James 3:8-10
But, no one can tame the tongue it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and
Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus gives a solemn  warning about the dangers of words carelessly spoken. We need to remember that  God takes our words seriously, even when we ourselves do not. "Idle words, "  that is words spoken carelessly without premediatation are often foolish or  negative. Some of us even excuse ourselves by saying, "But, I didn't really mean  it". The fact that the speaker doesn't really mean them does not in any way
minimize or cancel the effect of the words spoken, nor does it release them from  accountablity.

In Proverbs 6:2 Solomon warns a person who  has unwisely put up a security for a neighbor. This is only one of the countless  ways in which people are "ensnared by the words of their mouth". One way in  which we frequently bring upon ourselves various kinds of trouble, of which we  do not understand the source, is by speaking negative about ourselves and or  others.  We all have heard about the sins of the father, the sins of the flesh,  but what about the sins of the tongue?

Be  watchful of what you say because you will get what you confess with your mouth.  Do any of these statements sound familar to you? " I get so angry", "I get so  tired", "I get so busy with my life", or maybe, " my husband doesn't understand  me", " my children don't appreciate me". " It is driving me crazy", "when ever  there is a bug I catch it" " I can never make ends meet". The list could go on  and on, but you get the picture.  In Genesis God said " let there be light, God  said " be fruitful and multiply", he didn't say "only if I could see light  today", or, "only if they would multiply".

We are all guilty  of condemning and restricting our success in life, our happiness, our finances.  We shut the door of opportunity and blessings of God by opening our mouths and  speaking words of negativity. Not only should we keep our thoughts captive but  also our words. We should learn to pause and count to ten before we speak,  really think about what we are going to say before speaking it. We should ask oursleves how the words we speak impact our thoughts and emotions. Will our  words be uplifting and edifying to ourselves and to those whom we are speaking  or referring?

The main vehicle of both  blessings and curses is words. Such words may be spoken or written or merely  uttered inwardly. Scripture has much to say about the power of words. The book  of Proverbs in particular contains many warnings as to how words may be used  either for good or for evil.

The sins of the  tongue are one of the snares of the enemy. He doen't want us to realize and  understand the power of the tongue. According to God's word life and death are  in the power of the tongue. We must be decisive, disciplined, dedicated and  determined to use our tongue to edifly ourselves, our families and the body of  Christ. We can no longer allow the sins of the tongue to destroy that which God  has so graciously given.... Our Blessings.

By,

LaVerda

  
  

The approaching weekend, (Memorial Day) has been special to me for as long as I can remember. As a child, each year we  would take turns gathering at one of the many family homes for a barbeque. This of course was after my Father, Mother and Aunts would load us children into a car or two, sometimes three, to visit several cemeteries. Being the eldest I was usually the one sitting between all the flowers and wreath's until they were placed upon headstones or graves . That was because I didn't break, tweak, or damage the decoration before they got to their destination. I would sit with my eyes shut and focus on the fact that this weekend meant no more school, and summer was finally here. All I was concerned about was the barbeque, cousins, games, and being able to stay up late and catch fireflies, thinking fo no one but myself.

As I grew Older and understood the true meaning and history of Memorial Day, I didn't mind sitting among the flowers and wreaths, I felt it a privilege. I believe I was in the fifth grade when the teacher told the class about the origins of  Memorial Day. It began in 1868 (May 5) around the American Civil war when members of the Grand Army of the Republic asked thier commander, Civil War General John A. Logan, to decorate the graves of their fallen compatriots with flowers.  Memorial Day has since become the day on which the US honors the dead and fallen heroes of all its wars. ( I did not remember all this data, I did a little research). Some older people may refer to it as Decoration Day. Others, as I did before I was old enough to appreciate it, may think of it as the beginning of summer, or a day off work.

I was blessed with my first child on Memorial Day weekend in the mid. 60's. The Viet Nam War was still full force. I had a greater and deeper appreciation of Memorial Day by that time as many Americans did. We loss so many. Since then I have lost many friends, loved ones, and have heard of the lost of many young men and women in our Armed Services. My husband served in the Armed Services for 27 years. As many of our young men and women do, he grew up too fast, and saw things that most should never see.  Several of our children joined the Military, and at this time we have a grandson serving our country in a far dangerous place. I know that there are brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters from some family, every where serving and  keeping us free and safe.  They  too, the living, deserve our  thoughts, prayers, and thanks for their sacrifice this Memorial Day Weekend.  It's about remembering .

I still look forward to the barbecue's and family get togethers, but as an adult my heart is in a different place.
 I reflect back on those that have gone before us, to give us this freedom, to give us our life, liberty and justice for all. So, this weekend as you celebrate and honor our fallen heroes and loved ones, lift up those living young men and women serving their country. Make it habit that every barbeque you have, or attend, every day, that each  freedom thing that you can do, please stop and remember them! Pray for them, in your heart be grateful and  thank them. Memorial Day should be in everyones heart everyday not just Memorial Day Weekend.

God bless those reading this and God Bless America!

Ok, Ok, I know everyone has a flat tire at one time or another in their life time. But, to have one traveling at the speed of 65 mph and on interstate 10, by yourself, and at my age, was a hair raising adventure!
At first I didn't know what had happened, it happened so fast. This  sort of thing happens to others not me!

The loud popping sound startled me from thoughts of how I was going to spend the rest of my day, (There went all my great plans out the window and on the wind). I looked around and made sure I wasn't shot or anything like that, then about that time I was brought back  to reality by a roaring sound that vibrated the entire car. I thought to myself," what the heck just happen! The car wasn't pulling, but should I pull over? " "Of course you are not an idiot". I said out loud.

I slowly and calmly put on my emergency lights and made my way into the right lanes and off onto the right shoulder. After several attempts I was able to get out of the car to see what had just  happened. Maybe my engine fell out!  Well you guessed it.... big ole flat tire, right rear passenger side. Now what do I do? I can't change a tire, I'm 67 years old and can't turn no darn lug nut!  

I called my husband, (thank God for cell phones) I told him I was hyperventilating,and had just survived a terrible flat tire incident! Now, I would like to say at this point I know what to do in case of an road side emergency, but there where two insurance cards in the glove box and I had no ideal which one we were covered under. ( lesson number 1, know who your carrrier is) So, after learning that we had Geico I gave them a call. (I love that Lizard)!

The young man at Geico was more than helpful, he asked me if I was alright, and if would I like some help! "Excuse Me, that is why I am calling".  Kidding aside, he was very helpful. I will give that young man  a good review when I get the form, he  deserves it. He took care of everything for me!  All I had to do was sweat. He called the Highway Patrol and a roadside service for me, also informed me that it would be take forty to forty five minutes for the service truck to reach me, but the highway patrol would be there soon. As promised the patrol car was there within minutes. 

 Now, I was in tears, I had to pee, it was hot, hot, hot. 98 degrees plus. I was  beginning to get scared with all the traffic flying by me so fast that the car  would shake...I had little water left... OH NO! I'm stranded in the desert with
little water. ( lesson number 2, always take triple amounts of water when  crossing the desert) You tend to drink twice as much when you are having an  anxiety attack!

The officer was very professional and comforting. He escorted me to the sqaud car to sit with him while we waited for the service truck, he could sense my frustration and anxiety. (Lesson #3, you can turn your air conditioner on if you have a flat tire.) No, I am not blonde!  Also, my face was so red from the heat that  Rudolph would have hid his nose in shame standing next to me!

Soon the service truck arrived, twenty minutes early! Yea! I was sent another professional, courteous man! He put the little donut of a spare tire on for me and explain the do's and don't's of driving with it until I could get to a tire shop. I shook both mens hands and thanked them for their help, compassion, and understanding. Both men  watched as  I safely pulled  back on the freeway and drove off into the noon- day sun! Gary Cooper would have been proud of my exit!