James Says Watch Your Mouth

Let's see here, I'm guilty. Before I even start this blog I wanted to get that out of the way, so there is no confusion about it. What am I guilty of? Letting my mouth run wild.

James 1:26 says this:
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight reign on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

When I read this this morning, it really hit me. Usually when things slap me in the face, it means I need work in that area. This is one that hit me. GUILTY! I have on more than one occasion let a cuss word fly, also, just words & even tones in general that are not pleasing to Him. Sometimes it's not what I say, but how it comes across. On more than one occasion I have had to apologize to someone because of my mouth.
Scripture says:

• That the tongue is like a sword (Proverbs 12:18)
• That the tongue is evil, filled with poison (James 3:8)
• That the tongue is a fire & set on fire from hell. (James 3:5-6) SCARY, HUH?!?!?!?
• That the tongue is like a sharp razor & plots destruction. (Psalm 52:2)
  

There are tons more, but I think we both get the point. Plan & simple, the tongue is EVIL! When's the last time you let your tongue rule you? When's the last time that you used your tongue as a weapon? If the tongue was really a sword, in a literal sense, would you be in jail for assault with a deadly weapon or for child abuse? Honest answers are needed here. I know I would some days. If you would need a bonding company to bail you out, it's time to tame that tongue. I am speaking to myself, as well as others. Guess who my bond company is? Its company name is JC Bonding. You see, Jesus can tame that tongue. You just have to ask Him to hold you accountable for it & that's a hard, hard thing to do. No one likes to feel guilty, but sometimes that's what it takes. Join me in asking God to help tame our tongues. Sometimes eating crow isn't a bad thing. You might have to bite the bullet & say you are sorry for your mouth or your tone, but I promise you will feel so much better about your self, your relationships, your faith. God loves us & he wants us to succeed. He wants us to grow in Him. We are His children & what parent doesn't want their child to be polite?

What's Your Gift?

GIFT- noun

1. something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.

2. the act of giving.

3. something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned: Those extra points he got in the game were a total gift.

4. a special ability or capacity; natural endowment; talent

That's the definition from http://dictionary.reference.com/ .. We all know what most of them mean, but let's discuss #4....an ability or capacity; natural endowment; talent

What's yours? All of you that read this are just normal everyday people that are just doing normal everyday things, get kids off to school, work, home, homework, dinner, showers, bed, repeat....... (sounds like the back of the shampoo bottle). Do we all have gifts, as described in definition #4? Why YES, YES WE DO! Do we know what they are all the time? No. Do we use them all the time? No.

I have several gifts. One of them is the gift of hospitality. I didn't even realize I had it until the pastor at our church was talking to me and he said, 'You know what? You have the gift of hospitality.' That was stemming from introducing myself to some new visitors that had come in with a child and them showing them where to go. I have to admit, that felt pretty good to finally realize it. Go Team Me!
Another one of my gifts is the gift of serving children. I work in children's church at Grace Point Community Church. I LOVE working with the children & I am good at it! I have such a wonderful time teaching them & talking with them. They are so honest about God. Yes, it's challenging sometimes, but it's so rewarding. They love the stories, games, videos that go with the stories. I have been asked on more than one occasion, 'How do you get them to just sit like that & not run around like wild animals?' Well, the answer is CANDY. Yes, it's bribery at it's finest, ladies & gentlemen, but I look at it like this.... If God uses Smarties or Tootsie Rolls to get his word across & plant a seed in a child's mind & heart, then who am I to question it. You wonder...so, God told you to use Smarties? No, not exactly, but he did give me the gift of teaching these children & the brainpower to figure out how to get them to listen to His word.
What are your gifts? Everyone's is different. I like to work with children at church, you may not. I don't like to work with teenagers, can't stand it, but others do love it. Some people have silent gifts, as I like to call them. They are the ones that clean up afterward, set up chairs or whatnot before an event, some are pray warriors (that's an important one), some are givers.
So, as you read this post, I challenge you. If you don't know what your gift is, figure it out. If you have it figured out, but don't use it, start using it! If you have figured it out, but are afraid to use it, step out and try it! You never know!

What's Your Bag?

I follow a very funny, uplifting, blogger named Missy over @It's Almost Naptime and she has challenged all her fellow mommies/bloggers to share our mom tips.

I have a few:

(1) Teenagers-- withhold food & you will be amazed at how great your house will look in a matter of minutes.
(2) Large family-- LARGE crockpot! LOVE MINE... in fact there's a huge chicken roasting in it right now. All I have to do later is make a couple of sides and WALAAA! - dinner in 20 min.
(3) Home haircuts... Three boys & a husband..I cut their hair with clippers, it saves $$$ big time! Wish the two girls would go for it.
(4) In the trunk... throw blanket, seat cushions, dry socks, pull over hoodie-- Lots of children, lots of sports. Sometimes I get stuck at the ballpark/stadium/gym for HOURS. I hate wet feet...it makes me cold.

It's not many tips, but it's a few I use.