Tame The Tongue

"For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7-8

I admit that I have picked up a bit of slang and my grammar is not always the best; but, I tell you there are days that I simply do not understand the English that is being used by many today. What sometimes sounds like insults; derogatory remarks toward or about others, I am told actually isn't! That's just the way people talk today. 

I also understand that in this country, according to the first amendment, that we have freedom of speech. But, is that an excuse to falsely slander others? Is that an excuse to get on the internet or television and insinuate or make threats against the safety and well-being of others? It seems as though there are many who seem to think it is. Freedom of speech doesn't actually include threatening the life of others. It is actually illegal and depending on the severity, one can be charged with a crime for doing so.

It can be most difficult to control the tongue when one is angry or hurt; but, in general conversation; when you actually have time to think about it!? Oh, my! There are many days that I just want to run back to my little corner of the universe and sit in silence watching the alligators in the backyard. They usually just lie there and maybe swim around a bit. They do not live in attack mode just for the sake of attacking and harming others.

It is hard to tame the tongue. It is even harder when one has not actually learned the difference between what is appropriate to say and what is not appropriate; what is legal and what is not legal. Yes, I can be bit legalistic. The law can be a great curb to keep us from doing things that would harm others. Think: treat others as you would like to be treated.

Some days the untamed tongues are running so rampant that I can only retreat to my corner and sit in the sheer silence and listen. I listen for our Father's gentle whisper, "Do not fear. I am with you now and always."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  Eph 4:1-3 NIV

I wrote no blog yesterday. The internet and cable television went down late Friday afternoon during a storm. I called it in. At first the man on the other end of the line said since I was the only one who was down in the area they probably wouldn't be able to send a tech out until Tuesday after the holiday; but, he would try to get them to call me Saturday morning (while I was at an appointment) to set up a time for them to come out and fix it. He had walked me through the usual, unplug the modem and plug it back it. I've been dealing with modems for a few years and already had done that; but, I patiently complied anyway, even as I explained that there had just been a bad storm and I was pretty sure I wasn't the only one who had lost their connections in the neighborhood. About an hour later I received a call from some one else from this company telling me that they had just declared an area outage and assured me they were sending out a tech to take care of it. She didn't say when; but, for some reason I assumed that evening. I let my son (who was previously a tech for another company) know that they were coming out. He laughed saying that I would probably have it back up and running the next morning around 10. He was right. The neighbors informed me that the tech had just left when I returned home from an appointment at about 10:15 yesterday morning.

Therefore, I wrote no blog yesterday. If I can't do it early in the morning, I rarely find time during the rest of the day and yesterday was no different. My days tend to be pretty full. There were plenty of other doors that were open; plenty of other directions to go in and to do.

I am getting better at having patience with cable and satellite companies. I have learned to wait on them without getting upset. I did not even roll my eyes; at least not more than once. I don't watch much television so that is never a problem. I have learned to wait on many things. Everything does not always go as I plan. But, life continues. There is no sense getting upset about something so minor and that we have no control over. There are so many things in this world that are so much worse than the internet not working or a television show or a computer game being disrupted. It can even be a good thing when we lose our connection with the world wide web from time to time.

Some of the things that we lose patience with are pretty trivial compared to the troubles others suffer in the world. It would be best to ignore these minor obstacles and just move on past or over them. Don't let them interfere with what God has called you to do. Take advantage of what might seem to be a hindrance; because, it just might be a door opening for you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep Alert!

"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering." 1 Peter 5:7-9 NRSV

There are some in family who are not totally comfortable with my vigilance. They think that I am too cautious because I usually take the time and make the effort to look past what I see at first glance to what is really going on around us. I like to know who the people really are that are involved in their lives. Social media; the internet as a whole, just as it is used by many employers to see who it is that they are really hiring, can be a very useful tool for parents, grandparents and pastors. I use this tool because I am well aware that sometimes the adversary might come like a roaring lion and sometimes the adversary comes dressed in sheep's clothing. Even wolves in sheep's clothing can be recognized if we know what we are looking for; if we know God's word and discipline ourselves to follow it. I like to know and be prepared for any attacks that my come against my loved ones and that includes all of the people I serve.

There are wars all around us. Some of them are plainly seen. The wars being fought in the unseen realms are not so easily discerned. Often, people are not even aware that they are being attacked. They are won over to the enemy's side without even being aware of it. The adversary knows his enemy. He knows us. He knows what desires and temptations will crumble us. It would be beneficial for us to also know the enemy so that we can recognize him when he rears his ugly head whether he comes to us as a roaring lion or dressed in sheep's or shepherd's clothing.

The more that we discipline ourselves to know the word of God, the more alert we will be to recognize the adversary when he attacks. Discipline yourself in the word. Read the Holy Scriptures daily; hear His word proclaimed at Worship; and then discipline yourselves, to follow the Word, who is Jesus the Christ and you will have no need to fear the adversary.

May the Lord keep you from the adversary; even as He keeps you in the Word.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy