Taming our Tongues...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 26

I am so glad that you have joined us.Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Hebrews 12-13; Psalms 60-61; and James 1-4.

Oh people... the Book of James. It is the proverbs of the N.T. Words to live by.
So many passages that speak to me - not just this week - but EVERY SINGLE TIME that I read it. But I will try to pick a few to talk about today...

First, I will start with James 3:5-10

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

The tongue is set among our members,
staining the whole body,

setting on fire the entire course of life,
and set on fire by hell.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature,

can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,

but no human being can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our Lord and Father,

and with it we curse people who are made
in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

This is a passage that we need to examine from our own perspective and make sure that we are striving to tame this restless evil within. But that is not where I am going today...

Today, I want to ask you this question:

Have you ever been the recipient of this deadly poison? Possibly even from someone that you would consider a friend? Someone close?

If so, then you know the pain that it causes. You know the poison. The footnote in my ESV Bible says, "Evil speech destroys because it comes from Satan himself."

And even when you know where it originates (from Satan) it is hard to ignore when it comes in the form of flesh and blood. It is hard to swallow. It is hard to understand. Basically, it just hurts.

So, what do we do? And I say "we" because I am in this boat with you. I have experienced this. Not recently, but the scars from the wounds are still there.

That takes us back to another passage from this book....

James 1:19-20

Know this, my beloved brothers:

let every person be quick to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to anger;

for the anger of man

does not produce the righteousness of God.

Could that be our answer?
What do we do when we face the hurt from words spoken?

Be quick to hear...
Be slow to speak...
Be slow to anger...
Knowing that the anger that wants to rear it's ugly head in you - will not produce the righteousness of God - in you or in the offender.

Think about it with me. From both sides of the fence.

Oh, Lord, I do not want to be one who is guilty of letting my tongue be that blazing fire that has it's root from Satan and that does much damage to the body of Christ.

But also, Lord, when I am the recipient of such pain - caused by words of others... please help me to remember your Word that teaches me to be quick to hear - and slow to speak. And slow to anger.

Oh the tongue - such a small member...
Such a deadly weapon...
"My brothers, these things ought not to be so."





Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

WW # 20 Deployment Again

Here we go again....
(see my previous post)

Laughing and Aching

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 25

I am so glad that you have joined us.Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Hebrews 7 - 11; Psalms 58- 59; Proverbs 14.

My verse for this week is:

Proverbs 14:13
"Even in laughter the heart may ache... "

I have had the two grandbabies with me today. I have indeed laughed. I have played with play-dough (homemade, I might add). I have read books. I have rocked and fixed bottles and cuddled and fed. I have giggled till my sides hurt. It really has been a good day.

But all day my heart ached.

The days of deployment begin.

Again.

And I guess this verse explains the emotions well. Life continues here in the states and we will have days that are filled with laughter...

But there is never a moment that the reality of a son at war leaves my mind. Nor my heart. And it really does ache.

The blackberry literally does not leave my hand in hopes of hearing from him. Psalm 91 and many other verses are prayed for him continually. I am one who watches the news - all of it. I am a member of a board of Military moms/wives/sisters and I visit with them daily.

And I also visit a web page that posts the injuries and casualities of the war. I did this every day during the last deployment. Not that I am looking to see if something has happened to my Jonathan. No, when I found this site... I was prompted to pray for these families. The reality of WAR means that some will give their very lives for our freedoms. And these families and soldiers have made the greatest sacrifice. They need our prayers.

Like I have said before... A son at war makes me believe what I have always said that I believe. I know that Jonathan is in God's hands. I know. I know. I know. And I hold on to that truth.

So once again we begin the days that are filled with laughter ... AND an aching heart.

War is real.

Freedom is not free.

Trust me.



Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

The Only Real Peace...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 24

I am so glad that you have joined us.Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Hebrews 1-6; Psalms 56-57.

Once again the passages this week applied to our present situations.

Ps 56:8

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?"

Such sweet comfort to know that He sees our tears...He knows the hurts of our hearts. And he records them. He knows...

Ps 57:2

"I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me....

(3b) God will send out His steadfast
love and His faithfulness."

And even as I cry out to God, I can know that He is fulfilling HIS PURPOSE for me ...

But not just for me but also for my sweet Julia and Ronnie as they go through their miscarriage of their first baby... for my Jonathan and Brantley as they go through another deployment.

God wraps us in His love and His faithfulness

Ps 57:9-10

"I will give thanks to you O Lord,

among the peoples;

I will sing praises to You among the nations.

For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens,

Your faithfulness to the clouds."

So, my response is still to be thankfulness. Praise. His love is great. He is faithful to us.

And that my friend gives me peace. Peace in the storm.

Years ago a precious friend sang this old gospel song:

The Only Real Peace that I have, dear Lord, is in You,

The Only Real Peace that I have, dear Lord is in You.

With all life's frustrations, I need You, I know I do..

And the only real Peace that I have dear Lord is in You.

And last but certainly not least...

I just had to add Hebrews 4:14-16 too. We DO have a great High Priest, who is able to sympathise with our weaknesses... and we can approach His throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Going to the throne... cause I NEED a good dose of HIS Mercy and Grace.

Going to the throne...

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

I will Praise You in this Storm

Our precious friends, Rick and Carolyn, sang this song on Sunday. They may not know it - but it was just for me...

I wept as I listened...
Just as I am now...
I wish I had a video of them singing... but for this post I will share this video from Casting Crowns.
We are praising Him in this storm...

Tuesdays Together (#23)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD).

I am so glad that you have joined us.Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

I am not able to blog today.... lots going on in my family.

I will catch up with you all next week with more information.

But I wanted to make sure that you had the link in order to be able to share together.

I do appreciate all the love and prayers that have been shared with us lately. It really means so much...

So... I will enjoy reading your posts and will be back next week.

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Guest Post at "Becoming Me"

Hey Friends...

Today I have a guest post at "Becoming Me"

Please go and visit with me there. If you are not familiar with Angela... you will enjoy visiting her blog. Add her button to your side bar...

Without the Blood, there can be no life...

That is the title of Julia's post today....

Once again.... She has told their story well. Thank you so much for those who have gone and given support to them. And I know that others of you have been praying. Thank you so much!

Holding on...



but my heart aches.

Tuesdays Together (#22)

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from Colossians 2-4; Psalms 50-53; Proverbs 12; and Ephesians 1.

First, I want to thank you readers for the prayers for my daughter/son-in-love and precious grandbaby. They go back to the doctor Tuesday afternoon. We will post an update for you all.

Which brings me to my particular passages to share this week...

Ephesians
1:15-21


For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

It is times like these that you hold on to the truth that His Grace is Sufficient. But that does not mean that there is not pain or hurt. I long to be there with my daughter during this time. Yet, I wait.

Wait till the doctor's appointment today.

Wait for the update.

Wait.

And as I talk to her (daily) and as I read her words in her blog, I am filled with thanksgiving....

...for their faith and their love

...for their wisdom and knowledge of Him

...that the eyes of their hearts are enlightened

...that they know the hope to which He has called them

I join them in knowing that He is working for them with the same power that it took to raise Jesus from the dead.

I also join them in saying, "I know my God is able... but if not, we will still praise Him."

I will be honest and tell you that this momma is sitting on ready to get in the car and head to Virginia... but for today, I wait.

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.