I begin each day by reading at least 1 chapter of the bible - this morning it was Nehemiah 4 - and praying. I wouldn't imagine descending the stairs without touching base with "my Daddy". I also subscribe to a few daily devotionals. One in particular, is the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional (http://www.streamingfaith.com/community/devotional/default.aspx?bhcp=1). This one has a weekly theme and each devotional revoles around this theme. This week (October 12 - 16) the theme is The Power of the Tounge. Needless to say, I was convicted by a few of the devotionals this week. In particular this biblical text -

James 3:2-11 (NIV) “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”

Yikes!!!! So, I am on a mission - and I challenge you - to watch what you say to others. Let your tongue be used to build others up instead of tearing them down. As an old commercial used to say "use words that help, not words that hurt". I am very deliberate in my speech now. I want people to see the God in me in even my most mundane conversations. Imagine how the world would be changed if all God's children decided to use their Sunday tongues everyday!!! Like James said in verse 5, "a great forest fire is started with a small spark". In other words, it only takes one. I've decided it will be me!!