Look who's talking

The premise of the 1989 comedy, Look Who's Talking, was simple - build a movie around the thoughts, being spoken aloud to the movie goers, by a baby.  Of course, the other characters in the movie cannot hear the words being spoken, but the movie watchers giggle at how the baby views the world, each new circumstance, and his parents.

Being at the beach recently with our 8-month-old grandson, we often "guessed" what he might be thinking:

Hmm....  
that huge blanket of white grainy floor 

that moves under your feet 

and seems to get pushed around by the big bathtub

 filled with crystal clear green water.
What's that about?
I'd like to get in that big bathtub,
but it looks like I might just get swallowed up.
My daddy got swallowed up once,
but it spit him right back out.  😮
My mommy did let my toes touch that water once... 
but then she lifted me up really high really quick, 
so I think she's very afraid!

I do like this big blue chair and my favorite book, though!!

Or maybe I'd be happy to ride this crazy fish 

in the other bathtub that doesn't taste so salty!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  HIs precious smile is worth much more than thousands, for sure!

Would you agree with me ... thoughts we have don't always have to or need to actually become words?  I must say I am thankful that others can't "hear" some of my comtemplations. 😞

While raising our kids, we agreed with a "motto" we watched other friends adopt.

Before you speak, ask 3 questions...

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Is it kind?

The answer to ALL three questions should be YES before speaking.

Let's play that out in a normal conversation?

Maybe I think I really don't like your dress.

It is my opinion, I don't like your dress... so I can answer yes, it is true.

Just because it's my opinion doesn't mean you want to know... so no, it isn't necessary.

And even though I believe it to be true, you probably DO like your dress, so it would not feel at all kind to you.

Ahhh,  sweet little example, right?

Oh friends, even this week, have I allowed words out of my mouth that should have been stopped and "taken captive" in my mind long before they flew out?

Words flying out...  would have to include words that I texted, typed, tweeted or tossed out on Facebook or instagram, too.  

Remember James, the brother of Jesus.  He had much to share about our words.  I wonder... Had he learned much about his own words as he came to understand and know Jesus, his half-brother, as his Savior?

In his five-chapter New Testament book, James acknowledged our tongue as a small part of our body likening it to the bit placed in a horse's mouth that turned the animal, to the very small rudder of a ship which turns the entire vessel, and to a small spark that has the power to ignite a blazing fire.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  James 3:9-11

This friend, James, sure doesn't beat around the bush, does he?  

He continues in chapter 3 by guiding us toward what helps us control our own words... wisdom.  

And where does wisdom come from?  From heaven... and here's how he describes wisdom:

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17

The Bible gives us ample examples of how powerful - both life-giving powerful and damaging powerful - our words can be to others.  

One of the first verses I memorized from the Bible:

I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

The more of HIS words I read, think about, learn and memorize, the more I am reminded and guided by HIS wisdom in my words, my thoughts and my actions.  

Join me in a challenge this week...  write your own script for the movie...

Look, who's NOT talking...

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14