Controlling our tongues is a discipline we must practice and learn. The best way to do this however isn't to learn to count to ten before we speak or memorize a bunch of pretty words to say to people - even when we don't mean them.
The best way to control our tongue and be a blessing to others is to have a change of heart.
Jesus said in Luke 6: 43 "A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn't produce good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thorn bushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."
However... the verse I'm going to choose for today's verse is 15:
Why? Because I have used this verse in previous church ministries as the name and theme of a clown/puppet ministry. This Fall I would like to begin a clown troupe and a puppet team and take this ministry team out into the community.
I was first introduced to clown ministry at MissionFuge many years ago. We didn't have real clown costumes and just tried to wear our clothes funny. We had some makeup and we got ourselves all fixed up as clowns. We then went to a local nursing home to visit. Wow! It was so incredible to see the reaction from the residents. Even those who were strapped into wheelchairs and couldn't talk - their eyes would light up when we came in the room. We brought a lot of joy to that place and I knew then that a clown ministry was a wonderful way to visit.
I've been to backyard Bible clubs, nursing homes, children's events, church picnic and more over the years.
I'll let everyone know when we're ready to launch a "Joyful Hearts" clown/puppet team. You can go ahead and send me an e-mail if you think you might be interested in being a part of this ministry.
1 comment:
v. 4 "Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim." (The Message)
There are so many good verses in this chapter that deal with words (1, 2, 12, 18, 23, 26...) it was hard to find one verse to hone in on. This verse reminds me that there's a way to disagree without being disagreeable. I need to keep in mind that my words and phrasing can be kind, even if I am correcting or disagreeing/debating something with someone.
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