Wow, is it really going to be 2015?? I still cannot believe that it is already time for a new year already.
This year has been interesting. I have gained so much perspective on my life and what I want to be doing. So, if you haven't kept up, here is a short synopsis of my past year.
Yes, I still work for Airgas, and there are no plans in the near future to look for anything else. I am still traveling the United States and I am still loving it. A lot of people ask me how I can like this so much, I just do. It works for me, I like the different places across America that I get to see. It does sometimes, get frustrating when I have a delayed flight or my bag doesn't make it, but those are the small things, and I work through them.
I love my job, and I love what I do. I am surely blessed that I get to continue to do this wonderful job.
MY PARENTS MOVED BACK FROM CHINA THIS YEAR!! Oh my goodness, I feel like it was forever ago when I write the blog about them leaving. I still remember how it felt and how it affected me. But, they are "home". The got back in July, and I feel like we are all molded back together again. I can not explain how happy that they are back. I have my best friend back, My mom. :)
When I said that they are home I did this, "home" Dad has accepted a job at Virgin Galactic in California. He is absolutely loving it and I am so proud of him. If you don't know what Virgin Galactic is, I would suggest googling it and seeing how AWESOME my dad is, and what he gets to do on a daily basis.
In October, if you read my blog, I had the pleasure of traveling to South Africa on a mission trip. This trip was life changing. It really put my life in perspective for me and made me prioritize what is truly important in my life. I have fallen even more in love with Africa than I was before I got there. The children and the staff there and everything about it tugged on my heart strings, and I feel like my heart is in Africa. I plan on going back in the near future!!
Lastly, I decided with a lot of thinking and prayer, that I would go to college. I finally took the leap and enrolled at Grand Canyon University out of Phoenix Arizona. I prayed for a long time before I made this decision, and now that I have, I couldn't be happier.
My degree will be a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis on Biblical Studies. Wow, what a mouth full. I am not sure what God wants me to do with this degree, but I know he has a plan and I am just going with it. If full time missionary work is what He wants of me, then I want to be as prepared as possible.
This year flew by, I can't believe it is almost over, but I do know that God has huge plans for me and I look forward to see what He has in store for me.
God Bless everyone in the coming year!
Love too all,
Lisa
Friday, December 26, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Not Enough Words (Stand Still And Consider the Wondrous Works of God)
I have been home now for about 3 days from TheFold in South Africa. This trip changed my life. My title is so true, there are not enough words to explain my feelings/thoughts that I have, I am going to try to write some down here, but if I am all over the place, its because of how passionate I am about this... So here we go.
Vaalwater, SA in the Limpopo region of South Africa is one place I never thought or dreamt I would ever go. But God called me there. I have come to realize that if you just listen to God's will, you will be rewarded. This trip engaged me with a group of people, whom, before this trip I had spent less than 2 hours with. The people that God brought together was astounding. We fit together like a puzzle. There was a perfect balance to this group, and God's hand chose the group that came together for this trip. All age groups, married, not married, college student, and me. To the Africa team, Johnny, Gary,Carol, Brad, Julie, Andrea, and Ron, I am astounded at the perfect timing of our Lord for us to come together and be able to experience what we did. What a blessing.
When I arrived at TheFold, I didn't know what to expect. I had been on the website and I had done research into the workings of TheFold and how it all worked. The website does give a wonderful and honest picture of life at TheFold. But, the unexpected is when the children come up to you and introduce themselves and you see them look at you with joy. That is indescribable. That is the most amazing feeling in the world. The hug. And when I say hug, it isn't, just a hug, they really hug you.
We got in pretty late on Saturday, so the kids were already asleep. The plan was for us to get up and go to church the next morning. We all got up, got ready and headed outside. Then the children came out. They came out with such excitement and joy that they were going to church. There is a bus that holds 22 passengers, and I was lucky enough to be able to sit in the bus with the children on the way to church! The ride to church is close to an hour ride, and the biggest reason it takes so long to get there is because you have to go down this dirt road for about 10 KM to get to the church. But the time on the bus had no complaining, it was excitement to get to go to church. For an hour I got to hear the children sing. Sing songs in their language, and some in English. This warmed my heart. To hear all of the children singing was such a blessing. From oldest (Anna 15) to (Junior 2) They sang with smiles and so much happiness. It was awesome, that all I can say, purely AWESOME.
We had so much we wanted to do as a team at TheFold. Paul and Micky Prince, who run TheFold had a couple of projects for us to do, and out main goal was to give Paul and Micky anything we could. Our time, our prayers, anything. We spent time during the week doing things around TheFold that needed to be done. But we also had some extra time to get some stuff done for Micky that she has been wanting done. What a blessing it is to serve someone who day in and day out serve our God!
The rest of the week pretty much was the same thing, serving/helping in anything that needed to be done, then spending wonderful time with the children. One thing I wanted to write about is these children are such a blessing to the Princes, but also Paul and Micky are such a blessing to these kids. The 15 kids have a safe, comfortable place to call home. There are multiple stories behind how the kids came to TheFold, and to me, it really doesn't matter how God got them there, all that matters is that they are there and they are safe and happy. The constant work and the things that have to be done, and the administrative work and the grounds work for TheFold are constant. We were never without work that needed to be done. What a blessing it is. Both Paul and Micky have done incredible things at TheFold and with the love and support of many people and churches, TheFold will sure grow and prosper and be everything God wants it to be.
On Wednesday, Paul and Micky took us to a Soup Kitchen in Vaalwater. These children are considered "street kids" or the live in 3 sided shacks on the side of the road. There is no water, or electricity or anything here in America we consider a necessity. These children come every Wednesday to receive 6 oz of powdered milk and a peanut butter sandwich. The week we were there, unfortunately, the peanut butter was stolen, so the bread barely had peanut butter on there. Here's the kicker, not one single child complained. Not one single child was upset that the peanut butter this time was barely there. They were appreciative, they were joyful for this blessing they were receiving. Not one refused it because it wasn't what they were expecting. The sandwich wasn't "sent back to the kitchen". They were joyful. I was standing at the front of the room, watching these children sing as loud as they could, jumping up and down, doing all the motions to songs that we sand as little kids in Sunday school. They sang louder than I have heard any of the congregations I have been around in my life. These children who have nothing, who truly have a dirt floor, 3 walls made out of anything that can be found, were jumping up and down singing praising to out Savior. It was 90 degrees outside, hot, and I got chills. I was astounded at the smiles, and the laughter, and the yelling for joy, and happiness that I saw. This moment, I will never forget. I will always remember what I experience there. Because of the work of Paul and Micky, we were able to be there that day, to see God working through his missionaries!
I can go on and on about my experiences there. I could write all night, but let me leave you with this. I am proud to say that I have been to TheFold. I am happy beyond words that God chose me for this mission. I am a Child of The King, and he gave me the capacity to be there and experience this. Not everyone has one specific calling from God, and most Christians spend their entire Christian life trying to figure out what God wants them to do. Let me tell you, I have been there, and I still am. But, what I did was I began to listen to God through His word and from my minister, and from other Christian that have encouraged me. Listen to what God wants of you. He has a plan for you. He knows your heart better than you do. Remember, He made you, He made you in His image, and you are royalty. I am a daughter of King! And for me, I serve the Most High. If you are still reading, thank you for spending this time reading such a small amount of how I feel. Please if you can, spend some time praying for Paul and Micky. Pray that the work the do will fulfill the their purpose in South Africa. They live serving God, and it is an awesome pleasure that I had to go and experience this place. God is dwelling there. His work is being done. Pray for the children of TheFold and for the people of South Africa.
Again, thank you for reading this really long blog. I appreciate everyone who spends their time reading this.
May God bless all of you, Love to all!!!
Vaalwater, SA in the Limpopo region of South Africa is one place I never thought or dreamt I would ever go. But God called me there. I have come to realize that if you just listen to God's will, you will be rewarded. This trip engaged me with a group of people, whom, before this trip I had spent less than 2 hours with. The people that God brought together was astounding. We fit together like a puzzle. There was a perfect balance to this group, and God's hand chose the group that came together for this trip. All age groups, married, not married, college student, and me. To the Africa team, Johnny, Gary,Carol, Brad, Julie, Andrea, and Ron, I am astounded at the perfect timing of our Lord for us to come together and be able to experience what we did. What a blessing.
When I arrived at TheFold, I didn't know what to expect. I had been on the website and I had done research into the workings of TheFold and how it all worked. The website does give a wonderful and honest picture of life at TheFold. But, the unexpected is when the children come up to you and introduce themselves and you see them look at you with joy. That is indescribable. That is the most amazing feeling in the world. The hug. And when I say hug, it isn't, just a hug, they really hug you.
We got in pretty late on Saturday, so the kids were already asleep. The plan was for us to get up and go to church the next morning. We all got up, got ready and headed outside. Then the children came out. They came out with such excitement and joy that they were going to church. There is a bus that holds 22 passengers, and I was lucky enough to be able to sit in the bus with the children on the way to church! The ride to church is close to an hour ride, and the biggest reason it takes so long to get there is because you have to go down this dirt road for about 10 KM to get to the church. But the time on the bus had no complaining, it was excitement to get to go to church. For an hour I got to hear the children sing. Sing songs in their language, and some in English. This warmed my heart. To hear all of the children singing was such a blessing. From oldest (Anna 15) to (Junior 2) They sang with smiles and so much happiness. It was awesome, that all I can say, purely AWESOME.
We had so much we wanted to do as a team at TheFold. Paul and Micky Prince, who run TheFold had a couple of projects for us to do, and out main goal was to give Paul and Micky anything we could. Our time, our prayers, anything. We spent time during the week doing things around TheFold that needed to be done. But we also had some extra time to get some stuff done for Micky that she has been wanting done. What a blessing it is to serve someone who day in and day out serve our God!
The rest of the week pretty much was the same thing, serving/helping in anything that needed to be done, then spending wonderful time with the children. One thing I wanted to write about is these children are such a blessing to the Princes, but also Paul and Micky are such a blessing to these kids. The 15 kids have a safe, comfortable place to call home. There are multiple stories behind how the kids came to TheFold, and to me, it really doesn't matter how God got them there, all that matters is that they are there and they are safe and happy. The constant work and the things that have to be done, and the administrative work and the grounds work for TheFold are constant. We were never without work that needed to be done. What a blessing it is. Both Paul and Micky have done incredible things at TheFold and with the love and support of many people and churches, TheFold will sure grow and prosper and be everything God wants it to be.
On Wednesday, Paul and Micky took us to a Soup Kitchen in Vaalwater. These children are considered "street kids" or the live in 3 sided shacks on the side of the road. There is no water, or electricity or anything here in America we consider a necessity. These children come every Wednesday to receive 6 oz of powdered milk and a peanut butter sandwich. The week we were there, unfortunately, the peanut butter was stolen, so the bread barely had peanut butter on there. Here's the kicker, not one single child complained. Not one single child was upset that the peanut butter this time was barely there. They were appreciative, they were joyful for this blessing they were receiving. Not one refused it because it wasn't what they were expecting. The sandwich wasn't "sent back to the kitchen". They were joyful. I was standing at the front of the room, watching these children sing as loud as they could, jumping up and down, doing all the motions to songs that we sand as little kids in Sunday school. They sang louder than I have heard any of the congregations I have been around in my life. These children who have nothing, who truly have a dirt floor, 3 walls made out of anything that can be found, were jumping up and down singing praising to out Savior. It was 90 degrees outside, hot, and I got chills. I was astounded at the smiles, and the laughter, and the yelling for joy, and happiness that I saw. This moment, I will never forget. I will always remember what I experience there. Because of the work of Paul and Micky, we were able to be there that day, to see God working through his missionaries!
I can go on and on about my experiences there. I could write all night, but let me leave you with this. I am proud to say that I have been to TheFold. I am happy beyond words that God chose me for this mission. I am a Child of The King, and he gave me the capacity to be there and experience this. Not everyone has one specific calling from God, and most Christians spend their entire Christian life trying to figure out what God wants them to do. Let me tell you, I have been there, and I still am. But, what I did was I began to listen to God through His word and from my minister, and from other Christian that have encouraged me. Listen to what God wants of you. He has a plan for you. He knows your heart better than you do. Remember, He made you, He made you in His image, and you are royalty. I am a daughter of King! And for me, I serve the Most High. If you are still reading, thank you for spending this time reading such a small amount of how I feel. Please if you can, spend some time praying for Paul and Micky. Pray that the work the do will fulfill the their purpose in South Africa. They live serving God, and it is an awesome pleasure that I had to go and experience this place. God is dwelling there. His work is being done. Pray for the children of TheFold and for the people of South Africa.
Again, thank you for reading this really long blog. I appreciate everyone who spends their time reading this.
May God bless all of you, Love to all!!!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Counting Down!
25 days until I leave for Africa, I am so so so excited, and astounded at the blessings in my life. Here is where my heart is today.
Today is September 7th, 2014. I went to church today, and heard Greg speak on Samson. Samson is in the Old Testament, in Judges around Chapter 16. I have always know the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson took a Nazarite oath when he was born to follow certain rules, one of which was not to cut his hair. What they thought back then, was that his hair is what gave him his strength. It wasn't his hair, it was God. Period. Anyways, the story goes on that Samson was chosen by God to be a great leader, and he just needed to keep to his oath, and he would become a wonderful leader for God. What happened is, Samson lost sight of what his purpose was here on Earth.
He had stumbling blocks that he did not overcome. He had many things that he thought were more important than that of which God had said was important. Delilah didn't really help the situation, by being selfish for a lot of silver shekels. She was enticed by the government to find what was it that gave Samson his strength, she failed more than 3 times, then finally Samson broke, and said if his hair were to be cut, then he would lose his strength.
What really got me today, is that Samson was enticed by a beautiful woman, who was only in this for her own gain, and others around Samson saw this. They started seeing the spiral downward towards a life full of sin. I believe that we see our friends or family spiraling and moving towards a life of sin, yet all we do is step back and let it be, because "It isn't any of our business" Or, "They won't listen to me anyways"
Recently, I made decisions in my life. I made some major life changing decisions to live more of a life like Christ. I am created in His image, why aren't I living like Him? So I made those decisions. Some more difficult than others, but I have stumbled. I have made decisions that I am upset that I made. We have been told that if we confess our sins, then we shall be forgiven. I pray for forgiveness and ask for strength to get through every day life.
I want nothing more than to serve God anyway I can, and I feel like I may have been a stabling block, or caused someone to see that I wasn't in this for real. I want to be the example that God expects me to be, but I am human, I have an old sin nature, yet, because of His son, who died for me, I am forgiven. That doesn't mean I can continue to sin as much as I want because I am forgiven. I am a Child of God, and he wants me to be me, but I am also His example here on Earth, and I never want to be a stabling block for anyone.
If you are still reading, thank you for reading. I am asking for prayer for Africa, for my team, Johnny, Myself, Julie, Brad, Ron, Andrea, Carol, and Gary. All of us need your prayer through this journey God has called us to do.
Thank you for reading, I love all of you, and I pray that you have a wonderful week.
Love Always,
Lisa
Today is September 7th, 2014. I went to church today, and heard Greg speak on Samson. Samson is in the Old Testament, in Judges around Chapter 16. I have always know the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson took a Nazarite oath when he was born to follow certain rules, one of which was not to cut his hair. What they thought back then, was that his hair is what gave him his strength. It wasn't his hair, it was God. Period. Anyways, the story goes on that Samson was chosen by God to be a great leader, and he just needed to keep to his oath, and he would become a wonderful leader for God. What happened is, Samson lost sight of what his purpose was here on Earth.
He had stumbling blocks that he did not overcome. He had many things that he thought were more important than that of which God had said was important. Delilah didn't really help the situation, by being selfish for a lot of silver shekels. She was enticed by the government to find what was it that gave Samson his strength, she failed more than 3 times, then finally Samson broke, and said if his hair were to be cut, then he would lose his strength.
What really got me today, is that Samson was enticed by a beautiful woman, who was only in this for her own gain, and others around Samson saw this. They started seeing the spiral downward towards a life full of sin. I believe that we see our friends or family spiraling and moving towards a life of sin, yet all we do is step back and let it be, because "It isn't any of our business" Or, "They won't listen to me anyways"
Recently, I made decisions in my life. I made some major life changing decisions to live more of a life like Christ. I am created in His image, why aren't I living like Him? So I made those decisions. Some more difficult than others, but I have stumbled. I have made decisions that I am upset that I made. We have been told that if we confess our sins, then we shall be forgiven. I pray for forgiveness and ask for strength to get through every day life.
I want nothing more than to serve God anyway I can, and I feel like I may have been a stabling block, or caused someone to see that I wasn't in this for real. I want to be the example that God expects me to be, but I am human, I have an old sin nature, yet, because of His son, who died for me, I am forgiven. That doesn't mean I can continue to sin as much as I want because I am forgiven. I am a Child of God, and he wants me to be me, but I am also His example here on Earth, and I never want to be a stabling block for anyone.
If you are still reading, thank you for reading. I am asking for prayer for Africa, for my team, Johnny, Myself, Julie, Brad, Ron, Andrea, Carol, and Gary. All of us need your prayer through this journey God has called us to do.
Thank you for reading, I love all of you, and I pray that you have a wonderful week.
Love Always,
Lisa
Monday, September 1, 2014
3 years already!!
What a crazy 3 years. Three years ago right now, I was wrapping up my first set of classes for my new job as a SAP Trainer in Cleveland. Tomorrow I head back to Cleveland to have a 1/4 meeting with all of my fellow trainers. It really has come all around hasn't it. I am still in love with my job, and I am so blessed to be where I am at. God has certainly been doing work in me! I have learned a lot, I have gained knowledge and maturity, and learned what I am capable of!
Thanks to all my fellow co-workers for helping me on this journey!
Cleveland or bust tomorrow!
Love to all!
Thanks to all my fellow co-workers for helping me on this journey!
Cleveland or bust tomorrow!
Love to all!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
20's Pssshhh
The last day of my 20’s! Wow! SO much happened to me in my 20’s. I fell in love, got married, fell out of love, got divorced. Gained 2 sister in laws and 2 awesome nephews and a beautiful niece. I have worked everywhere form call centers to gas stations and Airliners, Best Buy and foundries. Now I work for Airgas as an SAP Trainer. I travel the USA teaching. Glamorous, I promise. I have had over 15 roommates in the last 10 years! WOW! I have had long hair and short hair, I have had straight hair and curly hair, and my hair has been black, red, blond, brown, and every color in between. I went from glasses to contacts, to nothing and back to contacts.
I have seen people I love get married, and divorced. I have had the unfortunate experience of losing people I love as well. I watch both my brothers become amazing fathers, I have seen my parents become grand parents, and I have seen them move half a world away and back again. I have lived in 12 or so difference residences. (Not including my parents house) ((I lost count how many times I ended up back there))
I have been apart of Churches and left some churches, but now I can say I found my church home. I have CRCC and my family there is starting to grow. I have the privilege of going to church with my parents, and having them now just 6 miles away, rather than 7000.
I turn 30 tomorrow. I have so much planned for my 30’s. But my plans are futile. God’s plan is what is important. I look forward to His plan. To everyone who was apart of my 20’s thanks for the memories, to the ones that will be there in my 30’s, get ready, big things are going to happen!!
LOVE TO ALL!
I have seen people I love get married, and divorced. I have had the unfortunate experience of losing people I love as well. I watch both my brothers become amazing fathers, I have seen my parents become grand parents, and I have seen them move half a world away and back again. I have lived in 12 or so difference residences. (Not including my parents house) ((I lost count how many times I ended up back there))
I have been apart of Churches and left some churches, but now I can say I found my church home. I have CRCC and my family there is starting to grow. I have the privilege of going to church with my parents, and having them now just 6 miles away, rather than 7000.
I turn 30 tomorrow. I have so much planned for my 30’s. But my plans are futile. God’s plan is what is important. I look forward to His plan. To everyone who was apart of my 20’s thanks for the memories, to the ones that will be there in my 30’s, get ready, big things are going to happen!!
LOVE TO ALL!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Faith
Being a believer is a responsibility. Christianity is not a therapy to make things go better. Christianity is not there when you need it, or there for you when things are going bad. Daily, we need to give thanks. Daily we need to love God. Daily we need to be in prayer with Him. God speaks to us daily. God has given us His son. He sent His Son to die on the cross for us! I am not a parent. I do not know the love of my own child. I do however have a beautiful niece and 2 amazing nephews, and I could not imagine God asking me to give my Child for the rest of the Earth. I could not fathom knowing that one of them were going to die for the ENTIRE world. Here's the kicker. He didn't just die for the believers, he did not die for the "Christians". He died so that ALL may come to the Father through Him. But, you must have faith and believe that is the ONLY way to heaven. It is difficult to think through the process of what Mary must of been thinking. Mary, His mother, watch her child, a blameless man, be put on trial for nothing, then he was beaten, almost to death, then that wasn't enough. Then they crucified Him. Killed Him. That was God's plan, but what was Mary thinking? She didn't know the whole plan. She didn't know what His death truly meant. What could Mary of done? How could she, as a mother watch this happen to her Child?
Love to all!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Toxic Words
Words. They are spoken, written, texted, emailed, sang, whispered, thought, interpreted, misunderstood, explained, defined, and so on and so on. Words can cut to the depth of a person, and they can also uplift and cause true joy to a person. What is astonishing to me is that GOD has given us the CHOICE to use our words the way we want to use them. When you sit down and think about it, words give us the capability to converse, to communicate. Even now, I am creating sentences with words for you to read. Words are the most powerful thing on the planet. So, if words are the most powerful thing on the planet, and GOD has given us the volition to use them how we feel we should, we must truly think before we speak.
I was sitting in church today, and I had one of those AHA moments. One of those, I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing. I know this, but I have fallen short. James eloquently wrote about our words.
James 3:2-8
For we all stumble in many ways, If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of all great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles, and creatures of the sea is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
WOW! There is a lot of information there. My interpretation of this verse is many fold. But I want to start where it says our tongue is poison. GOD is not saying our tongue is actual poison. He is saying our words that we speak towards each other, or our words we speak behind the backs of others is poison. I know, that as a Christian, I have a responsibility not just to "talk the talk" but "walk the walk" as well. I am falling short here. I want very much so to live/love as CHRIST lives/loves. One small thing can change the course of someone's future. Our words can be life or death. I need to work on being an ambassador for Christ. I want for nothing but to please HIM in all I do, and I fall short here. I know in Romans 3:23 it says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD." I know I sin. I sin everyday, but I know, by GRACE I have been saved. (EPH 2:8-9) But I fall short here. My AHA moment was this morning in church realizing that I have/and still do speak poison. This is my new goal. To not speak ill of people. I will try to only say things that are uplifting and that can cause people to grow. I do not want to be a stumbling block with my words.
There is another side to this. We are not to be stumbling blocks for our friends, our family , or anyone we may come into contact with. But, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our habits, and our habits become who we are. How can I not be a stumbling block for someone, if I am a stumbling block for myself? The smallest thought, could turn into words and then actions, then habits, then my life. I need to start with uplifting myself in the righteousness of GOD. I am a child of a KING. And I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!
I was sitting in church today, and I had one of those AHA moments. One of those, I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing. I know this, but I have fallen short. James eloquently wrote about our words.
James 3:2-8
For we all stumble in many ways, If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of all great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles, and creatures of the sea is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
WOW! There is a lot of information there. My interpretation of this verse is many fold. But I want to start where it says our tongue is poison. GOD is not saying our tongue is actual poison. He is saying our words that we speak towards each other, or our words we speak behind the backs of others is poison. I know, that as a Christian, I have a responsibility not just to "talk the talk" but "walk the walk" as well. I am falling short here. I want very much so to live/love as CHRIST lives/loves. One small thing can change the course of someone's future. Our words can be life or death. I need to work on being an ambassador for Christ. I want for nothing but to please HIM in all I do, and I fall short here. I know in Romans 3:23 it says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD." I know I sin. I sin everyday, but I know, by GRACE I have been saved. (EPH 2:8-9) But I fall short here. My AHA moment was this morning in church realizing that I have/and still do speak poison. This is my new goal. To not speak ill of people. I will try to only say things that are uplifting and that can cause people to grow. I do not want to be a stumbling block with my words.
There is another side to this. We are not to be stumbling blocks for our friends, our family , or anyone we may come into contact with. But, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our habits, and our habits become who we are. How can I not be a stumbling block for someone, if I am a stumbling block for myself? The smallest thought, could turn into words and then actions, then habits, then my life. I need to start with uplifting myself in the righteousness of GOD. I am a child of a KING. And I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!
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