Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Unkind Words

We've all said things in the heat of the moment we wish we could take back. We all have at least 1 memory of unkind words spoken to us. The ripple effects of hateful words are enormous. 

I was taken aback today by a rude comment left on a YouTube video. I thought this would not be an acceptable comment at a dinner party in person, why did the woman think it was acceptable to type? 

Have you ever found yourself on the verge of typing a stinging comment on a social media platform? If so, have you examined what caused you to have the nasty thought and or desire to express it? At times, I am amazed at nasty thoughts (sinful thoughts) that pop into my head about people, at my age, I am successful at keeping the thoughts to myself. I shudder to think back at the "truth" I shared with people in my teens, 20's, and 30's. My excuse for cruel words was it was the truth and they deserved to hear it. 

I do repent and pray when I have sinful thoughts about a person or people or sin with words by straying into gossip. The Bible warns us our words and thoughts can get us into trouble. 

A few verses I find helpful in this area (NKJV):

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

James 3:4-6 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

II Cor 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.




Friday, January 12, 2018

2018!

My husband celebrated the new year with the flu, in an attempt to outdo him, I celebrated the new year with pneumonia. We gaze adoringly at one another over Kleenex boxes. January is almost to the 1/2 way point and I am behind "schedule" already! My Christmas decorations are not boxed up and in the closet, items to donate to Salvation Army are not boxed up and ready to go, and I am several days behind in a reading through the Bible in 90 days plan. However...I am ahead in the weight loss category! (There is always a bright side.)

Time passes so quickly, we do not have the luxury of wasting it, yet I do. That is a habit I hope to break this year. Another habit I want to break is online shopping for items which are available in my area. All those cardboard boxes in our landfills! For years we wanted stores in our area, they open 5 minutes away, we buy online. Our local stores employ local people, online giants do not employ people from my community. I have a few more goals, but due to the fog of pneumonia, I have no idea what they are at the moment. I was so ill I did not drink coffee for a week. If you know me in real life, you know how huge that is.

I hope I live 2018 by loving all people.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.