“For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
Okay, let me preface this by reminding you that I didn’t say this, Jesus did. And that puts the statement in serious perspective, doesn’t it?
When we were kids we often heard/proclaimed the singsong taunt, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But it wasn’t true, was it? Our words do hurt. They sting, they wound, they injure. And Jesus said we would be held accountable for them.
“I just tell it like it is” is a common excuse for blasting someone with both barrels, but would we be so quick to fire away if we first remembered that those very words would be brought into account when we stand before God one day? And why bring this subject up at Christmas, anyway?
For the very reason that it is Christmas, that’s why. The One who spoke those words while He walked this earth first came as a Baby, humble yet royal, to show us how to live—and then to die in our place. Though the majority of people will ultimately reject that priceless gift, those of us who accept it have no excuse for cutting people down with our words. Ephesians 4:15 admonishes us to speak the truth “in love” so that we “may grow up in all things into Him.” Mature believers seek God’s help to restrain their lips from speaking hurt and injury to others just to satisfy their own selfishness, and instead to speak truth in love, with the purpose being to bring life and healing and reconciliation.
As we go about our many busy activities this Christmas season, may we remember the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate and weigh our words before we speak them. There is enough negativity being proclaimed by those who don’t know Christ; let’s counter that by speaking love and life and joy to ears and hearts that so desperately need to hear them.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Valeria's Cross Featured in Romantic Times
Please check out this "behind the scenes" feature on Valeria's Cross in Romantic Times!
http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/take-look-behind-scenes-valerias-cross
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A Chance to Support Red Ink!
If you are an ACFW Book Club member and enjoyed reading Red Ink, please go to the following link and vote for it for the April 2011 contemporary choice of the month: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acfwbookclub/surveys?id=2337861
Thank you all so much!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Where is your heart?
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
(Matthew 6:21, NKJV).
Jesus’ words about treasure ring especially true and relevant in this pre-Christmas season, don’t they? It is a time when we who claim to worship and follow the King of Kings, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day, are often put to the test during these weeks of frenzied shopping and spending. That test is summed up in this question: Where is our treasure? As Jesus said, the answer to that question reveals where our heart is.
I once attended a church service where the pastor was teaching on this verse, and early on in his sermon he asked a lady in the front row if he could borrow her purse. She hesitated a moment before agreeing. The pastor then set her purse on the pulpit and proceeded with his teaching. Throughout the remainder of the service, we in the congregation couldn’t help but notice that the woman’s eyes never left the pulpit, even when the pastor walked around the stage as he spoke. It was a powerful illustration of his message.
And not one that didn’t speak loudly and clearly to my heart, I might add. I certainly couldn’t think ill of the woman for wanting to keep her purse in sight, as we women don’t like being separated from our purses, do we? We keep not only our checkbooks, cash, and credit cards in there, but so much else that seemingly identifies us, such as family pictures and other mementoes. But ultimately, what does that say about our hearts? Is it possible that as believers we still have a lot of growing and maturing to do when it comes to understanding our true treasures?
In the two verses preceding Jesus’ statement that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” He cautioned us against focusing on amassing temporal treasures here on earth rather than eternal ones in heaven. Then, in verse 33, He summed it up like this: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Jesus wanted us to understand that the Father knows our needs, and we can trust Him to meet them. What the Father desires from us is a heart that truly seeks Him, first and always. May we actively do so today, throughout the Christmas season, and all year long, as we add to our treasures in heaven and experience the joys of a caring and faithful Father who faithfully meets all our needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
(Matthew 6:21, NKJV).
Jesus’ words about treasure ring especially true and relevant in this pre-Christmas season, don’t they? It is a time when we who claim to worship and follow the King of Kings, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day, are often put to the test during these weeks of frenzied shopping and spending. That test is summed up in this question: Where is our treasure? As Jesus said, the answer to that question reveals where our heart is.
I once attended a church service where the pastor was teaching on this verse, and early on in his sermon he asked a lady in the front row if he could borrow her purse. She hesitated a moment before agreeing. The pastor then set her purse on the pulpit and proceeded with his teaching. Throughout the remainder of the service, we in the congregation couldn’t help but notice that the woman’s eyes never left the pulpit, even when the pastor walked around the stage as he spoke. It was a powerful illustration of his message.
And not one that didn’t speak loudly and clearly to my heart, I might add. I certainly couldn’t think ill of the woman for wanting to keep her purse in sight, as we women don’t like being separated from our purses, do we? We keep not only our checkbooks, cash, and credit cards in there, but so much else that seemingly identifies us, such as family pictures and other mementoes. But ultimately, what does that say about our hearts? Is it possible that as believers we still have a lot of growing and maturing to do when it comes to understanding our true treasures?
In the two verses preceding Jesus’ statement that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” He cautioned us against focusing on amassing temporal treasures here on earth rather than eternal ones in heaven. Then, in verse 33, He summed it up like this: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Jesus wanted us to understand that the Father knows our needs, and we can trust Him to meet them. What the Father desires from us is a heart that truly seeks Him, first and always. May we actively do so today, throughout the Christmas season, and all year long, as we add to our treasures in heaven and experience the joys of a caring and faithful Father who faithfully meets all our needs “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Another Red Ink Blog Tour!
The third and final Red Ink blog tour launches on Monday, December 6, just in time for Christmas gift-giving. Be sure to watch for posts here and on Facebook/Twitter about tour stops, as there will be lots of chances to win free books.
Breaking Chains Ministry responds to Red Ink
Breaking Chains Ministry exists to rescue children from sex-trafficking and prostitution in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. Here is what their prayer coordinator, Christine Nicolayeff, has to say about Red Ink:
"Red Ink is the story of Yang Zhen-Li, a young Chinese woman imprisoned and persecuted for her Christian faith. It is a work of fiction, but could as well be nonfiction, for similar stories are lived out every day in China and elsewhere. As the persecution intensifies, two women far across the world are moved to pray for an unknown individual. As they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, God strengthens and encourages Yang Zhen Li. The results of her faithful perserverance are life-transforming for her and for others. Another story within the story concerns a young girl who is nearly sold to traffickers and of how God uses prayer as a channel for His mercy. I recommend this book. It is well-written and deeply moved my heart."
Please consider learning more about this wonderful ministry, will you? Here is their contact information:
Breaking Chains Ministry: (619) 752-6325
http://breakingchains.org.
PO Box 27524
San Diego, Ca 92198
Writers Conference in Beautiful San Diego!
It's time to plan NOW to attend the National Christian Writers' Conference at the convention center in San Diego on Saturday, March 26. In addition to an array of professional speakers and tons of prizes, there will be one grand prize awarded consisting of a complete publishing and marketing package, so check it out at http://www.ncwcfr.com/. Hope to see you there!
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