Ponderings: Foot in Mouth?

Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Foot in Mouth?

"A closed mouth gathers no foot."

I saw this quote the other day and it made me laugh and I thought, so true. But then I pondered. . .we can't keep our mouths shut ALL the time.

And then I saw this verse. . .

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

Matthew 12:34

And so I pondered once again. . .

What is the abundance of my heart? Is it good and pleasing or not?

My mouth will speak from the abundance in my heart.

We have a choice to put into our hearts what we will. Sometimes our hearts fill so casually and slowly with things, that we don't even realize it until we stub our toe, or someone irks us, or that annoying driver in front of us is well. . . you know. . .annoying us.

And then there is gossip. Even the best of people can fall into this one. How to stop it? Well, just keeping the mouth closed will not work, because time has shown that just doesn't happen. It goes back to the heart. What are we putting into our heart and minds. Are we being careful what we watch on the screens, are we being careful who we hang around on a regular basis, are we spending daily time with the Lord, soaking up His presence and His Words and His love.

I think if we do, then we are safe to open our mouths. Yes, we are human and sometimes the foot goes in. Thank goodness, He doesn't wash our mouths out with soap, He forgives and tells us to go on and do better.

So, are you thinking, does Kris have this problem? Actually, when I am annoyed, or irked or stub my toe, I yell out to Jesus. Other times, if others are involved, (the irkers), I pray for them. It's amazing how when you pray, you can't be irked anymore.
But. . .when my feelings get hurt or I think something is unfair, well. . .
Yes, I have taken it to others when I should have just kept my mouth closed. I have felt the invisible kick in the pants from the Holy Spirit and I apologize.

So. . .thinking back to the quote at the top. . .A closed mouth cannot offer encouragement, it cannot praise with singing, it cannot offer prayer to the one in front of you. I would say that if you open up your heart to good and pleasing things of the Lord, it will be safe to open the mouth. And when the feelings get hurt, I'll just open my heart to the Lord.

I'm going to continue to open my mouth when the time is right and I will lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and I have asked Him to keep both my 6 1/2's on the ground and not come anywhere near open mouth.

I will still write what's on my heart, but know that I pray each time before hitting that publish button.

And if I happen to slip and open my mouth in front of you when it should be closed. . .I give you permission to kick me in the pants.