"if we had ONLY a tinge of the sense of revulsion that God feels toward sin, we would be moved toward HOLIER living..." (from Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

...forgive in order to grow...

Even if I'm the only one who reads this, I wish I could be more consistent with it. But having two jobs (working over 50 hours a week) has left little to no time for me to do anything, but pack my lunch and sleep. However, I'm learning a lot about God through people at both jobs. Just watching. Observing. Seeing myself in others. And often seeing something in others I'd like to see in myself.

God has more than equipped me for the road ahead: I've been blessed with a loving and supportive family. A mother who is beyond amazing and supports me in all my foolish endeavors. And the ones she does not support, she acknowledges with love and compassion (and perhaps an occassional touch of frustration). My sister is a rock...solid in her role as a wife and a mother, and as a listener...(even with two screaming kids in the background). I appreciate her patience and often pray more of it upon her. My brother is a true blessing...a nurturing friend with a gentle spirit...he has my mother's heart with my father's wisdom...my mother's rationale with my father's understanding. (I could say so much more about the three of them. And that's not even including my sister-in-law whom I admire for her ability to make the people that she loves a priority, for her fearlessness, and for her determination to bring peace to all situations. Not to mention her fashion sense. My grandma...the most humble woman I have ever met...with the smile and innocence of a saint. Her love is unconditional, but from her lips pour Truth. She is so full of grace. My brother-in-law, a provider, a protector, and one of the most even-keeled people I know (especially in our family). And I could go on and on...to my cousins, my aunts, my uncles, etc. If you are about to leave...don't...I'm not going to continue with the family praise.

All that was just to say, that I am blessed. I am grateful. And I am significant. To them. And to Him. So, why does it feel sometimes like I'm not worthy? Why do I feel like I want to see more in the mirror? More of Him.

As I was reading, "You're Late Again, Lord" (Thanks to my sister, Marilyn)...the chapter fell on forgiveness. How does my forgiveness apply to my worthiness? I realized I feel unworthy because I don't forgive. Myself. Others. In order to feel worthy and to know that I have purpose, that He has purpose for me...I have to forgive myself, for my past...for my mistakes...so that I can move forward without the shortcomings of yesterdays gone by blocking my way.

"Forgiving yourself is hard, when you feel unworthy of God's help..." but "learning to forgive myself was not about justifying or rationalizing past mistakes. It was about learning the difference between the past and the future...Without forgiveness, it's like sitting in a car with all the windows painted black---the road is there, but you can't see it. The car is useless and you get nowhere. Clear away what's blocking your view, and you reveal the path and have the means to travel it. I had to believe that the Lord would no longer remember my shortcomings, but instead, welcome me and help me, not because I had never failed, but because I had chosen to grow again..." (from the book, "You're Late Again, Lord")

And now as I begin to grow again, to strengthen my roots, and stretch toward the light...I realize I should learn from my past, be taught through my experiences....and not wallow in them. God knows where I've been, but He seems far more concerned with where I'm going.

another borrowed devotional... (that I needed to read)

Best part about my job is being able to get devotionals from Pastors and proofing them because they often say something I've been needing to hear...

The Myth of Free Speech
James 3

Americans have long held to the right of free speech. The Founding Fathers even went to the extent of declaring it in written form in the Bill of Rights. But is there really such a thing as free speech? For example, I am not free to stand up in a crowded movie theatre and yell "fire" when there is no fire. If I do so, I can assure you the other movie goers and law enforcement officials will have something to say about it!

The Bible teaches that Christians have freedom in Christ, but that freedom is tempered by personal responsibility (Galatians 5:13). Believers are not free to speak as they please. Believers are to choose their words carefully because words have the ability to hurt and destroy. Once careless words are spoken, the damage is done and we may never be able to repair the damage.
In the New Testament book of James, the writer explains how powerful our words can be.

I. Words have the power to influence
The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us. The ability to speak words that influence and inform others is a great gift that we often take for granted and misuse.
James writes to caution us to guard our lips.

The person who is able to discipline his tongue and control his speech shows spiritual maturity. Likewise, the inability to control our speech is a sign of spiritual immaturity.

James says that if we can control our speech (tongue) then we can control our whole body. Since words usually lead to deeds, if we can control our words we can control our actions.

II. The tongue has the power to inflame (vv. 5-8).
James compares the tongue to a fire because, like a fire, our words can leave in their wake both damage and destruction. Careless words said out of anger, frustration, envy, or meanness can make a bad situation worse.

We must learn to control our speech, and in order to do that, we must first learn to control the attitudes and feelings of our heart. Untamed words come from an untamed heart.

The Bible says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Our speech should seek to help lift up, build up, and hold up others. We are to speak the truth in love---not bitterness, pride, or anger.

III. The tongue has the power to inform (vv. 9-12).
Finally, James uses two types of imagery to portray the positive effects of the tongue: a fountain and a tree.

The fountain represents water which was as precious a commodity in ancient world as it is in the modern world. Without water, we cannot sustain life. But for the water to be useful for drinking it must be pure, without harmful chemicals that could make us sick or worse. Likewise, our words must come from a pure heart and help build others up, not tear them down.
Trees were important in Bible lands because they provided beauty and shade, helped hold down soil and produced fruit. The most important part of a tree is its root system. The deeper the roots go into the soil, the stronger and healthier the tree will be. Likewise, for our words to be positive, encouraging, and a delight to the Lord our spiritual root system must run deep. We develop a strong root system by spending time in God's word and by communicating with God in prayer.

James concludes by saying that you only get one kind of water from a spring and one kind of fruit from a tree. Thus, only one type of speech should flow from our lips or be produced by our mouths. If our speech is inconsistent then it means something is wrong with our heart.
The Bible says, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matt. 12:34 (NIV).

What kind of language do you use? Profanity and gossip are not the only kinds of ungodly speech. Christians are called to have speech that is "seasoned with salt." (No matter what the situation we should) speak the truth in love.

---Edited version of a devotional by Associate Pastor Michael Beeks of Standing Springs Baptist Church---

*sigh*

Let's go paint a sunset, so we won't forget who painted the sky...