We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Opportunity of Our Words
4:43 AM Posted by Unknown
Every day we are given the opportunity to make a difference in
someone's life. Every time we open our mouth to speak, we send forth
words which have an effect on those around us. Our words, which come
"out of the overflow of the heart" (Matthew 12:34), will either cause
a positive or negative reaction - our word are rarely
neutral. Knowing the power of our words ought to cause us to use
them with great care.
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."
This means that every time we speak, we have the opportunity to
encourage and minister. With just a few moments of our time and very
little effort, we have the opportunity to brighten someone's day, to
ease their burden, and possibly draw them closer to God. This
precious opportunity must not be taken lightly; "But I tell you that
men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every
careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:26).
Though our careless words are eternally forgiven, they are also a
reflection of our heart. If we have received Jesus as our Lord and
Savior, our heart ought to be filled with devotion, and our words
should be filtered through a desire to bring Him glory and
honor. I'm afraid we will one day be deeply ashamed to see how much
damage our words have caused.
We seldom realize how harmful and discouraging our words can be:
"Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who
deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" (Proverbs
26:18-19). Sarcastic and joking words are "deadly arrows" which are
never useful for "building others up." Over time, this mode of
communication is sure to destroy a relationship.
Before we speak, we must carefully listen. What is the real
question? What are the real needs? "He who answers before listening
- that is his folly and his shame" (Proverbs 18:13). We may only be
given the opportunity to speak a few words, but we can make every
effort to use our words wisely; "The heart of the righteous weighs
its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil" (Proverbs 15:28).
Our words are a powerful gift. Let's honor our Heavenly Father by
effectively using this gift to encourage. Let's speak so those who
listen may benefit and be built up in their faith. Let's continually
encourage one another to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and never
squander the opportunity of our words.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
George Carlin: The Paradox
7:23 AM Posted by Unknown
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.