11.14.2011
Sweet Talk
"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
James 3:5-6
The spoken word. All of humanity breathes and thrives on them. They are needed. Useful. Usually. So, how amazing to think that something so little can be the very life or death of something....or someone!
Yet, the spoken word is one of the most powerful things in the whole of our existence. Ill-spoken words can derail opportunities, damage emotions, cripple dreams, stifle growth and ruin lives.
We are given multiple choices each day in which to employ words for their God-given use, yet we often take the low road and use them for evil.
Often, we use them harshly against those we care for the most.
Take the obnoxious, belligerent woman, which is so against God's order. Forget women's lib and equal rights. I'm sure it's as disgusting to God as it is to me, hence the multiple scriptures included in the Bible against such foolishness. The story of the nagging, negative wife is all too familiar to us. She seems to be everywhere--the checkout, the mall, the resturant. Constantly barraging her husband with nagging, disrespect and sarcasm. Slowly eating away at his morale, attacking his masculinity and discrediting his character. He could never do enough to please her, and she makes sure he know. Sadly, once she assualted him enough, he probably has nothing left for her. Thus, a cycle begins. Words used for damage. In fact, the word choices in this paragraph probably left you with a tightness in your chest or stomach..because words are that powerful.
Yet, gently spoken, love-guided words can restore broken trust, heal wounds in children, bring peace to homes, and give damaged soldiers the hope of love.
When spoken, they fortify a husband's desire to protect his wife and give the daddy assurance he can make it through the tough assignment at work. Gentle words equal life. They are the life-blood of relationships.
There is a story told of a young couple that have a tragic accident, crippling him and leaving her in a coma. He was finally able to manuever a wheelchair and was at her side every day telling her that he needed her to wake up....that he loved her and wanted to finish life with her by his side. He continued this for months. In the back of his mind, he worried that once she woke up, that she wouldn't want him anymore, because he was crippled. Yet, he spoke to her and read to her every day. She finally awakened and wanted to know everything that had happened to them. He finally told her of his inability to walk and his doubts about her desire to be with him. She sat up in her hospital bed, slowly getting out of the bed. She grabbed the back of his wheelchair, put one arm around his neck and said, "Baby, I would never want to miss out on all this fun. Let's go for a spin".
No doubt he was humbled by her love. Her words were the hinge on which the door of their future rested. He was the familiar voice calling her from the arms of death, and she spoke the love laden words that allowed him to dream of their future together.
And so it is with us.
We may have to allow someone else's need and opinion to take precedence over our own. We may have to quietly nod when we have a mouthful of words. We may have to be brave enough to apologize and humble enough to speak encouragement. We may need to say less of what we think. We may need to speak more safe words...soft words... sweet words.
Go sweet talk somebody. :)
James 3:5-6
The spoken word. All of humanity breathes and thrives on them. They are needed. Useful. Usually. So, how amazing to think that something so little can be the very life or death of something....or someone!
Yet, the spoken word is one of the most powerful things in the whole of our existence. Ill-spoken words can derail opportunities, damage emotions, cripple dreams, stifle growth and ruin lives.
We are given multiple choices each day in which to employ words for their God-given use, yet we often take the low road and use them for evil.
Often, we use them harshly against those we care for the most.
Take the obnoxious, belligerent woman, which is so against God's order. Forget women's lib and equal rights. I'm sure it's as disgusting to God as it is to me, hence the multiple scriptures included in the Bible against such foolishness. The story of the nagging, negative wife is all too familiar to us. She seems to be everywhere--the checkout, the mall, the resturant. Constantly barraging her husband with nagging, disrespect and sarcasm. Slowly eating away at his morale, attacking his masculinity and discrediting his character. He could never do enough to please her, and she makes sure he know. Sadly, once she assualted him enough, he probably has nothing left for her. Thus, a cycle begins. Words used for damage. In fact, the word choices in this paragraph probably left you with a tightness in your chest or stomach..because words are that powerful.
Yet, gently spoken, love-guided words can restore broken trust, heal wounds in children, bring peace to homes, and give damaged soldiers the hope of love.
When spoken, they fortify a husband's desire to protect his wife and give the daddy assurance he can make it through the tough assignment at work. Gentle words equal life. They are the life-blood of relationships.
There is a story told of a young couple that have a tragic accident, crippling him and leaving her in a coma. He was finally able to manuever a wheelchair and was at her side every day telling her that he needed her to wake up....that he loved her and wanted to finish life with her by his side. He continued this for months. In the back of his mind, he worried that once she woke up, that she wouldn't want him anymore, because he was crippled. Yet, he spoke to her and read to her every day. She finally awakened and wanted to know everything that had happened to them. He finally told her of his inability to walk and his doubts about her desire to be with him. She sat up in her hospital bed, slowly getting out of the bed. She grabbed the back of his wheelchair, put one arm around his neck and said, "Baby, I would never want to miss out on all this fun. Let's go for a spin".
No doubt he was humbled by her love. Her words were the hinge on which the door of their future rested. He was the familiar voice calling her from the arms of death, and she spoke the love laden words that allowed him to dream of their future together.
And so it is with us.
We may have to allow someone else's need and opinion to take precedence over our own. We may have to quietly nod when we have a mouthful of words. We may have to be brave enough to apologize and humble enough to speak encouragement. We may need to say less of what we think. We may need to speak more safe words...soft words... sweet words.
Go sweet talk somebody. :)
10.15.2011
Missions in Spain/Portugal
My heart is flooded with joy and my eyes with tears as I lay out this brief account of my AYC trip to Spain and Portugal. Though I don’t believe I could adequately put into words how deeply every individual on our trip was touched, I hope to bring you a brief glimpse into missions.
When I embarked on my first AYC trip this past July, I was unprepared for the many ways it would change me. Truthfully, more than anything I was fearful and apprehensive about leaving the country and what would be expected of me. Pretty pathetic? Yes! Also, very true. Yet, I felt God literally pulling at my heart and I knew must go, despite my reservations. Thus began eleven of the most transforming and empowering days of my life.
Our first devotion was held in a hotel meeting room in the picturesque, yet spiritually dark city of Lisbon. The presence of God rained down on that room and I began to realize just how BIG this trip was going impact us and the city of Lisbon. From that moment, each service, devotion and altar call allowed us a glimpse into the heart-changing world of MISSIONS in Spain and Portugal.
While North America is somewhat flooded with affluence and apathy, Europe is choking in cold tradition and dead Catholicism. The Catholic cathedrals are bereft of life, their walls boasting valuable art, their altars entombed saints, their money proving powerless. Many of us wept as we toured the stoic cathedrals that they place so much empty trust and value in. Yet in these bleak cities, the message of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed! We were able to call on the powerful, sweet name of JESUS and feel His presence touch the lives of the Portuguese and Spanish people. Their worship in every service is deep and passionate and they work for Him with tenacity and a smile. These beautiful people are desperately hungry for Jesus!
We were privileged to see breath-taking historical sites in both countries—the birthplace of the Spanish Inquisition, the oldest aqueduct in the world, medieval fortresses such as Palacio de Pena, ancient cities of Segovia and Toledo and the Royal Palace in Madrid. Each day I made memories and gained dear friends I will have the rest of my life.
I truly appreciated every moment of our trip but nothing could compare to the things that happened to my heart and mind while I was in Portugal and Spain. Three months later, I can wholeheartedly say that my entire life is different. My expectancy is different, my level of faith is stronger and my fearful heart is gone. If I could inspire you to do ONE thing next summer, it would be to participate in hands on missions work. It will ROCK your world forever!
When I embarked on my first AYC trip this past July, I was unprepared for the many ways it would change me. Truthfully, more than anything I was fearful and apprehensive about leaving the country and what would be expected of me. Pretty pathetic? Yes! Also, very true. Yet, I felt God literally pulling at my heart and I knew must go, despite my reservations. Thus began eleven of the most transforming and empowering days of my life.
Our first devotion was held in a hotel meeting room in the picturesque, yet spiritually dark city of Lisbon. The presence of God rained down on that room and I began to realize just how BIG this trip was going impact us and the city of Lisbon. From that moment, each service, devotion and altar call allowed us a glimpse into the heart-changing world of MISSIONS in Spain and Portugal.
While North America is somewhat flooded with affluence and apathy, Europe is choking in cold tradition and dead Catholicism. The Catholic cathedrals are bereft of life, their walls boasting valuable art, their altars entombed saints, their money proving powerless. Many of us wept as we toured the stoic cathedrals that they place so much empty trust and value in. Yet in these bleak cities, the message of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed! We were able to call on the powerful, sweet name of JESUS and feel His presence touch the lives of the Portuguese and Spanish people. Their worship in every service is deep and passionate and they work for Him with tenacity and a smile. These beautiful people are desperately hungry for Jesus!
We were privileged to see breath-taking historical sites in both countries—the birthplace of the Spanish Inquisition, the oldest aqueduct in the world, medieval fortresses such as Palacio de Pena, ancient cities of Segovia and Toledo and the Royal Palace in Madrid. Each day I made memories and gained dear friends I will have the rest of my life.
I truly appreciated every moment of our trip but nothing could compare to the things that happened to my heart and mind while I was in Portugal and Spain. Three months later, I can wholeheartedly say that my entire life is different. My expectancy is different, my level of faith is stronger and my fearful heart is gone. If I could inspire you to do ONE thing next summer, it would be to participate in hands on missions work. It will ROCK your world forever!
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