words

February 13, 2014

Actions Speak

A tooth ache interrupted one couple’s vacation to the beach. After googling directions to a nearby dentist, the woman burst into the office, “I want a tooth pulled as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about painkillers because I’m in a hurry.”

Quite impressed by her vibrato, the dentist acknowledged, “You are a courageous woman. Which tooth do you want extracted?”

The woman turned to her husband who was just entering the building, “Honey, show him your tooth.”

Actions speak louder, longer, brighter than words. Words are empty if action is demanded.

One evening, my oldest daughter came home from a Sunday evening worship service. She had been deeply affected by the experience and in response had written on a piece of paper, “Help me not to be okay just because everything is okay with me.” I was so moved by what she wrote that I tacked that piece of paper up on our corkboard in the kitchen as a reminder that in community it is always we. In community, if someone else is not okay, then to some degree, I am not okay. (Nancy Ortberg, Looking for God, 2008, p. 37-38)

Huntsville, Alabama doesn’t see a lot a lot of snow, but we enjoyed a little last night. It didn’t take long for the sun to change the scenery around my house.

Let God’s love warm your heart to action! “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6b NIV). Actions speak louder than words and with fewer lies. Actions speak louder than words but can still be misinterpreted or misunderstood.

American humorist Will Rogers wisely quipped, “Live so that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

“So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless” (James 2:17 Living). When life is done, there is more said than done. Actions speak louder than words but not nearly as often.

April 20, 2013

Grandmother’s Plants

My (mom’s mom) grandmother’s porch and front yard featured beautiful potted plants with amazingly rich colors, prolific growth, and vibrant health. People from around that north Mississippi community would regularly come to see her plants and declare that she had a “green thumb”. Hey, I held her hand and Grandmother Martin didn’t have a green thumb, but she certainly knew how to trigger plant life.

I easily discovered her secret to beautiful plants. Every time I stayed with Grandmother, I saw her talk to those plants and touch their leaves and branches as if she were petting a kitten. She would talk to them like they had emotions and would carefully provide water and nutrients. Grandmother appreciated the power of words upon her garden. In fact, I think she talked more sweetly to her plants than she did to my grandfather!

I learned a lot about the power of words as I observed those plants, but I am still learning about the power of my words.

Words mold life. Words shape families, pets, and even plants. At the recent VFCA Science Fair, one young lady’s experiment vividly illustrated the plant receiving gentle encouragement appeared much healthier than the plant without it. As you appreciate the power of your words, I hope you also realize the responsibility of your words.

Your words are formidable.

“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 NLT)
“The tongue can speak words that bring life or death.” (Proverbs 18:21a ERV)

Hospice care focuses on the special medical attention provided for patients who are terminally ill, chronically viagra for women australia ill, or patients under severe pain and discomfort. Did you know that cases like ear infections to children can viagra samples online also be alleviated by this health discipline? It is truly meant for the creme of the creme! The decor is amazing with wonderful furniture in a contemporary style. Buy VigRX plus to cure erectile dysfunction and also to achieve a healthy order levitra Full Article sexual life. Similarly, Bremelanotide is another drug, which is under clinical trial and intends to cure diseases such as sexual dysfunction and problems with ejaculation due to spinal cord injuries or diabetes Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — a type of artificial insemination is a procedure for treating infertility in men occurs due to sexual dysfunction or lack of sildenafil generic india erection can take this medicine 40-50 minutes before his sexual activity.
Are you building up or tearing down; healing or hurting; producing life or driving death; encouraging or discouraging; blessing or cursing? Your kids are listening – are you speaking words of life? Your spouse needs your wellspring of life-giving speech. What is the impact of your words upon your own life and upon the lives of others?

It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation. (Matthew 12:35-37 MSG)

If you are really focused on Christ, you will be changed more and more into His likeness. Baby talk is appropriate for a baby, but maturing Christ-followers should reflect more and more the vocabulary of Christlikeness. Are you allowing the work of the Holy Spirit to transform your speech? Words spring from your heart, so guard your heart. Exclude bitterness, offense, hatred, unforgiveness, hurt, or anything else hampering your ability to speak life.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NLT)
“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.” (Ephesians 4:29 AMP)

Use your words to bless to declare what God desires.

April 6, 2013

Wrong? Admit it! Right? Shut Up!

I am trying so hard to learn this lesson – when I’m wrong, admit it; when I’m right, shut up! It will do no good to argue if I’m wrong and if I’m right – I don’t need to argue.

“If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.” (Proverbs 21:23 GNT)

Why don’t I just humbly admit “I am I wrong” instead of trying to deflect, defend, or distract? Have you ever tried any of those tactics – deflect, defend, distract? Did you succeed? All that ensues for me is a longer, more heated discussion.

“You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.” (Proverbs 28:13 MSG)

The more my mouth moves, the more likely I am to say something I will regret. I must have my mind engaged before running my mouth.

“There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” (Proverbs 29:20 GNT)

I need to stop talking so much. In an argument the best weapon to hold is my tongue. A wise person suggested, “When you’re arguing with your wife, make absolutely sure you’re right and then let the matter drop!”
Always speak truth and handle the facts in the clam cheap viagra manner between each other. You can also visit here viagra 25 mg choose the best herbal cure for weak erection. As men age, the creation of testosterone decreases. free cheap viagra Actually men need to educate them on ED and the causes behind tadalafil 20mg no prescription erectile dysfunction.

“A person who talks too much gets into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet.” (Proverbs 10:19 ERV)

Why is it so difficult to confess, “You are right”? I desire God’s grace to help me receive from wise correction, especially that coming from my spouse. When I honestly face my wife’s critique, I will be a better man because of it. Patti is a smart lady.

“Don’t refuse to accept criticism; get all the help you can.” (Proverbs 23:12 LIVING)

I don’t like to be criticized – no person does! But, God’s Word forthrightly proclaims that wise people benefit from correction.

“To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.” (Proverbs 25:12 NLT)

“If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.” (Proverbs 13:18 NLT)

Today I am meditating these proverbs to get them deep in my heart. Hopefully, I will put them into practice in my marriage . Are you ready to adopt them for life?

March 24, 2013

ADDICTED to HARMFUL WORDS?

Every one of us can testify to the impact of words. Every one of us has been inspired by uplifting words, and every one of us has experienced the pain of words carelessly spoken.

Unless you, or someone dear to you, have been the victim of terrible physical violence, chances are the worst pains you have suffered in life have come from words used cruelly – from ego-destroying criticism, excessive anger, sarcasm, public and private humiliation, hurtful nicknames, betrayal of secrets, rumors and malicious gossip. (Joseph Telushkin, Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, 1996, p. xviii)

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

The story is told of an elderly mother during a hospital stay. Per normal procedure, she was asked if she was allergic to anything. She confessed to allergic reactions to certain types of fruit, specifically bananas. The nurse compiled the information and made the appropriate notation on the woman’s wristband. Several hours later, the lady’s grown daughter angrily stormed the nurse’s station demanding, “Who’s responsible for labeling my mother ‘bananas’?

As kids, we joked that sticks and stones were hurtful, but we all knew the truth – words are powerful. Why as adults do we so easily excuse sarcasm, criticism, and negativity? We playfully joke with one another, but do we realize the potency of our words?

Careless words bite! Are you addicted to harmful words? Author Joseph Telushkin puts that question into courageous perspective:

Over the past decade, whenever I have lectured throughout the country on “Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How to Choose Words Wisely and Well,” I’ve asked my listeners if they can go for twenty-four hours without saying any unkind words about, or to, anybody.

Invariably, a minority raise their hands signifying yes, some people laugh, while quite a large number call out, “No!”

“All of you who can’t answer yes,” I respond, “must recognize how serious a problem you have. Because if I asked you to go for twenty-four hours without drinking liquor, and you said, ‘I can’t do that,’ I’d tell you, ‘Then you must recognize that you’re an alcoholic.’ And if I asked you to go for twenty-four hours without smoking a cigarette, and you said, ‘That’ impossible,’ that would mean that you’re addicted to nicotine.’ Similarly, if you can’t go for twenty-four hours without saying unkind words about others, then you’ve lost control over your tongue. (Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, p. xvii)

“Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:36-37 MSG)

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18 NIV84)

The unknown writer of the poem below echoes the wisdom of the ancients:

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak,
Can crush and kill,” declares the Greek.
“The tongue destroys a greater horde,”
The Turk asserts, “than does the sword.”
The Persian proverb wisely saith,
“A lengthy tongue—an early death!”
Or sometimes takes this form instead,
“Don’t let your tongue cut off your head.”
“The tongue can speak a word whose speed,”
Say the Chinese, “outstrips the steed.”
The Arab sages said in part,
“The tongue’s great storehouse is the heart.”
From Hebrew was the maxim sprung.
“Thy feet should slip, but ne’er the tongue.”
The sacred writer crowns the whole,
“Who keeps the tongue doth keep his soul.” (unknown, referenced in Spurgeon’s The Salt Cellars)

February 13, 2013

7 Ways to Wrap the Gift of Encouragement

“The right word at the right time—beautiful!” (Proverbs 15:23b MSG) The gift of encouragement is a beautiful thing.

A pastor was once asked to give an impromptu message to elementary students. The pastor selected and read: “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”(Ephesians 4:29 GNT)

Then he asked the children, “How can we make our words help others?”

Several kids shouted out suggestions: “Tell the truth! Say nice things. Laugh! Don’t say, ‘stupid’! Don’t lie. Say, ‘I’m sorry’. Give compliments. Smile when you talk. Say, ‘I love you’!”

Pointing to a little girl waving her hand high in the air, the pastor asked, “How do you think we can make our words good for other people?”

Her thoughtfully articulated answer surprised the pastor, “Our words should be wrapped like pretty birthday presents with ribbons and bows.”

I have been the recipient of such gifts of encouragement. Over the last twenty-five years, Elmer and Reba Hollingsworth encouraged me – with words, gifts, compliments, prayer, and love – far beyond my ability to count. Moments after Brother Elmer departed this earth to join his wife in heaven, I was talking with his daughter. Gail spoke of the praise he directed toward me. She repeated a phrase that I had heard Brother Elmer say to me many times: “You are one of the good ones!” His words were a gift to me.

I hope God adds more people like him into my life – people who understand the power of encouragement and who make their words a beautiful present.

“An encouraging word cheers a person up.” (Proverbs 12:25b NLT)

There are so many ways to encourage the people around you and God’s Word offers plenty of practical advice for how to give encouragement. Experiment with these seven ways to wrap exquisitely the gift of encouragement.

#1 Do it today; don’t wait for tomorrow.

The right time to give encouragement is NOW! We are to “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today.’” (Hebrews 3:13a NASB) “Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn.” (Hebrews 3:13 GW)

#2 Practice loving accountability.

Spur one another NOT to sin. “If you do this [encouragement], none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn.” (Hebrews 3:13b GW) “Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15 HCSB)

#3 Be sensitive to those around you.

“Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14b CEV)

#4 Be honest about what is going on in your own life.

Paul’s didn’t hide his imprisonment but used it as a public platform. “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:14 NIV84)

#5 Exercise your spiritual gifting.

“If it is to encourage, then give encouragement!” (Romans 12:8a NIV)

#6 Show appreciation for people who minister or serve well.

The enemy loves to discourage God’s servants, especially after success or victory. Learn from Hezekiah’s example: “Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 30:22a NASB)

#7 Connect suggestions with unconditional love.

Wise parents know great patience is required in order for children to perceive and to receive advice. The old adage is right, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Paul modeled this type of compassion, “We were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NASB)

For another message spurred by Elmer Hollingsworth, check out 5 Principles from Jesus’ Prayer Life.

February 12, 2013

Encouragers Are Aspiration Advancers

Encouragers grasp what is but they also comprehend what can be. Encouragers acknowledge the real and the ideal. A person who only sees what is real but cannot see the ideal is an auditor, an accountant – not an aspiration advancer. A person who only imagines what can be without understanding what is – casts unattainable vision. Encouragers spot the actual and the possible, the present certainty and the future hope.

In a day of political corruption and distorted media reports, so many are crying out, “Tell it like it is!” Honesty is important, but real encouragers go the next step – seeing it as it could be; telling it like it could be. In the late 1800s, American education advocate Elisabeth Harrison said, “The men who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage more than criticize.”

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” (Colossians 2:2 NIV)

“Encouragement is speaking a word of hope. It is expressing to another person—and to yourself—the sure certainty that God created you with a greater potential for good and that God desires to help you fulfill your potential.
Your future can be better than your past or present.
You can grow and develop and be ever more transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
You can experience greater fulfillment and wholeness than you are presently experiencing.
You can have an even more abundant life than the one you presently have.” (Charles Stanley, Sharing the Gift of Encouragement)

We need people who root for us –exhorters, inspirers, coaches, helpers, mentors, teachers, parents, pastors. We all benefit from encouragement and we should all encourage others. Be an encourager!

I appreciate the hundreds of hours that VFCA volunteer coaches invest in kids. Thank you, coaches! I enjoyed watching my daughter Kimberlyn’s game last night. Down 12 with less than 3 minutes to go in the last quarter, the ladies mounted a great comeback – with Coach Deahl and Coach Ruff cheering them on! They coach ladies differently than they coached guys twenty years ago.

I am thankful the coaches at VFCA seek to embody Paul’s command, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT) I cheer for the New Orleans Saints, but I think most NFL coaches would benefit from Paul’s wisdom!

Great coaches like Vince Lombardi or Paul Bryant have a knack for realizing when a player needs correction or encouragement. Vince Lombardi was a master motivator and one of the best football coaches of all time. The Lombardi Trophy given to the Super Bowl champion was named in his honor. Lombardi sometimes challenged his players in pretty rough ways, but his biography (David Maraniss, When Pride Still Mattered) also tells of how he encouraged his players. Legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant inspired a legacy of encouragement. Bryant said:

I’m just a plowhand from Arkansas, but I have learned how to hold a team together. How to lift some men up, how to calm others, until finally they’ve got one heartbeat together: a team. There are just three things I’d ever say: If anything goes bad, ‘I did it’. If anything goes semi-good, then ‘we did it’. If anything goes real good, then ‘you did it’. (Jim Grassi, Crunch Time in the Red Zone, p.131)

I can hear you from here – “ROLL TIDE”! I hope you are ready to coach up the people around you. See what is and what can be. Don’t just “tell is like it is”; tell it like it could be! Become an aspiration advancer!

February 11, 2013

Encouragement Moves People Forward

Encouragement builds up and stirs up, edifies, stimulates, and incites constructive action, and is a gift to the ears that hear it. Encouragement pushes, prods, provokes, prompts, and promotes. Encouragement is what wind is to a sailboat – it moves people forward.

Our self-centered culture is so me-centric that few actually make time to encourage other people. Thoughtful encouragement takes time and effort, but inspiring words should be a regular part of our communication. Believers are commanded to encourage one another:

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1Thessalonians 5:11 NASB)
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)
“Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.” (Ephesians 4:29b CEV)

In the appropriately-titled book Encouragement, well-known Christian psychologist Dr. Larry Crabb reminds readers: “Christians are commanded to encourage one another. Because words have the power to affect people deeply, it is appropriate to consider how to encourage fellow Christians through what we say. Words can encourage, discourage, or do nothing. We must learn to speak sincerely with positive impact, using our words to help other Christians pursue the pathway of obedience more zealously.” (Crabb and Dan Allender, 1984, p. 25)

“Words have the power to motivate or destroy. Energize or deflate. Inspire or create despair. Many a successful executive can remember the time his father failed to give affirmation to him as a child. The result was either overachievement to prove his worth or underachievement to prove he was right.
Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Many an athlete has not performed to his/her ultimate capacity because a coach could not evaluate without attacking the person’s character or self-image. Stories abound to the power of words. There are just as many stories of those that have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their life.” (Jim Grassi, Crunch Time in the Red Zone, p. 134)

Okay, now its time for you do something with this. Find someone you can encourage. Make time. Be thoughtful. Move them forward.

February 10, 2013

Words Reveal Heart

To discover what’s inside a bucket – watch what is poured from its lip. To discover what’s inside a person’s heart – listen to the words poured from the lips.

“For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.” (Matthew 12:34b-35 NLT)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

The content of a person’s heart is exposed by their speech. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Hearts surrendered to God overflow with words marked by wisdom.

“Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:2 CEV)
“The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.” (Proverbs 10:31 NASB)

My words reveal what I treasure in my heart. Like it or not, what I say expresses what I am inside. What I value, I speak. What I believe, I say. What I love, I express. “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” (Matthew 6:21 NLT) What I respect, I communicate. I cannot separate what I say from what I think and believe.

What do your words reveal about what’s in your heart?