Hey FASTTRACKERS,
I'm hoping everybody is having a great week and the scores are being shot to the best of everyone's ability. What I'm about to share is something I hope will touch not only your heart, but will allow you to open your mind up to the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I attended church last Sunday and I had my first revival. A person by the name of Ed Dunlop spoke with us and I have to say he was very funny and the little children enjoyed him talking as well. One of main focuses of his sermon was "Speech". Really simple, nothing more and nothing less, but the more he talked about it the more it started making sense to me...in this lifetime I have said some very negative things about myself and other people that I am NOT very proud of and I have made some dumb decisions, which I believe is all apart of the process of learning and correcting mistakes made. He explained to us that Speech is a gift from God and that we have all taken it for granted at one point or another. He also asked us this question...
"Wouldn't it be weird if we were NOT able to communicate with each other?"
In the coming part he explained that there are 3 things we should NOT do with our gift of speech and they are followed below:
1. Do NOT use God's name in vain. -- I have been guilty of this and when he asked if we had ever used it before, I raised my hand because I am guilty of this..but the Lord's forgiveness and tenderness is so great and we can make things better with him. With Him, everything is possible!
2. Tell a Lie. -- We all have told probably a million lies before, and if you have a weak conscience then telling a lie is very hard, before I even started attending church services again, I knew this was wrong and yet I still continued to do it. I try very hard now NOT to lie at all times.
3. Use It To Hurt Others. -- One thing I experience in the houses I bowl in is how everyone wants to criticize each other's ability to bowl. That goes for me included. I wrote an article on AlabamaBowling.com and I referred to myself as "The Game". I was only a youth bowler at the time, but once I entered the adult leagues, I got a great deal of heat from making this one comment. It still is even here in some parts today, as I try to explain to everybody that what I did then, is not what I'm doing now. Not only that, I just notice all around, people talk a lot of gossip about others and I just believe that if you want to talk about people, make sure they are facts, but even if they are facts, some things are sensitive and people just need to respect alittle more and I think this would be better for us all as humans.
3 Things to Use w/ Speech
1. Praise God -- Don't be afraid of doing this, show the Lord that you are thanking him and that you are greatful for his many blessings. One of things I have learned in church is that, all of our greatest battles are not with Satan, but with God. Even though that maybe, continue to praise Him because I can attest that I feel great every day I wake up knowing God is always there for me!
2. Witness -- Be a witness, let everyone know (if you are asked) what you believe in. We all have different beliefs and we all attend various churches (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) but they all believe in Jesus Christ in some form or another. Be proud of that Jesus is your savior, be proud that you believe. You will always be looked down on and misunderstood for your faith.
3. Encourage Others -- FASTTRACKERS, I don't see enough of this in our leagues, but I constantly use this in coaching my youth bowlers on Saturday morning. If people are down, help them to their feet. Another thing I don't see alot of anymore. People helping each other, I know its a dangerous world, but do NOT ignore everyone totally.
I just want to say that I'm not a preacher or anything of that magnitude but I just wanted to share with you FASTTRACKERS stuff that I'm learning in church and what I'm trying to use to better myself and my life and I'm telling you as a witness, this is just the best thing in the world. Finally, God Bless you all and I hope you have a great weekend! Good bowling scores to all, GOD BLESS!
NOTE: In no way am I disrespecting other religions and other users beliefs. They have as much right to share their feelings and beliefs as do I. Also, I am NOT pushing my beliefs on anybody, I was just sharing a story. Thank you!
--Michael--
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Edited on 1/27/2006 11:59 AM
