Monday Morning Commentary

Yesterday we wrapped up our series on the book of James.  It has been a great series.  If you missed any of the messages, I would strongly encourage you to go back and listen. 

The message was on James 3:1-12 about the power of the tongue.  Proverbs 18:21 says The power of life and death is in the tongue.  There were two things that really stuck out to me in the message...

The first thing was kind of obscure.  I am not even sure if my husband said this in every message.  But at some point in the day he quoted a man named Robertson McQuilkin who said that he had a plaque hanging in his dining room that said "The absent are safe here."  What a powerful thought.  I want to be the kind of woman that would never speak unkind things about a person in their absence (or their presence for that matter).  I want to teach that to my children, and to do that, I think I need to model that.  And I think I may have a ways to go on this.  Good thing my kids are really young.

The other line that really stuck out to me is "A fire is great in a fireplace, but in the wrong place, it can burn your house down."  I realize that I have the power to speak life or death into everyone I come in contact with.  Whether my family, my neighbors, my friends.  My words of encouragement, or warning can be life to them.  My harsh words, judgmental words or even lack of words could be death.  We can all think back through our past and remember hurtful things that people have said to us.  I never want someone to carry with them hurtful words that I may have spoken over them.  And certainly not my children or husband.  Ooh, thats powerful.

One more thing... I had several people ask me what cd that was Elijah was singing to in the video (if you don't know, I guess you will have to watch the sermon).  Its a song off of Steve Green's kids album called Hide 'em in your heart.  There is also another great kids scripture cd called Seeds.

Happy Monday.

Comments

[Nikki]

WOW! I love the quote, "The absent are safe here"! Thank you so much for the post. It has really challenged me about what I say when people are not around. I hope I uplift instead of tear down! I can't wait to listen to the sermons!

[Mandy Perry]

There are not words to fully articulate how timely and deeply your post and then from it, your hubby's sermon convicted and challenged me. I am so grateful you take the time to blog like you do, and I want you to know God is using it to change lives, and this morning I am praising him that He is changing me!

deeply grateful,
church planter pastor's wife and mother of 2

[Suzanne Husted]

I REALLY heard GOD speaking to me in "Tame The Tongue" through Pastor Steven. I have "A wayward son" and although I have lately been THAT supportive mother, {and only parent}, there are times when he first "went wayward" I was unkind with my tongue and that probably pushed him further. He is now back in school, high school "Say What You Mean" after I encouraged him how brilliant he is and what a GREAT future he has, but it should start with a HS diploma, then college, {which if everything goes right, he will be starting in the Fall at Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, California}. Wish I had learned to "tame my tongue" sooner, then he would be a sophomore in college, instead of getting his HS diploma through CPCC.

[Heather]

In keeping with Sunday's service, I feel I need to "Say what you need to say....." Church Planter Veronica, this one's for you....from a former church shopper......
Last fall, my husband and I decided that it was time to find a new church for our family. The one we were going to was uninspiring, lack luster and down right boring. We weren't being fed or led. We have 2 children and we wanted something more for everyone.

We sat down and talked about "our ideal church", realizing that no one church could possibly fulfill all of our thoughts. He grew up Catholic, I grew up Presbyterian, we were going to a Methodist church at the time. He wanted big, I wanted smaller. We wanted something for the kids....the list went on and on from location, to time of service to music style. We looked at various other things, did any friends attend, were there children's programs. So, I did some research and came up with (ironically) a top 3 list!!

In our case, the Holy Spirit was moving us to check out a different church, but which one, was in God's hands. We started with # 1 (picked soley as #1 because it seemed to meet most of our criteria) on our way home, we were like, "why did we pick this one, again?". Two weeks later (we thought we should give #1 a fair shot, because maybe they had an off week), we stepped foot into Elevation, and it was as if God said, "What took you so long?". Little did we know that God was about to bless us 10 fold, eventhough our "list" was much more logistic, not spiritually realistic. Our family has seen dramatic change in our 8 months of attendance at Elevation,......but had we never seen other churches, maybe our appreciation wouldn't run so deep for where God brought us or for what Elevation has done in our lives!
So, don't be frustrated if you are in people's "Top 3". I think that at times, God leads people to be educated consumers. Maybe He is teaching a little appreciation along the way. If people come to your church once, or choose it as their church home, trust that God is leading them, even if they do think they are in the driver's seat! :)

[ginamarie]

When I heard the sermon topic "Taming The Tongue", I honestly told my three kids how excited I was to hear what the pastor had to say,for my "sharp tongue" has been passed down to my children,as sad as this makes me,it is what it is and I was excited for us all to learn so more tools on how we as a family can tame are tongues for the Glory of God.Two things were so standing out . First one,I drive over30,000 miles a year for my business and I have experienced some wonderful times of worship,I wish i could count on my hands (because then it would only be 10) the times some one changed my blessing to cursing. God has a favorite verse he likes to whisper in my ear"blessing and cursing out of the same mouth Gina,this should not be." I honestly,and not proudly told a female driver(she didn't hear me) I hoped she burn in hell! I did pull over with much disappointment at such horrible words and ask for forgiveness and prayed for her. I am so glad that the pastor told that story,not to feel better about my action,just to know i am not alone. I love the realness of this church. The other part God has really been hammering me is my kids are taking on all my habits,not just the good!! This scares the hebebagebees out of me(i think that means the deepest fear).The power of LIFE or DEATH-that is something to take so seriously.That makes my tummy hurt,especially knowing the things i have spoke over alot of people-ouch!
Then I had to tell you that my sister started putting hot sauce on my nephew,Baileys, tongue-one problem-he started liking it and can eat the hottest chicken wings that will bring a grown man to his knees!! We couldn't help but laugh,that backfired!!!
My sister is coming to town for Easter and I am inviting her to church. I also gave my husband a peeps and an invite to have a date night,ride the Harley to the Evening Service and asked if he would just take an hour!!
His name is Dean and I know I have only been saved for almost five years,but I would really like him to "Be Filled With Life In Christ!""And all my household shall be saved"
Praise God,Not only am I saved but I get to be a part of an incredible move of God!! I can't wait until Sunday!!

[Becky]

Right after I had my 3 1/2 year old, I was sharing with a lady at school that I was a little discouraged that I couldn't find the time to read scripture. She got me the first volume of the Seeds CD, and I would listen to it on my way to and from work each day. Now, my 2 yr old and 3 yr old love to sing the songs in the car. Some of the words they don't quite know yet and can't quite understand, but I know that these songs will be hidden in their hearts for years and years and will come to their minds when they need them! I think the Seeds CD's are spectacular...actual verses straight from the Bible, and what a great way to remember them!

[Rachel]

I thought the message was great yesterday morning. In fact... I was convicted the minute I heard the topic of the message and before a word even came out of Pastor's mouth. :) And thanks for the video which reminded me how easy music makes memorization. Kaiya has the entire Little Mermaid song memorized (AHHH!!)... so she is definitely capable at 3. We'll be substituting in some Steve Green at our house soon.

[Holly Furtick]

I had a lady tell me one time, "Of all the churches we go to, your church does that song the best." Was that a compliment?

No real feedback from me. If you were brave you could say "Well, you just narrowed it down to 2!"

[Veronica Brown]

Speaking of the tongue.....what in world do you tell people who TELL YOU that they are "visiting church's" and you are in the top 3. WHAT!!!! To me.... you go where God tell you, where the Holy Spirit is leading you, etc... Everything else will line up from there. What is your feedback on that, if you have time.

thanks,
church planter