Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Some Morsels are Not Good for the Soul
Holy Spirit Duct Tape
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
It Takes Boldness to be Quiet
1 Thessalonians 4:11a
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.
I read this verse today in Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth and fell in love!
I am NOT an extrovert. As a matter of fact, I really don’t like crowds or parties. I panic when I have to meet new people or go to a new place. I think that is why I love to read and write so much. I get to lose myself in the pages.
So, when I read this verse I immediately thought, yep that is me! I can do this verse with no problem! 1 out of 31,102 verses I can safely check off my to-do list! This one is a slam dunk to-done!
Then I started to think of all the verses that say we much be bold or strong.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Well, how in the world am I suppose to be be bold and strong while being quiet? Then the Holy Spirit kind of poked me and replied, “Don’t you know just how hard it is to be quiet? How much strength and boldness it takes?”
That is when I read the second part of the verse.
You should mind your own business!
Oops! Ouch! I have to have the strength and boldness to stay out of other people’s business in order to live a quiet life. Yes, that means learning to hold my tongue.
Proverbs 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
Now, I wouldn’t call myself a busy body, but I certainly have my opinions and sometimes they escape my mouth. I am always battling to take captive every thought.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
The place I find it the hardest to hold my tongue is in text form. Facebook, Instagram, Emails and even text messages. I can be a little too quick to open my mouth (or fingers). I am learning to weigh my answers.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
So, maybe I am not quite ready to check that verse off my list. Maybe I need to work on a few others along the way to help support that verse.
OK, for today, I am going to make it my ambition to live a quiet life, minding my own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11) by learning to not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephisians 4:29).
Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Matthew 11:30 Friend
Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all be Matthew 11:30 friends? I think if we followed the commandments we would be just that!
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)
This is my command love one another. (John 15:17)
And let us consider how we may, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:24-25)
If we spent more time loving each other instead of gossiping
If we spent more time walking next to each other instead of tearing each other down.
If we turned to encourage instead of turning to criticize.
As Christians, we are to reflect Jesus. Jesus described himself as a Matthew 11:30 friend. Isn’t it about time we try our hand at it too?
You want the pain to cease
Extend the yoke of peace
We may not agree
But believe you me
What a lighter burden it will be!
Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Brick by Brick
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
I am struggling today with a couple of personal issues. My father is in the hospital with pneumonia. Praise God he is doing well, but it was quite a fright for all of us last night.
While in the ER, I received some life-altering news that part of my dissertation examination was rejected. Besides feeling like a failure, I am not sure where this path is leading me.
What I do know is this, there is a plan for me. I may not see the path right now but it is being laid out brick by brick.
I don’t know what you are going through today, but I woke up this morning after a horrible day and the Son still shined! He brought me these verses for comfort and now I pray them over you.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19
Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
What’s My Motivation?
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Recently I head someone explain how she had gotten hurt by something a friend had said. She wanted to go all Chuck Norris on this friend, but then took a breath and stepped back. She asked her self why was she really angry with this person. What was her motivation for wanting to go and yell and scream at this friend?
Can you imagine for a moment if we all took the time to ask ourselves this question every time we started to open our mouths? What a different world we would live in!
I am not saying there are not times we need to be firm or get a point across, but even those types of situations have ways of working out better when the words used are kind and considerate.
I know as a teacher when my kiddos are getting a little out of control, I do not speak louder. Instead, I begin to speak quieter. Yes, there may be a firm tone in my voice but it is still gentle and soothing. They calm down and are usually ready in a few moments to explain to me, in a much calmer way, what happened.
I am not for one minute saying I have this all figured out. Just ask my hubby. There are many arguments where I speak first and think later. Oh man, now not only did I admit to that, but he has it in writing…lol!
I am going to end this with one more saying I heard this week…
“When you put your mind in neutral, don’t leave your lips in drive!”
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Children Listen
Titus 2:8
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Wow! I really need to vent! Do you know what she did? Do you know what he did? I can’t believe they did that!
When does venting become gossip?
Why do women always get called on the carpet for gossiping?
Do men ever gossip?
Actually, my husband reminded me of an episode of Andy Griffith, where Aunt Bee told Andy something and he ran with it. All the guys in town blew it way out of proportion. She proved her point! Men do gossip.
Now, I am not man bashing here, I promise. I just want to point out no one is safe. I mean have you seen or read the news. How about looked at all the magazines while waiting to check out. I mean seriously we dedicate whole television shows to “telling all” about the stars.
And don’t get me started on social media!
In Titus, God is giving instructions for older people to pass down how to act to younger generations. He stresses how important it is, to tell the truth. When we speak the truth we are trusted. When we speak the truth no one can lie about us.
As adults, we must be very careful what we say, even on social media because just like they sing in the musical Into the Woods
Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see
And learn
Children may not obey
But children will listen
Children will look to you
For which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say
“Listen to me”
Children will listen
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.