Building up

(think before you speak!)

Building up

The news this week brought stories of sports personalities cursing into live microphones (again) and a television anchor verbally melting down on camera (on his first newscast).  We saw persons on both sides of the political spectrum taking advantage of the horrific bombing in Boston to push their policy agendas (surprise, surprise).  Nothing seems to be off limits any more...entire cable channels are dedicated to conjecture and criticism.  The race to be first with the news most often leads to being loud, accusatory and wrong on the facts.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

What a difference it would make if everything we said was helpful...helpful to the person we were speaking to, and not merely said to make us feel better.  Helpful talk which goes far beyond the neutrality of civil discourse into the realm of intentional positivity. It's said, for example, that a married couple ought to give each other five encouraging comments for each negative comment; even more if their love language is words of affirmation.  Kids need correction and guidance, but need love and support even more.  Friends and colleagues look to us for help and support not ridicule and sarcasm.  

Why not chart a course away from unwholesome talk and set yourself apart from the world?  Be a builder instead!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 6

Straight path

(didn't know the train was fully automated until later!)

Straight path…

On a recent trip to Vancouver I rode the SkyTrain from the airport to the downtown hotel.  This fully automated transit system moves a large number of people efficiently and economically around the Greater Vancouver area.  Despite its name the train does travel underground at various times and this is where it gets interesting.  

In the dark confines of a tunnel, riding in a brightly lit train, there are few external points of reference.  And as you look forward, the next car seems to float left and right in an eerie fashion while your car stays stationary.  It's just an illusion of course, the whole train is rounding the corners, but your focus really affects your perspective.

"Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Our lives are filled with more twists and turns than the craziest subway system could ever have.  When we focus on the external, our emotions and relationships can get whipsawed back and forth.  We run from happy to sad; from confident to confused. And we can't see when it will ever end.  When we focus on the eternal though, on what lies ahead, our situation calms down.  We see the world shifting from left to right, but our portion stays straight. and we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Trust in The Lord and look ahead!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 5

Think about....

(I have this verse taped to the inside of my office door frame...so I can see pretty much all day)

Think about…

Spring has sprung and flowers are popping up everywhere.  Daylight Savings Time has made our evenings feel longer. Opening Day has arrived and every baseball fan thinks their team has a chance at the pennant. And Easter, the glorious remembrance of Christ’s Resurrection, has been celebrated.  There is much to be thankful for this time of year and it seems we are all on the upswing both mentally and spiritually.  Staying on that upswing usually proves a fair bit more difficult!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

 Philippians 4:8

The admonition of “think about such things” was more than just a feel good slogan. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi on the general topic of suffering and joy.  The prevailing sentiment of the time was that life was just a difficult and dreadful time spent on the road to death.  Ambitions and dreams were futile; disappointment and rejection inevitable. Paul even penned the letter from jail, his own ministry interrupted.  No, Paul knew that in every circumstance we can and should celebrate the blessings. We have homes, jobs, family, friends and a great and wonderful Savior who loves us infinitely more than we deserve.  Our glass isn’t merely half-full… our cup “runneth over” as the psalmist wrote!

Think about it!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 4