Think Before You Speak

Do not repeat anything you will not sign your name to.

- Unknown

Words - No Action = Nothing Done

After all is said and done,
a lot more will have been said than done.

Some people have a gift for words but one day, I believe, we all will be required to account for every idle, unfruitful word. For in living for the Lord, we must do our best each day to perform that which we speak from our mouth into actions to further His Kingdom.

The Stone(ng) Age?

As late, I have read many articles that have really touched me, all being honest and thought-provoking. I would label them cautions - cautions as to the use of words - our words!

In the last few weeks, I have heard horrible things said about people and their situations. So many assumptions made, and with each assumption has come justification. Unfortunately, there's way too much ugliness in our world - way too much - and we, as God's people, must be careful not to add to it. We need to guard our lips from bringing forth hurtful, hateful words. Remember our words set the climate for our self-worth - and we are not worth much if we speak unkindness and falsehoods (i.e., the nice word for lies).

My poem sums up my feelings today, although I wrote it years ago (in 1993) when my family was the target of a verbal attack after our oldest son died. To tell you the truth, the persons might as well lined us up and stoned us to death because the untruths in their words brought great hurt and pain. Sadly, they believed that who they were and the positions they held actually made their words truths - each wearing robes of righteousness, faithfully attending service, giving freely of their first fruits, and being actively involved in the church - but all the time in what they thought wisdom was actually acts of foolishness. Today, I am watching others suffering at the hands of those who are throwing "stones" - and I feel compelled to write this post.

Gather not stones
For stones of hate cannot love

Defeat cannot savor victory
Despair cannot possess joy
Disobedience cannot breed respect
Evil cannot comprehend virtue.

Gather not stones
For your compassion will conquer all

Your accomplishments will reverse failure
Your happiness will heal pain
Your wisdom will subdue folly
Your goodness will merit excellence.

Dear Lord,
May look closely at ourselves, and if we are guilty may we, with Your Help, bridle our tongues so that we wound not another.

Words Can Cut

Sharp words can wound
so watch your words
on your way up the ladder.

Sewn!

Some days I feel like a pin cushion (being targeted by others to feel pain). Their needles and pins being careless words that constantly pierce my soul; while other words, cut like sharp scissors.

We must watch our words for it's no fun being pin cushion royalty, and it's hurtful to boot.

Close the Mouth, Please!

Generally speaking,
you aren't learning much
when your mouth is open.

Translation: Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Am attaching a comment according to Mervi (boy, does it fit!): "Shut up!" You are making so much noise I am not able to grasp what you wish me to understand!

No Purring Here

If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody,

come sit next to me.

Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Words Do Count

Just felt like offering something I penned awhile back. It was in a time that I was wrestling with "words" - the words I said, and the words others said.

Words do count, it’s obviously true,
What is said, judges what you do.

I “COULD” make it if I would,
Stands as a message easily understood.

Or I “MAY” make it if I pray,
Means my chosen schedule orders my day.

Then I “CAN” make it if in trials I stand,
Tells of strength and courage if with these I band.

And I “WILL” make it if in my heart rapture I feel,
Speaks in hard times as a permanent seal.

Saying I “MUST” make it if I but trust,
Releases love and your soul to Him entrust.

But I “SHALL” make it if I chose not to fall,
Records promises from the Book of Life's call.

Words do count, choose wisely how you speak,
For in watching how you say it, your soul may keep.

Dazzle One Minute, POOF the Next

Do not be dazzled by flattering words,

for they are as the sunlight

upon the shallow waters,

lovely for their instant,

. . .but soon gone!

Be On the Watch

Watch your thoughts.....for they become words.

Watch your words.....for they become actions.
Watch your actions.....for they become habits.

Watch your habits.....for they become character.
Watch your character.....for it becomes your destiny.

Gold & Silver

There is much meaning in this little line of verse. As for Silver and Gold I do not have any available today, but Words I can write.

What a cherished picture in the heart to behold,
visions of silver filled with apples of pure gold.

Intricately woven, each piece hung in prominent display,
applauding luscious delights picked along life's way.

What words do the silver and gold say?
Perhaps offering refined twistings of extraordinary inlay.

Reflections mirrored prominently on polished wood,
a craftsman's plan needing to be understood.

Observing unblemished fruit, the color of the sun,
in choice frames illustrating the proper use of our tongue.

For we must speak wisely so no one's spirit is broken,
APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF SILVER,

an expression of words fitly spoken.

Lord, may the pictures I hang on the walls of my heart be created by the use of wise words that will not hurt or destroy anyone. Amen

Refining Our Words

Words are celestial invitations

Utterances spoken upon being tried by fire
The heat melting away all imperfection
Can I withstand the fiery purging
numbered seven, in honor of redemption?
Is my desire great enough to honor the undertaking?

Why would I pen such a poem? Please realize that I am not trying to be hateful but I am so tired of hearing words and seeing emails that have no place being connected to a child of God. Certainly we are free beings with a distinct voice but I wonder, would the Lord go around saying (and sending emails) that reflect such character slamming?

Unfortunately, we live in a nation of negativity and degrading the dignity of man. It is not only in politics but is prevalent in the church - destroying the character of the ministry, its leadership, as well as the character of many of its saints. And it doesn't stop there! It runs rampant in families - pitting one member against another with loose, hurtful words.

Please don't misunderstand my post as we must enjoy the "wild" antics of others, laugh at oddities said and performed, and just enjoy chuckling about others (and ourselves) and their (our) "whacky" ways. The world would be a difficult place to live in without humor. However, we need to laugh with, not at others (if we choose to laugh at ourselves, that's up to us). Can't we just disagree (which is a God given right) without being disagreeably UGLY?

Well, with that said, I can get off my soapbox now, zap those "ugly" emails I keep receiving, and get ready for camp meeting.

First Grade Proverbs

These special set of proverbs were emailed to me, and I had to share the priceless words of children with you.

A first grade school teacher had 26 students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first-half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. While reading them, keep in mind that these are first graders (6 year olds). My kids and grandkids have said a few priceless words too but another day for posting precious moments with them.

1. Don’t change horses until they stop running.
2. Strike while the bug is close.
3. It’s always darkest before Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but How?
6. Don’t bite the hand that looks dirty.
7. No news is impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a Mr.
9. You can’t teach an old dog new Math.
10. If you lie down with dogs, you’ll stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust Me.
12. The pen is mightier than the pigs.
13. An idle mind is the best way to relax.
14. Where there’s smoke, there’s pollution.
15. Happy the bride who gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is not much.
17. Two’s company, three’s the Musketeers.
18. Don’t put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don’t succeed get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you see in the picture on the box.
24. When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.
25. A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.
26. Better late than pregnant.

Living in the Stone(ng) Age?

While blog reading today, I visited two sites that really touched me. Both acted as cautions as to the use of words - our words! Visit their sites firsthand, Jana and Carissa. Thanks to both of you for your honest, thought-provoking writings.

Unfortunately, there's way too much ugliness in our world - way too much - and we, as God's people, must be careful not to add to it. We need to guard our lips from bringing forth hurtful, hateful words. Remember our words set the climate for our self-worth - and we are not worth much if we let our lips speak unkindnesses and falsehoods (i.e., the nice word for lies). My poem sums up my feelings today, although I wrote it years ago (in 1993) when my family was the target of a verbal attack after our oldest son died. To tell you the truth, the persons might as well lined us up and stoned us to death because the untruths in their words brought great hurt and pain.

Gather not stones
For stones of hate cannot love

Defeat cannot savor victory
Despair cannot possess joy
Disobedience cannot breed respect
Evil cannot comprehend virtue.

Gather not stones
For your compassion will conquer all

Your accomplishments will reverse failure
Your happiness will heal pain
Your wisdom will subdue folly
Your goodness will merit excellence.

PS: Please forgive me if you find my words offensive. That wasn't intended. It is just so important that we are careful, too many have been wounded (some fatally) by an unbridled tongue. My prayer is: Dear Lord, thank you for awakening in me the desire to let my words speak of You and your holiness - and reminding me to speak only goodness regarding your people.

Kindle Not Strife

An event happening in the last few days reminded me of one of my old poems. It is a reminder of how careful we must be, particularly if we profess to be one of His. It's called, Kindle Not Strife.

Friend, I beg you to kindle not strife,
setting ablaze the core of malice.
For the sin of animosity cannot burn
unless fueled by a wagging tongue.

Therefore, speak no wrong of any man
for by careless words, evil is ignited.
Raging at the character of humanity,
scorching the soul, causing great pain.

Allow no settling of contentious wood,
which may release a fire to consume the flesh.
For in keeping the flames of agony intact,
no one is destroyed by the crime of arson.

Friend, kindle not strife through your words,
give honor and dignity to all creation.
Subjecting yourself to a governed tongue,
reserving your judgment for another day.

Well, Shut My Mouth

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” Psalm 141:3

Ever put your foot in your mouth? Days come when no (or few) words fair far better than a mouth full of nothing. It's days like those where it seems that no matter what you say, it is of little (or no) benefit.

Tomorrow, I've decided to just listen - listen for that small, still voice. It is The Voice that never says anything unless it is of value. Speak to me Lord.

Well, shut my mouth - I’ll talk with you later.