I Can Take It From Here

 

“This town sure has a lot of dog lovers.” My sister-in-law’s comment was something I had noticed myself, many times.

In the heart of our historic downtown is a lovely courthouse square. It’s a popular place to walk, and many people seem to walk their dogs there.

A few years ago, my husband and I observed an awesome dog!

So many dogs seem to pull on their leash, wanting to sniff and explore. Not this dog. Head held high, he simply trotted ahead of a young couple coming our way.

A little later they returned, the couple eating ice cream and ignoring the dog. The leash had fallen down and was dragging between the dog’s front legs.

Since he was free, we fully expected the dog to trot away. To our surprise, he slowed down, took the leash in his mouth, and kept on with his regal pace.

My husband and I looked at each other and said, “What a dog!” But dogs aren’t the only ones who need to make choices when free.

During COVID lockdown I heard Bible sales went up. That’s great, I thought, but I wonder how many really read or studied the Bible they bought?

When it comes to Bible learning, some people prefer to only be on a leash. They enjoy the pastor’s sermon, the small group lesson, or even the daily devotional online. But once the leash is dropped, they never pick it up to walk forward on their own.

Do you know how to use your Bible? It contains sixty-six books, in two sections---the Old and New Testaments. The books are listed in front, along with page numbers for easy access.

Be glad we live in a time when Bible books are divided up into chapters and verses. Find Psalm 51:10 . . . book . . . chapter . . . verse . . . you’ve got it!!

Your slogan should be, “I can take it from here!” Hold your head up high and enjoy your freedom.

Word Power

Do you always say what you mean? Are your words always understood? How many times have you said something you wished you could take back?

Famous American Poet, Emily Dickinson, put it this way:

A word is dead when it is said, some say.

I say it just begins to live that day.

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gave words a picturesque twist: A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11 NIV). 

That’s encouraging. I may not be a creative genius, but with my everyday words, I can create something beautiful.

I love the treatise on words by James. His is a short five-chapter book in the New Testament. But in chapter three, you’ll find a nice section about words. 

The Message Bible (MSG) states his premises quite clearly. We'll share a few:

1. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.

2. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can be like a spark that sets off a forest fire.

3. You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue---it's never been done.

4. Curses and blessings come out of the same mouth. This can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it?

1.    You are a person with great power. Don’t sell yourself short.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” says Proverbs 18:21 (NIV). Words can heal or destroy. In your lifetime, I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of both. 

Knowing how words have affected you, stop right now and give yourself a pep talk:

My words make me a powerful person,

Therefore, I need to think before I speak.

No one controls my tongue but me.

Reminder to self:

Don't just blurt---be alert!

Early Warning Systems

Along with our monsoon season, I have received multiple flash flood warnings. They suddenly burst out of my cell phone with an irritating noise that continues until I punch OK.  

I remember an early warning system (EWS) in my elementary years, for tornadoes. At the time, I lived where cellars were considered safe for survival. I’m still thankful I never had to personally prove it.

I was curious about today’s early warning systems. My initial web inquiry turned up UN.org's (United Nations) climate-change warning systems. I’m sure communities worldwide appreciate the integrated systems that prepare them for hazardous events.

The next site was USGS.gov (U.S. Geological Survey). Again, natural hazards were referenced, but a special note was made of California wildfires creating hazardous flash floods in heavy rains.

Having lived in California and personally witnessed powerful mudslides from burned-out areas, I consider early warning systems a wise move.

Civil Defense Sirens were popular during WW II. A piercing sound from a high tower would warn of a possible air raid. After the danger had passed, the siren would signal an all-clear. If you were outdoors, it definitely invaded your space.

General warning systems gradually became more specific. A good example is today’s noisy not-to-be-missed flash flood warnings on my cell phone.

Would you believe there are important spiritual early warning systems, too? I heard one today.

If I say, “Three sixteen (3:16),” would you think I was telling the time, or would you think of it as the first sound of an early warning system?

Your second thought would be correct. Even without a Bible, people can get this signal. The go-to app on my cell phone is the YouVersion.

Locate the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16. You'll find an early warning signal. God is sending an explanation of why Jesus came into this world. Read verses 16-19 for the full siren sound.  

The signal is clear whether you read it in the New International Version (NIV), The New King James Version (NKJV), or The Message Bible (MSG).  

Early warning systems are important, especially this one.