One of my favorite things to do is to bake. I enjoy it so much that I have even purchased a grinding machine to grind my own grains for the freshest ingredients. My children also enjoy being in the kitchen with me, cooking with Mom. It's a special time together and also a great learning experience.
One thing that I have learned is that a recipe is only as good as it's total ingredients. Every Easter we make Resurrection cookies (forgotten cookies). One thing we do is taste each ingredient as we are putting it into the recipe. Let me tell you that some things, like vinegar and baking soda, are not very good by themselves. The kids usually question how they will benefit the recipe. I tell them that all of the ingredients are important even if some are bitter by themselves. It's always exciting at the end when we wake up and open the oven to find scrumptious white fluffy cookies that taste delicious.
During my devotions this week, I looked up this verse: Col. 4:6(MKJV) Let your speech be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Here is another translation: Col. 4:6(MSG) Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
I believe that this is an important recipe from God's Word for our speech. Our speech needs to be with grace (always bringing out the best in others), and seasoned with salt (interesting not condescending). Just as my cookie recipe doesn't taste good with only one ingredient, our speech also needs to contain several elements in order to produce the delicious results that God desires. I believe this next verse really sums up what He intends for our speech with one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
I do believe that the day of the Lord is approaching, so let's remember God's recipe for our speech and encourage each other daily.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Recipe for Speech
Posted by Sonya Lee Thompson at 6:00 AM
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9 comments:
This is an area that I can struggle with, as my mouth works faster than my brain usually! But this is the verse that I concentrate on lately - the "gentleness & respect" is what I need to focus on.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
What a wonderful way to teach such an important lesson!
Sonya,
Your writing today is really sticking with me. I too believe the day of the Lord is approaching and this is so helpful as we need to be turning the lost to Jesus, not away. Thank you for blessing me with your devotion time.
Thanks for the reminder.
I can really cut people down with a harsh word when I'm not guarding my tongue. It's definately an area that I need to work on.
Hi mom
I like your blog,you are SO kind I'm glad your my mom. I love you SO much.
love
Valerie
Salt has that quality of being a preservative, and I think that applies to how we treat one another in our relationships.
"If I should speak with bravest fire and have the gift to all-inspire, but have not love, my words are vain...."
(That's from the song "The Gift of Love.")
We can choose to preserve our relationships or we can choose to preserve ourselves, and the language we use will either demonstrate that love, gentleness and respect or it will demonstrate our selfishness.
And, on a lighter note, my daughter still manages to taste flour, baking powder and other things without gagging....I don't know how.
Hay mom
I love your blog, my faverite one is the (Pecking order). I can't wait untill you write some more.
I love you very much.
love
Stephanie
What a nice blog. I especially liked that your kids left such sweet comments. 6 kids AND homeschooling. What an inspiration you are!
This is the first time I've visited your blog but I'll be back. My sister, (your very good friend, C.K.) introduced me to blogging. Wow, there really is a whole new world out there!
First, I wish that I was a better cook and that I loved it more so that me and my kids could have wonderful bonding over baking.
Second, I wish that I was a better talker...seasoned with the grace of Jesus rather than the potent of me.
Lastly, I pray to be a better encourager of those around me...to offer words of real comfort rather than trite religious speak.
I want to be a true worshipper of Jesus Christ...in word and deed, so this night I offer up my kitchen, my words, and my kindness for his many good purpose. Only he can take this flesh and shape it into something good.
Thank you for the wonderful teaching.
peace~elaine
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