Taming the Tongue

If I could only keep my mouth shut. That thought usually enters my mind after I have opened mouth and inserted foot…happens way too often. Since I can't add to the wisdom of the Word, I thought I'd just share a few nuggets of that wisdom for you to ponder…

…be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger… James 1:19

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. Proverbs 15:1

A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. Proverbs 18:6

Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning, when he seals his lips. Proverbs 17:28

I had a history teacher, Mr. Benson, who would always say "silence is a virtue." I don't think I understood the depth of his words. I just thought he was telling a group of rowdy 9th graders to be quiet.

So, where is that virtue in our world today? When you see a person who is able to keep quiet in the face of trials and strife, isn't it a blessing? I think how I could be a blessing to others by passing this "virtue" forward. There is a time to speak, but I believe it is rarely out of anger. Once the angry words spill out it is like a cracked dam…more will follow.

You only have a split second to decide when the anger wells up inside you…will you blurt or will you bless?

Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms. Hope in a prayer, God's Word, and the words and actions of others, just to name a few.

When I think of recent moments of inspiration in my life, I think of when my nephew posted First Corinthians chapter 13 on Facebook, when I see husbands acting in true love toward their wives, when my three year old runs to meet his 13 year old brother getting off the school bus, and when my 13 year old says I'm cool :-) I am inspired by my wife acting in love toward me even when I am not being "loveable."

Inspiration even comes in hardships and trials - in fact, sometimes that is when it is the strongest.

James 1: 2-4 says "consider it a great joy" when you face all kinds of trials, for the trials build endurance, with the end result being maturity and completeness.

Further, Philippians 1: 6 says "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

So, when times are tough and the "feel good" inspiration is hard to come by, meditate on the good things you have seen and heard, and more importantly on the Word of God. Take heart that tough times are a part of Christian growth. God has not forgotten you, He is perfecting you.

What is your inspiration? Have you allowed God to start His good work in you by accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you living today with the peace that comes from knowing trials are leading to endurance and completion?

The Joy of the Lord is my strength

Some days it is easy to praise God.

This morning was the first meeting of our new Bible study class. It went well. We began studying the book of James, which opens with a passage about trials and enduring them as part of Christian growth and ultimately spiritual maturity.

After Bible study, Monica, Joshua, and I were in the worship service while Joseph was in the nursery as usual. Just as Pastor Steve was starting the sermon for the morning, Ms. Janet, one of the nursery caregivers, came into the sanctuary and tapped me on the shoulder with a worried look on her face - not something a parent wants to see! As I walked out of the sanctuary and followed her back to the gym where the kids were, she explained to me how he had managed to flip off a skateboard and hit his face on the floor of the gym, creating a pretty nasty gash in his lower lip. When I got to him, he was pretty calm (more so than I was). He was not bleeding too badly and the injury could have been worse, but we decided to leave church and take him in to get it checked out and make sure he didn't need stitches. He was able to explain in detail (In 3 year old parlance) what had happened, telling us the story of the entire morning leading up to the fall in the process. What a trooper.

In the car, as we began to drive away from the church to a minor emergency clinic, he looked at his brother and said, "Do you like it?" "What?" Joshua replied. "My cut," Joseph said with a fair amount of pride in his voice and a smile on his face, as if it were a championship trophy he had earned. That's our son. Instant Joy and laughter followed.

Visited the doctor...no stitches...just an antibiotic…praise God.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10

Bible Study Details

As promised, here are the details on the new Bible study starting this Sunday.

Time: 9:45 AM
Place: Room 121
Topic: the book of James

The purpose of this study is to give us all a chance to look more closely at our own faith, and develop a practical way of thinking about applying that faith to our daily lives.

The goal is to help us tear down the wall that exists between our Sunday morning focus on God, and our Monday through Saturday focus on (fill in the blank).

If you have never been a part of Bible study at Spring Creek, this is the perfect opportunity to start fresh. Hope to see you there.

Easter 2010

Well, another Easter is here. What will we do today? Go to church, eat a HUGE meal with family and friends, hunt some Easter eggs, and then break out the Cascarones. Last year, we ended the day by watching The Passion of the Christ. It is a film I recommend to everyone, regardless of your faith. If you don't know Jesus, you cannot watch this film without wondering who He really was. If you do know Jesus, you cannot watch this film without falling to your knees (in your heart, at least) and crying - first out of sadness for what happened to our Lord, but ultimately out of joy for realizing once again that He is risen! He has defeated death and offers to share His victory with you.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Psalm 37:3