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| Watch What You Say |
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3:2 For we all make many mistakes, and if any one makes no mistakes in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. Words are powerful! Words once they are spoken can not be taken back. Have you ever said something, only to wish the moment you said it to take them back?
I want to tell a story that I heard some time ago. A lady went to her village Priest and asked him "Father, I have a problem with my words, I gossip, I lie, I insult, and am not very proud of my behavior at all. I wish to confess my sins and receive forgiveness." "Yes my daughter, it is indeed a very grevious sin to speak evil of others and to destroy them with your words." He paused for a moment and said to her, "My daughter, before you are forgiven of your trespasses I would like you to do this simple act for me. "Will you do it?" He asked kindly. "Why yes Father, I really want to be forgiven of this. What would you have me do?" she inquired. The Father clearly gave instructions to her as follows: "I want you to take a feather pillow and bring it to me at the steps of the church." "Will you do this?" he asked sternly. "Yes, Father I will do ask you asked." though she thought it was a peculiar request. Later that day she met the priest at the steps of the church. To her surprise, the Priest met her with a knife and demanded that she hand over the feather pillow. He promptly gutted the pillow allowing the feathers to spill all over the steps of the church. "OK" he said, "Come back tomorrow and we will continue." The lady left bewildered and wondered why he destroyed that pillow and wondered what this had to do with her forgiveness. The next day came and she met the Priest at the church. "I have come back Father as you have asked of me." she said sheepishly. "Good, Great! Let's go back to the steps shall we?" he said with a grin. Well, as they arrived at the church steps the Priest asked, "Where are all the feathers my daughter?" "Well, I don't know Father" I suppose they could be anywhere as the wind could have carried them off to the four corners of the world by now." she quipped. "Ah" he nodded, "I could not have said it better myself." "Huh?" The lady questioned? "What do mean?" The wise Priest paused for a moment looking directly into her eyes and lovingly said, "My daughter, our words are much like those feathers. Once they are spoken and out of our mouths like the feathers out of the pillow who knows where they go?" "I see" she nodded. Is this all Father? May I be forgiven now?" " Well my child, One more thing is necessary for your forgiveness." "What would that be? almost taking a tone with the Priest. "I would like for you to go and collect those feathers and put them back into this pillow case." "What??" she exclaimed with a loud voice. "But Father that is impossible!" "Yes, Yes, he nodded" "It is the same with our words once spoken there is no way to get them back." "Oh Father, I understand what you are saying." "Do you truly understand my daughter of God?" "Yes, Father I do." as she bowed her head in shame as tears began to fall from her eyes. "You have received what you have sought. You are forgiven, now go and sin no more."
4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. |
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| To add a comment to "Watch What You Say" |
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| August 22, 2008 |
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| Wonderful words of wisdom |
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| August 22, 2008 |
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Brother Todd this awesome... I have be trying to tell my family this for years about the power of words;.of course some look at me like I am crazy... But I grasped this when I was young and they read Genesis to me, about how God created the heavens and the earth... this blog shows how the mechanical of the power of words works. God bless you. |
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| August 22, 2008 |
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| Amen Brother Todd! Great story! |
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| August 22, 2008 |
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| This is soooooooooo true! Thanks for posting it :) |
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| August 22, 2008 |
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The truth of the story is compelling!
I know of some who've been wounded and cripped by words they heard as children. Some broken to the point that doctors and therapists worked with them for years to help them understand that the words were not true.
People fight every single day to stop negative self talk. Thanks be to God, that He has enabled the Holy Spirit to work within others to create survivors through the power of Jesus Christ. |
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| August 23, 2008 |
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Patti: Great advice but so hard to do ain't that right?
Lara: It is good to see you reading my blogs. That must mean you don't think I am a heretic! Whew!
Marilyn: yes words are powerful! They can create or destroy amazing isn't it?
Jay: Thanks!
CindyLou: We all need to be reminded don't we?
Joey: It is amazing at the destruction words can do. But just as negative words kill and destroy so God's word speaks life into our lives and we are healed! Yes we need to learn to talk nice to our selves and to others too! |
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| August 23, 2008 |
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| I'll be keeping that illustration in mind. Thanks Brother Todd! |
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| August 23, 2008 |
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This was a powerful illustration that you shared with us Brother Todd with the pillow....I Loved it...and the message is so true....Thank you for reminding us of our words....because LIFE and DEATH *is* in the power of the tongue ;o) |
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| August 24, 2008 |
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| I never make and mestakkes! LOL!!! |
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| August 24, 2008 |
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Cheryl: Duh, I don't get it. ...........LOL very funny...that's how we spell around here phonetically!
WOL: Heavy thought isn't it? God help us all keep our tongues for good and for blessings! |
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