Wheedling Ways of Manipulation (TT)

 Manipulating others with your words is similar to flattery.  Flattery is often used to influence ones 'target' to some self-serving end.  There's no integrity nor sincerity.

When one wishes to bend another to ones will and way, coercive words and behavior can steal the other of their freewill choice, if they are not alert to the manipulation.

Have you ever tried it?  Bribery, blackmail and such are also related tactics.  Not nice at all!  Hopefully, as followers of Jesus Christ we will eliminate manipulative speech and behavior from our character.

Stating our case with pros and cons, I feel is different.  One can still leave the end choice to the other and hopefully accept their decison in the end.

This is what Jesus does.  He prepared the gift of salvation, wrapped in all its swaddling clothes of blessings:  forgiveness of sins, eternal life, imputed righteousness; adoption into His family, able to have a close relationship with Him; Holy Spirit's indwelling and so much more.

He offers this with arms outstretched but still leaves the choice up to the individual.  We do well to follow His example in all we do and say.  Sometimes we watch on, brokenhearted, as the person makes a bad decision, just as Jesus once wept over Jerusalem who didn't want His intervention.

Nevertheless, be neither a manipulative perpetrator nor a victim of such a person.  Let's follow Jesus' instead.  He showed us the way (see Luke 20:19-26 - READ it).  He'll never steer us wrong and only acts for our good and best benefit, and in our best interest.

Here's what Deborah Smith Pegues wrote in her book 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue, on which this blog entry is based,

"Because I am in right standing with God, He surrounds me with favor.  Therefore, I have no need to manipulate anyone for personal gain or advantage" (p. 24).

Let's keep this in mind and act upon it.  He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to right action. 

Father God, there have been times when I tried to use wheedling ways to get what I wanted.  It was wrong and I'm sorry.  Thank You for Your forgiveness.  Teach me Your ways that I might not sin against You or others.  Surround me with Your favor.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                               ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on Luke 20:19-26 ESV.  Also 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Sanctus Real - Jesus Loves You, along with dan4Jesus.

Photo:  Let's Not Spin Yarns.

Flattery or Favor? (TT)

 

There's a saying that,

"flattery will get you no where"

but alas, it often does on people who like to have their ego stoked.  Also, perhaps on some who are of low self-esteem.  But once one realizes the flatterer is insincere and trying to gain some sort of favor,  the false compliments fall flat, leaving the recipient feeling worse off.  They had been scammed!

Scripture says in Jude 1:16 NLT that those who

 "flatter others, do so to get favor in return."

But a true child of God does not need to accept flattery. Remember that John the Baptizer was said to have grown in wisdom and favor with God (see Luke 2:40).  No one complimented or flattered him.  Favor was upon him, given by God.

In her book 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues, we learn that,

"Engaging in flattery is clear evidence of one's lack of faith in God's ability to give favor with other people."

We try to work it out on our own and get ourselves in a tangle.  Instead, seek the Lord for His solution.

Other God-fearing biblical characters who earned favor from others by not resorting to flattering others were: Esther, Daniel and Joseph.  They were respected for their genuine character and integrity even if others had been jealous.  They called upon God in their dire straights.

Jesus himself also grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (see Luke 2:52).  He did not go around seeking it.

Job was a man of integrity who seems to have detested flattery.  He said,

"I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man; for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away" (Job 32:21-22).

Sometimes we may flatter in a joking manner but it seems Job would not even do that.

Flattery is another type of lying.  Let's keep our lips from such deceitfulness.  You wouldn't want your lips to be cut off would you (see Psalm 12:3 KJV)?

When we consciously walk in the fear of the Lord we will walk circumspectly I believe, keeping our words and actions pure and pleasing in His sight.

Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for the times I did engage in flattery in order to gain favor with mankind.  May I also be able to echo Job, "nor will I flatter any man".  Help each of Your followers to echo the same.  In Your name we ask.  Amen.

                                                     ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on Jude 1:16 NLT.  Also loosely based on 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Song, Speak (Words Bring Life), along with Toby Mac.

See also, Half-Truths.

Book Review - Silent Horizons - By Chad Robichaux with Jack Stewart - Publication Date: 13 May 2025

 This book will allow you to see plenty of action in Iran.  Fear, anxiety, guns and undercover work.  Foster Quinn, a.k.a. Foster Cottle the Hunter, is at it again.  As Foster and Reza search for and plan out covert ops they move stealthily about.  They're looking for Volkov a suspected arms dealer of very harmful weaponry (well, which weapon is not).  Things happen, twists and turns turn up the excitement levels ... better don your armor.

I believe this story will especially appeal to those who have been and/or still are, in the military, especially the Marines and the Navy SEALS.  The authors have had similar experience so I'm surmising the actions with the ops and weaponry are authentic and believable.  I found that the story dragged a bit for me in places as I'm not familiar with more involved details about such actions.   Having said that, it is good to note that there is still plenty to make your hair curl. 

An added benefit, in my opinion,  is that the story is faith based.  Also, that Foster has integrity and is true to his wife and daughter.  These are big pluses in my book.

                                            ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                           March 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Immaculate Conception - By Ling Ling Huang - Publication Date: 13 May 2025

 

If a reader is from the art world, I think they will really love to read this book.  For me, a very un-arty person, it took some getting used to but the author made the narrative very imaginative, crafting art with her words.  I therefore found it slow going at first but gained momentum.  At times I disliked what I read and at others, intriqued.  I suppose it's each to his or her own taste.  Overall, it has been a rather spectacular read.

                                                   ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                             December 2024

Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Happy Mother's Day 2025 - Mothers' Downtime

 

How does an empty-nester mother celebrate Mother's Day?  She is inbetween mainstream motherhood and grandmotherhood; part one of her job is done - so to speak.  Now she awaits part two.  Of course, once a mother, always a mother but there is 'downtime'.

It could be a bit depressing, maybe.  Your role and identity has been bound tightly for all those 18-20 some years and now things are more or less out of your hands and you have time on your hands.  What can you do?

Are we empty-nester mothers at a loss?  Let's not be lost and tossed about.  Let's hone in on 1 John 3:1-3 (ESV), which reads,

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."

For those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord we are called a child of God and He has lavished His love upon us.  This 'downtime,' why not bask in His love.

We've given limitless love and care to our children.  Now let our Heavenly Father give you His love and care to us, His child (ren).

As we bask and bathe in His embrace -so to speak - let His love work His restoring power in us as we 'regroup' and prepare for grandmotherhood.  We are His precious jewels.  We are mothers of worth.  We can get our identity now, not in our mothering, but in HIM.  

Meditate upon that!  He loves us, cares for us because we are His child(ren), made in His image.  As we ponder on this and the love He has for us, we can be moulded and shaped to be more like Jesus.  

When we have this cloak of love about us, we have hope in Him.  In turn, we purify ourselves even as He is pure. We can be mothers who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.  We will be renewed and refreshed.

We may have thought we have no more value, worth or 'use' to anyone.  That is a way out fallacy!  We have His love, His image, Hope in Him and that progressive purifying process even with our older age.

This is indeed something to celebrate!

Mothers, Grandmothers, Mothers-to-be and Grandmothers-to-be, celebrate!

                             HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Heavenly Father, You have bestowed so much love upon us.  Bless each and every mother, grandmother and those "to-be's" with Your blessings.  Remind us we are all women of worth.  Help us to influence those in our care with careful nurturing and teaching them of Your great love, introducing them to Jesus.  Thank You for calling us Your children.  In Jesus' name we give You our thanks and gratitude, amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  May 20-25 ~

Based on 1 John 3:1-3 ESV.

Sing, Behold What Manner of Love (Children's song), along with Baptist Favorite Hymnal Songs.

Half-Truths (TT)

One of the things I hate the most is when someone lies to me.  Or the discovery that what was told was only a half-truth leading me to believe one thing when actually it was something else entirely.

But do I do that to others?  I have begun to read the book 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.  One of the things she says about integrity is that,

"When we walk in integrity, we tell the whole truth and not just a fraction or part of it" (Day 1 p. 14-15).

So whether it's half-truths or exaggerations, or other words of deceitfulness and lies, she pairs her remarks with Proverbs 8:7-8.

"My mouth speaks what is true; for my lips detest wickedness.  All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse."

As we examine ourselves against these verses of God's Word in regards to half-truths and exaggerations, think of what branches need to be taken away and which need pruning (see John 15:1 & 2).  Then take action.

Lord, may I be a vessel and vassel of truth.  May my mouth be purged of falsehoods and half-truths and exaggerations.  May truth conscientiously be told.  In Jesus' name I ask.   Amen.

                                            ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 8:7-8 and loosely on 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Truth Be Told, along with Matthew West.

See also, Taken Away or Pruned?

Taken Away or Pruned? (TT)

 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:1 & 2 ESV).

I've found this to be so true when cutting  back and pruning my mulberry trees; true in nature, true spiritually.   Sometimes there's lots to do, leaving the 'tree' rather barren looking.  But sprigs of new growth can spring and sprout up with refreshing greenness, bringing more mulberries.

It's necessary to be aware of what branches are being 'taken away' and which are being 'pruned'.  Is it the fruit of lying or angry tongues and so on that need taming and taken away or, once pruned, is there the fruit of righteousness and of the Holy Spirit bringing forth gracious and pleasant words?  Is there any other behavior that needs attention?

Let's examine ourselves to see what needs to be "taken away" and where "pruning" can bring forth more abundant fruit.  The process may be painful and humbling but may the Lord work in our hearts and minds for His glory and honor.  Let's let Him do His work while we do ours in following His lead.  We are children of God and so we need to become more like Jesus in this aspect and so practice speaking wonderful words of life while we prune out that which does not give Him glory and honor.

"So be it, Lord." 

 Amen.

                                                      ~ ERC  April 2025 ~

Based on John 15:1 & 2 ESV and loosely on 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Debrorah SMith Pegues.

Sing, Wonderful Words of Life, along with The Joslin Grove Choral.