AVOID UNCLEAN LIPS

AVOID UNCLEAN LIPS

When my seven siblings and I were young we weren't allowed to say the word "butt" because it was a semi-cuss word. We had to say "bobo" instead. We weren't allowed to say "fart" either. We had to say "poot" instead. But at some point I rebelled and began to say "butt." No one but us was using the "bobo" word to describe that body part. Ironically, when we moved to a new town, there was a Bobo's Pizza. That cinched it. Out with the "bobo" word.

I still won't say "fart." And I spell cuss words when I repeat what others have said when what they said includes a cuss word. One of our friends says we're the only family that spell-cusses. The only way I will say "Da_n" is if I'm talking about _the brand name of certain trolls (toys). We couldn't say "darn," which is "da_n's" substitute cuss word. Of course the sh _ _ word was way off limits. And he_ _ was reserved for the place "down in the ground" that we were going to if we didn't live right. The "f" word was unthinkable, considered by society in that day as the worst of the curse words.

I exclaimed "Dadgummit" one time and my daughter-in-law was shocked. She had never heard me cuss before and she thought I had said "G__d_mm_t." So that exclamation had to go too. I don't even want to give the appearance of evil and if using God's name is evil, as stated by the third commandment, then I'm not going to say even a variation of God's, Jesus's, or Christ's names.

I don't feel that I've missed out on anything by not cussing. I don't think cussing would have gotten me any farther in life or would have gained me more respect. In fact, I think it would have made me feel dirty and I might look dirty to others too.

Many of the words I mentioned above are not considered cuss words by society but others are. We use some of the words I mentioned as substitute words for curse words, such as "darn" for "damn." Some say "heck" in place of "hell" as an exclamation, usually said in anger or with intensity. Of course the most grievous curse words are using God's name in vain or Christ's name or His other name: Jesus, which is supposed to be the name above all names. "Geez" is a substitute word for Jesus. OMG is somewhat like spell-cussing. "Gosh" is a form of "God." His name should be held in reverence at all costs. It is, after all, No. 3 in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3 and Deut. 5:11): “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

There are many places in scripture that say we are supposed to keep our speech clean, such as the following:

The 3rd chapter of James, verses 3-10, is a good example: "3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

Colossians 3:8 is another scripture insisting we keep our speech clean: "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

Psalm 139:20b says: " your adversaries misuse your name." David is saying this and is referring to those who misuse God's name as adversaries.

Matthew 15:11  - What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

James 5:12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Proverbs 4:24-27 - Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

Footnote: Do your best to tame your tongue. Think before you exclaim.

--Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

WHEN SOMEONE THREATENS SUICIDE

When Someone Threatens Suicide

Many times people will talk suicide by just working it into a conversation, so the listener doesn't take it seriously. Always take it seriously. If the person is giving away personal items and are telling their best friends how much they appreciate them, give that person a red flag in your memory bank and stay in close touch with them. Keep them talking. Consider asking the following questions:

Ask them what method they would use if they did it (gun, knife to slit wrist, drugs, drowning, jumping off a building).

Ask them if they have a plan. If they do, they're serious about taking their on life.

Ask them if they’ve had much sleep lately. Lack of sleep makes us think more negatively.

Ask them if they’ve eaten. Being hungry makes us crabby and more negative.

Ask them who in their family would be devastated. Have the person name them.

Ask them who of their friends would be devastated. Have the person name them. Count yourself as one. 

Ask them if they have a dog or other pets. Some people are closer to their pets than people.

Ask them what their favorite season of the year is and why. Remind them that it is coming around again. 

Ask them if they have a hobby and why they like it. If they don't have a hobby, ask them if there is anything they are skilled at or that greatly interests them.

Ask them if they do drugs and remind them that drugs skew a person’s view of reality/life.

Ask them if they suffer from depression and remind them there are medications to help them feel normal.

Ask if they’ve had a recent breakup in a relationship.

Ask them if they have ever been abused.

Ask them if they believe in God. Reassure him/her that if they were to cry out to God, He will hear their cry and will help them get through this dark tunnel. Be honest and let them know it doesn't happen overnight. If they ask what God has ever done for them, ask them what they have done for God. Have they even prayed to Him? Remind them they are God’s child and He loves all of His children and knows their names and how many hairs are on each head.

Keep them talking until they calm down. If they have a plan and the means, they need to be reported to the police as suicidal. They would be taken to a hospital where they would get treatment in the way of medication and talk therapy (hopefully). Follow up with them to see if their attitude has changed and to show you care.

Dealing With a Person With Depression

Encourage the person to pour his or her emotions into an art form such as singing, playing an instrument, writing, sculpting, etc. or if the person is into sports, give it his/her all. An art form without emotions poured into it is like the difference between creative writing and a newspaper article.

Does the person have ADHD? Persons with ADHD have excess energy and emotions and therefore when they become adults, they fit right in with the teenagers. They have the energy to lead them while the rest of us have lost energy. Having ADHD is not a bad thing. Encourage the person who has it to use it for the good.

People who have had bouts of depression are more empathetic toward others, especially those who are going through a bout of depression. Sometimes just talking it out makes a big difference. People who have had situational depression are better equipped to handle a future situation because they have been through a storm or storms and realize the sun will shine again. They actually become stronger.

Self-discipline is needed in order to be an overcomer of suicidal thoughts, depression or anxiety. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" I Corinthians 9:24-27, NIV. Focus on serving others and give it your all. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." Eccl. 9:10a.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com