Sticks and Stones

Have you ever heard, "Sticks and Stones will break your bones but names will never hurt me." Before you answer let's see if you have ever heard this one. "You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar." I am not sure who it is trying to catch the flies but if you were trying I think honey would be better bait than vinegar. The point is this we can believe all we want that words will never hurt us but the truth is they can do more damage than sticks or stones. Notice I said MORE damage; sticks and stones can be very unpleasant but so can words. Words, both positive ones and negative ones, are never forgotten.

Words can be used to tear you down or build you up. Many of us thrive from a compliment or acknowledgement that our work was done well. The Bible makes it clear that a very small instrument can chart the course or direction for a much larger vessel. bit in a horses mouth directs the entire animal and a rudder on a ship steers the entire vessel. A very small instrument that has a very profound influence on the course taken. The tongue has a similar effect in that it guides and steers the lives of others.


James 3:3–5 (NASB95)

3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  

The words that come from our mouth can be a blessing or a curse. We have to realize our words can encourage, uplift, motivate or inspire but at the same time we can discourage, demoralize, cripple or deflate. Are you someone that put thought into your words? If not you should and you should use them for the good of your family, friends and coworkers. Why wouldn't you?

It takes a long time to have an old friend!

Looking for a bargain? You can't find them as a blue light special or in an Ebay auction but friends are relatively inexpensive; maybe a couple of lunches or a few bucks for your particular hobby. Although not expensive they do require an investment.

I am blessed to have a rather varied and odd assortment of friends. You may scoff at the word "odd" but if you want friends you may have to get more comfortable with this word. After all, how many of you order vanilla ice cream, although I like it occasionally it is not the flavor I order all the time. Odd just simply denotes that people have characteristics that are not common. You might say that being odd actually makes you interesting. When you have a friend there characteristics are interesting when you don't particularly like someone their characteristics are annoying. The perspective from which we view others often reflects how good of choice we are as a friend.

An interesting quote I heard a while back is, "As your friend I can handle anything about you but your success." When you think about that comment you can see that really isn't a friend at all but simply someone that feels better because they use your misery to make themselves feel better about their own. A friend that celebrates your success, however, is a real friend.

It takes a long time to have an old friend so you better get started!

Big Difference

There is a big difference between saying you are where God wants you to be and actually being where God wants you to be. Like me I am sure each of you hear people, regardless of the circumstances, if things are comfortable and cozy they are where God wants them to be and if the situation is dire or desperate they are praying for God to provide a miracle in their life. Do you think it really works that way? Is life really all about our comfort level? Does God never but us in a situation that requires mental toughness or a little stick-to-it-ness?

Paul answers this question in 2 Timothy. I like looking at the imperative verbs in this chapter. Join with me in suffering, suffer hardship and be strong communicate loud and clear following Jesus does not always mean we are placed in a luxurious setting. Interestingly Paul is sitting in a prison cell in his last days as he pens these words.

Don't get me wrong here I am not conveying the message that it is a sin to have comfort. However, I am saying if your own personal comfort is your plumb line for determining whether God is at work in your life or not you are missing the mark!

When you can see God at work in our life in the middle of difficult times stop and give thanks it will make you more confident he is at work when it is going really well.

Logos 4

Announcing Logos 4 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The easiest and simplest way to take a look at it is to go to www.logos.com/4. There are many new features and simplifications that I really like. I love the interlinear ribbon that is available in NASB, ESV, NKJV, and KJV.

The simpplification I like best is the toolbars. I teach a Logos class at church and now there will be no more glazing over as you explain the multi-step process of getting something on the toolbar. Simply drag the book or feature you want to the toolbar and drop it. PRESTO it is there!

One not so obvious feature is ALT ` (that is the tick mark below the tilde ~) this will give coparison of your top 5 prioritized Bibles.

Go ahead give it a try. You will not be dissappointed and I hear there are some great new packages to investigate.

Andly Stanley Leadership Podcast

There are some great leadership podcast if you click on the Itunes link above.

Assumptions are the most dangerous form of knowledge.

We are going through "The Truth Project" at church. If you have not had the opportunity to attend I highly recommend you find some place it is being offered.

The statement that caught my attention at the last session was this one. "Assumptions are the most dangerous form of knowledge." The problem is simple. Assumptions are not based on fact, truth or evidence. Assumptions are those dangerous little thoughts that guide you towards believing something that could possibly be disastrous. 

We have all heard statements with this dangerous word being summoned for action. I assumed you weren't coming, therefore, I didn't show up. I assumed you didn't mind, therefore, I proceeded with the...(you fill in the blank). I assumed you didn't want that last dab of peach cobbler left in the fridge, therefore, I ate it. You get the point we often assume so we can proceed as if there is fact, truth or evidence to guide us. 

When my wife makes peach cobbler if you assume I don't want to eat the last bit you have made a serious mistake. I am rambling on to make this one simple point. If you have to convince yourself (assume) that someone feels a certain way you are much better off to delay your actions until you have some correct information, pretend you are Columbo, Matlock or the Murder she wrote lady but please investigate and don't just play a hunch because at best that is all an assumption is. 

Think about these statements and how they might differ. I don't care if Ed wants the last bite of peach cobbler. I deserve the last bite of peach cobbler. I forgot Ed wanted the last bite of peach cobbler. I assumed Ed didn't want the last bite of peach cobbler. In all cases the cobbler is gone but the reasons vary widely. 

Here is what you need to take from the post. If you assume I don't want the last bite of peach cobbler, you are wrong. The assumption you made only made it easier to feast on my dessert and gorge yourself. 

I'm off to see if I can convince Tricia to make a peach cobbler. My entire line of thought was hijacked right after that example.

Think about that statement and see if you are guilty of assuming things for your own benefit.

WKU