Over the years I have often
been told that I don’t communicate enough, open up enough, for people. Well,
there are things that I only share with God, as it should be for all of us.
There are things I keep to myself, as they aren’t fit for conversation. Yet, I
agree, I must learn how often to communicate. It is something we all must learn
in our lives. This includes all forms of communication, writing, and speaking. Who
do we talk to? How often do we talk? What do we talk about? These are some
interesting things to consider, and Scripture discusses them all in many ways.
I wasn’t going to start off my first week back with this particular
consideration, but one or two, perhaps more of our members have brought this
thought of communication up in various ways. So, this letter goes out not just
to our membership, but to all. This is my first open letter to all for the last
week of my sabbatical. We’ll start here in Galatians
6:6 KJV – Let him that is taught in the word
communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
The Word must be taught,
before we can teach each other. Our innermost thoughts, feelings and more must
be learned and thought over before we can discuss them. It is no simple task
when we suffer something that could be devastating, and then put that in words
for others to understand, until we ourselves understand it. Yet, our thoughts
and words shouldn’t be stopped unless they are the wrong words to say. This is
something shared here in I Timothy 6:18 KJV –
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox
that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
It takes work to communicate,
and when we need to, want to, we shouldn’t be gagged, prevented from doing so.
Let us learn how to communicate, in a good and constructive way, each of us.
Whether we are Christian or not, communication is a vital consideration. Yes,
it takes practice, and some of us need more of that than others. There are no
exceptions in this ideal, whether you are one of the greatest speakers or you
are the one in the corner who says nothing unless you absolutely have to. The
idea is to communicate, to share, but what’s the best way? Does any one person
know this? God knows. Let’s take a look at this next view of communication as
shared here in Hebrews 13:16 KJV – But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
Think before you speak, or
share, don’t gossip, we must remember our studies on James in this instance.
Yet, still communicate one to the other. It’s not easy to feel the need to
discuss problems we have with our communication with others, but let’s not put
words in their mouths that don’t belong.
Matthew 5:37 KJV
– But let your
communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh
of evil.
It is hard to reveal our
innermost fears, our feelings to each other, even if we are teachers,
ministers, friends and family and more. In fact, this can be one of the most
difficult considerations for all of us, no matter who we are, what we believe,
where we live and more.
Luke 24:17 KJV – And he said unto them,
What manner of communications are these that ye have
one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Jesus didn’t want anything to
be hidden. He knew already what had been said. He knows even now what you are
thinking, as God would also know. Before the words come out of our mouths or
are more than an inkling in our thoughts, God already knows what they will be.
Yet, as we were taught manners while we were children, manners get forgotten in
the world as we grow. We see this shared, even in Scripture as shown here in I Corinthians 15:33 KJV – Be
not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
This again shares an ideal we
heard in our studies of James. We see so much of the bulk of Scripture,
returning us to our studies in those five short chapters. Corrupt
communication, remember, James said to bridle our tongues. He wasn’t the only
one to think so, as we share here in Ephesians 4:29
KJV – Let no corrupt communication proceed out
of your mouth, but that which is good to use of edifying that it may minister
grace unto the hearers.
Put your words and thoughts
to good use. Make them something that people can understand, and are worthwhile
to share. Give your thoughts a chance to be heard, and they shall be listened
to, at least by someone. I may not give voice to my thoughts often enough for
some, but that’s because I’m listening to yours. One thing we learn a lot about
in Scripture is to listen and hear before we speak. There are many reasons,
this one here is but one of those as shared here in Psalm
71:24 KJV – My tongue also shall talk of thy
righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought
unto shame, that seek my hurt.
There is a saying in this
world that goes like this: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can
never hurt me. Yet, in many ways, this is proven untrue. Words do hurt, because
the ones who speak them in hurtful manners, don’t think before they speak, or
are thinking in a manner that is meant to hurt others. Sometimes this is done
unintentionally, and others it would be specifically for pointing out truths
that can indeed hurt. James always spoke with blunt precision. He pulled no
punches. James 1:19 KJV – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
He continues in his thoughts
here in James 3:3-5 KJV – Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may
obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the
ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are
they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue
is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a
little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is
a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it
defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set
on fire of hell.
James 3:8KJV – But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:10 KJV – Out of the same mouth
proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.
When we communicate, we must
remember, there are good ways to do so, and bad ones. There are thoughts that
should be voiced, and others which should be kept quiet. It is learning the
difference that takes time, patience, and practice to manage. We aren’t
instantly going to be able to write our thoughts, speak our minds, or any of
that, without hurting ourselves or others, if we don’t learn from our mistakes,
and remember that sometimes it is better to say nothing than to speak and
destroy that which we are attempting to build. Know that my thoughts are always
seeking ways to tell you what is going on with my health and even to discuss
your own. It is not easy because there are as many mysteries as there are
solutions. I have been told by many that they don’t wish to be a burden. Are we
burdens to God? Are we burden to Jesus? The answer should be no. If we are not
such, then we should not be burdens to friends and family, and should never
feel as such. This goes for all of us, no matter our abilities. That’s
something we must learn to express, because it builds faith, and wisdom. Now,
I’ll be quiet, because that’s something to think about.
But, on a side note, I know
that everyone has been very concerned about how I am doing. Physically I am
still working to find solutions. I am going to be able to speak more clearly
than I am next week when I have my new lower teeth in place. I’ll be practicing
by sharing with you. Our sermons and their delivery have had to change
drastically due to the medications I am now on. I will only be bringing you ten
minutes of my voice, beyond the songs to share, and the format would be
entirely different. You’ll get this experience next Sunday on September 2,
2012.
Some are concerned as to what
those medications I take can do. I have even heard one or two consider the
medication as evil. Yes, I have spoken with God and Jesus about these
medications. I have used as many natural elements as I have medicines given by
the doctors, actually agreed upon between myself and the doctors. Yes, I am
still working toward health and wellness. It is a daily consideration. I am
still suffering blackouts. I had two small ones and a big one just this month.
I use a cane to maneuver over eighty percent of the time, but I still get
places. I spend most of my time sitting in my chair here at the computer, with
my feet up on a storage box, trying to meditate and pray the pain into
submission. I sit and read the short updates from ministry members, friends and
family in the various places and would write, edit or read poetry and other
things I have written over the years. We all must try to do just that. Many of
us are well versed in this factor of life.
My mind is the clearest it
has been in almost ten years. I admit, my short term memory needs serious work.
But my long term memory is far clearer than it has been in many, many years. I
honestly must say I forget birthdays, anniversaries, and more, because, most
times they are never mentioned. I don’t always initiate conversation. Sometimes
that is more difficult than people might believe. Otherwise, there are few I
know who would initiate the conversations, unless face to face or on the phone.
For some reason, written communication has become transient, when it should be
the first method beyond calling or face to face, and it should be each of us
working toward that consideration, not just one who is expected to make every
contact. Can you recall the last time you sent every person on your contact
list a note that was personalized and just for them? I haven’t done it enough,
this is true. We could explain that away in a billion ways if we were given the
chance, but it would sure be nice if, and when, we do communicate, we all ask
this one question. What do you think?
I know it isn’t easy to
communicate. There is little doubt that there would be. All of us suffer from
this wall we must climb over or around, under or through. If you are concerned,
voice that concern. There is a song titled A Little Talk With Jesus, and
another one Something to Talk About, and that fits all of us, no matter who we
are or what we do. I am open to all forms of communication, written, or verbal,
instant message or mail. I will provide my contact information if you’d like to
start a dialogue. That is, if you have no problem giving me a method in which
to contact. I’m more than willing. Are you?
Rev. Laura A. Neff
The Rainbow Minister
Covenant of Hope Ministries
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