal. But after reading this post (click here) I searched my blog name on google alerts and low and behold I found that someone had indeed taken the words that I had written and posted them on their blog! I was never asked permission, nor given credit (although they titled it Just a Little Southern Hospitality).

There are many times in the Old Testament where the Lord states "Thou Shalt Not Steal!" And even though the words may be few, they were still written by me. Someone took the liberty to copy my post about First Fifth Forever and letter writing and posted them on their own blog. I was not sure what I could do about it. I hesitated to make a comment on their blog, mostly because when I looked at some of the other posts written, I remembered some of the words that came to my email in the form of Spam.

On Rachel's blog she asked for respect of her blog, and her words. I think we should all have enough respect to not steal from others. The Lord hates liars and thieves.

Ex 20:15 Thou Shalt Not Steal
Deut 5:19 Neither shall thou steal
Matt 19:18 Thou shalt not steal
Mark 10:19 Do not steal
Luke 18:20 Do not steal
Romans 13:9 Thou shalt not steal

And so I would ask, for me and for the countless others who have taken the time to write words on their blog, words that are special to each one of us, PLEASE respect my content and do not take words, pictures, thoughts, concepts, ideas........... You must ask permission, just as in anything else. Show honor and trust, as we have written these words to share our hearts, not for someone else to take and use as their own.

Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (ESV)

Spiritual Sunday