Good Morning.

Most people use toothpaste. In fact, folks are quite choosy in their brand for its flavor, benefits, and squeezability factors. But all toothpaste bears one thing in common--once it is squeezed out, it is next to impossible to get the paste back into the tube! So it is with our words. Words have the ability to cut a man to his core, dissolving the strongest of human beings

into a heap of pain. James does not pull any punches--in verse 26 of chapter one, he says, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." And then, he talks further about taming the tongue over in chapter 3, verses 3-12. "When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a real forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire..." (Californians--we KNOW fire and its destruction, don't we?) Please open your Bibles to James, and finish reading 3:6-12.

Are you careful with your words? There are several other passages that have helped me to see the importance of controlling what comes out of my mouth.

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. Sometimes it is okay

not to comment, witty as you may be, if no one benefits from your words. (This is a good verse to put on your refrigerator--especially if you have teen-agers! for you and them)

Beware! You may not want to read this next verse. . . Matthew 12.36-37-(Jesus speaking) But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

From the wise teacher, Solomon, Ecclesiastes 3.1, 7 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be silent and a time to speak (isn't the order of those

interesting? time to be silent, time to speak - - hmmm. . . and then over in chapter 5, verse 2-Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Let my words be few.

And then in contrast to foolish words, from Proverbs 16.24 - Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Oh, God, help me speak kind, pleasant words.

My dad was a red-headed Oakie who came to California in the Dust Bowl. Soon after, his dad deserted the young family, leaving behind a poverty-stricken saint of a woman, and her seven children. Cleatis Leon (can you imagine?) grew up tough in Tulare County, often eating fruit of nearby orchards to leave any potatoes or beans for the rest of the family. Was it the abandonment of his father that made my father's heart so hard? I will never know. . . but this I know, his critical words hurt me deeply. And then one day, my dear mother shook her finger at me and said, 'if you're not careful, you're going to be just like your dad--always critical' These words of my mom's were both a curse and a blessing; they shocked me, got my attention, and caused me to purpose to change what might have been my 'natural bent'. What trait of the tongue did you inherit? Loose talk? Coarse talk? A critical tongue? Lips quick to gossip?

Spend a little time considering whether your words tear down or build others up. We can all be more prudent with what issues forth from our mouths--blessings or curses. Of course, as Jesus comments earlier in Matthew 12, the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart', so we may be called to look past our tongues, deep inside, to peak at our hearts, eh?

Squeeze the toothpaste the right way today! Christine