Friday, October 30, 2009

The Shadow of Words Spoken

I have to start by telling you a story from my past. I tell you because this incident has had long lasting effects on me and how I behave today. I have no idea the amount of damage, or lack thereof that I inflicted on the guy I cursed or of the people who were there to witness the act. What I do know is that I am a changed because of what I said.

Back when I was about fourteen years old, I loved going to camp. Being the son of an evangelist I got to go to quite a few camps but there were a few that were really special to me. One of those was the district camp meeting of my home state. Nothing compared to the spirit in the air at this denominational district family camp. There were always the best speakers, the best music, not to mention all of the beautiful girls from the district in one place at the same time. I thought it was almost like being in Heaven, especially if one or two of those girls liked me.

This particular summer I had my eye set on Barb. She was a pastor’s daughter, attractive and fun to be around. Because of her appearance and great personality Barb attracted a following of friends who just liked being around her, and several of which were guys like me who wanted to get to be even better friends with her than the rest of the crowd.

I tell you all of this to help set the stage for my life altering event. You see, one day there was a group of us gathered outside the dining hall. The guys all were doing their best to look and act the coolest so that Barb, or one of the other girls would affirm some value in them. I’m guessing the girls were doing the same thing to attract the guys. Anyway, it’s in this setting that one of the guys swiped the baseball cap off of my head. At first I tried to act all nonchalant and cool and simply said, “Alright, give it back.” He just smiled and tossed it from his right hand to his left hand. With slightly more force I said, “Come on. Give me my hat.” He laughed and tossed it up above his head to taunt or mock me. I got off my seat and said, “Will you please give my hat back?” And he responded, “Come and get it.” I started to pursue him and then stopped and said the words that have hung like curtains over happy camp memories. I said, “It’s just like a !@#%$^ to steal my hat.” After a very long uncomfortable silence he dropped my hat in the dirt and walked away. I had crushed him with one word. The rest of the “cool” crowd quickly left me to my own thoughts and my precious little hat.

Even writing those words now sends shivers down my spine. I was taught to love all people, short & tall, big and small, Christian and not-yet-Christian and all the colors of the melanin rainbow. I knew better than to say what I did and yet I said it. If my mom or dad had heard me, you can bet I’d have been chewing on a bar of soap after I found the guy I’d crushed and apologized. But they didn’t hear me and I never apologized.

It’s been over twenty years since that incident and my heart still aches for the pain my words have caused. You see, in one simple moment I changed the perspective of everyone who was witness to this incident. The guy who was playing with my hat probably thinks the whole crowd thought the same thing about him. The crowd, by their silence justified or condoned my words. And me, because I am a Christ follower I feel remorse over how my focus on myself and what I wanted led to the corruption of a time of great fun, great fellowship, not to mention a time of spiritual awakening or renewal.

In James, chapter 3, the Bible talks about how when you control your tongue you control your whole body. On the other hand, if you don’t control your tongue it brings trouble. In fact, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” And says even more in Ecclesiastes 5:2-3.

As little children we’re taught a simple little song that, if taken to heart and practice, will help us along. It goes,

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say

For the Father, up above, is listening with love

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say

I guess it's all summed up in Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Take it from me, glorify God with your words and you’ll never look back and wish you could change things. The world does enough “trash talking”. Let’s do better, be better. It’s what He’s called us to.

Monday, October 26, 2009

"Not called, you say. Not heard the call, I say." William Booth

There she was again, talking about her calling to be a missionary to Zimbabwe. It was like she enjoyed mocking those of us who hadn’t heard God’s voice or seen His hand writing on the wall, or at least that’s the way I felt. I was diligent with my personal time with God. I studied His Word. I went to church, Sunday morning, Sunday night. I went to teen Bible study on Wednesday night and I surrounded myself with Christian friends. What more could I do than to ask, seek, and knock, just like I was doing?

Here’s the thing. I liked to read the Bible in order to reinforce what I wanted to believe, think, and say. I would rally with a verse that said to “Forsake not the gathering together…”, but I would overlook the verses that say to “Go into all the world and make disciples”, or “the Lord has anointed me to preach good news”. I’d suddenly get tired and need some sleep, or maybe thirsty and need a drink.

If this sounds familiar, you may want to avoid the whole book of James, perhaps all of the red words in your Bible, and maybe anything written by Paul. Ok, you might as well read the funnies section of the newspaper because that’s all the good it’s going to do you to try and manipulate God’s inspired words to you and me just to suit your own purposes.

Let me be blatantly clear with you. God has called you. He’s been shaping you; preparing you in such a way that only you can only do what you can do. He’s created you for a specific purpose to reach people just the way He wants. Make no mistake. You’ve experienced everything in your life because He knows how to use it to help others for His glory.

Listen and watch. You’ll see and hear Him in the pleas for help around you. Read Isaiah 61:1-4 and know it's for you.

Thursday, April 16, 2009


Justin had his first school "Moosical" today. Sadly
I think he has my genes when it comes to dancing.
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Sunday, March 08, 2009

To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me

To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me.
In every thought and deed, this is my aim, my creed.
To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me.
His Spirit helping me, like Him I'll be.

John Gowans

Saturday, March 07, 2009

In The Hope For An Easier Read and Lighter Load


Have you been keeping up with the variety of e-reading hardware, software, and such offerings? I have. I've looked at the full spectrum of products currently available and those forthcoming and for some reason have "fallen in like" with Amazon's Kindle 2. As I'm back in school, it would allow me to carry many of my required texts all in one light and easy to handle piece of amazing technology. At less than a pound it would lighten my backpack by at least 10 pounds right now. I so desire to have one that I am hoping to acquire one in the near future by winning a free giveaway contest from Julie Stratford through her blog at http://juliestratford.com/ . Truth be told, the Kindle 2 would help me take a substantial step in reducing my carbon footprint by making the e-reader my primary medium for reading for education, work and recreation. I can picture myself breaking out the Kindle on a flight or road trip and reading the most current headlines, or catching up on some reading from the office, library or school. The doctor's office would also be a venue for Kindling my kinetics.
Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think about e-readers and what you think my chances are for winning one.