A funny thing happened over the last few days. I was considering taking a break from doing the blog because i was taking a few vacation days and trying to help Marion get over a cold and well last night i was moments away from calling the blog off when the more i thought about it life groups were kicking into high gear and i had a new person join and 2 people reading and commenting and it's hard to take a break when God is actively at work. So i sat down and think i have something we all need. on to the study.
Back in the 90's Dwayne "The Rock Johnson became famous for a phrase of "Know your role and shut your mouth." There is some relevance to that phrase and this lesson. I can tell you from experience I don't control my own mouth as well as I should. I have even had my friends and family correct me and usually I needed it. I'm not going to deny that. Because i work at a call center I get a lot of verbal junk from people. I often get told to be more energetic with my voice but i have an even professional tone that keeps me from betraying my emotions on a call. Last week Micah preached about using our words more carefully and i needed that message. This whole week I've been about to say things and had to stop myself because I have started to say unkind things. When my wife and i fight i often stop and pray asking God to shut me up before i say anything to hurt her.
1. "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement." This verse is why I often pray before bible study that is be God's word and not mine that comes across.
2. "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble, in what he says, he is a perfect man able to bridle the whole body as well." See Matthew 12:33-37
3-4. " Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouth so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires." two small things drive big things.
5. "So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things." We've all met annoying boastful people.
6-8. "And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." See Proverbs 10:19 and 18:21
9-12. "With it we bless our Lord and Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water. Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh." Great contradictions here.
Here's your homework read Ephesians 4:29 and learn to live it out.
I'm including a few songs with this about the power of words. if you make it to the bottom of this I'm also including a fictional story i wrote about the power of words using Proverbs 18:21 as the basis I will give this warning it is a tear jerker and rated pg.
Nothing at all by Third Day nothing at all By Third Day with lyrics pay attention to the lyrics and you will hear the words of James 3:5-10
Don't censor me by Audio Adrenaline Track 07 "Don't Censor Me" - Album "Don't Censor Me" - Artist "Audio Adrenaline"
May the words of my mouth by Christy Nockels and Jana Long Christy Nockels/Janna Long - May The Words Of My Mouth
Started as a whisper by Susan Ashton Started As a Whisper Music Video - Susan Ashton
You don't belong here by Kim Hill You Don't Belong Here By Kim Hill
Let my words be few by Rebecca St. James. Rebecca St. James - Let My Words Be Few - TBN 12-31-2002
Why am I not memorable?
Why am I not memorable?
“So the stories say I was created by a strange man name William Moulston Marston who by the way also created the lie detector. In his mind and due to an artist I was unleashed on the world as a comic book heroine. There was Batman and Superman but Marston decided the world needed Wonder Woman. Yeah that’s me you know the story born to my mother Hippolayata had life breathed into me by Zeus and Athena made of magic clay. I grew up different than other kids being the only kid on Themyscaria. You know allegedly Paradise Island all women everywhere. We all run around in robes and armor and such. So I won a contest held among my sisterhood to allow me the chance to be the Amazons representative to man’s world. It was sort of medieval times meets the miss universe pageant. Yes I did earlier say Amazon and I don’t mean the website you Shopaholics. So in man’s world they call me Diana Prince just recently I found out I’m not real; I’m a comic book heroine. And apparently there’s statues, action figures, TV shows, an animated movie even lunch boxes of me. As Spider-Man would say ‘When do I start getting the royalties from all of this?’ I’ve got big full breasts, a nice butt, body of a goddess so I’m told; bulletproof bracelets, speed, strength, flight you name it, even get to run around in a star spangled swimsuit. Body of a goddess right, no pms what more could a girl want? Aw hush don’t sing that dumb Christina Aguilera song. Anyway born to a family of Greek gods try to top that my family history is more dysfunctional than the Simpson’s, Bundy’s, and all the rednecks in the world combined. I’ve even been part of the Justice Society and Justice League. Did I mention artists make statues of me? Yeah I think it’s really cool. You’d think I really have everything going for me. I mean heck I’ve even helped fight dragons, demons, monsters, win a world war, killed Maxwell Lord, saved the universe, Multi-verse. All that fun stuff and more. Heck I even lived thru comic book reboots, the Death of Superman, JLA vs. Avengers and the super villain of the month routine. Do you want to know the thing that really ticks me off though it was that article that Wizard magazine ran a few years ago. I wasn’t even mad that Wonder Girl is a blonde and apparently blondes have more fun. I didn’t even get too mad when I had to spend time with talking gorillas, wear bell bottoms, or have my friends and lovers killed off. No madam, it was that terrible article it just shot my self esteem to well…… to Hades there I said it. Here you thought a nice girl like me didn’t use profanity. There I said it Hades! Oh sorry got sidetracked again. Oh right the article. Sorry when you get as old as I am and take as many blows to the head as I have you forget easy. As you know my history dates back to the 1940’s and that’s a lot of comics. It’s a lot of guys drooling over me. It’s a lot of girls idolizing me. Yeah I should be happy with all of it. But you see it’s an article and for all my magical powers I can’t fight words. Who do they think they are anyway? I mean to a degree they were right and you see that’s what hurts me the most because the words in the article made me feel inadequate! It made me feel like a failure! Me! Amazon Warrior! Princess! Daughter of the gods, Wonder Woman! Failure, inadequate, Defender of the Earth! Yeah that exact same girl. They made me feel stupid, retarded, slow and special. I’m going to have to trade my invisible jet in for a short little yellow bus. Not even Ares in all his cruelty or Vandal Savage got to me like this article did. I admit some of the things written about me over the years were pretty darn good. I mean so I never got the Geoff Johns or Brian Michael Bendis treatment. I mean Merciful Minerva not every girl can say she was written by Gail Simone. I mean what she did for me and the Birds of Prey that was some pretty awesome stuff. For crying out loud Linda Carter brought me to life for several years. I was even voiced by Kerri Russell in an animated movie. You would think I could see myself as a bit of a big deal. I told you that article made me mad it really hurt. Whoever said that stupid thing about sticks and stones not breaking bones I’m Wonder Woman I can take those and not get hurt. I mean what the Hades right it’s just one article? Not to me its not! This is like that time Jennifer Love Hewitt got the worst actor ever award. It’s just as wrong! I mean so really its one article but its not like the end of the world because Athena knows I’ve seen that enough times. I mean I’m still one hot babe not many women can pull off a tiara, bracelets, swimsuit, breastplate, girdle and boots like I do. But yeah the article made me mad I mean I could stop being a hero any day of the week. I don’t do it for the praise and adulation of people I do it because it’s the right thing to do. I believe in it and what the Hades these powers are a gift not a curse. So really Wizard Magazine how dare you say for all I’ve done in my life that I’m not very memorable for things I’ve done in my own comics on my own but I’m only remembered for things I do with a group and there aren’t very many memorable Wonder Woman moments. I should take your magazine and send it to Hades. Grrrrr!!”
Rising from her seat Wonder Woman threw the chair out the nearest window breaking the Plexiglas just as the Flash grabbed it keeping it from putting a hole in the Watchtower. The Flash looked at the Green Lantern and asked “What’s got her star spangled panties in a bunch?” Wonder Woman stomped by. “Shut up Wally I’m not in the mood for your childish humor.”
Minutes later in the Watchtower lunch room Princess Diana can be found talking to Black Canary. “I just don’t get it Dinah how can they talk about me like that? I feel so worthless.” Dinah rose from her seat placing her leather jacket around Diana’s bare shoulders, wrapping her arms around her. “Diana you’re my friend first and fellow warrior second, when you hurt so do I.” The Black Canary simply sat with her friend till she stopped crying. Wonder Woman finally looked up at her with bloodshot eyes and a tear stained face. The table and room were suddenly not as empty as they had been. There were Justice League, Teen Titans and Justice Society members everywhere. “What’s going on here?” Wonder Woman asked. Martian Manhunter was the first to speak. “I’m a telepath Diana your grief and anger from the words you read have been pouring out breaking my heart. Do not rise my friend all of us have things to say to you.” Stargirl walked up with tears in her own eyes she hooked her arm around Wonder Woman’s and said “Come with me for 5 seconds Diana I’m going to give you what you gave me a few years ago.” The 2 women walked to the observation deck. Stargirl turned Diana to face her she removed her mask and said. “I’m Courtney Whitmore of Earth I live in a small suburb you’re a goddess, a princess a magical being. I grew up wanting to be you. I grew up hearing tales of you in the JLA and the JSA. I grew up with you as a role model. You teach of peace yet you are one of the fiercest warriors on the planet. Years ago you and I stood in this same spot and you Wonder Woman, champion and role model of women, everywhere answered a question for me. I asked you why Sentinel and Superman came up here and looked out over Earth. You said perspective. You’re letting a magazine article get to you. You need perspective my friend, my sister in arms. Now don’t argue just look outside.” As she starred Stargirl walked away. Superman and Supergirl approached her. Supergirl spoke first. “Diana you took me to Paradise Island. You helped shape me as a warrior, a fellow Amazon and a sister. When Darkside tried to use me and twist my mind to evil you, Bruce, Barda, and my cousin risked all to save me. They couldn’t have done it without you. You stood up for me! To say your deeds alone don’t matter is the biggest load of crap ever. In my opinion you absolutely rock!” Superman cleared his throat and spoke. “Diana you have been one of my best and most loyal friends for years. You share one of the biggest weaknesses Kara and I both do. For all your power, gifts and abilities your greatest asset and at the same time weakness is like us; you care. Your heart is broken right now but you still have and continue to impact people around you and that truly is the legacy of Wonder Woman! Come back in the cafeteria for a moment.” They sat Wonder Woman back down and one by one hero and heroine walked up giving her hugs and kisses on the cheek and words of encouragement. They used words such as sister, friend, hero, role model, inspiration, confidant and beloved.
Diana was found later by the Flash. “Diana next time you’re really that down I’m not really a jokester like Plastic Man I’m your friend.” He pulled his mask off and continued. “This is not the Flash speaking just simply Wally West I’m your friend I care about you and I love you as your friend. Now listen Hal and I are going to OA tonight. Guy is cooking at Warrior’s diner we would love for you to join us.”
My question to the reader is this have you been there before in the place where Diana was? I’m sure you have. Hurtful words destroyed your entire world. It got to her just as much as it does to us. The article about Wonder Woman is real. As I wrote this it really drove home something I heard about 2 years ago. Proverbs 18:21 is as true today as it was when King Solomon wrote it please take these things to heart. “Words kill, Words give life. They’re either poison or fruit you decide.” Words have power! People’s spirits can be built up or destroyed by what we say. You may even have a friend like Diana who has had their world shattered. I urge you to go to them be the friend they need. Be their hero. Use your words with care.
