***Prayer Circle for Friday August 3, 2012***

Curses and Blessings

By  Daphne Delay

Guest Writer

CBN.com – When my oldest son was around two, I would put him in the bathtub each morning to keep a close eye on him while getting ready for work. One day he asked if he could play with his new ship my husband had bought him the day before. I said yes, and he was quite entertained for a while.

As I sleepily sipped my coffee and put on mascara, Benjamin said something about his toy. Half-listening and focused more on my make-up than my son, I said, "Oh yea, that's a great boat..."

Quickly correcting me, he said, "Da-da says it's a ship."

"That's right," I said (not really knowing the difference). A couple minutes later, my talkative toddler said something else about his toy and without thinking, I again said, "Hmmm.... yes that's a nice boat..."

A second time, my son said, "It's a ship."

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror while continuing my routine, I said, "Oh yeah that's right..."

Believe it or not, a few minutes later, this happened a third time—Benjamin telling me about his toys and me half-awake answering him with, "That's a great boat..."

But this time, he yelled, "MOM!" I quickly turned around only to see my son holding his toy up and looking at me with frustration as he said, "Can you say SHIP?"

The Bible says, "The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" (James 3:5, NKJV)

My exchange with my son is quite small in comparison to some of the firestorms that have started with just a few words. Countries go to war and couples go to divorce court over mere words. The tongue is a weapon, that's for sure. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can set off a virtual forest fire.

By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it. This is scary:

"You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue - it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women He made in His image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" (James 3:7-10, Message)

I still don't know the difference between a boat and a ship, other than one is small and used for fishing and waterskiing, while the other is much bigger and usually found on the ocean. But I could know their differences if I chose to study them. In the same way, if I care about the things that defile my life and grieve the Holy Spirit, I can learn.

The Bible says, "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit" (1 Peter 3:10, NKJV).

I may not be able to perfectly tame my tongue, but I can choose my words. Jesus said it starts with what we put in our heart:

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, NKJV).

As God's Word becomes a priority in my life, one benefit is the overflow from my heart to my mouth.

"He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit" (Proverbs 17:27, NKJV).

If I'd had more knowledge on "ships" I wouldn't have upset my young son. Likewise, as I gain understanding about the tongue and the various ways it defiles, I am less likely to be the cause of strife. My words can be vain, irritating, hasty, irreverent, insincere, proud, and malicious; OR my words can be modest, helpful, sincere, respectful, humble, and kind. And like the fierce winds that oppose a ship on the open sea, I can use the rudder in my mouth to maneuver peacefully through tough conversations or perceived attacks.

So, although I'm bound to be careless with my words at some point or another, it's what I choose to keep in my heart that keeps me from recklessly starting a fire. I am the vessel and my tongue is the blade that adjusts my direction. Can you say SHIP?

Here is the link for Thursday's PC

http://community.tasteofhome.com/community_forums/f/29/t/867094.aspx

Hi everyone, got my hair beautified this morning but this afternoon right after lunch I got really nauseated & very sleepy, thank God I slept for an hour but I had difficulty getting up.  I am doing things backwards lately, I have been doing my laundry at night at least it is a bit cooler later on. I also need to iron a few things too, wouldn't do it if I didn't have to. 

Linda, praying for you & Brian too!

Hope to be back & check on the requests.

Please keep Kenneth in prayer, he has been at work all day with only a few hours break at home then after the dentist he went back, didn't come home for supper cause "the students need me" for the test tomorrow, he probably won't get home till about 11 or midnight or maybe later because he needs to make out the test, and 1 student has to leave early tom. so he has to be in class at 7A.M. & probably won't be home till 1 because the students will want to know their grade, grrrr. After this big test, on Mon. he will be giving the final. Please pray he usues God's wisdom, thanks!

Patty

Stopping in to say hello.  I have been AWOL on here for a couple days.  Chris was in the hospital with an 8mm kidney stone.  He had surgery on Tuesday, but the doctor was unsuccessful in removing the stone.  Instead, he placed a stent.  Chris is scheduled for surgery again on Wednesday.  I'm praying this time that they can remove the stone. 

Even though I have not been on here, I have been holding all of you close in my heart and in my prayers. 

I'm off to catch up on the posts.

Have a good night everyone.  Chat with ya all in the morning, Lord willing.

Hugs & Love to All,

Lu

Hi everyone!

I'm back  I actually didn't miss the computer while I was away, but I did think of my Prayer Circle family and prayed for you as you each came to mind.  And what a treat to actually get to meet one of my PC sisters in person!  I felt like Deb and I had always known each other - we were just picking up where we left off from our last visit - even if the last visit happened to be over the computer.  But this time the hugs were real hugs instead of cyber-hugs

Saying a prayer asking God for healing, for direction, for peace, and for joy.  Now I need to head off - one last peek in on FB and e-mail, then a little snuggle time with Peppy before I head to bed.  I don't have to get up early to see DH off to work in the morning, just however early the kids decide to get up, so I can be a bit later getting to sleep tonight  Not too much, but a bit :)

Hugs for each of you, and hopes that those hugs may be real ones one day!

Lynnette

Lu, so glad to see you but I am sorry to hear about Chris & that kidney stone, praying for the surgery next Wed. to be successful. Sending you all prayers & refreshing hugs.

Lynnette, so glad to see you back too, boy, I hate it when people are gone, myself included. So happy that you & Deb got to meet each other. Hoping the kidlets will let you sleep in in the morning.

Kenneth is finally home & exhausted & has to get up around 6ish, prayers please. I'm so glad he got home when he did, there was the biggest spider in the kitchen but not as big as a tarantula, ewwww.

Hugs,

Patty

Good Morning Everyone.

Welcome back, Lynnette!!  We missed you!!!   So glad that you and Deb got to meet.  Wouldn't it be great if we all got to meet each other!!

I finally got all caught up on the posts last evening.  Now, I need to get caught up on that pile of papers on my desk.    Ack...

Chris had a good restful night, last night.  The medication the dr gave him is really helping to control his pain.  I will be so glad when he has his surgery to remove that BIG stone. 

I'll breathe a prayer for each of you as you come to mind.

Hugs and Love to All,

Lu

Oh, I just LOVE it when Lu bumps the post right toward the top and I get to see it right away. 

Good morning to all.  I am keeping Chris and Lu in my prayers today.  May his pain be under control!

I am so jealous of Lynnette and Deb getting together.  I remember a number of years ago when I met Deb.  What a joy to have a face and a smile to put with a name. 

We were at a small concert last night and the lead singer of the band was introducing a song he wrote about friendship.  He said, "And I mean real frienship, not the cyber kind."  I immediately thought to myself, "Buddy, you have NO idea." 

Keeping all of my friends in my thoughts and my prayers today.  Have a wonderful day!

GM dear ones.

Keeping Lu and Chris in my prayers.  Also the situation with her dad.

Had a good shopping trip with mom yesterday.   Got her 4 pairs of elastic waist capris and slacks.   Then we went for a delish Chinese lunch.   She was doing real well till we were almost back at the Gardens and then started talking about people climbing in her windows,  and that the people who worked there moved her room,  etc, etc.   Makes me more that a little depressed.  

Are you recovering from the big weekend Deb?  

Not feeling very chatty....   heading out,  BBL.

hello dear ones

praying for your concerns

((((((((( hugs )))))))

i am not one to wish away time, but i am so ready for cooler weather,

the heat and humidity is stifling and has taken a large toll on me this year...

have a great friday

Oh me too Linda! I just got a phone call from a friend who told me she didn't know how much more of this heat she could take. I said, "Me too!" Then I told her I was in the mood to bake cookies, but it was too hot and she said, "Me too!".  I don't want to wish my life away, but yesterday I prayed, "Lord, as long as it's still summer, could you make the rest of it more tolerable?"

Praying against kidney stones, confusion...OK, now I forgot what else I was going to pray for. LOL!

I do have two prayer requests. We're supposed to fly to St. Louis for the day for a wedding reception. I have a cold and upset tummy....

Also, I really really really need to have an uncomfortable talk with a friend. Please pray that I can walk in the Spirit as I address her awful behavior. I've been walking on my tiptoes around her for over 40 years, and that's exhausting. And I'm not helping her a bit by not addressing these serious matters. Ack.

Well, I know I just got back, but I'll be away from the computer again tomorrow.  Family reunion!  But I'll make sure to stop in sometime Sunday, if not late tomorrow.

I'll be praying for the Holy Spirit to grant us each the strength, wisdom, and direction we need for those things we are called to do, and for God's healing touch upon all of our suffering members, family members, and friends.

May you each enjoy a most blessed weekend filled with peace and joy

Hugs everyone!

Oh, if you think of it, please say a prayer for my Aunt Sue, who has surgery on her neck Monday and DH's twin sister, who is getting dragged into some nasty family drama (amazing how they can do that to her even when she lives clear across the country)

Love you all!

Lynnette

Still not real chatty,  but wanted to bump this up to the front.   And to see what's been going on here today.

Loves you all.