A Bible that is worn and tattered usually belongs to someone who isn’t. Jeanne writes from the heart. I hope you enjoy her words.
Author Archives: Marie
The Telephone Game
Did you play the Telephone Game in elementary school? It started with the teacher whispering a comment in your ear then it got passed to the next student until it went all the way around. It was often funny what the last person thought they heard. Gossip is like that. The first whisper is rarely the same as the last. I makes me remember a time when Ray, my husband, was having a cath procedure done to see what what going on with his heart. By the time it got back to us he was having a heart replacement. Of course, we had to assure everyone who had heard the news that at the most he might have a stent placed. That’s what happens, isn’t it? Our words are repeated and repeated until they in no way resemble what was originally said.
The 9th Commandment says do not bear false witness. Do not lie. Do not speak untruths. It could also say…QUIT GOSSIPING! Over and over the Word tells us to bridle our tongues (James 1:26). Perhaps a bridle should be part of the Armor! Look at some of the verses I’ve put into my own words.
Proverbs 21:3 Keep yourself out of trouble by thinking before you speak.
Matthew 12:37 You will be both justified and condemned by every spoken word.
John 1:1 God is the Word! Always has been and always will be!
Luke 6:35 What the mind is really thinking the mouth says!
Proverbs 18:13 Listen before you say anything.
Psalm 118:17 Live and talk about God!
There is a song I remember singing as a child that says it all – – Oh, be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, oh, be careful little mouth what you say.
One more thought…It is perfectly OK and perhaps even scriptural (see Titus 1:10 below) to ask the person who says to much, the gossip who shares to much, the abuser who is demeaning…to just Shut Up!
Titus 1:10 For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. They’ve got to be shut up! (The Message)
My fervent prayer is this: Oh, LORD, My rock and my Redeemer, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts I am thinking be acceptable in Your sight. (Psalm 19:14)
Psalm 23
There was once a Shakespearean actor who was know far and wide for his one-man show of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of the Twenty-third Psalm Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation–The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want–the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor’s incredible ability to bring the verse to life.
But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm Twenty-three, a young man from the audience spoke up “Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite the Twenty-third Psalm?”
The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to re cite the psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his talent.
With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man’s recitation, that e very eye was full of tears
Amazed by what he heard, the actor said to the youth, “I don’t understand. I have been performing the Twenty-third Psalm for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training–but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?”
The young man humbly replied, “Well sir, you know the psalm…but I know the Shepherd.”
Get Some Rest
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God says on the seventh day He rested from His work(Genesis 2:2) and since we are created in His image we need rest too. In the 23rd Psalm David said, “He makes me lie down…” Job’s friend Jophar gives him a crumb of reassurance saying, “You will lie down without fear…” (Job 11:19). With great wisdom Solomon wrote these words, “…when you lie down your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24b). Jesus recognized the need for quiet rest when he said to the disciples, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) In my career as a teacher and principal I learned just how important rest was. Long hours and a great deal of stress do not help anyone’s health. Burning the candle at both ends, ends up with nothing when the flames have consumed all the wax. I finally came to my senses and retired early. The job was consuming me and I heard the Spirit clearly say this is NOT what I want for you. You see, even though I prayed every morning that I would keep Him close all day, when I walked through the school doors I quit focusing on Him and started focusing on kids, teachers, parents and all the issues and stress a high poverty, inner city, school brings. I ended up quite ill from lack of rest, poor diet, and high stress. When my awesome husband was hospitalized and in a chemically induced coma for 20 days from a Traumatic Brain Injury I had much time to pray, think, and reflect. The conclusion–my career was killing me. Once the decision was made, a calmness came over me that I had not known before. I knew without question this was exactly what God wanted. I needed adequate rest and He already knew this was the only way I was going to get it. Praise God! I listened! and rested! God’s word says in the 23rd Psalm “…He makes me lie down in green pastures,…” He doesn’t just suggest that we rest He makes us rest. He created us and He knows what we need. We have to pay attention and not try to do it our own way. Remember what happened to Jonah? God said go to Ninevah and say to them what I want you to say. What did Jonah do? He did it his way, ran away, jumped ship and ended up in the stinky belly of a whale. When God says do it He expects that from those who say “Oh, God, You are my God”. Now that’s not the end of the story. God told Jonah, after he got to Ninevah, to walk the city, proclaim His word and then sit on the hill and rest. There’s that word again. REST! He’s serious about it! Heavenly Father, thank You! for making me aware. You deserve my total, rested attention. I want to do that. Make my life more and more about You. In Jesus Name make it so! Added to and reposted. |
Great Blogs on Christian Inspiration
I really enjoy reading Christian inspirational blogs. Here a just a few of what I consider the best of what I’ve found so far.
Anne @ Freedomborn is at the top of my list. Her posts are thought provoking, full of scriptural reference, and from a heart that truly loves God. She writes from Australia and shares the beauty and perspective that can only be from ‘down under’.
With Heart Wide Open Shandra Harris writes with her whole Spirit showing. Her motto-As for me and my blog, we will serve the Lord-is exactly what she does.
Anne Voskamp who wrote One Thousand Gifts and is the inspiration for my One Thousand Gifts page writes at A Holy Experience. She shares her life and thoughts in a pure and honest style that is quite refreshing.
1-Minute Bible Love Notes is a delightful, easy to read, informative, daily blog of basic Bible truths.
Butch Dean, The Wordsmith’s Desk, writes with the confidence of many years. Whether his post is short or long he inspires with his simple and straight-forward comments.
I read many more than these but these are the ones I go to often. Enjoy your visits and let me know if there are others I should be checking out.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
A Satisfied Spirit 
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