God's Words

During the last month, I've been reminded of one of my favorite Bible verses. It's from James and it says something to the effect of, "With the same tongue we bless God and curse men. Little children, this should not be so." Wow, says a mouthful. No pun intended. I have a friend who said to me that if God came down and showed us how what we said hurt someone by replaying it for us and seeing how badly we'd hurt said person, we'd be more than upset with ourselves. We'd be stunned. We'd also watch our words much more carefully.
We have all said things we shouldn't. Sometimes it really isn't meant the way it is taken. Sometimes though, being our sinful selves, we may not care or even worse, use hurtful words on purpose. Sure, it all sounds so first grade but where did we learn to bully speaking words that cut? For some of us it was on the playground. Sadly, for others, it was at home.
Jesus talks about lifting each other up in prayer. We do this of course. But He also wants us to lift each other up with the words we use face to face. What words would God use? Even when we mess up, He gently guides us back to where we are suppose to be. That's mercy defined-loosely. Mercy actually is not punishing us as we deserve. Hence, sending Jesus to take on our misdeeds. God pours out so much love on us it is unbelievable. Yet, believing is what gets us through. Prayer is good too.
What if we all tried to take a second before we speak and ask God to guide our words. Better yet, what if we asked Him to give us His words to use? To build up, to correct, to redirect and to love. God's words. Give 'em a try!

God is God

We went to the local apple tree farm this weekend. I have to admit, I love that place! While my husband visited with his parents, I took the girls through the corn maze. I blew off the map; I mean, really how hard would it be to find our way out? Okay--really hard. Finally my claustrophobia and patience were getting to me. I could hear cars and see the road. I blazed my own trail out of there. I think it was Walt Whitman who said don't go on the well beaten road but make your own path. I'm paraphrasing but that is what I did, literally.
I think that sums up how we view God's tugging at our hearts to follow his path/plans for us than our own. We know better, don't we? We should but at times we really do think we know better than God. Sometimes, I have to admit, I give God advice. Or worse yet, I give Him multiple choice choices. Because, God needs my help. What a riot. I imagine God sitting in Heaven shaking His head at me. Then, when He does something I haven't even thought to throw His way, I'm awe struck. Wow, I think, God really does knows what He's doing.
I'm glad He's so forgiving and merciful. I'd be in quite a bind if He wasn't. I've thought many times how glad I am God is God and in charge. He really does work things out for the best. Because He is all knowing and all powerful and everywhere at once. 'Cause He's God. 'Nuff said.