Sunday Sabbath  September 27 2015  WORDS THAT YOU SPEAK

 

WHAT TO WRITE?

By Kathleen Martens

September 27, 2015

 

I sit at the keyboard and think, what to write?

Nothing at all seems to come to mind.

So I ponder a little bit longer

Hoping that somewhere in my brain I find

A story to tell, a thought to say,

Hoping some bright idea explodes alive,

But nothing seems to come my way.

 

I think I need more time to read

To feed my soul with wonderful words.

To be filled with new experiences,

And recollecting all I’ve heard

So I can share new things acquired.

And others too will be refreshed

Rather than feeling tired.

 

Ah ha!  I just thought of something to tell you!  I met two new out of town visitors today at church, David Michael and his daughter EL.  I asked them both for their wisdom and I will share it with you.

David Michael’s wisdom: “Never underestimate your influence on others.  The good words that you speak to them go deep into their hearts and change their life forever.”

EL’s wisdom:  “Keep smiling”.

I thought both contributions were extremely significant.  We sometimes forget the power of our words.  Our words can make or break a person.  Our words can tear down or build up.  Which words do you choose to deliver to others?  Better yet, ask yourself, which words would you rather have spoken to you? 

Just as important as the words you speak, or the words you receive, are the words you speak to yourself.  I have talked about this in the past, but I think  it is worth mentioning again.  The power of the words you speak to yourself actually dictates what you believe you can or cannot accomplish, your self-worth, how you perceive who you are, and so many other aspects of who you believe yourself to be.  Stop and take a listen as to the kind of self-talk you do.  Listen to the speech others say to themselves, especially listen for all the negatives with which we address ourselves.  Things like, “Oh, you are so dumb”, “That was a stupid thing to do (say)”, “I am just so clumsy”, “I can’t do that”, or a host of many other negatives.  When you change your self-talk you will see changes in what you can do and that you really aren’t “clumsy” but just bumped something and it is no big offence.  We seem to be hardest on ourselves. 

The book that I read a few years ago “Talk Sense to Yourself, The Language of Personal Power” by Chick Moorman was well worth reading.  It is amazing to have your eyes open to all the things you say to yourself and the affect it has on your entire life.  It’s worth the read and can be purchased very reasonably on Amazon half price books or on half.com (website).  The other book I recently referenced in my blog is, “You Don’t Have the Luxury of a Negative Thought” by Peter McWilliams.  It too is worth reading.  The last book I will mention is one I just started reading, “The Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient” by Norman Cousins.  I haven’t read too much yet due to the fact that I only have a chance to read when I am eating alone, and that doesn’t happen very often now that Dave is retired.  However, what I have read is very insightful to the workings of our self-talk and beliefs and how they affect our health. 

The words that David Michael spoke to me this morning have already shown how true his wisdom is.  Just the words he said to me in the quote above went deep into my heart and actually gave my memory a jog as to what I should write my short blog about tonight.

This day is winding down and so am I.  I wish all of you a wonderful night and a tomorrow that is filled with positive self-talk.  And oh, by the way, try giving a word of encouragement to another.  Not only will it lift their spirits, it may very well lift yours.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  Here is a poem I wrote in 2012 about God’s Word to us.

 

In the Garden of God’s Word

By Kathleen Martens

June 9, 2012

 

God’s Word is alive and well

In our secret place I stop to dwell.

Verse by verse, line by line

No other words quite so fine.

Over and over I read the same

And so many verses say my name.

As if written just for me

Offering knowledge to set me free.

Words of comfort for my pain,

Refreshing as a summer rain.

Words that convict the ere of my ways

Giving direction on which path to stay.

Words that enlighten my soul’s yearning,

So hungry am I for daily learning.

Words warning of what’s to come

I face with confidence for I know God’s Son.

The words of salvation, God’s great plan

For those who believe, for every man.

I learn how to praise through the Psalms

And I worship freely without qualm.

History that teaches me not to dread

For Revelation explains what’s ahead.

And Proverbs gives instructions for today

So that I will know God’s perfect way.

And no matter how often I read,

In my heart God plants His seeds

Of fresh insight not understood before

That seems to open brand new doors

In new places in God’s garden of words

For faith comes by what I’ve heard.

I eat and drink and devour what is said

From these pages on which I’m fed.

God’s garden of words alive and well

Where each day I choose to dwell.

 

Good night again!