My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV A few days ago, I shared with you a few things about having a Big Mouth. If you haven't had a chance to stop by and read it, you can click here to read it first. I'm so glad you came back to finish talking about this. I know, I know; it's a touchy subject, but if you are like me, then it is something that is a lifelong learning process. The hard part is that I.am.a.TALKER. I love words, I love writing words, and I totally love SPEAKING words! Seriously…I am a talker. If you get near me, expect to get involved in conversation because 1) people fascinate me, and 2) I love community and community happens when you spend time talking and getting to know each other. But just because ...
Tag Archive: faith
Big Mouth, Part 1
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 NIV It’s funny how something so small as the mouth, something so seemingly insignificant, can get so many people into trouble. I can’t tell you how many times I have done this, witnessed this, or experienced this to be true. For example… you are the 3rd party in the middle of a conversation when all of the sudden one person says something that leaves everyone in the conversation stunned. Almost in silence. Did you know that this is not something that's new to today? I cannot even begin to tell you how many variations of the word “mouth” there are in the Bible; I lost track somewhere over 300 times. As a mom to two teenage sons, I have to tell you that the mouth, at least in our house, is the biggest enemy to peace and happiness. I wish it ...
Is it in Your Nature to Nurture?
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 I was a bit surprised by an article I read lately, about a mom who openly admitted she's bored with her children. And it got me thinking... Most times, I feel I lack the nurture gene, and yes, I admit I feel like this woman at times. Bored of playing with toys and dolls, aggravated by the never ending kiddie board game, and frustrated by driving my kids all over town. I'm not one of those moms who loves to play with her children for the simple fact that I'm a type A personality, a Choleric/Melancholy, who sees so much to do around the house that playing a game often feels like wasting time. But ...
Big Lessons from a Little Devotion
"If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it." Matthew 16:25 One morning, when my youngest two were three and five years old, I sat down with them for a quick devotion. I usually didn't get around to devotions with my little ones, but on this morning I had managed some quiet time myself before they got up. When they came to sit besides me, I set aside my Bible and seized the moment, never knowing that their children's devotion would be just what I needed. Giving Up Things for Jesus That was the title of the lesson taken from Luke 5:10-11 and the story about when Jesus called Simon to follow Him. Simon loved to fish. It was all he knew to do, and he was good at it. But Jesus wanted Simon to tell others about ...
Chasing Birds
Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 NIV “Come back here!” I scolded my son as he darted across the Wal-mart parking lot. “But, Mommy I almost caught one,” he told me, referring to the tiny birds always found hopping between the cars looking for cast-off French fries and other tasty morsels. I watched as my seven-year-old crept closer and closer to the bird standing next to our oil covered wheels. Step. Step. Step. “Aww, man.” He wasn’t fast enough. The bird darted away in search of a safer place to glean. Do you ever feel like my son? Something you want is in arm’s length and as you reach out to grasp it, it’s gone. Maybe it’s a child you desperately desire. For some, it may be a new job. A ...
Detours, Detours…
The other day, as I was driving home, I came upon a detour in the road. I followed the orange signs, winding around a neighborhood I wasn’t familiar with, only to end up a few minutes later in the same spot I’d started. I shook my head, sure I’d done something wrong, and headed into the detour again. And ended up in the same place again. I couldn’t figure it out. Could detour signs really be wrong, or was it me? I watched other cars and realized that some of them were turning left instead of right like the sign said. So I followed those cars. Within minutes, I came out on a little side street that pointed me in the right direction. Obviously, those people knew the neighborhood better than I did, and knew their way around the detour. And that’s how it can be with life sometimes. Sometimes, we set out on a path, following ...
Opposite World
Jesus said we live in an opposite world. Just one glance at Luke 6 verses 20-38 proves it. Imagine reading these words for the very first time... 20..."Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25 "Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for ...
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Genny Heikka
Managing EditorGenny started her career life thinking that the business world was where she wanted to be. But after her daughter was born and she began reading books to her, she realized that what she really wanted to do was be a writer...
