Innocence

Yesterday, Jenny came home singing a song she learned somewhere.

Chinese, Japanese, say cheese, these are my knees..........

Then she hooked her thumbs under her armpits with her hands laying on her chest.

What are these?

Now we all know where that song was going.......and what the answer was supposed to be.......i.e. "boobies".

Me wondering what she would say said:  "Jenny what are those"?

She looking at me with the most incredulous look on her face at how I could not know the answer said:
Arm pits Mommy, Arm pits.

So then I had to explain to her that she could not share that song with others and why.  However, I laughed when she first said it and said good job Jenny.

LOL.  I love that my child is still innocent enough she had no idea what the song was supposed to say.

Words........

I am doing a study on words, the words we speak, the effect words have on our lives.  This scripture, leaped out at me today:

James 1:26 (ESV)
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

I don't think there is a one of us that can say are words and speech to others, about others or even about ourselves is always perfect. However, if we have a lifestyle of putting people down or not thinking about what we say, the scripture is clear.  We can't speak the life and love of Jesus if our words are not kind, thoughtful and loving.

Yes we can offer words of correction to a brother or sister in Christ, but it is in how it is said, the heart behind it and the way in which it is delivered. Do the words I say build a person up or tear them down?  I alone am responsible for the words that come out of my mouth.

I try to speak words of kindness and love.  I know there are times I fail miserably. I do want to be more aware of what I say, and what I speak to or about or around people. I don't want my faith, my testimony  to be seen as worthless.  I want love of Jesus to ooze out of every pour and fiber of my being. I want people to see the love of Jesus when they see me in action or hear the words I say.

So I am going to challenge myself this week and see if I can only speak good things.  I have heard of people going on a challenge where they only speak positive things, no complaining etc.  I haven't ever really tried it, but I think I will.  I want to see if I can keep from complaining or saying negative things.

We don't realize how many times a day our words can have a negative effect on others.  I pray that those times, my words have hurt or caused someone a problem, will be forgiven.  I have never intentionally set out to let my words hurt. However, I like everyone else on the planet, sometimes speak before I think.

Lord, let the words of my mouth be tempered by the meditation of You and Your Word.

New year, New life, New Hope..........

Each New year begins with hope afresh, the choice to change our lives, the choice to change our old habits.  It goes beyond resolutions, if we let it.  We can in the Lord find new hope...new vision, new vitality.  I am praying for a year that changes lives because I am obedient to the Lord.  I am praying for a new body that is healthier as I do the work to bring my body into subjection, give up soda, exercise more. Again, this goes beyond resolutions.

I turned 45 on Jan. 1st.  As I looked back on my life, I could see the good moments, the not so good moments, the sad moments, the happy moments..........and I prayed, Lord this year, I want to make a change. I want to do things that matter, even if it matters to only one.

God took me seriously and He is working on me and the things in my life that need change. I am working on my healthy, attitudes, my walk with Him. There is not one of us who can think or say we don't have things that must change.

I want to look back next year and say wow...look what God did.  God is able to do things we can not even imagine.  I am putting my trust and hope in nothing less than Jesus and His faithfulness.  Mankind, diets, exercise can fail us, but our Lord........He NEVER fails.

I am praying that this year brings me a job that works around my family's schedule or a raise for something for Mike that would enable us to walk better in this economy than we have  before. I know God is able.

I am praying for my children to grow in wisdom and statue in Christ and in body and life.  As I watch how they love Jesus I am amazed by their precious faith.

I am praying for my husband as he seeks more of the Lord. That he too can find new hope, new life in Jesus.

My cry, from the depths of my soul is "Change my heart oh God, make it ever true"........because I want to do more for Jesus. Live life out loud for Him.  Be stronger and deeper in faith. This world is not always easy to live in, but with my Lord I can do anything.  Lord let me live out loud, for you with love. Let people see Jesus is alive, real and filled with love.

This is my hope for this year.