Have a day of blessings!
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Pleasing words
Join me today over at Laced with Grace for a devotional called Pleasing words. Thank you!
Have a day of blessings!
Have a day of blessings!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Dark clouds and sunshine
How many times a day do you hear the people around you complaining? We complain about the weather because it is too hot and too dry but if it rains we complain that it’s raining too much. We complain about our coworkers because they aren’t doing their jobs like we think they should. We complain about our children because they talk too much. We complain about our spouses because they come home to relax on the couch after work instead of taking out the trash or feeding the dog the minute they come in the door. We complain about the price of gas. We complain about the poor service we receive while eating out. Pregnant women complain about being pregnant. Women complain about men, men complain about women.
If we look to God’s Word, we can find many references to complaining. Other words used for “complaining,” depending on the translation you use, are grumbling or murmuring. What does the Word say about complaining? We know the Israelites complained many times. It didn’t please God to hear their complaints, and we shouldn't be complainers either.
In Philippians 2:14, it says “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
Do you notice when you complain or just when other people do it and it gets on your nerves? How do you feel when complaining? You’re probably not cheerful and in a good mood. It feels dark and dreary to be around someone who is always complaining about everything.
As Christians we need to be careful that whatever we find ourselves doing we aren’t complaining. Instead we need to be thankful and speak positive words. Be thankful for the rain because the earth is dry. Be thankful you have a job. Be thankful you have ears to hear your children speak. Be thankful your spouse provides for your family. Be thankful you have a vehicle to fill with gas. Be thankful you have money to enjoy eating out and consider maybe the waitress would rather be at home with her family instead of at a second job to make ends meet for the month. Be thankful for the child you are carrying and the precious gift God has given you.
If you look for ways to give thanks instead of complain, you will have a better outlook and a better day. Also you'll be spreading some sunshine to those around you instead of being a dark cloud over their day.
Come back on Friday (tomorrow is Thankful Thursday!) for the reason it’s important for us not to complain.
If we look to God’s Word, we can find many references to complaining. Other words used for “complaining,” depending on the translation you use, are grumbling or murmuring. What does the Word say about complaining? We know the Israelites complained many times. It didn’t please God to hear their complaints, and we shouldn't be complainers either.
In Philippians 2:14, it says “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”
Do you notice when you complain or just when other people do it and it gets on your nerves? How do you feel when complaining? You’re probably not cheerful and in a good mood. It feels dark and dreary to be around someone who is always complaining about everything.
As Christians we need to be careful that whatever we find ourselves doing we aren’t complaining. Instead we need to be thankful and speak positive words. Be thankful for the rain because the earth is dry. Be thankful you have a job. Be thankful you have ears to hear your children speak. Be thankful your spouse provides for your family. Be thankful you have a vehicle to fill with gas. Be thankful you have money to enjoy eating out and consider maybe the waitress would rather be at home with her family instead of at a second job to make ends meet for the month. Be thankful for the child you are carrying and the precious gift God has given you.
If you look for ways to give thanks instead of complain, you will have a better outlook and a better day. Also you'll be spreading some sunshine to those around you instead of being a dark cloud over their day.
Come back on Friday (tomorrow is Thankful Thursday!) for the reason it’s important for us not to complain.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thinking about the tongue...part 4
I hope you have enjoyed the posts this week about the tongue. It has made me more aware of the words I speak and what comes out of my mouth.
The memory verse for the past week has been related to the tongue also.
Proverbs 12:18--"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
I pray that my words will not be reckless but that I will be wise in my speech so that I can bring healing instead of hurt.
Have a great weekend!
The memory verse for the past week has been related to the tongue also.
Proverbs 12:18--"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
I pray that my words will not be reckless but that I will be wise in my speech so that I can bring healing instead of hurt.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thinking about the tongue...part 3
Monday I talked about the way our tongues can hurt others, and Wednesday I talked about the blessings we can give with our tongues. Today I'd like you to consider the words you are saying to others, specifically about your husband and children.
How do you speak about your husband to others? When you are talking to a friend, are the words about your husband positive or negative? Do your children hear you talking down about their Dad? Do you lash out at your husband as soon as he comes home from work because he forgot to bring home a loaf of bread or is five minutes later than normal?
I've noticed how women often talk negatively about their husbands...how they don't do anything right, they don't know how to take care of the kids, they're forgetful, they were late, etc....I have come to really notice and pay attention when a woman lifts up her husband positively too because it is much less common. (And I've heard husbands talking about their wives too in the same way.)
What about your children? Do you gripe about them all the time? Do you get annoyed that they ask a million questions? Do you speak harshly to them? What does your tone convey? Do they know how to show respect to others because they've seen you model it?
I notice when Mom's talk about their kids with negative words instead of positive. I know that things aren't always nice, perfect, and pleasant in households--that's life. But it hurts me to constantly hear parents berate their children and never say anything positive about them....they're in a bad mood, they didn't get a nap, they talk to much, they won't leave me alone, they're too slow, I'll be glad when the weekend is over so they will go back to school, this is a terrible age, etc. It feels to me too often parents get upset about their children being children rather than giving them the love and respect they need and crave.
Many of the blogs I read are those of mothers with children. It always blesses me to read mothers who are clearly in love with their husbands and who are proud of their children's activities and accomplishments. You can tell these women have pure love and joy for their families and that is uplifting to me. Thank you, you're doing a great job and encouraging me!
Are you blessing your husband and children with your tongue? Do they know your love and your thankfulness for them? Do you need to work on this area of guarding your tongue? Give yourself a challenge: Try to go a day without saying anything negative to your husband. Can you go a week without saying anything negative to others about your husband? You could try the same challenges with your words about your children. The words from our tongues need to lift up and encourage our husband and children. I hope you will make it a goal to speak positively. You might be surprised at the results and how others will notice your positive attitude.
To conclude today, many of you are on Facebook and may have noticed on Thursdays I use my status for friends to leave a comment of something they are thankful for. I am going to start adding a day every now and then for you to speak positively about your husbands and another day for children. It is good to think about our husbands and children in a positive light, and we can let others know the ways they bless our lives instead of everything they do wrong. I hope you'll join me if you're one of my Facebook buddies.
~~~~~~~~
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10
How do you speak about your husband to others? When you are talking to a friend, are the words about your husband positive or negative? Do your children hear you talking down about their Dad? Do you lash out at your husband as soon as he comes home from work because he forgot to bring home a loaf of bread or is five minutes later than normal?
I've noticed how women often talk negatively about their husbands...how they don't do anything right, they don't know how to take care of the kids, they're forgetful, they were late, etc....I have come to really notice and pay attention when a woman lifts up her husband positively too because it is much less common. (And I've heard husbands talking about their wives too in the same way.)
What about your children? Do you gripe about them all the time? Do you get annoyed that they ask a million questions? Do you speak harshly to them? What does your tone convey? Do they know how to show respect to others because they've seen you model it?
I notice when Mom's talk about their kids with negative words instead of positive. I know that things aren't always nice, perfect, and pleasant in households--that's life. But it hurts me to constantly hear parents berate their children and never say anything positive about them....they're in a bad mood, they didn't get a nap, they talk to much, they won't leave me alone, they're too slow, I'll be glad when the weekend is over so they will go back to school, this is a terrible age, etc. It feels to me too often parents get upset about their children being children rather than giving them the love and respect they need and crave.
Many of the blogs I read are those of mothers with children. It always blesses me to read mothers who are clearly in love with their husbands and who are proud of their children's activities and accomplishments. You can tell these women have pure love and joy for their families and that is uplifting to me. Thank you, you're doing a great job and encouraging me!
Are you blessing your husband and children with your tongue? Do they know your love and your thankfulness for them? Do you need to work on this area of guarding your tongue? Give yourself a challenge: Try to go a day without saying anything negative to your husband. Can you go a week without saying anything negative to others about your husband? You could try the same challenges with your words about your children. The words from our tongues need to lift up and encourage our husband and children. I hope you will make it a goal to speak positively. You might be surprised at the results and how others will notice your positive attitude.
To conclude today, many of you are on Facebook and may have noticed on Thursdays I use my status for friends to leave a comment of something they are thankful for. I am going to start adding a day every now and then for you to speak positively about your husbands and another day for children. It is good to think about our husbands and children in a positive light, and we can let others know the ways they bless our lives instead of everything they do wrong. I hope you'll join me if you're one of my Facebook buddies.
~~~~~~~~
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thinking about the tongue...part 2
Monday I shared about the hurtful ways the tongue can be used. If you'd like to read that, please click here. Today I'd like to flip the coin and see the opposite way we can use our tongue.
Many times lessons I've heard over the James 3 passage cover the negative aspect of our tongue because that is really what the passage teaches. While thinking about the tongue, let's not forget the blessings our tongue can give too.
Have you ever been having a really bad day and someone unexpectedly said something to you that blessed you and helped improved your mood...and the rest of the day? Do you make it a point in your day to speak words of blessing to others? It isn't hard to do. Ask someone a question about their day. Say "thank you" when someone holds a door open for you instead of just going inside. Tell someone "have a good day" as you hang up the phone or leave their check-out line. Give a friend a compliment on the way she handled a situation, or even let her know you notice her new cute shoes.
While our tongues often do unrepairable damage if we aren't careful, they can also give blessings to brighten days and offer hope to those who are sad and hurting. You will probably never know the impact your words left but that person might never forget.
Do you have other ideas you'd like to share about ways to use your tongue to bless others? You'll be blessed by the smiles and kind words you get in response.
Kind words also produce their image on men's souls; and a beautiful image it is.~~ Blaise Pascal
Many times lessons I've heard over the James 3 passage cover the negative aspect of our tongue because that is really what the passage teaches. While thinking about the tongue, let's not forget the blessings our tongue can give too.
Have you ever been having a really bad day and someone unexpectedly said something to you that blessed you and helped improved your mood...and the rest of the day? Do you make it a point in your day to speak words of blessing to others? It isn't hard to do. Ask someone a question about their day. Say "thank you" when someone holds a door open for you instead of just going inside. Tell someone "have a good day" as you hang up the phone or leave their check-out line. Give a friend a compliment on the way she handled a situation, or even let her know you notice her new cute shoes.
While our tongues often do unrepairable damage if we aren't careful, they can also give blessings to brighten days and offer hope to those who are sad and hurting. You will probably never know the impact your words left but that person might never forget.
Do you have other ideas you'd like to share about ways to use your tongue to bless others? You'll be blessed by the smiles and kind words you get in response.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thinking about the Tongue...part 1
Recently I heard a radio broadcast on the famous passage from James 3 about our tongues. Well, this past week I read two writings in the devotional book I'm reading about this same passage. When I run into the same passage multiple times in a short period of time, I try to pay attention.
First, I want to share the passage for you to read and think about.
We know words can hurt, but how careful are we to really guard the words that come out of our mouths? Think for a minute about the words you say to the people you are with everyday. If you are at home like me, you may not have very many people that your words reach. Remember that those little ears are listening to every word you say. Are the words you say worth their repeating? How do you handle the salesperson who interrupts your lunch? Are your answers to your children's repeated questions said in kindness? What kind of impression do your words leave on the person standing behind you in line at the grocery store? Do you use kinder words with the clerk at the gas station than you use with your spouse?
First, I want to share the passage for you to read and think about.
James 3:1-12It is amazing to me, really mind-boggling, to think about the power of the tongue. I've heard many lessons over this passage through the years. One misspoken word can crush a friendship or destroy some one's trust for years. I'm sure we all have examples of how a spoken word has hurt us and left a scar across our heart. It's not easy to forget those hurtful words.
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
We know words can hurt, but how careful are we to really guard the words that come out of our mouths? Think for a minute about the words you say to the people you are with everyday. If you are at home like me, you may not have very many people that your words reach. Remember that those little ears are listening to every word you say. Are the words you say worth their repeating? How do you handle the salesperson who interrupts your lunch? Are your answers to your children's repeated questions said in kindness? What kind of impression do your words leave on the person standing behind you in line at the grocery store? Do you use kinder words with the clerk at the gas station than you use with your spouse?
Cold words freeze people, hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter.~~ Blaise PascalI am going to be focusing on the tongue in my posts this week. I think we (myself included) need reminders from time to time about guarding our tongues.
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