You're Not Going to Like This – Let Your Words Be Few (E F Hutton)

My Pappaw was a man of few words, so when he spoke, people listened. Granted, when he did decide to speak, sometimes he was telling Aggie jokes, but still people listened. He had little to apologize for because he did not speak out of turn, in pride, out of anger, or in haste.  He was comfortable with the silence. He would go and sit with people in the hospital and would sit silently with them for a spell and then prayed before he left.

Pappaw reminded me of a commercial when I was a kid. “When E F Hutton speaks, people listen.”  Do you remember that slogan?

There are so many people who want to be heard because they like the sound of their own voice, but it doesn’t benefit the kingdom. There are people who think they have the right to say whatever they want, but it doesn’t benefit the kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, “Guard your steps when you to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, they ignorantly do wrong. Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

Basically Scripture is telling us when we run our traps we are being foolish.

“When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.”

— Proverbs 10:19

BAM! Cannot speak it any simpler or clearer.

Do you have loose lips? Slack jaw? The Mouth of the South?

For some reason some people are uncomfortable with silence. I investigate insurance fraud and have for around 20 years, and when I would take someone’s statement, silence is a tool I used because people feel the need fill the void with words. It was those words which would revealed things they hadn’t intended on telling.

Sitting beside someone praying silently as they face a hardship is one of the sweetest, best things a Christian can do for another person. Too often Christians feel the need to pass on some of their sage wisdom, quote Scripture, or recite some platitude. These words are often in poor taste, unfelt, and detrimental because God does not put those words in their mouths to speak they should not cross the lips.

Do you know why people would listen when my Pappaw spoke? Because when he spoke, he had thought over the words, prayed over the words, and said only the words that were needed. You want to be heard? Let your words be few.

http://blueletterbible.org/

Front Porch Friends -- What Makes a Great Front Porch?

What makes a great front porch? 

When my grandparents were growing up and raising their kids, front porches were a big thing in the South. Since there was no air conditioning, it's where family and friends would congregate to sit a spell and visit. My Pappaw grew up in a dog trot house with a large front porch. My Mammaw's had a big porch, and the kitchen was on the back part of the house so as to not give off too much heat.

In this day and age, people are in such a hurry. We don't take time to savor conversations, to study the face of our friend as she tells as story, to hear the texture of a person's voice in person. In truth, many have not learned how to be good, in-person friends. We have "Friends" on Facebook. We have followers on Pinterest, Snapchat, and Tweets, but how many genuine friends can you sit down with and talk for hours if given the opportunity.

True friendship and communicating in person is slowly dying away, and I don't want that to happen. So when you see "Front Porch," just know we are going to be talking about authentic friendships, friendships that endure, and friendships to treasure. I hope you'll come along.

So, what makes a good front porch friendship? 

Consider the direction porch faces and what time of day you are visiting your porch. If it faces the east, you may not want to be out there first thing in the morning. If it faces the west, you may not want to be out there in the afternoon. My preference is a north or south facing porch. I bet you've never even considered that s have you? This way you can sit on one end in the morning and the other in the evening.

Consider your view. I have around an acre with tall trees. My neighbors around me also have big lots and trees. In the evenings sometimes, I can see lightning bugs. It can be quite peaceful. 

Consider aesthetics. Depending on the time of day, I may hear squirrels running up and down trees and birds singing, or I may hear tree frogs and cicadas. 

Consider your position. Are you standing or sitting? If your sitting, are you rocking, swinging or sitting still? My faves are rockers and swings 

Consider what you find on your front porch? For me, I find peace and quiet. I find good conversation with friends in the rocker next to mine.  I find fresh air and a change of scenery, and sometimes, I find a little sanity. 

When choosing a girlfriend/best friend, consider the direction each of your lives are going. Are both of you growing in faith and in relationship with God? Are both of you choosing to invest time and have a mutual location you can meet from time to time?

Consider the view. Do her actions back up her words? Does she walk the talk? Do you? What do you see is her character? What is her reputation? What is she known for?

Consider the aesthetics. What are the words coming out of her mouth? Are they critical and negative? The words you speak -- do you speak life? What do you hear her actually saying? Are her morals and values like yours?

Consider your position. Do you have to be in charge? Does she? Do you see yourself able to serve her when a need arises? Do you see her helping you when you need help?

What do you hope to find in this friendship? Accountability? Honesty? Truthfulness? Someone you can be yourself around? To be accepted for who you are? Can she find those things in you?

Just like front porches, friendships with growing, godly girlfriends can be a beautiful, rewarding, wonderful blessing. If you have that kind of girlfriend, count yourself blessed. If you don't have one, don't give up hope. She's out there.  Maybe God just has to get you ready for it.

Time to get rockin'.