I before e, except after c
Or when sounded as ‘a’ as in ‘neighbor’ and ‘weigh’
Unless the ‘c’ is part of a ‘sh’ sound as in ‘glacier’
Or it appears in comparatives and superlatives like ‘fancier’
And also except when the vowels are sounded as ‘e’ as in ‘seize’
Or ‘i’ as in ‘height’
Or also in ‘-ing’ inflections ending in ‘-e’ as in ‘cueing’
Or in compound words as in ‘albeit’
Or occasionally in technical words with strong etymological links to their parent languages as in ‘cuneiform’
Or in other numerous and random exceptions such as ‘science’, ‘forfeit’, and ‘weird’.

And that doesn’t even rhyme.

– taken from https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/i-before-e-except-after-c

As the folks at Merriam Webster mockingly pointed out, there are numerous exceptions to the age-old rule, “i before e except after c”. In fact, I have heard it claimed that there are more words that break the rule than there are words that follow it! The phrase is catchy, but you shouldn’t rely on it too heavily. Especially if, say, you’re at a spelling bee and your turn is up.

Alright, moving on…this isn’t English class, and I don’t wish to belabor the irony of the “i before e” rule. Rather, I am here today to bring you a new catch phrase…one that is far more reliable and trustworthy. I’m sorry to say it will not win you any points at the local spelling bee, but it will give you something handy to remember in your Christian walk. It goes like this:

I Before Thee (Except After He)

See, the “rule” of this world is selfishness. What I want. What will further my interests. Me being served. I before thee.

Yet there is an exception to this worldly rule: except after He. (That is, except after Christ)

In Him, we lay aside the old “rule” of selfishness. We learn to be humble and sacrificial. We learn to esteem others as better than ourselves. We learn to cultivate the heart of a servant. Today, I am going to share three reasons why following the Christian rule “I before thee (except after He)” will significantly enrich your life.

The first reason is that you just may…

---

Generally speaking, putting others first will cause them to view you in a positive light. Certainly there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, your average person cannot but help to be charmed by the ways of a humble servant. Proverbs 29:23 informs us that:

A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Backwards as it sounds, if you want to gain honor, you must first have a heart of humility. It will be hard for others to resist you if you “kill them with kindness”. On the other hand, you will lose their respect by leaps and bounds if you harbor pride and selfishness.

People who invariably put themselves first will find that others tend to put them last.

– Dr. Nido R. Qubein

When a woman has gained an honorable name through her humble heart of service, her influence will be far-reaching. Her good reputation may lead her to such joys as: winning an unbelieving husband to Christ, returning an erring child to the faith, and reaching the lost.

The second reason to follow the rule of “I before thee (except after He)” is that you just may…

---

Generally speaking, putting others first will cause them to return the favor by putting you first. Certainly there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, your average person cannot but help to be convicted by the ways of a humble servant. Luke 6:38 says…

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

When we live a sacrificial lifestyle, it compels others to do the same. People just love giving to givers. I know that some of my greatest joys in life have been in being able to “give back” in some meaningful way to those who have been lavish towards me.

They say love is the best investment; the more you give, the more you get in return.

– Audrey Hepburn

When a woman gives freely of her time, talents, and treasures to others, she will likely find herself the recipient of special attention in return. A husband who is well-fed and well-sexed will likely feel compelled to shower his wife with affections. A child who is doted upon by his mother will likely adopt a more compliant and cheerful attitude towards her. A friend who has been helped in time of need will likely be there to help a gal out when she is struggling.

The third reason to follow the rule of “I before thee (except after He)” is that you will…

---

Invariably speaking, putting others first will cause God to pour His favor upon you. Without exception, our Lord cannot but help to be called upon by the ways of a humble servant. In Ecclesiastes 11:1, we are given this assurance:

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.

There is a sure promise that we will be rewarded for the good that we do for others. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, it may not be until “after many days”…it may not even be in this life on earth. Still, we know that our Father will not forget to repay His humble servants.

God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to those who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God’s children.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

When a woman knows that her ultimate reward comes from God, and not man, she will no longer serve with ulterior motives. She will submit to and serve her husband without expectation of romantic gestures. She will nurture and serve her children without expectation of flawless obedience. She will befriend and serve others without expectation of pomp and praise.

---

In conclusion…

When you follow the rule of “I before thee (except after He)”, you may just find that you gain their respect and gain your return.

We must remember, though, that there are many people in this world who still live under the worldly rule of “I before thee”. Such folks may never change their demeanor towards you…no matter how humble your heart is, no matter how much you serve them, no matter how deeply you wish to see a soft heart reflected back from them.

Nonetheless, as Christians, we take great comfort in the fact that we will gain His reward for our service when this life is all said and done. When we put others first, it does not escape our Lord’s notice. When we esteem others as better than ourselves and lay down our own wants and desires to their benefit, we become great in the eyes of God…

The measure of a man’s greatness is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves.

John Hagee

For God’s glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

---

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

Has anyone seen my chameleon this morning?
He has to be hiding somewhere.
He asked me if we could play hide-and-go-seek,
and then disappeared into thin air.

I’ve looked high and low in the yard and the house
and it seems like he’s nowhere around.
He’s probably hiding right out in the open
but doesn’t yet want to be found.

I’m guessing he looks like a leaf on a bush
or the back of a sofa or chair.
He could be disguised as a book or a bagel.
Regardless, I don’t think it’s fair.

If you come across my chameleon, please tell him
I give up. He beat me today.
He’s clearly the champion at hiding so, next time,
it’s my turn to pick what we play.

– “Has Anyone Seen My Chameleon?” by Kenn Nesbitt

Hide-and-Go-Seek Champion. Master of Disguise. Mimic of Legendary Proportions. The Chameleon.

Chameleons are extraordinary creatures, most well known by their ability to change colors and blend in with their surroundings. The word chameleon is derived from two Greek words: “khamai”, which means “on the earth”, and “leon”, which means “lion”. When we say the word, chameleon, we are calling this lizard a “lion on the earth”. Isn’t it odd that such a small creature would bear such a grand title? An oft-suggested explanation for this is that the crest on the chameleon’s head is reminiscent of a lion’s mane. Might I suggest another, more symbolic, explanation for the Greek moniker? Charles Darwin once said:

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.

Now, I am not a fan of Darwin, nor do I ascribe to his theories on evolution. However, I agree with him on this point: adaptability often outweighs strength and intelligence (or makes up for the lack thereof). A chameleon may not have the strength or cunning nature of the lion, yet its adaptability rivals that king of beasts.

“What does all this chameleon stuff have to do with me?” you may be asking. Here’s the correlation: there are those of us who at times bemoan our lack of ingenuity. We are the people who imitate those we look up to, who mimic genius, who pick up bits and pieces from others to invent our identity. We are the ones who will never hear the words, “he/she is a natural”, spoken in reference to us. Because frankly, we aren’t naturals…we are chameleons. We replicate. Others paint the landscape, we copy the painting. Others write the music, we sing the tune. Others publish the books, we quote the words. Others are the inventors, we are the imitators. Does this resonate with you?

If you are a “chameleon”, you likely think that you lack unique attributes. You may feel that God forgot to sprinkle that extra “special something” in your DNA that others seem to possess. You probably have days when you look down on yourself, because you have to work so hard to do what comes naturally to the ones who just plain “have it”.

I am here today to shift your perspective. I am going to give you three reasons why being a chameleon isn’t such a bad thing as you’re making it out to be. By the time you finish this article, perhaps you will look at yourself through a new set of eyes. Let’s get rolling.

Ashamed of being a chameleon? Don’t let this escape your notice. #1: The Character of a Chameleon is one of…

---

• Their eyes move independently and can rotate 360 degrees.
• Their eyes can also see two directions at once.
• They have very sharp vision with excellent depth perception which allows them to easily target prey (insects) even up to 20 feet away.

– Chameleon Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com – KidsKonnect, November 7, 2018

If you are a “chameleon”, you have been given excellent observation skills. You are able to see things that others cannot. Your brain is able to process an inordinate amount of information through your heightened visual perception.

Observation is a valuable tool in many areas of life:

• Observation allows a wife to ascertain what her husband wants and needs from her…she takes careful note of all his desires and adds them to her mental “to-do” list.
• Observation allows a mother to identify her child’s nature…she learns how she might reach him in the way best suited to his individual personality traits.
• Observation allows an employee to learn the tricks of her trade…she studies diligently to become an asset to the company for which she is employed.

Unfortunately, not everyone can and not everyone will observe to their betterment. Such individuals rely on their natural ability to carry them through life, and don’t see a need to look further. They lack the ability to see beyond their present talents, and this hinders their personal growth. You, however, have the character of a chameleon. You are at an advantage, because you see that you have room for improvement. You can easily observe all your traits that need an upgrade.

Observation is a key element to our Christian faith. The Lord says this in regard to people who don’t observe:

Look, you blind, that you may see. Who is so blind as he that is at peace with me, or so blind as the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things, but you do not observe them. – excerpt from Isaiah 42:18-20

Chameleons have a stark advantage toward understanding the scripture – let it not be wasted on us. The Bible is more than mere words on a page…we must not only see, but observe. We must hold God’s word as the blueprint by which we mold our lives. Let us use our “360 degree” field of vision to observe every detail – the whole counsel of God.

Still ashamed of being a chameleon? Don’t let this escape your notice. #2: The Character of a Chameleon is one of…

---

• The tongues of chameleons are two to three times longer than their bodies.
• They are able to shoot their tongues out at high speeds in both high and low temperatures, which other reptiles cannot do.
• They use both their eyes and tongues to capture their prey: their sharp eyes first spot their target then their long tongues grab the insect.

– Chameleon Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com – KidsKonnect, November 7, 2018

If you are a “chameleon”, you have been given excellent eradication skills. You are able to quickly remove what others cannot. You can effectively take down your target and convert the unwanted intruder to positive energy.

Eradication is a valuable tool in many areas of life:

• Eradication allows a wife to avoid giving any turn-offs to her man (whether somatically, soulishly, or spiritually)…she finds out which of her habits are undesirable or loathsome to him and permanently lays them aside.
• Eradication allows a mother to break her previous cycles of poor parenting…she replaces impatience with patience, a raised tone with a lower tone, and harsh judgments with an understanding heart.
• Eradication allows an employee to nip her bad habits in the bud…she takes constructive criticism seriously and adjusts her work ethic and attitude accordingly.

Unfortunately, not everyone can and not everyone will eradicate to their betterment. Such individuals don’t see anything wrong with the way they’ve always done things. They lack the ability to ditch their negative traits, and this hinders their personal growth. You, however, have the character of a chameleon. You are at an advantage, because you are repulsed by all that is lesser within you. You don’t feel at rest until you remove the wrong and make it right.

Eradication is a key element to our Christian faith. Ezekiel 18:31 gives this admonition:

Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?

Chameleons have a stark advantage toward removing sin from the heart – let it not be wasted on us. We can not allow ourselves to be complacent when it comes to wrongs in our spirit, but continually work hand-in-hand with God to weed them out. We must replace negative traits with positive ones. Let us capture our prey (our sin) with lightning speed and devour it…before it devours us.

Still ashamed of being a chameleon? Don’t let this escape your notice. #3: The Character of a Chameleon is one of…

---

• Chameleons don’t disappear; they change colors to blend into their environment.
• Most species change color; some can even change the pattern and mix of colors.
• Chameleons change colors as a defense mechanism from predators, a signal to other chameleons, and as a technique to regulate body temperature.

– Chameleon Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com – KidsKonnect, November 7, 2018

If you are a “chameleon”, you have been given excellent adaptation skills. You are able to become what others cannot. You can transform into something far more beautiful and refined than your first form.

• Adaptation allows a wife to morph into the woman of her husband’s dreams…she adapts to the qualities her man finds attractive in a woman and win his favor.
• Adaptation allows a mother to bond with her child…she adapts to tried-and-true parenting techniques and becomes a better mom.
• Adaptation allows an employee to rise in her company’s ranks…she adapts to the business model of her superiors and impresses her boss.

Unfortunately, not everyone can and not everyone will adapt to their betterment. When such individuals reach the end of their natural ability, they find themselves unable to progress further in life. They lack the ability to become more than what they are, and this hinders their personal growth. You, however, have the character of a chameleon. You are at an advantage, because you can copy what you see. You have the very real gift of becoming what you admire.

Adaptation is a key element to our Christian faith. We are called to:

…be imitators of God, as beloved children. – Ephesians 5:1

Chameleons have a stark advantage toward transforming into God’s image – let it not be wasted on us. We have the perfect example to follow in our Messiah, Jesus Christ. We must pick up our cross and follow in His footsteps daily. We must find Him worthy of our imitation. Let us blend into our Savior and model our every color after Him.

Still ashamed of being a chameleon? Surely not, my friend. Chameleons are truly one-of-a-kind among God’s creation.

---

In conclusion…

This message is for me as well as for all of my fellow “chameleons”. No longer will I be ashamed of my God-given design. I used to think that I had no special qualities of my own, that I was merely a cheap imitation of those I considered to be “better” than myself…the naturals. Now I realize that others are not better than me, nor vice versa…we are merely different.

If it were possible for a chameleon to voice a lament in my ear, perhaps it would say: “I am a worthless creature. I have no abilities of my own! All I am is a cheap imitation…a copy. I’m nothing special.”

“Silly lizard,” I would reply, “you are a lion on the earth. Your very strength lies in your ability to adapt. This is the quality that makes you unique. Not everyone can be a chameleon, you know.” And this is what I am telling you also. Are you a skilled observer, eradicator, and adapter? Then you have the character of a chameleon. You have no cause for shame. Stand tall, and embrace your distinctive expertise…painting yourself in a beautiful array of colors.

“Living in the skin of a chameleon requires the ability to adapt and change on a dime, every single day, multiple times a day – while continuing to keep an eye on the big picture.”

http://www.thechameleoncompany.com/

For God’s glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

---

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

“A farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.

The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules really did appear, saying:

‘Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some effort to help yourself.’

And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson learned.

Moral: Heaven helps those who help themselves.

– “Hercules & the Wagoner”, a fable of Aesop

This fable is clearly rooted in Greek mythology and not Christianity. We can see the evidence when the farmer calls out to the false god, Hercules, rather than to the one true God, Jehovah. Even so, there is an important Christian message we can glean from it, and that is, “practice what you pray!” The fabled farmer could not rid himself of his problem by observing it. He could not rid himself of his problem by complaining about it. Nor could he even rid himself of his problem by praying about it. It wasn’t until he put his hands to the plow, thus linking hands with his god, that he saw his problem begin to vanish. We must practice what we pray, lest our words be in vain…and furthermore an insult to our Maker.

Do you sometimes feel as if your prayers are falling on deaf ears? Do you cry out to God in the midst of problems, yet see no results? Do you long to know that your Father in Heaven is even giving your requests a second thought?

Today, I want to present three aspects that are absolutely vital to prayer. While implementing these three practices will not guarantee your right to receive every circumstance for which you pray (after all, God is not a genie in a bottle to obey our every whim; and He sees the big picture that our pea-sized human brains can not), I can guarantee that your walk with the Lord will be so radically changed for the better by means of your prayer life, that you will be content whether He answers your prayer with a “yes”, a “no”, or a “not yet”. You will know with each and every prayer that He has heard your case, and that will be enough.

1. If you want to be heard of the Lord, you must…

---

A tavern was being built in a town that until recently had been dry. A group of Christians in a certain church opposed this and began an all-night prayer meeting, asking God to intervene. Lightning struck the tavern building, and it burned to the ground. The owner brought a lawsuit against the church, claiming they were responsible. The Christians hired a lawyer, claiming they were not responsible. The judge said, “No matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.

– Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, edited by Michael P. Green; entry #1020

Are you ardent in your prayer life? That is, are you passionate and sincere when you pray, believing that the Lord can and will answer your prayer favorably if it is His will? Or are you, like the Christians in the above illustration, merely throwing words at God without really trusting in His ability to bring them to pass? The book of James warns us about this latter kind of prayer. James says that we must:

“…ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything of the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:6-8

It is important to remember that, while we do not see Him presently, our Heavenly Father is alive and sentient. Do you remember asking questions into those magic eight balls as a kid, back in the day? Your attitude most likely was this: you figured it was worth a shot, but you didn’t put a lot of stock into getting any real answers. Praying shouldn’t be like that. When we pray, we are conversing with Someone who is active, alert, and attentive.

If you lack ardency in your prayers, the root cause is likely feelings of doubt. The remedy for doubt is faith, which is built by hearing God’s word. (Romans 10:17) It may sound cliché, but getting into the Bible is truly the best way to combat feelings of doubt in your life. In the same way that a wife may look to texts/emails/letters from her husband to solidify her faith in her husband’s love; so may a Christian look to letters from God to solidify their faith in their Father’s love. This, among other faith-building habits (i.e. faithful worship and fellowship with God’s people, listening to sermons on scientific and historic evidence of our Creator, etc.) will bring life and authenticity to your conversations with God.

Be ardent in prayer…practice what you pray!

2. If you want to be heard of the Lord, you must…

---

It is not well for a man to pray cream and live skim milk.

– Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs From Plymouth Pulpit (1887)

Prayer is not a substitute for work, thinking, watching, suffering, or giving; prayer is a support for all other efforts.

– George Buttrick, quoted in Quote Unquote by Lloyd Cory

Are you active in your prayer life? That is, do you make every effort (in your power) to partner with God in bringing what you have prayed for to fruition? Or are you taking a load off, expecting the Lord to entertain your requests single-handedly? Nehemiah is a great biblical example of a man who was active in prayer. This namesake book begins with Nehemiah receiving the disheartening news of the state of decay in Jerusalem. He said:

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. – Nehemiah 1:4

Now stay tuned…Nehemiah didn’t simply say his prayers and leave the rest in God’s hands. No, you know the story – he got off his knees and got to work. Listen to his voice of action:

The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build… – Nehemiah 2:20a

The Lord doesn’t take the prayers of an inactive person seriously. Like any good and wise father, He is more than willing to work alongside us, but He is not willing to do all the work for us. (Incapacitating circumstances excepting, of course) If we are not willing to act, we can not expect God to act on our behalf.

If you lack activity in your prayers, the root cause is likely a too mystical view of God. Verses such as the famous “ask, seek, knock” passage, when misunderstood, may give us a false sense that anything we pray for will be granted like a magic wish in a fairy tale. This is simply not the case. If we pray for a paycheck, we best be applying for a job. If we pray for a child, we best be laying off the contraceptives. If we pray for a transformed spirit, we best be renewing our mind. The Lord will not defy the laws of nature or common sense to answer our requests, but He will look with favor on us when we put our hand to the plow…and He may even lend us one of His own.

Be active in prayer…practice what you pray!

3. If you want to be heard of the Lord, you must…

---

A father related that during their family time each person was going to pray for one person. His son prayed to ask God to help his friend Eddie be better at school because he was so bad. When they got together the next week, the father asked his son if he was going to pray for Eddie again. “No,” the son replied, “I prayed for Eddie last week and he is still bad.”

– Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, edited by Michael P. Green; entry #1037

Are you again in your prayer life? That is, do you keep returning to the Lord over and over with your need until a) your prayer is answered, or b) He has opened your eyes to an alternative path? Or, like the little boy in the above illustration, do you give up when you don’t see results on your timetable? Jesus exhorted His disciples to be persistent in their prayers:

Then He said to them, Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’ ; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything,’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Luke 11:5-8

I have always been thankful for this unusual parable. While my own sensibilities would presume it to be disrespectful to keep “bugging” the Lord, as it were, here we have Jesus Himself giving us permission and admonition to “bug away” – wow! God in Heaven can be moved by the persistence of men.

If you lack continuity in your prayers, the root cause is likely impatience. The more we want something, the more likely we are to lose patience waiting for it. But shouldn’t it be just the opposite? If you want whatever you are praying for so badly, can you not show the Father your sincerity by waiting – looking fervently for His favorable answer and not giving up? Remember that His ways are higher than our ways – there is likely good reason the Lord is making you wait. Namely, growing you and refining you – for patience is a perfecter. (James 1:4) Keep your eyes on the prize.

Be again in prayer…practice what you pray!

---

In conclusion…

Remember the farmer at the beginning of our lesson who got his wagon stuck in the mud? Maybe you are dealing with a problem in your life that has you feeling just as hopeless and stuck. You’ve looked at your problem, you’ve whined about it, you’ve prayed about it…but stuck you have stayed.

Have you gotten out of the wagon and started pushing yet?

Be ardent in prayer…believe wholeheartedly that God can help you.
Be active in prayer…partner with God in the work that needs to be done.
Be again in prayer…persist to the end and don’t ever stop talking to God.

Practice what you pray, because as the saying goes…

Heaven helps those who help themselves. (Aesop)

For God’s glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

---

Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.