<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>perfection Archives - Diana Derringer</title> <atom:link href="https://dianaderringer.com/tag/perfection/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/tag/perfection/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:26:02 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <image> <url>https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-derringer_headshotsm-32x32.png</url> <title>perfection Archives - Diana Derringer</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/tag/perfection/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Feet of Clay</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/</link> <comments>https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:21 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bible]]></category> <category><![CDATA[clay feet]]></category> <category><![CDATA[devotion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dream interpretation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[failure]]></category> <category><![CDATA[faults]]></category> <category><![CDATA[feet of clay]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[idiom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[idioms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[King Nebuchadnezzar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Lessons from English Expressions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nebuchadnezzar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[perfection]]></category> <category><![CDATA[self-improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[weakness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wisdom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Words Wit and Wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dianaderringer.com/?p=13024</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>How often do we admire people and think they can do no wrong? Yet, we eventually learn they have feet of clay. Feet of clay means a failure or weakness. We have faults. Our heroes have faults. No matter how hard we try to be perfect, everyone falls short of perfection. This idiom originated in the Bible. Daniel 2 tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and a dream he could not understand. God revealed the dream and its meaning to...</p> <p class="read-more"><a class="btn btn-default" href="https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/"> Read More<span class="screen-reader-text"> Read More</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/">Feet of Clay</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feet-of-Clay.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13025" src="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feet-of-Clay.jpg" alt="Feet of Clay--two clay feet" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feet-of-Clay.jpg 450w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feet-of-Clay-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feet-of-Clay-405x270.jpg 405w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" /></a>How often do we admire people and think they can do no wrong? Yet, we eventually learn they have feet of clay.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Feet of clay means a failure or weakness.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">We have faults. Our heroes have faults. No matter how hard we try to be perfect, everyone falls short of perfection.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>This idiom originated in the Bible.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Daniel 2 tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and a dream he could not understand. God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel, one of the king’s captives. In the dream, a statue had:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>A head of gold</li> <li>A body of silver, bronze, and iron</li> <li>Feet of iron and clay</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">A large rock hit the feet, and the statue crumbled.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Daniel told the king his dream meant the Babylonian kingdom would fall. However, God’s kingdom would last forever.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Because we have feet of clay, we find hope only in our Creator.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">If we rely on ourselves, we <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/fall-flat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fall flat</a>. However, God’s strength and guidance enable us to <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/stand-firm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stand firm</a>. Like Daniel, may we faithfully follow the one and only true God.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his” (Daniel 2:20 NIV).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Meghan Bowker, editor of <a href="https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Missions Mosaic</em></a> magazine, for the idea. Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@mattseymour?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Seymour</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/white-feet-statue-rSKjPA41H2Q?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unsplash</a>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://dianaderringer.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=11983df7ac45be83499003741&id=1797662da7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email</a> and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”</p> <p style="text-align: left;">If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.</p> <p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&linkname=Feet%20of%20Clay" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&linkname=Feet%20of%20Clay" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_pinterest" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/pinterest?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&linkname=Feet%20of%20Clay" title="Pinterest" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&linkname=Feet%20of%20Clay" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&linkname=Feet%20of%20Clay" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Ffeet-of-clay%2F&title=Feet%20of%20Clay" data-a2a-url="https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/" data-a2a-title="Feet of Clay"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/">Feet of Clay</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://dianaderringer.com/feet-of-clay/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>6</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Nail It</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/</link> <comments>https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2022 23:00:30 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Peace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Problems]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Self-Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[accurate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cross]]></category> <category><![CDATA[crucifixion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[death]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Easter]]></category> <category><![CDATA[eternal life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[forgiveness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[heaven]]></category> <category><![CDATA[idioms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jesus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Lessons from English Expressions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[nail]]></category> <category><![CDATA[nail it]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Olympics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[peace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[perfection]]></category> <category><![CDATA[performance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[resurrection]]></category> <category><![CDATA[salvation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[success]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Words Wit and Wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dianaderringer.com/?p=9353</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>During the Olympics and other sporting events, athletes want to nail it. Skaters desire a perfect balance of style, strength, and difficulty. Swimmers want to remain in their lanes and reach the wall first. Runners pull out all the stops to cross the finish line before anyone else. To nail it is to do a job well. People succeed. They complete accurate work or present an almost perfect performance. They hit the nail on the head. Jesus nailed our sins...</p> <p class="read-more"><a class="btn btn-default" href="https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/"> Read More<span class="screen-reader-text"> Read More</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/">Nail It</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nail-It-Pixabay-cross-gb541e7d6d_640.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9354" src="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nail-It-Pixabay-cross-gb541e7d6d_640.jpg" alt="Cross in center of paper, nailed to a rough piece of wood" width="640" height="342" srcset="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nail-It-Pixabay-cross-gb541e7d6d_640.jpg 640w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nail-It-Pixabay-cross-gb541e7d6d_640-300x160.jpg 300w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nail-It-Pixabay-cross-gb541e7d6d_640-505x270.jpg 505w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a>During the Olympics and other sporting events, athletes want to nail it.</p> <ul> <li style="text-align: left;">Skaters desire a perfect balance of style, strength, and difficulty.</li> <li style="text-align: left;">Swimmers want to remain in their lanes and reach the wall first.</li> <li style="text-align: left;">Runners <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/pull-out-all-the-stops/">pull out all the stops</a> to cross the finish line before anyone else.</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>To nail it is to do a job well.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">People succeed. They complete accurate work or present an almost perfect performance. They <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/hit-the-nail-on-the-head/">hit the nail on the head</a>.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Jesus nailed our sins to the cross.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Although soldiers hung Him there, Jesus gave His life freely.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Jesus lived a perfect life and died the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His resurrection on the third day was the final nail of victory over sin and death.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>We nail our part in God’s perfect plan when we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation. </strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">We cannot earn our way to heaven. However, Jesus prepared the way for us. He nailed our salvation.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">At Easter and always, we celebrate and tell others of the <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/fresh-start/">fresh start</a> possible through Jesus’ perfect gift.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">“[God] forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion. Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/congerdesign-509903/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3080144">congerdesign</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3080144">Pixabay</a>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/xP7HL">Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email</a> and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”</p> <p style="text-align: left;">If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.</p> <p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&linkname=Nail%20It" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&linkname=Nail%20It" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_pinterest" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/pinterest?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&linkname=Nail%20It" title="Pinterest" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&linkname=Nail%20It" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&linkname=Nail%20It" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fnail-it%2F&title=Nail%20It" data-a2a-url="https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/" data-a2a-title="Nail It"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/">Nail It</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://dianaderringer.com/nail-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>