Worthy Words

 Jeremiah 15:19-20

Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.

As I live in this world and see more and more disregard for God, my heart breaks.

In my daughter, Sara's, first grade class, she spends a lot of time teaching her students how to read. The children learn the sounds the letters make and how they form words. If you know anything about the English language, you know there are many words that don’t follow the rules. Sara teaches those words as heart words, in other words they must be learned by heart.

I've been reading the book of Jeremiah. Much of what I've read shows God's anger toward Jerusalem and Judah. The people have turned from Him and are worshipping idols and turning their backs on God. Jeremiah begs God not to destroy the people of Israel, but to give them another chance.

In chapter 15, Jeremiah asks God to spare him. He is a prophet who is trying to turn the people around and help them get back to loving and worshipping God. In his distress and longing to be rescued, God tells him if he repents, He will restore him. The next part caught my attention. When God said, "if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman."

That verse hit me over the head. God gave me an amazing means to communicate. He not only created humans, but he gave us language so we can share our ideas, thoughts, and wisdom.

Words can be beautiful, helpful, uplifting, and filled with compassion. They can also be mean, detrimental, and hurtful.

God called Jeremiah to speak words worthy of God. As a follower and believer in the One who created life, I want to choose words that encourage and praise, words that instruct and uplift, and words that draw people to God.

As I think of the little ones learning new words, I'm reminded to speak to a child in a way that encourages and instructs, not with harshness and hurt.

Speak in a way other people know you love God.

 

Book Review: The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

Description:
Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love?

My Thoughts:

The Words We Lost tells a story of friendship, love, and grief and how the three twined together. Ingrid had stepped away from the life she knew after grief and sorrow pushed her into a fog of confusion and despair. When she finally returns to the only place she knew as home, a whole plethora of emotions throw her into a search for a missing manuscript, along with a search into her heart. Joel’s love for Ingrid is steadfast but shadowed by the past. As the two look for their friend’s final piece to a wildly popular series, they discover something far more important than Cece’s last fiction manuscript. This is a thought-provoking story with a strong faith thread. I especially loved Ingrid’s unique back story and the setting at a beautiful hotel on Washington’s coast. And don’t miss the heart-rending story of Wendy, Cece’s mother. This is a book to be savored. If you enjoy excellent story with strong characters I recommend you read this book. I received a free copy with no expectations. Opinions are my own.

Do I Show Others Grace and Love?

I've mentioned one of my favorite quotes before:

"You are your words."

What comes out of my mouth should be glorifying God.

Does it always? 

Nope, because I'm human, and I don't always think before I speak.

Then I seek forgiveness and try harder.

As much as my words might influence people 

my actions speak so much louder.

How do I behave when I think no one is watching? 

(Oh, that's right, God is watching)

And so are my family, friends, and anyone else I might be around.

I pray my life shows others God's grace and love, every day.

 

He Hears Your Heart

God hears my heart—what a beautiful concept.

Sometimes putting a prayer into words seems impossible.

I fumble over the words, my mind wanders one-hundred different directions,

but the wonder of it all is—the Holy Spirit

takes those words and thoughts and lifts them to God for me.

He helps me pray, and for that I am thankful.

 

Bee Kind

I love honey.

I eat it with peanut butter and add it to my tea.

The sweet, mellow flavor soothes my throat and pleases my taste buds.

This proverb has been a favorite for years.

Like honey, kind words are sweet, encouraging, and healing.

Bee... kind.

I've heard honeybees are becoming scarce. 

Thank you to all the beekeepers out there who are helping

plants grow by keeping bees.

 

Am I my Words?

James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I am my words.

When I worked at the library, I hung encouraging reminders above my desk. Many of them have moved to my refrigerator since I retired. One magnet I'd picked up at a book conference said, "You are your words." I thought about that phrase a lot. People observe actions, which are important, but in this world where we chat on social media my words speak for me. When no one can see me—I am my words.

Recently, I attended an online writers' conference. One of the speakers shared about writing on social media. She encouraged us to determine our posting value and to filter our words through these values. She mentioned three I also impose on myself. Be fun, inspirational, and encouraging. One I'd add, teach Jesus' truth.

As a believer in the Bible and Jesus, I find myself clinging to these values and seeking God's wisdom more than ever. You see, I have opinions about the world, but do my opinions speak the wisdom I seek from God. I have thoughts on what might be best, but would my ideas help or hurt? Would they flame an unnecessary fire? James 3:5 says, "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."

I am my words. As I pen my weekly devotion, I have to ask myself if my words help or harm. When I respond to a Facebook post am I sharing good news or stirring an already boiling pot.

One thing I've learned and try to practice is to pray before my fingers touch the keyboard. I'm not perfect, sometimes I forget, but I try to put Jesus' wisdom before my own. Opinions are good, thoughts are great, and I value freedom of expression. But I'm called by my Father to be considerate and kind, a vessel for his peace and grace.

What values do you align yourself with? Seek God's wisdom as you express your thoughts and ideas. He loves us and wants us to show Him to the world.

How Will I Respond?

Psalm 20:5

We will shout for joy when you are victorious, and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

A response is a written or verbal reaction.

Photo by Maggie Wickline Jowers

In January, I chose "response" as my word for the year. I'm in deep with this word; honing appropriate answers, pausing before I spew a reply. Recently, I spilled my guts over something, when I should have backed up and evaluated my words a bit more. (Actually, that's happened more than a time or two.) Once my reaction landed, I couldn't take it back.

My mom is currently in a rehab facility. After a hospital stay, she was moved to a great place where the people are caring and kind. Yet, if I see something I think needs addressed, I find myself at the nurses' station asking questions. Not a bad thing, right? Not at all, as long as I keep my mouth in check. 

God urges me to be kind even when I'm fired up.

God gifted humans with emotion. He created us with feelings that enhance communication. He also gave us a guide for our reactions to each other. Galatians 5:22-23 shares a beautiful list of positive responses. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." I need to sprinkle these God-given emotions and characteristics throughout my responses.

As a believer in Jesus, he asks us to show the world who he is. Let's share the gospel by responding with God's love.

Words

Fritillaria thunbergii ©Penny Frost McGinnis