Yesterday, one girl shared how proud she is of her brother.
"Ci, aku bangga banget loh sama koko'ku sekarang - dia udah banyak berubah - ga seperti dulu. Cici tau banget kan dulu sifatnya gmana......"
And dia jelasin lebih detail ttg betapa hebat koko-nya.
One question I asked her, "Have you told him about this?"
"......hmmm...aku ada pernah cerita ke mama sih!"
Me = "ke koko-mu?"
"..... hmmm belum ci..."
--------------------
Beberapa minggu belakangan ini, ayat ini berulang kali berbicara padaku ....
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19
Yes...how easy it is to speak when things go wrong - when we don't like stuffs - when we are mad ....
Tapi, somehow ---- it is that hard to speak when you appreciate someone, to say "I think you are great....", "what you did means a lot to me"..."I care about you"
One woman I admire bercerita that she always reminds her kids, "Nak, semarah apapun kamu -- jaga selalu omonganmu -- jangan pernah bicara pada saat kamu sedang marah -- karena akan ada bekasnya."
That's what I kept telling myself ketika aku lagi kesel - or rasanya mau marah, "When I am hurt - never say hurtful words - coz it will hurt me even more to hurt someone I truly care."
And, it is really true, I don't know about you, but for me -- aku selalu berjuang not to say the "I will regret later" words..
Ironically...why why.... it's just sooo hard to speak good words?! ......
Entah itu gengsi, entah itu budaya (oh, please, stop blaming budaya timur), entah malu......
But, do we know how good words will actually bring impact into someone's life?
--- sama seperti perkataan buruk bisa membawa bekas, I believe perkataan baik pun juga ---
I've been really tired these days. I didn't plan to do anything today -- apalagi tulis notes.. I was laying on my bed, trying to sleep but I just couldn't... 'til I got message from my sister:
"Ci, aku perhatiin cici akir2 ini lagi lemes -- cici lagi ada masalah yah? -- aku kuatir banget loh sama cici! *hugz*"
And she is the reason why I am writing now! Yups, aku tetep aja cape -- karena I do need to rest. But I realized one thing, how great it is to know, to be TOLD and REMINDED that there is someone cares about me. Aku selalu tau betapa dedeku sayang sama aku, tapi the sweet words at the right time, aaaahhh.....sungguh menyegarkan jiwaku
SO, SPEAK THE GOOD WORDS!
"Tapi gue ga biasa ngomong begitu2 lyn!!!!"
I know, butuh practice, sama seperti that girl I mentioned above..mungkin akan sangat susaaaaah tuk bilang ke koko-nya pada awalnya ...but practice makes perfect :)
Percaya ga? Dulu, aku ga pernah bisa bilang "thank you" "maaf" "I love you" ke mama... (serius lyn?) Iyah! Maluuuuu banget, en berasaaaaa aneh luar biasa! And I did a lot of practices! Pertama kali-nya aku ngomong tuh yg deg2an setengah mati ... itupun di telepon, dan langsung matiin telepon saat selesai ngomong. (Can you imagine the scene?)
Practice and practice it! It's a good exercise!
Bukan berarti, karena kita terbiasa, then jadi hambar or istilahnya basa basi loh!
Always mean what you say! If you don't, don't say it, people don't need that! But if you do, say it, people need that!
Rasul Paulus bilang..hendaklah kata2mu senantiasa penuh KASIH - JANGAN HAMBAR...
Dear friends, since I didn't plan to write anything today, and I do really need to rest -- I will stop here..! I think you got what I am trying to say :)
Practice to appreciate what people do to you - and TELL them that you appreciate it.
If you do love someone and care about her, tell her! (yeah yeah -- she knows already, I KNOW..) TELL HER!
"You can do it" - "I believe in you" will cost you nothing. But those words definitely could lift someone up. And you won't know how deep the impact could be!
"Thank you", please! Sincerely!
The list could go on...but I think you know already what to say...rite?
Now, do it!!!!
Speak the GOOD words :)
"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tongue. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
how we need His touch!
From Crosswalk Women: Five Areas of Woman's Life that Need God's Touch by Cindi McMenamin
My heart was convicted as I read in Scripture of a woman who was so desperate for God's healing in her life, she was willing to do anything to just touch Him (Mark 5:24-34).
I had to ask myself, how desperate am I for God's touch on my life? There are times I might be desperate to feel and look younger, to be thinner, to have more in the way of peace and happiness. But how desperate am I to be whole and complete in every way?
After surveying nearly 100 women, I found several common areas in which women, myself included, need the touch of God to be whole and complete. I also found that Scripture addresses these areas of a woman's life so that we can receive His healing touch. See if you can relate to needing God's touch in these areas of your life, as well:
1. Our Hearts - So They Can Be "Set On Things Above"
Women often stress over the temporal - bills that must be paid, whether or not a man will come into our lives, if we'll be able to have a child, what someone is saying about us, how our body looks, and so on. At times we are more concerned about what the scales say than what God says. Our heart is closely attuned to our bank balance, rather than our life's balance.
Yet God instructs us in Colossians 3:1-2: "set your hearts on things above." If our priorities were in heaven, not on this earth, we would not only be happier and healthier, but less financially drained and emotionally spent. Matthew 6:19-21 tells us not to "store up treasures here on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It takes God's touch to clear our hearts of what this world says is important and focus it on the things above.
2. Our Minds - So They Are Transformed and Renewed
It's amazing how many women profess to know God and follow Him, yet their thinking patterns are just like those of anyone else in the world. Scripture commands us: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is" (Romans 12:2, NLT).
Furthermore, God's Word instructs: "fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise...and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT). What mental anguish we would spare ourselves from if we would let God transform our mind and renew our thoughts to think as He would.
3. Our Mouths - To Be Wholesome and Pleasing to God
Because women tend to be communicators, we can cause much damage with our mouths if we do not bring them under God's control. Whether it is gossip, criticism or unkind remarks, our mouths can be instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness. In Ephesians 4:29 we are told to "not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." God's touch on our lives can make us women whose words heal and encourage, rather than distract and destroy.
4. Our Bodies - To Be Pure and Holy for Him
Are you one to worry and stress about what the scale says, how many calories you took in, and whether or not you can still fit into a certain size? God's command to us is "Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" (Romans 12:1, NLT). It is important that we keep our bodies healthy and in good shape (as we are His temple), but God says our most prevalent concern should be that we keep our bodies holy. In fact, God calls keeping our bodies holy our "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1, NIV).
One of the ways we can keep our bodies holy is by how we choose to dress. People can tell much about us, and whom we love, by how we dress. Do we call attention to ourselves or the God who made us? If the way we dress says "Look at me!" we may want to rethink how we dress so that others can see Christ through us. Can others see Christ in you or are you getting in the way?
5. Our Emotions - To Be Calmed with the Peace of God
There are days when, hormonally or just circumstantially, we need God's touch to calm our frazzled emotions and level out our lives. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't' worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and request to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel" (CEV). A woman who is controlled by God's peace is not on the edge, but in the spacious place of His embrace.
I believe if we seek God's touch in those five areas of our lives we would rarely have reason to feel we are going over the edge. For instance, when you get frustrated in a relationship, go back to the principle of letting God transform and renew your mind to only think on whatever is pure, right, lovely, good, and so on. And when you are about to lose it over finances or something that takes you by surprise, remember to not be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything...keeping a heart of thanksgiving for what you've been given. And when your heart begins to desire something that you cannot attain, remember to set your heart on things above.
My heart was convicted as I read in Scripture of a woman who was so desperate for God's healing in her life, she was willing to do anything to just touch Him (Mark 5:24-34).
I had to ask myself, how desperate am I for God's touch on my life? There are times I might be desperate to feel and look younger, to be thinner, to have more in the way of peace and happiness. But how desperate am I to be whole and complete in every way?
After surveying nearly 100 women, I found several common areas in which women, myself included, need the touch of God to be whole and complete. I also found that Scripture addresses these areas of a woman's life so that we can receive His healing touch. See if you can relate to needing God's touch in these areas of your life, as well:
1. Our Hearts - So They Can Be "Set On Things Above"
Women often stress over the temporal - bills that must be paid, whether or not a man will come into our lives, if we'll be able to have a child, what someone is saying about us, how our body looks, and so on. At times we are more concerned about what the scales say than what God says. Our heart is closely attuned to our bank balance, rather than our life's balance.
Yet God instructs us in Colossians 3:1-2: "set your hearts on things above." If our priorities were in heaven, not on this earth, we would not only be happier and healthier, but less financially drained and emotionally spent. Matthew 6:19-21 tells us not to "store up treasures here on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven ....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." It takes God's touch to clear our hearts of what this world says is important and focus it on the things above.
2. Our Minds - So They Are Transformed and Renewed
It's amazing how many women profess to know God and follow Him, yet their thinking patterns are just like those of anyone else in the world. Scripture commands us: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is" (Romans 12:2, NLT).
Furthermore, God's Word instructs: "fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise...and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT). What mental anguish we would spare ourselves from if we would let God transform our mind and renew our thoughts to think as He would.
3. Our Mouths - To Be Wholesome and Pleasing to God
Because women tend to be communicators, we can cause much damage with our mouths if we do not bring them under God's control. Whether it is gossip, criticism or unkind remarks, our mouths can be instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness. In Ephesians 4:29 we are told to "not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." God's touch on our lives can make us women whose words heal and encourage, rather than distract and destroy.
4. Our Bodies - To Be Pure and Holy for Him
Are you one to worry and stress about what the scale says, how many calories you took in, and whether or not you can still fit into a certain size? God's command to us is "Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" (Romans 12:1, NLT). It is important that we keep our bodies healthy and in good shape (as we are His temple), but God says our most prevalent concern should be that we keep our bodies holy. In fact, God calls keeping our bodies holy our "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1, NIV).
One of the ways we can keep our bodies holy is by how we choose to dress. People can tell much about us, and whom we love, by how we dress. Do we call attention to ourselves or the God who made us? If the way we dress says "Look at me!" we may want to rethink how we dress so that others can see Christ through us. Can others see Christ in you or are you getting in the way?
5. Our Emotions - To Be Calmed with the Peace of God
There are days when, hormonally or just circumstantially, we need God's touch to calm our frazzled emotions and level out our lives. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Don't' worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and request to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel" (CEV). A woman who is controlled by God's peace is not on the edge, but in the spacious place of His embrace.
I believe if we seek God's touch in those five areas of our lives we would rarely have reason to feel we are going over the edge. For instance, when you get frustrated in a relationship, go back to the principle of letting God transform and renew your mind to only think on whatever is pure, right, lovely, good, and so on. And when you are about to lose it over finances or something that takes you by surprise, remember to not be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything...keeping a heart of thanksgiving for what you've been given. And when your heart begins to desire something that you cannot attain, remember to set your heart on things above.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
my tongue oh my tongue
July 2nd 2010
This is from yesterday's devotional I subscribe, which is so related to me... >.< I did actually experience it again this morning.. *some habitual morning's "exercise" with my super CUTE brother lah* .. and got pretty distracted *and irritated* with some ungentle words spoken to me just now >.<, which made me realize how we need to guide our mouth, our words, and our behavior! They really affect others! The less is better, yeah.. *uuh, believe me, I know hard it is* a little less conversation, a little more action please!!
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:9-10 NIV).
Have you ever gotten up early and had a sweet time with the LORD, only to turn into an unreasonable, raging screamer hours later? (Thanks to my dear brother who never ceases to tease me every morning...and I'm pretty sure before I "win" the battle *u know, keeping my mouth shut!*, he will keep doing it...it's been forever, he knows his sister well enough, how easy it is to make me "scream")
Have you ever had an argument with your spouse or children (in my case, my siblings..?) on the way to church, only to cross the threshold of the lobby with blessings and kindness on your tongue?
Have you ever driven in traffic with worship music on the dash and praise on your lips when suddenly, someone cut you off and the praises on your tongue turned to cursing?
If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, welcome to the Sinner's Club. All humans have an automatic membership that activates at birth and is irrevocable until we accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and see His face on the other side of glory.
The Bible calls us to a higher, more consistent temperature of living.
We must be careful not to praise and curse with the same tongue.
Are you swinging the pendulum of your responses, or are they swinging you?
We are accountable for our behavior.
We are accountable for the way we respond to circumstances.
Our responses reflect the core of who we are.
They reflect our faith ... good or bad.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).
As we go through today, let's center the thermometer of our hearts on Christ so we are less likely to respond in stark contrast to His perfect example of love. Let's heed the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:3: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
From : Girlfriends in God by Gwen Smith
This is from yesterday's devotional I subscribe, which is so related to me... >.< I did actually experience it again this morning.. *some habitual morning's "exercise" with my super CUTE brother lah* .. and got pretty distracted *and irritated* with some ungentle words spoken to me just now >.<, which made me realize how we need to guide our mouth, our words, and our behavior! They really affect others! The less is better, yeah.. *uuh, believe me, I know hard it is* a little less conversation, a little more action please!!
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" (James 3:9-10 NIV).
Have you ever gotten up early and had a sweet time with the LORD, only to turn into an unreasonable, raging screamer hours later? (Thanks to my dear brother who never ceases to tease me every morning...and I'm pretty sure before I "win" the battle *u know, keeping my mouth shut!*, he will keep doing it...it's been forever, he knows his sister well enough, how easy it is to make me "scream")
Have you ever had an argument with your spouse or children (in my case, my siblings..?) on the way to church, only to cross the threshold of the lobby with blessings and kindness on your tongue?
Have you ever driven in traffic with worship music on the dash and praise on your lips when suddenly, someone cut you off and the praises on your tongue turned to cursing?
If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, welcome to the Sinner's Club. All humans have an automatic membership that activates at birth and is irrevocable until we accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and see His face on the other side of glory.
The Bible calls us to a higher, more consistent temperature of living.
We must be careful not to praise and curse with the same tongue.
Are you swinging the pendulum of your responses, or are they swinging you?
We are accountable for our behavior.
We are accountable for the way we respond to circumstances.
Our responses reflect the core of who we are.
They reflect our faith ... good or bad.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).
As we go through today, let's center the thermometer of our hearts on Christ so we are less likely to respond in stark contrast to His perfect example of love. Let's heed the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:3: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
From : Girlfriends in God by Gwen Smith
Thursday, July 15, 2010
speaking beautifully
(taken from "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George chapter 19: "A Law of Kindness. Her Words")
Proverbs 31:26 : “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
The How-to’s of Beautiful Speech:
1.Establish two guidelines:
speak only if the words are WISE and speak only if the words are KIND.
By following these, you will always have something to say that’s worth saying (WISDOM) and you’ll say it the right way (with KINDNESS).
You can know a lot, but if you speak unkindly, your words will be less effective.
2.Think before you speak.
“The heart of the righteous STUDIES how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. “ Proverbs 15:28.
Literally pause and think about your words before you speak them. Rash speech and quick temper betray a shallow and less than beautiful character.
3.Learn to wait.
When something unpleasant happens, make it your first “law” to do and say nothing.
If you must respond at the moment, be sure your words are soft because “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1
Waiting buys time to:
- Search the scriptures and find out what God says how to handle the situation. (But, of course, memorize the scriptures first!)
- Seek counsel and find out what other wise people say.
Proverbs 15:14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall.”
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.”
- Pray for a kind heart and a wise solution for the situation.
- Calm down! Back off!
Proverbs 17:27 “A man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Only when we are calm can we hear good counsel and make wise decision.
- Weigh the problem.
Decide whether the situation is something to pass over or whether you need to “open” your mouth or address (with wisdom and kindness, of course) the people involved.
4.Add sweetness to your speech.
Proverbs 16:21 “Sweetness of the lips increase learning.”
Speaking pleasantly will always make others more willing to listen and be instructed.
(that’s so true, try it!!)
5.Know what you’re talking about.
Your speech will always be an indicator of what is in your mind and you want to display knowledge when you speak. True wisdom cannot fail to make a good impression.
6.Less is the best.
Remember, God created us with 2 ears and 1 mouth.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Better to be quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 31:26 : “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
The How-to’s of Beautiful Speech:
1.Establish two guidelines:
speak only if the words are WISE and speak only if the words are KIND.
By following these, you will always have something to say that’s worth saying (WISDOM) and you’ll say it the right way (with KINDNESS).
You can know a lot, but if you speak unkindly, your words will be less effective.
2.Think before you speak.
“The heart of the righteous STUDIES how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. “ Proverbs 15:28.
Literally pause and think about your words before you speak them. Rash speech and quick temper betray a shallow and less than beautiful character.
3.Learn to wait.
When something unpleasant happens, make it your first “law” to do and say nothing.
If you must respond at the moment, be sure your words are soft because “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1
Waiting buys time to:
- Search the scriptures and find out what God says how to handle the situation. (But, of course, memorize the scriptures first!)
- Seek counsel and find out what other wise people say.
Proverbs 15:14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall.”
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.”
- Pray for a kind heart and a wise solution for the situation.
- Calm down! Back off!
Proverbs 17:27 “A man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Only when we are calm can we hear good counsel and make wise decision.
- Weigh the problem.
Decide whether the situation is something to pass over or whether you need to “open” your mouth or address (with wisdom and kindness, of course) the people involved.
4.Add sweetness to your speech.
Proverbs 16:21 “Sweetness of the lips increase learning.”
Speaking pleasantly will always make others more willing to listen and be instructed.
(that’s so true, try it!!)
5.Know what you’re talking about.
Your speech will always be an indicator of what is in your mind and you want to display knowledge when you speak. True wisdom cannot fail to make a good impression.
6.Less is the best.
Remember, God created us with 2 ears and 1 mouth.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Better to be quite and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
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