Silver and Gold are Golden (TT)

 

If you are naturally a non-talker, introvert, you may not have much problem having to tame your tongue, keeping it from all sorts of ways it needs to be tamed.  However, Deborah Smith Pegues instructs her readers in 30 Days to Taming YOUR  Tongue, that a 'silent' tongue is not always the wisest tongue.

She uses Solomon's wisdom which states,

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven ... a time to be silent and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 & & NIV).

So yes, while we are pro-actively learning to rein in our tongues, we also need to learn when to speak: to warn, confront, stick up for justice and so on.

Pegues shares the adage,

"Speech is silver, silence is golden".

I'd never heard the silver part before so it's good to be reminded of this balance.  It couples well with another eye-opener I picked up at a women's conference.

The speaker was talking about submission and what it was and then what it was not.  Among the 'was not's' was slience!  That really surprized me.  Whether in a marital relationship or with a boss at work or a leader at church or some other situation, if someone is going off the rails, one needs to use one's voice in respectful, calm confrontation.

The Bible does relate a process for this and the attitude in which it should be done.  This is a topic for another time though ... (see Matthew 18:15-20).

Suffice it to say, silver and gold are both of great value.  Your speech or your silence, when discreetly used with wisdom and direction from the Holy Spirit will be of great value.  I should think too that when encapsulated in love, compassion and care, your tamed tongue will be a blessing to all and even to yourself.  You won't get yourself into so much trouble. 

Father God, thank You for all the gracious words of wisdom explained by Deborah Smith Pegues about taming ones tongue.  May I have an ongoing process with the bit and bridle of Your Word and Holy Spirit's intervention and conviction in all areas that need the taming.  Not just my tongue though, but the thought processes and my heart do need the taming too.  On the other hand, teach me to speak 'silver' words for Your glory and honor and for the benefit of those who need the 'blessing'.  Make me a blessing to others.  I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

                                              ~ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Eccelesiastes 3:1-7 NIV.  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 30 - The Silent Tongeu, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, The Jesus Way, along with Phil Wickham.

Discreet & Wise (TT)

 'Discretion,' according to the online dictionary from Oxford Languages, means, 

"the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information."

  Secondly, it is 

"the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation."

If a person has discretion, the Proverbs writer says it, 

"will watch over you, understanding will guard you" (Proverbs 2:11 ESV).

So how can one develop discretion?  The verses that come before this verse 11 explain it that in a section of my Bible is called, "The Value of Wisdom'.  This wisdom leading to learning discretion comes from receiving and treasuring others' words of wisdom especially from God, although in this proverb's case it could have been King Solomon speaking to his own son.

"Making your ear attentive to wisdom," trains ones heart towards understanding.  Yes, willingness comes from the heart.  Next, since you want to travel this path, you

"call out for insight and...understanding". 

 You seek high and low for this wisdom.  This progresses to understanding, 

"the fear of the Lord and finding knowledge of God."

When we seek for this our mouths will then be able to keep closed or only open with discretion.  There will be greater integrity in the way one conducts ones life and it will guard us like a shield.

This wisdom will not just be head knowledge but will,

"come into your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul" 

(Proverbs 2:10 ESV).

The conclusion is that discretion will watch over you, undersatnding will guard you. (see v 11).

As believers in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will also lead and guide us using this wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  It will then,

"[deliver] you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech" (v 12)

and more as you will see if you continue to read to the end of Proverbs 2.

Kind David's discretion went right out the window when he looked too long at Bathsheba.  He didn't turn aside and allow the wisdom he usually had, deliver him from the forbidden woman (v 16).

Bathesheba wasn't an adulteress in the sense this verse says, "smooth words" as she had been minding her own business.  Although she may have dared to refuse the summons to the palace but she could have feared for her life if she did.  We are not told in Scripture why she didn't or if she did but to no avail.

The onus was on David.  That's why it is so surprizing to me that this leader of a whole nation fell.  Yes, he's human but from his psalms and his rough life story and having been christened by God as, "a man after my own heart," we question, how could this have happened (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22)!?

He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We don't know why he hadn't led his troops to war, where he should have been, so maybe this was the initial show of indiscretion that led to the downfall.

Anyway, leaders are not exempt from temptation and being led astray but the way Nathan the prophet handled the situation was discreet.  He didn't lambast David with self-righteous confrontation but rather told an analogical story.  David got angry and gave judgement on that lamb thief and only then did Nathan say, 

"You are the man" (see 2 Samuel 11 and 12)!

A favorite Bible story of mine is Joseph from the book of Genesis, especially when he gets to Egypt as a slave.  Life really threw him for a loop!  Not that I'm glad he was a slave or in  that loop but the manner in which he conducted himself showed great discretion and wisdom.  He ran away from Potiphar's wife but was still sent to prison.  He was given responsibilities in prison and when called before Pharoah to interpret his dreams, Joseph was then deemed "discreet and wise" and given a most pretigious position, becoming only second to Pharoah (see Genesis 37, 39-41, especially 41:39).

Joseph had matured.  According to Deborah Smith Pegues, in her book 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, she writes, referring to Noah's two sons Shem and Japheth, that their discretion in covering up their father's drunken nakedness,

 "was a sign of their maturity."

Ham had seen that sight and had laughed and talked about it and may even had taken some sort of advantage of his father's state.  Pegues further states,

"Some subject matters should simply be off limits for discussion". 

 I agree.  In fact, recently I have encountered such at a youth camp.  The speaker had used an image in his power point slides that was supposedly subtle but it got the message across but I felt it in poor taste and too graphic for a Christian event.

It felt dirty.  Likely the speaker's intentions were to create a certain message impact but there may have been a better way to have done so - a more discreet and wise way.

Pegues cautions that especially when leaders go astray, to not to "cover up," but to "cover with," such as the case of David and Nathan, as seen above.

Discretion is called for.  She says, 

"Confront with love and compassion" 

and to remember that someday you may be in that same boat of 'nakedness' and wish that discreet leaders would indeed handle the situation with discretion rather than indiscretion.

Lord, help us to tame our tongues in this area of discretion, to know when and how to speak and what to say at the right time.  May we too become discreet and wise through the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that comes only from You and as led by Your Holy Spirit.  I ask in Your name, amen.

                                                     ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 2:1-12, esp vs 11 (ESV).  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 29 - The Indiscreet Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Spirit Leads Me, along with Hillsong, and Lead Me to the Cross, also with Hillsong UNITED.

Jesus Cares

 

Their daughter had just died and they were not laughing.  Their neighbors were though, at Jesus, who had told them the girl was asleep, not dead.

Was this supposed to give comfort?!  Hope?  Jairus and his wife had implored Jesus to come when she was only ...

 "... at the point of death ..." 

when there was still hope.  Now what could be done except to bury her!

But then, maybe, just maybe there was that glimmer of hope.  They'd summoned Jesus earlier so they'd expressed a glimmer or more of faith as well.

It seems when we are at our most desperate state, when all else fails, then we implore Jesus' help. Jesus is willing to come.  In this case, it looked like Jesus was too late or maybe didn't care about the young girl.  But when he finally arrived at the house He did raise Jairus' daughter from the dead.  Her parents were ...

 "... overcome with amazement". 

When the disciples had been in the boat and a great storm, the like of which they'd never seen before, battered and assaulted them, they woke Jesus in their desparate, terrified state.  But what had they hoped for?

Jesus calmed the wind and waves with a command,

 "Peace!  Be still!" (Mark 4:39).   

The disciples were ...

"... filled with great fear" (4:41).

The woman who'd touched Jesus' garments for healing had been at her last nth of strength and hope and this was her last-ditch effort, and in her desparation, she touched and was healed.  She tried to slip away unnoticed, but Jesus recalled her.  She came ...

 "... in fear and trembling ... and told Him the whole truth".  

Jesus told her her faith had healed her of her disease (v. 34).

"Don't fear, only believe,"

 Jesus assured the messenger from ruler Jairus' upon hearing ...

 "... don't trouble the Master, your daughter is dead".

In this gale force storm of weeping and mourning, again, Jesus calmly commands,

 "Talitha cumi ... Little girl, I say to you, arise ..."

Desparate times call for desparate measures and Jesus gets called.  Let us not despair or forget, Jesus is on our side.  He sees glimmers of faith and hope and He responds to the like of which we have never seen nor expected and we'll  be totally overcome with amazement.  

Maybe there will also be the inspiration of great fear and we come before Jesus with trembling.  We are at His feet now, knowing and experiencing His goodness, yes, but also His almighty power even from some small seed of faith.

In our desparation, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, even if you haven't been calling on Him much lately, implore Jesus' help now.  Seek Him.  Expect the unexpected.  Some of the results may be seen in a crowd, like the woman who touched Jesus's garment; like Jairus' neighbors - the neighbors are watching.  In Jairus' daughter's case, the neighbors didn't get the full details but they did see the daughter was back to life again.  No more derisive laughing then.   And it was also like what the disciples experienced that stormy day on the sea.  Calm came with Jesus.

But I want to add here, call Jesus even before the desparation comes.  Seek for and yearn for Him.  Depend upon Him even in every day living.  Even if you haven't, I pray that when desparation strikes, you'll still know to turn to Him, imploring His help.

Jesus cares.

                                        ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on mark 5:22-43 ESV.

Sing, Does Jesus Care, along with the Gaither Music folks.

Lord's Day Devotion - "Only a Touch Away" - (Mark 6)

 When you are jostled in a crowd, you usually don't ask, "Who touched me?"  But Jesus did so in the case of the woman with the twelve year issue of blood.  She touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed.  Jesus immediately knew the touch of faith that had healed the woman.

It is notable then, that by the time we read to the end of Mark 6, the throngs of people jostled Jesus again.  This time was somewhat different as this time the people begged permission to touch His garments.

"And wherever He went - into villages, towns or countryside - they placed the sick in marketplaces.  They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed" (Mark 6:56 NIV).

The sick meant business.  Faith didn't necessarily feature in here, at least Jesus didn't mention it like He did the woman who had suffered for all those years.  Some of these sick in the marketplace may have had faith, or may have been curious but skeptical but still desparate and miserable enough to have a speck of hope enough to seek that healing touch.

I used to think, if the power went out from Jesus, then He must have been diminished and that's why He knew the power had gone out.  BUT because He is God, this cannot be true.  Jesus is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow.  Jesus is constantly a full power bank, if you will, of God's almighty power that never ever runs out (see Hebrews 13:8).

He proved it by allowing Himself to go to the cross.  Again, His compassion, mercy, grace and above all, His love, motivated Him to go through with all that pain and suffering so that we, in our sinful, helpless state, can reach out and touch Him in faith for that salvation He so freely offers.  The healing of our souls is only 'a touch away'.

Many of us who are followers of Jesus Christ have touched Him and have been made whole.  This Lord's Day we remember Him in His death and resurrection.  This colossal, pivotal, momentous moment in time.  His death has brought us life (see Romans 6:23).

This Lord's Day, reach for and partake of that broken bread, then for that cup of wine in remembrance of this man from Galilee who was fully man and fully God.  Thank and praise Him for your salvation, then go on your way rejoicing and serving Him until He comes or death swallows you and you go to be with Him forever before the rest of us get there.

Lord Jesus, You forgave my sin when I reached out and touched You in faith.  Your death brought me life.  I give You my thanks and praise.  We rejoice in our healing and salvation and in your resurrection power.  Thank You for Your compassion, mercy, grace and love, which you bestowed upon all mankind in general, and for me, in particular.  Together with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ we sing Your praises and give You are grateful thanks.  In Your name Lord Jesus, we rejoice and are glad.  Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 6:53-56 comparing with Mark 5:24-34 especially verse 30 (NIV).

Sing, Oh I Love That Man of Galilee, along with Debbyshine.

Loquacious to Gracious (TT)

'Loquacious' is a delicious-sounding word.  Maybe it could be turned into a girl's name, like, 'Loquacia'.  But then it describes an unpleasant sort of character trait.  Not many people appreciate a verbally verbose person.  You just can't get your own words in edgewise, unless you're the one rambling on and on ad infinitum.

I admit I have caught myself doing this more and more often.  I never used to be; I was as shy and quiet as a church mouse, hardly ever making a squeak.

Now I'm glad for this reminder in Deborah Smith Pegues' book, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue.  I really need this admonishment.  And have truly found the Scripture verse she brings to her readers' minds, to be, well, true ...

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise"     Provbers 10:19.

There's a twin verse to that my Dad liked to remind his offspring of,

"Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent" (Proverbs 17:28 ESV).

I think my Dad was amused by the irony of the thoughts in the verse but it is indeed wisdom.

I believe, after reading of so many ways a tongue needs taming that the more one speaks, (or even writes), the more one is likely to not have reined in ones tongue to keep it from gossip, complaining, lying, meddling, being divisive, sounding cynical, tactless, and so on.  Pegues writes of 30 different ways to tame the tongue so being loquacious may well involve any one or two or more of them and they are sins.

Maybe I could just go back to sucking my thumb or duct tape my mouth but then my mind could  still swirl with all those things I'd like to say.  So this would not be a long-term solution to break the loquacious habit.  

To look out for the interests of others one could ask any one of the 5W and H questions (What?, Where?, When?, Why?, Who? and How?) so that the other person gets a chance to answer more than just a yes or no, and then let you run your mouth again.

This is also what Pegues suggests.  She says,

 "Make talking count." 

 I like this idea.  She recommends that one could share a Bible verse and what one has learned from it or some other interesing story that won't hurt anyone nor take up too much of the conversation time.

Being ever mindful as one interacts with others is indeed an art to cultivate as one navigates ones tongue taming.  Thank God, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, that we have the Holy Spirit who can convict us of what we will say before we say it; when the brain thoughts buzz, we don't always have to 'answer the door'.  Let's find gracious, not loquacious, words to speak.  They will be more 'delicious'. 

Lord, help us all to tame our tongues and today, especially make a commitment to curing ourselves of loquaciousness of character and words as we do not want to sin because our words were many. May Your Holy Spirit teach us to exercise greater self-control.  Fill our minds, hearts and mouths with gracious words and character that allows others to speak too.  We know their ideas, opinions and thoughts have value, as ever as much as our own.  I ask this in Your name Lord Jesus.  Amen.

                                                  ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 10:19 NIV.  Also 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 28 - The Loquacious Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, along with Isliington Baptist Church.

Absence of Doubt (Mark 4)

 If you say, "I don't know if I can trust Jesus very much.  My faith is so small and weak," don't worry, Jesus has a reassuring answer for you.

He says that even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains and mulberry tress (see Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6).  That is something else, isn't it!

Why not find some mustard seeds.  Take one and measure it on a ruler.  You'll likely find that one small mustard seed is barely 2 mms big.

Pretty small, right?

How big is your faith in comparison?  No matter, so long as there is even a glimmer of faith, remember it only takes a spark to get a fire going, it's enough to get a response from Jesus.

A mustard seed, when planted in good soil will grow a big enough tree for birds to rest and nest in.  When we have complete trust in Jesus there is hope and faith.

Scientists say that darkness is the absence of light.  That's why when the sun sets, we get darkness and night.  Similarly, cold is the absence of heat.  In winter weather one doesn't feel much warmth, therefore we feel what we call 'cold'.

Bring this analogy to 'faith'.  When you have faith, no matter how small, there should be less and less doubt.  The absence of doubt sprouts.

I always like the story of the woman who had that glimmer of faith to touch only the hem of Jesus' garment.  She believed she'd be healed if she did so, even against all odds.  She wrestled her way through the crowds and did just that!  She touched Jesus' garment hem, and she was healed!   Her faith had made her whole Jesus told her (see Mark 5:21-34).

So the question is, what do you need faith for today?  Even if your faith is small, much can still be accomplished.

The disciples saw Jesus' mighty power when He said calmly, yet commandingly, "Peace!  Be still!" to the great windstorm and waves that were breaking into their boat and where Jesus had been peacefully sleeping.

Jesus asked them, 

"Why are you so afraid?  Have you still no faith" (Mark 4:39-40)?

Some of these disciples were seasoned fishermen.  Even they had been terrified and felt all would be lost.  In their desparation, and panic, their last hope must have been, maybe, just maybe, Jesus could do something?  But they were doubtful.  This gale force storm was so overwhelming, to say the least.  Could Jesus really do anything about it?  

They were "filled with great fear" (vs 41) by what Jeus did do and the results.  This, of course, is the right kind of fear to have!  May the results of our doubtful faith, bring results of great magnitude in our lives, specifically in our spiritual life and trust in Jesus and all He has done and can do for us, His 'sheep'.

May our small, mustard seed-sized faith grow so that others can shelter in our 'tree branches' until their faith grows stronger and their reliance on Jesus becomes the fuller absence of doubt.

Jesus, help Thou our unbelief.  Scare away our doubts.  Help our glimmers of mustard seed-sized faith become that which grows astronomically and we become examples of faith in You to be followed (see Hebrews 13:7).  I ask in Your name Jesus, amen.

                                            ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 4:30-41 ESV.

Sing, By Faith, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

See also:  He Holds Me Fast (TT).

Book Review - Stormy Times for the Dockyard Girls - By Tracy Baines - Publication Date: 16 July 2025

Once again, I enjoyed the fishing village setting of this third book in the Fisher's Wharf series.  It has been as heartwarming as the second in the series I read some time ago.  Here we meet Letty and Alec, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Parker, Ruth, Evelyn, Philip, Arthur, Dorcas and that Gilbert Crowe, among others, again. 

The time frame is at the end of WWI, where many of the villagers have lost a loved one or two; the survivors with their guilt and tormented memories and the stalwart folks learning how to move on often putting one determined foot in front of the other towards a challenged but continued daily living.

There were smiles but also tears.  There were consequences of deeds done earlier in life and of 'current' times.  Good times and bad times and living under the threat and suspense that likely all fishing villagers live under, will the fishermen in the family who go out to sea, return alive?

I liked this book as Tracy Baines, the author, also touches on alcohol abuse, physical abuse, infidelity and the like in all their ugliness.  There is also a smidgen of Christian-like faith-based input and talk of forgiveness.  In my opinion, those folks who live or who have lived in fishing villages, will really be able to relate to this tale, finding great affinity to it.  This doesn't rule out all other potential readers however,  as it's a good story and I feel Baines ties in all the threads of the story from each of the Dockyard girls well, as they live their separate, yet integrated village lives.

                                          ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                           July 2025

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

Read review on Goodreads.