8 minute read
RELIGION
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If something goes without saying, let it
Well, Happy New Year. Have you heard about the question that everyone in the world missed? “So, in retrospect, in 2016, where do you see yourself in fi ve years?” Enough said.
Vern McLellan gave us some excellent advice for going into the new year. “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” That’s so good.
As we venture into 2022, let’s consider ways to make our lives less dramatic or more productive by learning how to speak the right words at the right time. Let’s get the words we speak working for us, not against us.
I think you will like this story. It illustrates how words can make us or break us, even when we have done something that could come back to haunt us. Read on!
Jack wakes up with a massive hangover after attending his company’s grand opening party. Jack is not usually a drinker, but the drinks didn’t taste like alcohol at all. He doesn’t even remember how he got home from the party and who dropped him off. As bad as he feels, he wonders if he did something wrong.
Jack forces himself to open his eyes. The fi rst thing he sees is a couple of aspirin next to a glass of water on the side table. Next to the aspirin is a red rose. Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all cleaned and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.
He takes the aspirin and cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror. Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts and a lipstick kiss mark from his wife. The message reads, “Breakfast is on the stove, and I left early to get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight. I love you. Love, Jillian.”
He stumbles to the kitchen, and sure enough, there is a hot breakfast with steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper. His son appears at the table. Jack asks, “Son, what happened last night?” “Well, you came home after 3 a.m., drunk out of your mind. You fell over the coffee table and broke it, then you got sick in the hallway, and you got that black eye when you ran into the door.”
Confused, Jack asks his son, “So, why is everything in such perfect order and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me.” His son replies, “Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, ‘Leave me alone, lady. I’m married!’”
So, summing this story up: Broken coffee table … $400; hot breakfast … $7.20; two aspirin … $0.38; saying the right thing, at the right time, priceless.
I hope you weren’t offended by this story. There’s no excuse for Jack’s behavior. But this incident also makes a point that we should consider. Saying the right thing at the right time is priceless. Saying the right thing at the right time is also wise.
Lady Dorothy Fanny Nevill once said, “The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” American advice columnist Ann Landers observed, “The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.” I’ve been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
The Bible, as usual, contains the best wisdom you can get about this subject: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances” (Proverbs 25:11).
Consider these quotes, thoughts and wisdom about speaking. “The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.” “A wise person once said nothing.” In the Christian world, there is a great saying. “Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit; holding your tongue is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.”
Warren Buffet has a great thought about being infl uenced by words. “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you, that means everyone else can control you. So breathe and allow things to pass.” It’s scary when the weatherperson is the closest to telling the truth on the news now.
Do you want a better 2022, no matter what COVID-19 does? In your language and your life, be fi rm but not rude, be kind but not weak, be humble but not timid, be proud but not arrogant.
In other words, if something goes without saying, let it.
CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Pastor Ed Delph
Glendale Star Columnist
Beginning December 26, 2021 through January 7, 2022
The Solid Waste Department has established several sites throughout the city where residents can drop off trees for recycling: (Single, unbagged tree, remove all decorations, tree stands, metal stakes and nails.) Acoma Park • 53rd Ave. & Acoma Rd. Fire Station No. 156 • 67th Ave. & Deer Valley Rd. Heroes Regional Park Library • 83rd Ave. & Bethany Home Rd. Foothills Park • 57th Ave. & Union Hills
Sahuaro Ranch Park
Southeast corner of 63rd Ave. & Mountain View Rd. O’Neil Park • 64th Ave. & Missouri Ave. Rose Lane Park • 51st Ave. and Marlette Ave.
If you need more information on any of the above information, call 623-930-2660 www.glendaleaz.com/sanitation/bulktrash.cfm
Ed Delph is a noted author of 10 books, as well as a pastor, teacher, former business owner and speaker. He has traveled extensively, having been to more than 100 countries. He is president of NationStrategy, a nonprofi t organization involved in uplifting and transforming communities worldwide. For more information, see nationstrategy.com. He may be contacted at nationstrategy@cs.com.
GOD’S LOVE IS ETERNAL
We invite you to worship with us
16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City AZ 85351 Tel: 623-974-3611 IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUNDAYS - 10 AM
Music Begins 9:50 AM Live-Streamed at www.scfaith.org SUNDAY, JANUARY 9
Revs. Mike and Sheryl Campbell Nicole Pesce, pianist Best Library Book Club
Monday, January 10, in the Library “Still Cruising Band” Thurs. Jan. 13
Early Classic Rock: 50’s & 60’s Supper 6 pm $12 (tickets on sale now) Program 6:30 pm FREE “An inclusive, welcoming, caring community, serving Jesus Christ”
Shepherd of the Desert
Lutheran Church - ELCA
11025 N. 111th Ave., Sun City/Youngtown • Worship Saturday 4pm,
Sunday 9:30am • Holy Communion both services • Pancake Breakfast 8-10am
Last Saturday Every Month
Drive-Thru Only • In-Person Bible Study
Wed 6pm
Handicap Bus - Call for pickup
(24hrs in Advance) 623 340-8232 Pastor Phil Gustofson, Interim Pastor
623-933-1359 shepherdofthedesertelca.org
Harvest CHurCH
8340 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305
Information 623.334.9482 Dr. Ron G. Rockwell – Pastor Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Nursery Provided Wednesday: Family Night 7:00 p.m. www.hcaz.org
101 Freeway91st ave.
Harvest CHurCH 8340 W. Northern
Northern Ave.
Glendale Ave.
83rd Ave.
10935 W. Olive Ave. Peoria 85345 Phone (623) 972-8479 office@westolive.com www.westolive.com Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Classes for all ages - 7:00 p.m. Everyone Is Welcome!
GriefShare sessions off ered at Bellevue Heights
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Bellevue Heights Church will host a two-hour introductory session on ways to cope with a spouse’s death from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10.
This will be followed by a 13-week series of GriefShare seminars at the church, running Mondays from Jan. 17 to April 11.
At the one-day seminar on Jan. 10, persons who have recently lost their spouse will fi nd encouragement from others who have experienced this grief. While the emotions and challenges of such a loss can seem unbearable, there is hope and help for brighter days. The cost of this session is $5.
The 13 weekly seminars to follow are for anyone dealing with the death of a close relative or friend. All will be held in Franklin Hall on the church campus at 9440 W. Hutton Drive in Sun City from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays. The cost for this extended series is $15.
Persons who could benefi t from these uplifting experiences are invited to register by calling the Bellevue Heights Church offi ce at 623-9778308.
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