Art by Adele Bower

My Mother once told me that I was born talking. My friends and family would probably say that I’m still talking which may be true. I love people and I enjoy talkative people.  I love to share my thoughts, experiences, concerns, joys, and plans and I love to hear their thoughts, experiences, concerns, joys and plans. In the midst of all that talking I probably repeat myself from time to time, but doesn’t everyone? Some well-meaning advice may slip into the conversation from time to time.

For several years I was blessed to speak before many Christian women’s events as well as a few professional organizations and teach many women’s Bible classes . As you can imagine, I loved it.

But all this talk can have a down side, as Proverbs 10:19 so poetically states. As in all our relationships and actions we should seek the Lord to guide us including our conversations.

In my last blog, “I Hate Criticism“, I mentioned that instead of one or more New Year’s resolutions, I was going to make one for the new month….all twelve as they arrive….and each based on a particular Scripture for that month.

MY FEBRUARY SCRIPTURE RESOLUTION IS PROVERBS 10:19,

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

In this particular time in our nation I have no problem keeping quiet on social media, but I want to learn to do the same among friends and family. My husband, bless him, has always been a patient listener. After a lot of consideration I’ve decided to do my best to hold my tongue. May the Lord help me.

‘Til He Shouts!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Art by Adele Bower

It was a dark and stormy night! (I love that line!) Actually, it was true. Severe storm warnings had been issued for the Houston area again and was due to hit our neck of the woods in the wee hours of this morning. Therefore, I was wide awake between 2 and 3:30 waiting and wondering. The storm didn’t hit us until around 8 AM while I was enjoying a cup of hot tea and sweet cornbread for breakfast.

During that hour and one-half of the night, along with my wondering, my mind wandered to thoughts of our new Facebook Group page, “Whatever Is Lovely” and what I wanted to share on it when the sun rose….hopefully.

For a few of you who have been in one of my Bible classes, you’ll say “I’ve heard that before, Adele.” But I know you don’t mind hearing it again:

In my Christian life, nothing has changed me more for the better,

than reading through God’s Word…over and over again.

I thought and wondered why I find it so wonderful to read His Word regularly. Maybe it was the time of night, or the fact that I was fairly relaxed, but the answer came quickly: By reading God’s Holy Word I’m getting to know Him better. That’s it. I’m getting to know Him better every day. What a joy it is.

Feeling pleased that I had answered my own question so quickly, I realized I was almost humming the song, “Getting To Know You” out loud. Oops! Careful there; David is trying to sleep. When I remembered the song is from “The King and I“, I thought, how appropriate…..Jesus is the King of Kings.

The words could not be more fitting about how I feel about our Lord Jesus Christ:

Getting to Know You

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say

Haven’t you noticed
Suddenly I’m bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I’m learning about you
Day by day.

From “The King and I”….Music and Lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein

‘Til He Shouts!

I first wrote and published this blog, “Getting To Know You” on April 30, 2016

Save

Save

Save

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Instead of making one or more resolutions today, I’ve decided to make one each month. Each one will be based on a Scripture that the Lord keeps holding up in front of me and saying “Adele, don’t forget. This is my Word of instruction”. Okay, Lord.

MY JANUARY SCRIPTURE RESOLUTION IS EPHESIANS 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.

It occurred to me this morning that “unwholesome talk” may not just mean cursing, but criticisms as well. When has criticism toward you ever “built you up”? Having gone through art classes in college, and art school, (and some workshops), I’ve had to endure criticism of my art, and I hated it. Once a teacher told us to line up all our day’s paintings so he could critique them. Mine was SO awful I decided not to put it in the line-up. If he noticed he never said so. I was relieved but will never forget how afraid I was to be criticized.

Yes, I know I, may be overly sensitive, but so is my Abby Cat and I think she is wonderful. David often says Abby Cat and I are just alike. (Oh yeah, and he’s just like Tomboy Cat….all boy! So there!)

Back to my resolution: I’ve learned that the more I love someone, the less I find fault with them. OOO! That is convicting.

What is your resolution? Or resolutions?

‘Til He Shouts!

Save

Save