"And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes... for the former things are passed away."
Revelation 21:4
I would be remiss if I did not start by
mentioning the recent passing of former Dragoons Chaplain, Tom Snowden.
Many of you knew Tom longer and far
better than I did, and could share many stories in this column.
What I will remember of him is that he
was a man of God. I will remember our conversations, prayers, and the impact he
had on all of us.
I will also always recollect his laugh,
his kindness to me and others, his Christmas singing, and his patience with the
projector in the backroom of the Shoney's.
I also know that he is with the Lord in
his glory and that makes his passing a little easier.
And I am ever reminded that between him
and Will Dismukes, I walk in the shoes of giants in this role as chaplain.
"With the tongue we praise our Lord
and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's
likeness."
James 3:9
As I was driving to work the other
morning I was listening to a sermon on the radio. The pastor was speaking from
James 3, on the "power of the tongue."
James was speaking on the impact of your
words. You have the power to lift someone up or destroy them by what you say.
More importantly, you will be judged by
these words. Matthew 12 states that, "everyone will have to give a account
on the day of judgement for every every empty word they have spoken" (v.
36,37).
Proverbs speaks that the "tongue has
the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit (v.
18:21).
I have to admit that I have used my
tongue poorly many times. At work, when Auburn plays poorly, or somebody
assails my heritage.
I have been convicted over the years to
use my words to speak light in to people. The world already has enough harsh
words in it. Just look at social media.
How are you using your words? Would you speak so if you
saw Jesus in the room?
Challenge yourself today to use your
tongue to build others up in the light of Christ.
Remember those on our prayer list.
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