Be Quick to Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. — James 1:19 

God is asking us to pay close attention to Him.

Everyone. should be quick to listen.

Actively listening to our friends, family members, and neighbors.

Then biting our tongues.

And taking our time to respond.

Asking God to direct our words.

Slow to speak.

Slow to become angry.

All in the Lord.

Be Quick to Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, — James 1:19 

James calls us his brothers and sisters.

We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

As such, we should be quick to listen.

That's not always easy, but it is what God calls us to do.

And to think before we speak.

Taking our time before responding.

Perhaps asking God the best way to respond.

And taking a deep breath or going for a walk instead of getting angry

Sing and Make Music From Your Heart to the Lord

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:19-20 

It's not always easy to speak to others from the Spirit.

Sometimes I just want to call people idiots.

But God commands me to speak with psalms,  hymn, and spiritual songs from the Spirit.

He asks me to sing and make music from my heart to the Lord.

And He commands me to always give thanks to God for everything.

And to thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Understand This!

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. — James 1:19

It's sometimes hard to listen to the people around us.

Even when we care about them.

They can sound like so much noise and it can be easy to tune them out.

I may want to speak over them or interrupt them.

But God calls me to listen first.

He commands me to bite my tongue and stifle my anger rather than letting emotions get the best of me.

My mom used to say, "I just bite my tongue until it's bloody" so I don't speak too quickly or at all.

Very good advice.

Jesus Healed Them

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. — Luke 4:40

Ladle Street Choir at our church

Jesus healed people who had various kinds of sickness.

He heals us today, too.

The demons were shouting that Jesus is the Son of God!

They knew that He was the Messiah.

We know that, too.

He is the Great Physician.

We are thankful and blessed.

Approved By God

We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. — 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Today some middle school and high school girls came over for Bible study on our back patio.

We made pumpkin succulent centerpieces.

They turned out great.

We are studying the trickery that Jacob pulled on his brother.

And how God wants us to put others first.

God has entrusted us with the gospel.

We are not trying to please people, but God.

God tests our hearts and asks us to speak His Word.

From the Mouth of the Most High

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? — Lamentations 3:37-38

Today is Kirk's mom's birthday.

We thought Abby might be born on this day, too.

But she came two days earlier. 

And Rita and Gary were doting grandparents.

So was my mom.

When Rita passed away in May 2011, it was a sad day for our family.

Even so, we rejoiced that God gave us 5 more years than her doctor expected when she was first diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.

We still miss her.

And we treasure the memories we have with her.

She made our family times very special.

From God's mouth both calamities and good things come.

We praise Him for blessing us with so many good things.

Be Quick to Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  — James 1:19-20

Today I went hiking with some friends.

We had a beautiful day and everything was going well.

Toward the end of the hike, after almost 3 miles, Greta rolled her ankle.

She hobbled on for a while.

Then Kelly offered to give her a piggie back ride.

We headed to the road, resting often to give Kellie and Greta time to rest.

Two guys stopped by to give us their bottle of ice water to help Greta's ankle.

At the road, a ranger met us and drove Greta back to her car.

Other than that mishap it was a fun time.

We had a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old while keeping a safe distance.

Speak Wisdom

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. — Psalm 37:30

Sarah, Carol and Hadassa

I don't always speak wisdom.

In fact, I usually have to ask God to give me wisdom before I even open my mouth.

Otherwise, I'm likely to say something that I will regret later.

I am thankful for the times when the Holy Spirit convicts me that what I'm about to utter is not appropriate.

My mom used to say she had to bite her tongue until it was bloody.

I know exactly how she felt.

It's hard to keep silent when you have the perfect retort.

God is helping me to speak what is just instead of what my impulses tell me to say.