When We Learn!

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.  Proverbs 15:1-7 NIV

Though many may mock proverbs' lessons,
Wisdom arriving late is better than never.
Keeping thoughts focused on the task at-hand,
Reins in the tongue and zips the lips before they speak.

What fills our hearts from within--
Bigotry, hate, empathy, sympathy, love
Flowing from beneath or showering from above.

Better to be slow to speak
And quick to listen, getting the facts
And forgetting the fiction.
Understanding that once words flow through the air,
There's no going back, and all criticism is fair.

When we learn--that life is not just about us,
But the environment in which we  live
And those in whom we trust.

When we learn to exercise prudence and wisdom
In all we do, we'll set the table for peace and harmony,
Respecting all we meet and greet with no acrimony,
But heralding love--enduring and unconditional--
Receiving, enjoying all of God's best--mercy and grace
Not withering attacks from afar--and not in our face,
But remembering "The Golden Rule" from the first,
Treating others like we treat ourselves or better.

When we learn!

Sometimes, It's Best To Be Quiet!

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Proverbs 15:14 NIV

I'm sure most of us have had opportunities in which we have listened to someone talking, trying to make a point, but strayed so far from the point, people who were listening forgot why they were listening.

When I've encountered this situation (and I have a lot lately), I often wonder if people are listening to themselves.

First of all, The Word tells us, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks," (Matthew 12:34), if a person's mouth keeps speaking do we not see what's in their heart?

Then there are those who love the sound of their voice and forget that others are not that crazy about "their voice" but they're so wrapped up in themselves, they don't recognize when people start squirming and looking at watches.

Moving onto those who--when speaking to a new audience--make certain erroneous assumptions about the crowd to whom they're speaking. This is where the rubber meets the road and the speaker is found guilty of presuming--having no knowledge--thinking they are the only one "in the know."

Personally, based upon my experience in various environments, I've learned that any time a person has to tell me they are, "God-fearing" or a "Christian" they are not telling the whole truth. I'm more convinced by a person's actions as to who they are than I am by their words. And if your actions don't demonstrate what your words say--I'm not interested in anything else you have to say.

Okay, I won't bore you any longer with this diatribe, but I wanted to remind anyone interested--when speaking before people you've never met--don't try to impress them with a lot of talking,--just get to the point and sit down. Let your audience lead your speaking with their questions.