Tag: words

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Bible discipline Psalm

How to Watch those Words and Thoughts

It can be difficult to have a good attitude when things just aren’t going according to our plans. That’s why how to watch your words and thoughts is so important!

We want things our own way. We think we have things all figured out and if everyone got on the same plan (our plan), life would be so much better.

But life never goes according to our plans, because we have nearly eight billion other individuals with their own ideas of how things should be. Some of their plans are as legitimate as ours. Some of them are evil (and yes, you’ll have disagreements about what is and isn’t evil). Some may have nice, if not naïve plans. And yes, some have plans to survive what we may find unimaginable.

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motivation

Choose Wise Words

Choose Wise Words

Today, I will be teaching kids to choose wise words. The lesson will be based on this proverb:

“The words of thoughtless people cut like swords.
    But the tongue of wise people brings healing.”

Proverbs 12:18 (NIRV)

This sage advice could keep us out of so much trouble. How many times have we said something that we wished we could take back? There have been times when after an argument, I thought of a comeback that I wished I would have thought of at the moment. But a little later, I realized it would have only made things worse. A quick retort can feel good at the moment. But yes, it can cut like a knife.

In a world where we are bombarded with images, we can get caught up in message fatigue. Not only does the quality of our words matter, but the quantity too. Do our words bring destruction, healing, or just add to all the noise? Are we saying too many words, while not really saying anything? Can that flippant comment come back to haunt us years later?

Our words can bring destruction or healing. They can make things better or worse. And today, words can last on social media long after they have been uttered. Let’s all take a pause and think about what we say before we let them leave our lips or keyboards. Let’s all choose wise words.

Categories
motivation

Where Seldom is Heard…

Cartoon of two children running. Someone is throwing acorns at them. One says, "You shouldn't insult squirrels when they're in trees and have ammo."

Home, home on the range,
Where the Deer and the Antelope play,
Where seldom is heard,
a discouraging word,
And the sky is not cloudy all day.

Home on the Range by Dr. Brewster Higley

As a child, I loved that song. The thought of some place where none of the words were discouraging made me want to go west as soon as I grew up. Perhaps that is why I still have a soft spot for Arizona.

Nobody likes discouraging words. Unfortunately, we can all get a little self-righteous and justified in spreading a little verbal venom now and then. We can even feel like we are spouting truth even while we do it in a less-than-gracious way. Even squirrels have a rough time with insults and verbal barbs. They can return insults with nuts, especially if they have a birdseye view.

Cartoon of two children running. Someone is throwing acorns at them. One says, "You shouldn't insult squirrels when they're in trees and have ammo."

Be encouraged today. When you hear a discouraging word. Don’t return it with your own tirade. Get away from words meant to take away our courage. Find encouragement, and be an encouragement to others. That is a much better way.

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CHOG News church cartoons Newsletters

Quality Assured Sermons

Cartoon of a pastor saying, "I must remind you my sermons are recorded for quality assurance."

I wonder how differently I’d act if I knew every word I said was recorded? Would the quality of my words be assured? I’d like to think I would be fine with all the words I’ve said. Yet I know if someone recorded all the words I said yesterday, I would not be proud.

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church cartoons

Build up or tear down?

Cartoon of a girl deciding whether to tear down with words

Cartoon of two kids. One says, “I’m trying to decide whether to build you up today or tear you down.”