Category Archives: conversation/speech

August 4, 2018

Out of the Heart …

By Daniel M. Klem

A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. -Proverbs 18:20-21 KJV

A quick read-through of verse 20 had me thinking of a salesman, making sales with his smooth talking and eating from the work of his mouth (by buying food).

Then I thought about it longer than a couple of seconds.

Well Said

A person is satisfied by speaking well of and to others. When a person uses their words to lift up, praise, and edify another – especially by sharing the gospel – there is a satisfaction that fills every part of the body. (Also, church potlucks!) And this comes out of the love of God within us.

But when we do not have God’s love compelling us, all sorts of evil easily flows out, and that usually (and ultimately) leads to receiving the same.

And [Jesus] said, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Mark 7:20‭-‬23, KJV

We need to have our hearts and minds changed by the power of Christ’s blood washing us clean. Then our words shall become sweet and evidence the change.

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August 3, 2018

Shut Your Mouth!

By Anthony Baker
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. – Proverbs 18:6

Let’s be real, OK? Sometimes people get into trouble because they can’t shut their mouths.

Years ago, while driving a school bus in Kentucky, I had to stop and have the police come on board to search for drugs. As we had been going down the road there were some kids in the back who had lit up a marijuana joint and the smell was obvious.

However, when the police came onto the bus and began to search the bags of the suspected teens, a young girl who was sitting nowhere near the smokers started cursing at the police. Her complaint was that the suspected teens were black, that they were just being profiled, and that she wasn’t going to stand for it.

Needless to say, before long the one who ended up getting taken off the bus in handcuffs was the loud-mouthed, belligerent, unruly white girl. The other kids – the ones who said “Yes, sir,” and “No, sir” – just got a warning… no drugs were found.

What happened on that bus that day is nothing unusual; it happens all the time. Foolish people can’t help but run their mouths whenever they feel wronged or disrespected. Then, when strokes come, they act surprised.

 

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August 2, 2018

Don’t kill the mockingbird (just shut him up)

By dawnlizjones

tree-46766_1280I’m sitting on the back porch as the birds herald in the morning when I hear the cat-bird.  Yea, he’s back!  I love that odd avian sound truly mimicking a cat. 

Oh, wait.  Now I’m hearing a jumble of sounds (including the cat-bird’s) all mixed together, all different.  There seems to be a cacophony of twitters all coming from the same bird in rapid fire succession.  It’s still pretty dark, so I can’t see the perpetrator, but it’s got to be a mockingbird—that strange creation that can’t seem to find a voice of its own.  Continue reading

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July 27, 2018

Laugh! It’ll Do You Good!

By Anthony Baker
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. – Proverbs 17:22

Let me clue you in to one of the Enemy’s greatest victories, one that has been missed by most of the religious and spiritual folk… He coopted comedy.

Oh, sure, there are some good, clean, even Christian comedians out there, but who’s as famous as the guys/girls who talk about their sexual encounters, make vulgar innuendo, and curse every other word?

So much of today’s stand-up comedy is political, angry, whiney, and simply perverted. Comedy may have always played a part in social exposition, but today’s comedians expose more than needed.

Even back in the day when Eddy Murphy shocked the world with his over-the-top use of f-bombs, his subject matter was mundane compared to today.

So, what do we have as the result? Well, our hearts cry out for the medicine of laughter, but most of the medicine is tainted and the side effects are horrible. For those who avoid comedy altogether there is the risk of equally bad symptoms, such as judgmentalism, meanness, critical attitudes, and sour Christianity.

Like I said, Satan has scored a huge victory by stealing our laughs. Maybe we should do more to get them back.

In the meantime, be creative and write good comedy that makes us laugh, but doesn’t require us to be embarrassed. Tell a clever joke, but keep it G-rated. Don’t be lazy and get cheap laughs; tell a good story that’s worthy of splitting a side.

Then, thank God for the gift of humor. We need it.

 

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July 10, 2018

Are my conversations pleasant and beautiful?

By M. Wiley Wilson
Hot Air

Hot Air

God’s goal for me is that my conversations are pleasant. Arguing and fights aren’t what God has in mind.

  • Love is the key.
  • Respect is imperative.
  • My conversations can be beautiful.
  • Imagine that is what people say after I leave them. “What a beautiful conversation that was.”

If people aren’t courteous to me, I don’t have to get angry, I can just walk away. I can withdraw from confrontation.

Jesus challenges me with the following: “When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry—but it’s no concern of yours now.”

Congenial conversation — what a pleasure! The right word at the right time — beautiful! ~King Solomon | Source: Proverbs 15:23

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July 8, 2018

Your Answers Matter

By Daniel M. Klem

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverbs 15:1, ESV

We see evidence of what this verse is saying all over the world in the middle of 2018.

Several nations are at odds with each other over words being said.

People groups within nations are at odds with each other, fighting over the meanings of words or how they are said.

A major issue?

Most people are using harsh words and refusing to listen. Everyone is a racist or a bigot or a Nazi or stupid or ignorant …

No one is apparently an image-bearer of God. But they are.

And most people just want to be understood and given assurances they will be okay. We may disagree, but we can gently discuss things.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18, ESV

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July 7, 2018

Know the Witness

By Daniel M. Klem

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. -Proverbs 14:5, KJV

Yep.

Okay, this verse may be rather obvious, but there really is more to say.

For example, this is a reminder that you can trust people to be who they are. So, do you keep company with those who will tell you the truth, even when it hurts, or with “Yes Men” and chronic liars, those who are always only in it for themselves.

Another line of thinking: how do you respond to each of these people?

Do you lash out at the faithful witness or accept their words?

Do you treat the liar with contempt and hatred or with enough respect for the image of God in them to help protect both of you from the effects of their lies?

If you know their character, it is easier to respond. Always fall back on truth and God’s word, holding yourself and others to that standard.

There is no easy answer for how this is done, and it can depend on each instance with each person, but trusting in our Faithful Father to guide us by His Holy Spirit will be our protection and salvation.

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June 26, 2018

Am I Acquiring a Taste for Helpful Conversations?

By M. Wiley Wilson

Image result for bullyWisdom suggests that I have conversations that are actually helpful. That starts with what is in my heart, continues with what I say and is carried out in how I demonstrate my love. Jesus is challenging me.

At first, it doesn’t taste good to me. It is a taste to be acquired.

“The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation; bullies push and shove their way through life.” |King Solomon Proverbs 13:2 (The Message Bible)

Bullies are out to get their own way and make themselves look good.

  • Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
  • Why be a bully? Where is the value in tearing others to pieces? Is it right to “punch down” or fight back?
  • Why not be kind and thoughtful? Why not go the way of love? Why not learn from Jesus?
  • Jesus is clear that “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”
  • God can’t stand twisted souls who are mean and cruel.
  • It’s the straightforward who get God’s respect and who are in right standing with him. Jesus challenges me to not hate my enemies.

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June 23, 2018

Be Kind

By Daniel M. Klem

My wife and I have taught in schools. She has almost only ever taught Kindergarten (about 4 months of not in eight years), and I taught 7th Grade Mathematics and further back in Special Education.

I tell you what, working with a lot of kids can teach a lot about life! Especially how cruel and mean people can be.

A recent movement in the past few years is called “Be Kind”. The name is pretty self explanatory, and they do some good work helping teach students to simply be nice to each other.

Proverbs chapter 12 can be summarized this same way: Be Kind.

Think about it: it starts with advice for controlling yourself (discipline, vv. 1-4), transitions through recognizing it starts with our thoughts (vv. 5-8), moves to our actions toward others (including animals! vv. 9-12), and the majority focuses on what we say (vv. 13-26).

Words probably get the most time because of how much we tear each other down with our words. Sometimes it is unintentional.

But we must remember that kindness starts internally, with our thoughts and beliefs. So, to be kind means we start by changing our thinking, and ultimately it happens by trusting in God.

He first showed His kindness by coming to us lowly sinners to reveal truth and die for our forgiveness. The ultimate kindness is leading others to life in Christ.

The path of the righteous is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
Proverbs 12:28

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June 13, 2018

Marriage Advice … for All

By Daniel M. Klem

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 11:12, ESV

Today happens to be my ninth wedding anniversary.

Any good husband will tell you there is a time when you should just keep your mouth shut and listen to your wife.

Honestly, it is advice that can go both ways. Neither partner should be so prideful as to assume you know everything better than the other. Mutual communication benefits both!

Conversely, it is unwise to speak down to the other. Belittling – literally causing someone’s ideas and character to seem small and meaningless – only creates pain and bitterness. It is no longer a partnership but a tyranny, and even more confusing when both are guilty of this. Whoever belittles attempts to control the other, and this means slavery and problems.

It is best to work together and be willing to hear each other out.

And, yes, I may be talking about married couples, but this advice applies to any relationship, even with strangers.

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