The TONGUE or the THUMB?

If I could add or exchange a word in Proverbs 18:21, it would be this:  "Death and life are in the power of the tongue and the thumb!"  Yes, I said "THUMB!"  The newest way to communicate these days is by TEXTING.  It's not for me!  I prefer to talk to people face-to-face.  I even like to hand-write notes and thank you cards, etc.  I know....I'm "old fashioned," but I believe it's more personal--and more relational this way.

Another concern of mine with modern communication is FACE BOOK.  It can be used for evil or for good.  Unfortunately, too many are using it for evil.  A lot of bullying, gossip, and filth has been written on FACE BOOK!  I call it "vocabulary abuse!"  It's the coward's way to abuse others.

Verbal abuse can, and does, a great deal of damage....now one can "hide" behind a computer, I-Pod, or cell phone and use words to damage and destroy reputations, or cause some to even commit suicide.

In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus says that "every idle word that we speak we'll have to account for in the day of judgment...for the words of our mouths will either CONDEMN us or JUSTIFY us."
[Paraphrased]  In other words--GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD!!!

So may this verse get down into our hearts as we pray:  "Let the WORDS of my mouth (and those that I write)...plus the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord."  [Paraphrased]

P.S. - Know this...I'm trying to learn some senior texting.  For instance:  Today I'll be "ATD" (At the Doctor's).  I hope my visit is "CBM" (Covered by Medicare).

HABD (Have a Blessed Day)!

Broken Trust

Broken trust hurts more than broken bones.  Broken trust can break a person's heart.  Words are the weapon that so frequently destroys a relationship.

We all have told "little white lies."  For example--when we say there is a Santa Claus; or when the phone rings and you tell your child to answer it and say you're not home.  Promises are broken on a regular basis.  Yes, I'll play catch with you when I get home....but when you do get home, you're too tired to play.  What we fail to realize is that we're "training" our children to LIE!

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue!"  [Proverbs 18:21]  We damage and kill relationships.  We debilitate by deliberately lying and breaking promises.  I heard this quote...and it certainly is true:  "The tongue is but 6 inches long, yet it can kill a man 6 feet tall!"  Women--our muscles are not as powerful as a man's....but our tongue is a sharp weapon of destruction!  (Vice-versa, too!)

Whoever wrote the little verse, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me" didn't know what they were talking about! 

When someone is untruthful with you, it changes your future with them.  When we are careless ("I could care less!") or insincere with our words, we murder marriages, kill friendships, and ruin our reputation. 

I make a joke about the "new wedding vows"--I say they go like this:  "For better or for worse...in sickness or in health....OR--UNTIL I GET BORED!"  Folks, it's gotten just about that bad!

If we want to be Christ-like, we need to be trustworthy.  Say what you mean--mean what you say--think before you speak!  Trash talk is so commonplace; garbage mouths and gossip invade daily conversations.  Speak the truth, but speak with love.  Build one another up--don't tear each other down!

James 3:2 says that "we all stumble in many things.  If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man."  It seems to me that we stumble over our words more often than we stumble over our feet. 

Watch your step today....but, more importantly, watch what you say!