words

I've seen a lot of surveys flying around lately on facebook. I rather like them because they provide a little insight into who and how you are. People I'm interested in answers questions I wouldn't think to ask (although some are just dumb). What strikes me is the presence and seemingly infinite availability of so many words. Most of what we use on the Internet are words, by necessity. Some of us use more than our share. Some we wish would use more. They allow us to entertain, instruct, inform, excuse, release, embrace, expound, nurture, confound, navigate, and process.

Sticks and stones, dude. Words can hurt you. How I say something to you says more than the words themselves. Words in the hands of an angry sinner can shred and blast my insides. Words in the hands of a loving artist can create life terrain in my deeps.

I am certain that after I am gone, most of everything I ever said or wrote will be as chaff and straw. Only words spoken in faith and love will remain. "In these last days He has spoken to us in Son" (Hebrews 1:2 Amp). He is a language. How remarkable to be said of someone, "I love her perfume. It is the fragrance of Christ." That’s what His words are to me, and I’d love to represent them like that.

I know me, and it’s an ongoing challenge. I speak Sarcasm and Banter. I like to laugh and have fun. I hope I never hurt you. (If I do, I hope you’ll tell me. As gently as possible. More than that though, I want to build you up. I want to encourage and nurture and learn you and--bottom line--honor God.

Words. There are 329 in this note. They’ve helped me process. Just a few more in closing: “The Lord gives the word of power; the women who bear and publish the news are a great host” ~Psalm 68:11.

the high places

I came across this phrase in Amos 4:13 and looked it up in different translations.

NIV: [He] treads the high places of the earth

Young's Literal: [He] is treading on high places of earth

Message: He strides across the alpine ridges.

NASB: [He] treads on the high places of the earth

The Lord walks upon the high places. He goes about up there, powerfully, full of glory, at will, in all His full blown splendor. He created them, they are of Him. They are a holy place where He is worshiped. What a horrible dishonor He puts up with when there is rubble and flotsam and dung where only holiness belongs. Your unearthly patience and tenderness compel me to do serious hasmat cleanup. What swollen shame to make and keep idols there, to blacken His holy places.

I want nothing, absolutely nothing, to dishonor You in my high places. I want there to be snow white purity and childlike exhibition in my worship on these high places.

"Clear me from hidden and unconscious faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent
and clear of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my firm, impenetrable Rock and my Redeemer." ~Ps. 19:12b-14 (Amp) †