The Power Of Words

 "The tongue has the power of life and death." Proverbs 18:21

Our words can create life or create death. We can speak blessing or speak curse. What are we saying to those around us? Are we complaining or are we rejoicing? The words of negativity can kill our spirit and the spirit of those around us. Is there any bitterness coming from our lips? Are we building up those around us? 

With our tongues we can lie, gossip and argue or we can be honest, uplift others and be a  peacemaker. Children automatically begin to say the word "no" as toddlers. It is in our nature to do wrong so we have to live intentionally to do right. We need to remind ourselves to keep our speech pure and right. The scriptures are telling us the importance of the words we speak.

Have you ever been around anyone whose words make you feel ill? We all know people who speak with such toxic words that we cannot be around them for very long. We really need to evaluate our own speech to be sure we are not the person guilty of spreading toxic words to those around us. 

"Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble."  Proverbs 21:23

 Flowers in my garden June 2013.

A Different Lens

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Exodus 23:2

The reason we have conflict with one another is because we see things so very differently. We pick up our views of life from our daily surroundings. A lot of people make their moral choices more from feelings than from what is right. My biggest fear as a mother were the friends my children would surround themselves with each day. The world views and goals of others will dictate our children's path and every parent has that to deal with in their own children.

Our children are surrounded with people who have their own brokenness, bitterness, abuse, etc. and the lens view continues to change in a greater way. One person can be around negative behaviors, soak it up like a sponge and behave contrary to what they have been taught. Another person could be around the same negative behavior and will use it as a tool or example of what they do not want for their own behavior and life. It's a choice, so choose wisely!

 This picture was taken of the side of a building where they 

painted people and animals that looked very real in Stuart Florida, 2010.

Bitterness

  

This blog on bitterness is written against a backdrop of a “mixed media” paint and papers. The mandala backdrop in the lower right corner was hand drawn and painted by myself. The picture of the lilies in the fountain was taken at Bethesda by the Sea gardens when I visited in 2006.

Refuse Bitterness

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:25

Many times in life some have hurt us, let us down or betrayed us. We are all human and capable of doing great harm to each other. I remember watching some of my own children when they were young treat each other with such hate and anger that it scared me to imagine what they must be feeling. The emotions of the hated and rejected child and the emotions of the angry and vengeful child. Adults are no different and can cause each other a great deal of hurt and bitterness.

All of us have been disappointed in some way by others and all of us have disappointed others. There are plenty of people to blame for the pain and hurt we feel and we are to blame for the pain and hurt caused to others.

Some people have no happiness at all because of all the hurt and pain that others have caused them so they live and die with bitter hearts. We have to make that decision in life whether we will be happy or bitter because we can't be both. Until we kick bitterness out we won't be happy. Are we going to be bitter or better? It's a choice.

This picture was taken when I visited Texas, in January 2010.

God's Got The Power!

God's power can transform our lives. Our finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God. God's power changes us!

...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:16-17

We limit God's power in our lives because we don't fully understand or trust Him. We begin to worry, fear and doubt. We limit God's power with anger, un-forgiveness, gossip, sarcasm, cruelty and bitterness. If we are truly rooted and grounded in love according to these verses then there would be no room for any of those things.

Our sin keeps God's power from transforming our lives!

This is a picture of my youngest daughter on a swing 

at a carnival with my grandkids, November 17, 2012.

The Beginning Of Blame

Genesis 3:12 "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."

The verse above sounds like Adam is complaining, “Lord it’s your fault. If you hadn’t given me this woman then I wouldn't have this problem." Sounds like us today always blaming everyone else for how we feel instead of assuming responsibility for our own lives, our own thoughts, our own feelings. It's human nature to look at others more than ourselves.

God desires us to focus on Him alone and in a relationship with Him to see what it is we need to be doing in our own lives. When we turn our hearts instead on how others should act or how others should respond then we miss the blessings. Instead we develop such a negative behavior that usually leads to bitterness. Taking time to instead focus on our own shortcomings and what God can do in our own lives will lead to a healthier life. We cannot control what others do or say but we can control ourselves with the help of the Spirit that lives within us.

When I am wounded personally by someone dear to me I never expect them to heal me of that wound. No one has that much power to heal the heart no matter how much they try. God is in the business of healing the heart completely and that is where we need to put our trust.  

Protect and guard your heart and mind from complainers and from your own complaints because it doesn't accomplish anything good!

 I took this picture on April 21, 2008 after a stressful day at work 
at one of my favorite gardens. "Bethesda by the Sea"

Poison Folks!

  There are folks I don't want to share my life with.....I call them "Poison Folks"

These folks may try to criticize my children or my grandchildren....

These folks are full of bitterness towards others including their own.....

These folks will gossip about my church or my pastors.

There are folks I don't what to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks" 

I want to get along with all folks but these are non-negotiable.

There are folks I don't want to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks"

These folks carry the poison of criticism, bitterness and gossip 
who want to harm me and the people I cherish!

There are folks I don't what to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks" 

We need to stay away from the poison of criticism, bitterness and gossip in those around us.  It has the potential to destroy our lives and the lives around us....

A perverse person stirs up conflict; and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

 This picture was taken when we visited Everglades Park 
and watched The Gator Boys handling the alligators May 19, 2013.

Don't Give Up

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 
I Samuel 1:10

Hannah was being tortured by her rival and in a very dark place in her life because she wanted so badly to have a child.

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara which means bitter for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20

Ruth was bitter because of the death of her husband and two sons. 

These ladies responded with their emotions weeping in anguish and a bitter heart. They didn't walk around with a smile on their face and trying to think positive. They were in the darkest place as we so often find ourselves in times of crisis. Hannah cried out to God bargaining with him for a child. Naomi worked the fields and still did what she knew had to be done to put food on the table for herself and Ruth.

They could not see or imagine how wonderful their futures would turn out in spite of their emotions. God blessed them both in a great way that they could not have imagined. When all was lost for them both, it was only the beginning of their story.

Our lesson is to hang on in spite of the emotions of grief, bitterness, heartache and loss. No matter how much you feel your emotions are not showing your faith and trust, God will still move in your life. Sometimes we find ourselves in a difficult situation but don't give up!

 This is a picture taken of Palm Beach Island and the connecting bridge I took April 13, 2008.

The Power of Words

 "The tongue has the power of life and death." Proverbs 18:21

Our words can create life or create death. We can speak blessing or speak curse. What are we saying to those around us? Are we complaining or are we rejoicing? The words of negativity can kill our spirit and the spirit of those around us. Is there any bitterness coming from our lips? Are we building up those around us? 

With our tongues we can lie, gossip and argue or we can be honest, uplift others and be a  peacemaker. Children automatically begin to say the word "no" as toddlers. It is in our nature to do wrong so we have to live intentionally to do right. We need to remind ourselves to keep our speech pure and right. The scriptures are telling us the importance of the words we speak.

Have you ever been around anyone whose words make you feel ill? We all know people who speak with such toxic words that we cannot be around them for very long. We really need to evaluate our own speech to be sure we are not the person guilty of spreading toxic words to those around us. 

"Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble."  Proverbs 21:23

 Flowers in my garden June 2013.

A Different Lens

 Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Exodus 23:2

The reason we have conflict with one another is because we see things so very differently. We pick up our views of life from our daily surroundings. A lot of people make their moral choices more from feelings than from what is right. My biggest fear as a mother were the friends my children would surround themselves with each day. The world views and goals of others will dictate our children's path and every parent has that to deal with in their own children.

Our children are surrounded with people who have their own brokenness, bitterness, abuse, etc. and the lens view continues to change in a greater way. One person can be around negative behaviors, soak it up like a sponge and behave contrary to what they have been taught. Another person could be around the same negative behavior and will use it as a tool or example of what they do not want for their own behavior and life. It's a choice, so choose wisely!

 This picture was taken of the side of a building where they 

painted people and animals that looked very real in Stuart Florida, 2010.

Bitterness

 

This blog on bitterness is written against a backdrop of a “mixed media” paint and papers. The mandala backdrop in the lower right corner was hand drawn and painted by myself. The picture of the lilies in the fountain was taken at Bethesda by the Sea gardens when I visited in 2006.

Refuse Bitterness

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:25

Many times in life some have hurt us, let us down or betrayed us. We are all human and capable of doing great harm to each other. I remember watching some of my own children when they were young treat each other with such hate and anger that it scared me to imagine what they must be feeling. The emotions of the hated and rejected child and the emotions of the angry and vengeful child. Adults are no different and can cause each other a great deal of hurt and bitterness.

All of us have been disappointed in some way by others and all of us have disappointed others. There are plenty of people to blame for the pain and hurt we feel and we are to blame for the pain and hurt caused to others.

Some people have no happiness at all because of all the hurt and pain that others have caused them so they live and die with bitter hearts. We have to make that decision in life whether we will be happy or bitter because we can't be both. Until we kick bitterness out we won't be happy. Are we going to be bitter or better? It's a choice.

This picture was taken when I visited Texas, in January 2010.

God's Got The Power

God's power can transform our lives. Our finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God. God's power changes us!

...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  Ephesians 3:16-17

We limit God's power in our lives because we don't fully understand or trust Him. We begin to worry, fear and doubt. We limit God's power with anger, unforgiveness, gossip, sarcasm, cruelty and bitterness. If we are truly rooted and grounded in love according to these verses then there would be no room for any of those things.

Our sin keeps God's power from transforming our lives!

This is a picture of my youngest daughter on a swing 

at a carnival with my grandkids, November 17, 2012.

The Beginning Of Blame

Genesis 3:12 "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."

The verse above sounds like Adam is complaining, “Lord it’s your fault. If you hadn’t given me this woman then I wouldn't have this problem." Sounds like us today always blaming everyone else for how we feel instead of assuming responsibility for our own lives, our own thoughts, our own feelings. It's human nature to look at others more than ourselves.

God desires us to focus on Him alone and in a relationship with Him to see what it is we need to be doing in our own lives. When we turn our hearts instead on how others should act or how others should respond then we miss the blessings. Instead we develop such a negative behavior that usually leads to bitterness. Taking time to instead focus on our own shortcomings and what God can do in our own lives will lead to a healthier life. We cannot control what others do or say but we can control ourselves with the help of the Spirit that lives within us.

When I am wounded personally by someone dear to me I never expect them to heal me of that wound. No one has that much power to heal the heart no matter how much they try. God is in the business of healing the heart completely and that is where we need to put our trust.  

Protect and guard your heart and mind from complainers and from your own complaints because it doesn't accomplish anything good!

 I took this picture on April 21, 2008 after a stressful day at work 
at one of my favorite gardens. "Bethesda by the Sea"

Poison Folks!

 There are folks I don't want to share my life with.....I call them "Poison Folks"

These folks may try to criticize my children or my grandchildren....

These folks are full of bitterness towards others including their own.....

These folks will gossip about my church or my pastors.

There are folks I don't what to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks" 

I want to get along with all folks but these are non-negotiable.

There are folks I don't want to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks"

These folks carry the poison of criticism, bitterness and gossip 
who want to harm me and the people I cherish!

There are folks I don't what to share my life with......I call them "Poison Folks" 

We need to stay away from the poison of criticism, bitterness and gossip in those around us.  It has the potential to destroy our lives and the lives around us....

A perverse person stirs up conflict; and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

 This picture was taken when we visited Everglades Park 
and watched The Gator Boys handling the alligators May 19, 2013.

Don't Give Up!

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 
I Samuel 1:10

Hannah was being tortured by her rival and in a very dark place in her life because she wanted so badly to have a child.

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara which means bitter for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20

Ruth was bitter because of the death of her husband and two sons. These ladies responded with their emotions weeping in anguish and a bitter heart. They didn't walk around with a smile on their face and trying to think positive. They were in the darkest place as we so often find ourselves in times of crisis. Hannah cried out to God bargaining with him for a child. Naomi worked the fields and still did what she knew had to be done to put food on the table for herself and Ruth.

They could not see or imagine how wonderful their futures would turn out in spite of their emotions. God blessed them both in a great way that they could not have imagined. When all was lost for them both, it was only the beginning of their story.

Our lesson is to hang on in spite of the emotions of grief, bitterness, heartache and loss. No matter how much you feel your emotions are not showing your faith and trust, God will still move in your life. Sometimes we find ourselves in a difficult situation but don't give up!

 This is a picture taken of Palm Beach Island and the connecting bridge I took April 13, 2008.

A Different Lens

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Exodus 23:2

The reason we have conflict with one another is because we see things so very differently. We pick up our views of life from our daily surroundings. A lot of people make their moral choices more from feelings than from what is right. My biggest fear as a mother were the friends my children would surround themselves with each day. The world views and goals of others will dictate our children's path and every parent has that to deal with in their own children.

Our children are surrounded with people who have their own brokenness, bitterness, abuse, etc. and the lens view continues to change in a greater way. One person can be around negative behaviors, soak it up like a sponge and behave contrary to what they have been taught. Another person could be around the same negative behavior and will use it as a tool or example of what they do not want for their own behavior and life. It's a choice, so choose wisely!

 This picture was taken of the side of a building where they 

painted people and animals that looked very real in Stuart Florida, 2010.

Bitterness

 

This blog on bitterness is written against a backdrop of a “mixed media” paint and papers. The mandala backdrop in the lower right corner was hand drawn and painted by myself. The picture of the lilies in the fountain was taken at Bethesda by the Sea gardens when I visited in 2006.

Refuse Bitterness

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:25

Many times in life some have hurt us, let us down or betrayed us. We are all human and capable of doing great harm to each other. I remember watching some of my own children when they were young treat each other with such hate and anger that it scared me to imagine what they must be feeling. The emotions of the hated and rejected child and the emotions of the angry and vengeful child. Adults are no different and can cause each other a great deal of hurt and bitterness.

All of us have been disappointed in some way by others and all of us have disappointed others. There are plenty of people to blame for the pain and hurt we feel and we are to blame for the pain and hurt caused to others.

Some people have no happiness at all because of all the hurt and pain that others have caused them so they live and die with bitter hearts. We have to make that decision in life whether we will be happy or bitter because we can't be both. Until we kick bitterness out we won't be happy. Are we going to be bitter or better? It's a choice.

This picture was taken when I visited Texas, in January 2010.

God's Got The Power!

God's power can transform our lives. Our finite minds cannot comprehend an infinite God. God's power changes us!

...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  Ephesians 3:16-17

We limit God's power in our lives because we don't fully understand or trust Him. We begin to worry, fear and doubt. We limit God's power with anger, unforgiveness, gossip, sarcasm, cruelty and bitterness. If we are truly rooted and grounded in love according to these verses then there would be no room for any of those things.

Our sin keeps God's power from transforming our lives!

This is a picture of my youngest daughter on a swing 

at a carnival with my grandkids, November 17, 2012.