| 6/24/2008 7:14:47 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
sun_shine51
West Monroe, LA
age: 59
|
Remember that saying growing up--I still hear it today and even say it!!!
We should try every day to live it....."What would Jesus say"? to another?
Today's Truth
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV): "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing."
Friend to Friend
As my mother always said..."if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
Could you imagine a world where this happened? How different the work place, the media, our homes and even our churches would be if we lived our lives only saying nice things?
What do we talk about around the water cooler or see when we turn on the TV or computer? This morning my homepage on my computer looked a little like this:
Why Paris was cuddling w/K-Fed; Jessica Simpson accidentally exposed; angry smoker rams into wife's house; Recipe for divorce: hiding debt.
I had to ask myself, "What value do these news headlines bring to our lives and our world?"
What about our homes? What do we say about our self or our family? What negative thoughts or words steal our peace on any given day? Did you wake up this morning feeling frustrated or critical of your weight, your children, your husband, or your job?
And our churches? Was there another critical conversation about a pastor's teaching or the fact that he drives a nicer car than you do? Were there conversations about member's dissatisfaction with the worship style or the current choice of Bible study?
How different would the world be if we asked ourselves this question before speaking:
"If I were Jesus, would I be having this conversation?"
In Matthew chapter 27, Jesus teaches us that we must love God and love our neighbors. Anything outside of loving and encouraging words should snap our lips shut.
I believe it is time for a "Live Love" revolution! If God created the world with words, we can change the world by words spoken in love!
Webster dictionary defines "revolution" as:
1. Sociology. A radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.
2. A sudden, complete or marked change in something
This revolution begins with examining our self talk.
Jesus said,
"The mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart"
(Matthew 12:34b NIV).
When we assassinate our own character with words, we destroy our self-esteem and stop ourselves from purposeful living; we become who we say we are.
Likewise, when we criticize or judge another person, whoever, we are giving our opinion to, will now have a different perspective of the person we are criticizing.
I have recently been personally convicted of this truth. I was sharing with a friend how an email received from a relative had hurt my feelings. Being the good friend that she is, she defended my position and took my side immediately. This of course made me feel better until the Holy Spirit convicted me of my actions. Without even thinking about it, I had scarred my relative's reputation. My friend would never view my relative the same again. I was mortified, but knew I must apologize to both my friend and my relative.
It is time we distinguish ourselves as Christians who speak life and "Live Love".
Together we have the power to change a world that pierces hearts like a sword, bringing division and breaking community. Together we can bring healing and build unity. The revolution starts with you and me!
Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I Thank you Lord that by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am a new woman in Christ. I thank you that I am growing in grace, humility, and compassion every day. I have a significant role to play in this world. That role starts with loving YOU and loving others. My role as a maturing Christian is to build others up. I will no longer allow myself to use words that wedge division between me and others or that destroy my own spirit and self-esteem. I am a woman of maturity and purpose, distinguished by the image of Christ.
I speak life and live love.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Now it is Your Turn
1) Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and highlight or underline the descriptive words of what living love looks like (for example: patience and kindness).
2) Fill in the blanks below with your name in the Scriptures below and read them out loud each day for the next 30 days.
1Corinthians 13:4-8 (NCV)
______________ is patient and kind. ___________ is not jealous, ____________ does not brag, and ____________ is not proud. _____________ is not rude, ___________ is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. ____________ does not count wrongs that have been done. ________________ is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. _______________ patiently accepts all things. __________ always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong. [1]
3) Ask God to make you aware of anyone that you may have spoken about in an ungodly way; don't exclude yourself in this prayer. If God identifies someone to you, go and ask for forgiveness.
Wow! Ouch! What a powerful and painful truth. Join me in a commitment to speak words of encouragement that build up instead of tear down.
Meet singles at DateHookup.dating, we're 100% free! Join now!
|
| 6/27/2008 1:21:14 PM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
heaven72
Linden, NC
age: 56
|
I want to say something nice to you. You have been a great Friend to me since I first came on DateHookup.dating. It has been a month now I think. They better not No One say any bad things about you. Cause you are the Best as my Friend just like I told beowolf when I get my own website with Best Friends list I would put each one of you on the Best Friends List.You are the Best Always.. Heaven72 :: Ms.Genny :: Stay  the way you are my Best Friend.
|
| 6/30/2008 5:53:22 PM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
imagoodone4sure
Xenia, OH
age: 50
|
sun_shine I couldn't agree more, amen!
|
| 7/11/2008 7:45:06 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
teddygirl617
Urbana, OH
age: 69
|
Sunshine, I haven't posted for at least a month, maybe longer. This Thread of yours is so important. I wish it could be posted in the 50's and 60's. Or maybe the Christians in those groups should hang out here. I'm so proud of you standing up for your faith.
I took your pledge, but I've always tried to post as if I was on the other end.
You sound as if you are a wonderful Christian lady, and I'm sure you really live it. Thank you, thank you.
|
| 7/11/2008 7:56:00 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
shorterthanshor
Wauseon, OH
age: 68
|
Thank you sun shine----I love reading your posts. They bring joy insead of strife, Love, insead of hate. God Bless You...
|
| 7/11/2008 10:57:59 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
lees224
Cohoes, NY
age: 53
|
Sun this is so very true..I have learned some lessons lately...I must come from love,I must show His Love For Me..to others in all ways..and shut my own mouth sometimes,and let God deal with it...love lee..p.s.the picture is beautiful..
|
| 7/11/2008 7:18:18 PM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
deedso
Weston, WV
age: 59
|
Thank you Sunshine. I had a spiritual revolution today and know how you feel. Bless you.
|
| 7/18/2008 11:33:27 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
bearcountry
Corinth, MS
age: 41
|
Let's not be judgemental here .
|
| 7/19/2008 4:06:48 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
sun_shine51
West Monroe, LA
age: 59
|
Wow...Thank you all for the nice postings...
God led me to share this and sent you all ....
I am so glad that all of you Live for Jesus.....Isn't it the best
life ever, to know that HE is always here for us......And that
HE will convict us of our wrong doings so we can make amends and
have peace inside.......
We are so blessed that our Savior loves us so much...
And I am so blessed to have all of you to share with.
Blessings, love, and peace to all of you...
Without Jesus, I am nothing......
Pat
In HIM
|
| 7/30/2008 6:46:04 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
sun_shine51
West Monroe, LA
age: 59
|
Good Morning All!
Join me in a commitment to speak words of encouragement that build up instead of tear down.
|
| 7/30/2008 11:36:13 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
imagoodone4sure
Xenia, OH
age: 50
|
Good Morning All!
Join me in a commitment to speak words of encouragement that build up instead of tear down.
You can count me in.
|
| 7/31/2008 1:53:42 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
sun_shine51
West Monroe, LA
age: 59
|
Good Morning All!
Join me in a commitment to speak words of encouragement that build up instead of tear down.
You can count me in.
God Bless You!
|
| 8/27/2008 7:12:04 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
royr1
Saltillo, MS
age: 41
|
You are right. Too many people don't realize that they should watch what they say and how they say it and others should just keep their mouths shut.
|
| 8/27/2008 9:24:43 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
llfuzzball
Denver, CO
age: 45 online now!
|
Let's not be judgemental here .
You spelled "judgemental" wrong. It should be judgmental
|
| 8/30/2008 5:29:22 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
teddygirl617
Urbana, OH
age: 69
|
Good Morning All!
Join me in a commitment to speak words of encouragement that build up instead of tear down.
I wish you would post that in the 50's, and wish someone would post it in the 60's.
|
| 8/31/2008 11:41:22 AM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
blessedlady48
Largo, FL
age: 52
|
hi sunshine ...love ya!...
|
| 9/1/2008 12:20:05 PM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
quincy_b
Ogden, UT
age: 52
|
Way to go sun_shine  Finally someone has hit it on the nail. And to all those that posted way to go  And God Bless all of you
|
| 9/2/2008 6:18:32 PM |
"If you can't say something nice, Don't say anything at All" |
|
royr1
Saltillo, MS
age: 41
|
You are right for the most part. We should stand up for our faith, witness and even to rebuke someone at times but, we also should do so in a loving way and watch what we say and how we say it. We also need to make sure that our hearts are right with God.
|