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Have you heard the song by John Mayer titled, “My Stupid Mouth?” Here are just a few lines from that song:

My stupid mouth, it’s got me in trouble.
I said too much again, to a date over dinner yesterday,
and I could see that she was offended.
She said, “Well anyway!” Just dying for a subject change.

Oh. It’s another social casualty.
Score one more for me, oh how could I forget,
Momma said, “Think before speaking.”

Have you ever caught yourself in one of the awkward moments where you just contracted “foot’n'mouth” disease? You know, those times when you ask when the baby is due, and she is not pregnant; or when you call your girlfriend by your last girlfriend’s name?

We have all had those moments when we say something and then wish we could immediately hit the “delete” button. Well we all have brain slips at times, but I am more interested in the words that come from our mouth on a regular basis that we would be completely embarrassed by if someone outside of our family could here. Isn’t it interesting that we talk the worst to those that we love the most? I can tell alot about a family, a parent, a child by how they talk to those closest to them when no one else can hear them (or atleast they think nobody can hear).

May I challenge us all to evaluate the words that come out of our mouth, especially when they are spoken at home and towards those we love the most. Scripture teaches us that no unwholesome talk is to come from our mouth, only that which is edifying and encouraging to others.

I pray all of us would be more careful about what and how we use words.

Joel

This morning as I read the newspaper, I read about the violence that is happening in Peru. The native Indians are striking against the Government because their land is being taken for resources and they are not being asked or compensated for their loss of land.

Well that is an interesting story to me because my youngest son, Grayson, will be flying to Peru in two weeks for a mission trip. He will be a part of a team that is going into Aquitos, and then a couple of hours into the jungle.

As I talked with God this morning about the trip, I asked him to bless the team as they go. I asked that He would give them great influence with the people that they would encounter. But I also asked him to watch out for Grayson. As soon as I asked it, I was set back by my request. What makes me think that He wouldn’t do that in the first place. Grayson is one of His children, one that He dearly loves. Scripture says that He will never leave or forsake Grayson.
What I learned this morning is that I need to move that passage of Scripture from head knowledge to heart knowledge. I need to live the truth of that.

My prayers changed from protection to influence. Lord, please allow Grayson and the rest of the team to be great influencers for your Kingdom. Even in the face of danger and adversity, please give them courage and strength to live boldly for you. Yes Lord, I do pray for your hand of safety over him, but even if he is endangered, fill him with your courage and strength.

Thank you Lord for the opportunities you give us to live for you. As Grayson and the team fly to Peru, Lord, may they wait on you and allow you to raise them up as on wings of eagles. Allow them to work for you and not grow weary, renew their strength on a daily basis.