Marriage is not about our ultimate happiness, she replied. That is a lie from the devil. Marriage was made to refine us, to grow our character. It exposes the worst in us so that we see the need for h...
But wait. Have you prayed about it? We are better poised to process life’s troubles after petitioning God first. I’m still learning this lesson, but the calm I feel when I get the order straight encou...
In fact, if you are in the middle of a heated discussion with someone and they ask, Well, what do you think? it is perfectly reasonable to tell them you don’t yet know what you think. Yes, this may fr...
The truth is, words are never accidental. To be sure, there are times we utter careless words, but even then those words are first formed in our minds, filtered to our hearts, and then given permissio...
We read a little farther in James, we find that the tongue cannot be tamed (James 3:7 – 8). Every creature, reptile, bird, or animal can be tamed, but not the tongue. Imagine a colossal circus full of...
Kindness starts simply. An encouraging word. A loving gesture. A tender sentiment sent through the mail. A thoughtful small token. The gift of unhurried time. A rousing pep talk. Simply vowing to spea...
God created us with emotions, and anger is one of them. Feeling the emotion of anger is not the problem. The problem is when we let our anger trigger actions that result in wrongdoing.
Bound to experience frustration, anger, and at times, wounded feelings. People who are not wired as we are, who don’t think like we do, and who make decisions and carry out actions we would never drea...
If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! (30:32). Here it is, translated for social media: If you are tempted to slam someone online or brag on Fac...
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of...
With our tongues we curse men and women who are made in God’s likeness and then, at other times, we praise God. Out of our mouths flow both praising and cursing. But, says the New Testament writer, th...
Father, I face another day in which I will be called upon to use my words wisely and well. May they encourage those who listen. May they speak truth but also be said in love. May I pause before I poun...
What is the result of intentionally speaking graciously to our family, friends, and other necessary people? Of loving them without stopping? Of containing our anger when we speak and dealing with them...
Our words are powerful, and they have consequences. Whether it is a string of words screamed out in anger during the height of a marital spat, or a politician who chooses to lie in order to win votes,...
Each word takes from my mind to my heart to my lips be guided by your hand. May what comes out be life-giving rather than causing death. May my words make you proud and bring you glory. In Jesus’ name...
Good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45...
God knows we are limited by time and space; Jesus himself was. He didn't preach to everyone, heal everyone, comfort everyone, or even convert everyone. He simply showed up where God told him to go and...
Un-soft answers only worsen the mama drama in my house. And they don’t win many points with my coworkers or neighbors either. When we give an un-soft answer, we drizzle a little gasoline on the tinies...
Long before our words go wrong, our hearts are the place in which they fester and brew. We must take very careful care of our hearts and their condition so that the words that come forth will be pleas...
As we scatter kindness, we help to create a safe space where we can openly share the gospel with others. We get to see a life change right before our eyes. Not only the life of another. But our lives...
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