2022-07-08
James 5:16 CEV
A genuine apology can help heal and restore a strained or broken relationship. But as Dr. Gary Chapman tells us, it doesn’t end there. Observe these: (1) Saying “I’m sorry” isn’t enough! It’s a good and necessary start, but it’s not a good finish. For example, “I’m sorry you took it that way” isn’t an apology; it’s a covert attack! You need to specifically confess what you’re remorseful about. “I’m so sorry that what I said insulted you” acknowledges what you did and affirms the wounded person.
(2) Take full responsibility for your behaviour. Without that, there is no healing or reconciliation. “I was wrong to speak to you like that” is honest, humble, concrete, and responsible. It helps the injured party see your apology as genuine. Genuineness diminishes anger and encourages others to trust and accept your words.
(3) Offer to make amends where possible. Ask, “Is there anything I can do to make things better?” Putting yourself on the line to do everything you can do makes your apology heartfelt and sincere. James puts it like this: “Tell each other what you have done. Then… pray for one another and be healed.”
(4) Ask for forgiveness – don’t take it for granted. “Will you please forgive me for what I did?” You need to say it and the other person needs to hear it before healing and restoration can start. When you ask for forgiveness and it’s been granted, you have “signed on the dotted line” together. You’re recording your mutual commitment to move beyond the hurt and work toward a healthier relationship.
Soul food: Jer 31-32; Matt 24:26-35; Ps 110; Prov 15:8-9
2022-07-07
Spreuke 23:16 NLV
Moet nooit die mag van woorde onderskat nie. Vir elke woord in Adolf Hitler se boek, Mein Kampf, het 125 mense in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog omgekom. Net een man in die Amerikaanse geskiedenis het ooit uit die presidentskap bedank: Richard Nixon. Het jy al ooit gedink wat tot mnr Nixon se ondergang gelei het? Tradisionele denke sê dat dit die opnames van sy privaat gesprekke was. Dit was egter nie die opnames wat sy ondergang veroorsaak het nie, maar sy tong. Dit was nie die opnames nie, maar dit wat hy op die opnames gesê het, wat sy ondergang bewerkstellig het.
Die woorde tong, mond, lippe en woorde word amper 150 keer in Spreuke genoem; rofweg vyf keer in elk van die een-en-dertig hoofstukke. Die feit dat so baie klem op ons woorde gelê word, sê vir ons dat ons versigtig moet wees met dit wat uit ons monde kom.
Stop en oorweeg die volgende: Die gemiddelde persoon sê in ‘n periode van vyftig jaar genoeg woorde om twaalfduisend boeke van driehonderd bladsye elk, te vul. As dit die gemiddeld is, dink aan die biblioteke wat jy vul en die nalatenskap wat jy agterlaat.
Wat hartseer is, is dat sommige woorde wat jy spreek nooit vergete sal raak nie. Een digter het geskryf: ‘If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.’ Salomo wou graag gehad het dat sy kinders met wysheid moet grootword, dus het hy gesê: ‘Ek sal baie bly wees, my kind, as jy ook ‘n wyse mens word. Ek sal in my hart juig wanneer jy reg praat’ (verse 15-16 NLV). Beheer vandag dus jou tong.
Sielskos: Jer 28-30; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 102:18-28; Spr 15:4-7
Proverbs 23:16 NIV
Never underestimate the power of a spoken word. For every word in Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, 125 people perished in World War II. Only one man in American history ever resigned from the presidency: Richard Nixon. Have you ever considered what brought Mr. Nixon down? Traditional thinking says it was the tapes of his private conversations. But it wasn’t the tapes, it was his tongue. It wasn’t the tapes but what he said on the tapes that determined his demise.
The words tongue, mouth, lips, and words are mentioned in the book of Proverbs almost 150 times; roughly five times in each of the thirty-one chapters. The fact that so much importance is placed on our words tells us we had better take care of what comes out of our mouths.
Stop and consider this: In a period of fifty years, the average person says enough words to create twelve thousand volumes of three hundred pages each. If that’s the average, think about the libraries you’re filling and the legacy you’re leaving behind. And sadly, some of the words you speak will never be forgotten! The poet wrote, “If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.”
Solomon wanted his children to grow up with a heart of wisdom, so he said, “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right” (vv. 15-16 NIV). So today, control your tongue.
Soul food: Jer 28-30; Matt 24:15-25; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 15:4-7
2022-07-06
Psalm 34:11 CEV
Your children will grow up fast, and before you know it, your window of opportunity will close at supersonic speed. What they want from you now is as much time and attention as they can get, and there will come a time when they won’t want it. Here is an eye-opening poem entitled “To My Grown-Up Son” by Alice Chase. You might want to take a deep breath before you read it.
“My hands were busy through the day. I didn’t have much time to play the little games you asked me to. I didn’t have much time for you. I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook, but when you’d bring your picture book and ask me, please, to share your fun, I’d say, ‘A little later, son.’ I’d tuck you in all safe at night, and hear your prayers, turn out the light, then tiptoe safely to the door. I’d wish I’d stayed a minute more. For life is short, and years rush past, a little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, there are no children’s games to play, no good night kiss, no prayers to hear. That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands once busy, now lie still, the days are long and hard to fill. I wish I might go back and do the little things you asked me to.”
When Joseph brought his sons to visit his father, Jacob, the old man said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them” (Genesis 48:9 NIV). Mom, Dad, get involved before your window of opportunity closes.
Soul food: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 15:3
Psalm 34:12 NLV
Jou kinders sal vinnig grootword en voor jy dit besef, sal die geleenthede om tyd saam met hulle deur te bring, blitsvinnig minder word. Tans wil hulle soveel tyd en aandag moontlik van jou hê, maar daar sal ook ‘n tyd kom wat hulle dit nie meer sal wil hê nie.
Hier is ‘n onrusbarende gedig deur Alice Chase, getiteld ‘To My Grown-Up Son’: ‘My hands were busy through the day. I didn’t have much time to play the little games you asked me to. I didn’t have much time for you. I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook, but when you’d bring your picture book and ask me, please, to share your fun, I’d say, ‘A little later, son.’ I’d tuck you in all safe at night, and hear your prayers, turn out the light, then tiptoe safely to the door. I’d wish I’d stayed a minute more. For life is short, and years rush past, a little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, there are no children’s games to play, no good night kiss, no prayers to hear. That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands once busy, now lie still, the days are long and hard to fill. I wish I might go back and do the little things you asked me to.’
Toe Josef sy seuns geneem het om sy bejaarde pa, Jakob, te gaan besoek, het Jakob gesê: ‘…Bring hulle na my toe. Ek wil hulle seën’ (Genesis 48:9 NLV). Ma, Pa, raak betrokke voor jy die geleentheid misloop.
Sielskos: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Spr 15:3
