French Kissing

Hey Friends,
   Thanks for taking the time again to read my ramblings!  I hope you find it encouraging, beneficial and challenging. Now, if you have read any of my blogs you probably know this isn't gonna be about french kissing, but it is about the tongue.  Bear with me as I share some scriptures from the get go...don't turn it off yet :)
   James 3:2-10, "...If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way....In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.  But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And the tongue is a flame of fire.  It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting the entire body.  It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself...Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sisters this is not right."
   Wow!  That has a ton of info in so few words.  And the subject, the tongue.  Have you ever considered the fact that if we could control our tongues we would be perfect?  Seems so simple.  Have you ever tried, consciously, to control your tongue?  Like, set aside a day where every word you said had really meaning and purpose and goodness.  That would be very challenging!  I dare you!  I dare myself!
   This is a subject that the Holy Spirit often times has to remind me of.  If you know me, you know I worked in a beauty shop for many years.  Do you know how hard it is to control your tongue in a beauty shop????  It's almost like setting a man in a strip club and telling him not to lust!  So, this is a lesson I have had to learn time and time again.
   On the same note, there are few things that bother me as bad as a "Christian" tearing down, bad mouthing, belittling, criticizing someone else.  What better place to gossip about someone than in a group of fellow believers and starting the conversation off with something like, "Now, I'm not trying to gossip. I just want you to pray about so & so who did such & such.  Can you believe them?"  You ever been in a conversation like that?  I know I have.  This seems to be an accepted sin.  But, let's not forget, it's sin!
   How about lying?  I hate to get lied to.  It seems some people function in a life ran by their lies.  How exhausting must that be?  It seems to be so hard nowadays to find people who practice honesty and integrity. Don't forget the list of abominations to God, Prov 6:16-19, "There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness that pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."  See how many have to do with the tongue...
   Now on the flip side.  Let's look at the positive things that can come from the tongue.  You ever got just the right word of encouragement at just the right time?  I know I have.  Ya ever ran a race and had people along the side lines cheering you on just as you start to run outta steam.  What a help that is!  This also applies to our daily life and the race we are all running.
  Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue can bring death or life."  You ever brought life to someone's day by encouraging them with some kind words?  It doesn't generally even take that many words or time to brighten someone's day.  How about bringing life to someone with your prayers?  Praying over your sick friends, your husband at work, your friend going through a divorce.  There are power in your words and prayers.
   You realize that in Revelation (12:11) the ways the the accuser was defeated was "by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony."  Their testimony!  Do you take time to share your testimony and about the good things God has done in your life?  Where you have been and where you are now?  We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 as well as many other places to "encourage each other and build each other up."
   Never underestimate the power of your words, whether good or bad.  They do have the power to bring life and death.  An example, the latest suicide in our community was a result of an argument between a father and son.  Can you imagine the things the father would like to take back or say differently? It seems the ones we love the most are the ones we hurt the most with our words.  Be careful, my friends! Words have a huge impact on people everyday.  My challenge to you is to speak life into someone rather than death.  Be mindful of every word spoken.  Matthew 12:36-37 "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak.  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."

Making Babies...

   Got your attention again?  Good!  Yes, this post is about making babies but probably not in the way you are thinking.  It's about the responsibility we have to the babies we make.  So beware, this is a topic I am very passionate about...
   I always think it funny when people are surprised at the things we expose our children to.  What do I mean by that?  I don't mean R rated movies, I don't mean internet with no guards in place, I don't mean leaving them home alone, I don't mean cable t.v. with no parental restrictions.  These are things, among many, that our children are allowed to be exposed to.  What I mean is homeless people, drunks, orphans, rotten-toothed people, poor people, sad people, drug abusers.  These are things my children are allowed to be exposed to.
   I have been pondering this, considering the mission trip we just took. Yes, as a family.  Countless people asked if we were taking our kids.  To me that's a no-brainer.  You see, God has blessed us (thus far) with 4 wonderful children.  But, as a mother, I not only see them as my children, I see them as future disciples.  They have been entrusted to my care for a short time.  I have to my very best everyday to not only equip for the world around them but also equip to further the kingdom.
   We have 3 sons and 1 daughter.  My sons are not only my sons.  They will one day be someone's husband and father.  My daughter is not only my daughter.  She will one day be someone's wife and mother.  I have to be sure to equip them to be the best they can be.  I have to pour goodness, love, time, patience, etc. into them.  Because, they will pour into their future family what I pour into them.  Take this serious friends!  It is so true!
   They are not only my children, but also God's children.  Aside from being sons, daughters, husbands, fathers, a wife and mother, they are and will be disciples of Jesus.  How will they learn that best?  If it is modeled for them, sincerely, by their parents.  Sincerely? Yes, sincerely!  We can't act one way around our "churchy" friends and then go home, shut the door and act completely opposite.  We must be genuine in our daily actions.
   There is no better place for my kids to learn the love of Jesus than to see it lived out.  And, where did Jesus live it out?  Everywhere, yes, but he went out into the world and shared that love and grace with everyone.  The hungry, ugly, sad, toothless, everyone.  So, where to best model that? Yep, with those people.  Talk is cheap.  Actions do speak louder than words.  Don't only teach your children the stories of Jesus, live them!
   I have known many preachers/pastors/ministers over the years, and am a daughter of one.  I have seen many of the men choose their ministries over their families, only to leave scars on the hearts of their children.  Thank God, my dad modeled and taught us that that is not the way it should be. Go back to Genesis and realize that God established families first before the church.  It is our jobs as parents to realize our first pulpit and ministry is to our families.  I want to encourage not discourage you for ministry.  But, don't forget your families in the process.  I love having my kids along side me as I minister to these people and see love lived out loud.