There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19
I see these, all of these, TODAY, RIGHT NOW, ALL AROUND ME! Everywhere I look, so much of what I hear is that which God hates, that are abominations to Him. These stir up conflict, strife, hatred, violence, vitriol. I have been trying to write a post in this space for two weeks only to find I have no words…only to find things unfathomable in my mind, my heart, my soul.
I have been unable to write anything cohesive, but I shall, Lord willing.
I do not want to write and end up with a page filled with vitriol coming from myself regarding all I see and hear and feel. So I am silent. God’s Word speaks to my heart and says, “Be careful with your words, Linda.”
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34:13
I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1
Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2
So I am quiet. NOW!
But I am here having thoughts about my OneWord 2022 ~ diligence.
I am being diligent as to the words which God desires from me. I am being diligent as to words to say to others. I am being diligent as to the ways in which I represent Christ in and to this world.
I am being still so that I can know my God.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:7
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it. Proverbs 9:7-12
Lord, I desire to speak out. I desire to be open and honest. I just do not know how to do that these days. Guide my tongue and my mind and my heart, that I will be true to You, and You alone. In Your Beautiful Son’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Being Woven 
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Linda, sometimes the words are too deep to pull forth. The thoughts, the heart that holds them need time to be processed and strung into words. Thank you for sharing your words.
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Thank you for the reminder about how silence is sometimes the best way to deal with difficult situations. I’m learning that too.
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Linda, thank you for expressing the inner turmoil we so often feel about how we should respond to things. And for showing your willingness to be obedient, even when it’s hard. Featuring you in Grace and Truth this week.
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Thank you for these honest words that express what so many of us are feeling. Lately I think about how evil is always the same, always hits us with the same cruelties and injustices, but how the response of the good is actually evolving. I think it is evolving towards a creative silence that does not merely hit back at the evil and thus perpetuate its deeds, but will one day bring justice in an entirely new way. It’s not easy being in the middle of that process but fellowship with others who are suffering does help. Let us all hang in there, and hang together!
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Lory, thank you for these words to me, to others. I read this twice to grasp the depth of your words. Yes, I do believe that the opposite response to evil is ‘evolving.’ We want the answers immediately, and the exactly perfect answer immediately that will solve ALL. We must stand together with arms around one another in the love that only God can give. He does hold that love. He does hold His perfect justice. Thank you, my friend.
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Linda, I think the few words you have shared here are exactly enough. It takes wisdom to practice diligence with what we say and write. To ignore our knee-jerk reactions and trust that God will give us the words He wants us to share, if any. Thank you for leading the way …
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Lois, this is maybe the most difficult ‘quiet’ I have ever been in. I pray for God’s wisdom for my knee is ready to jerk! Thanks for your encouragement.
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Yes – the Lord doesn’t like the scoffer, the one who sows discord in so many ways – and then there comes the crux of the matter – Jesus came to save the scoffer, too – to save the unredeemed – and, so to pray for the heart of those creating so much discord to be changed for the Glory of God. I struggle – with wanting to call down fire like James and John did with the Samaritans – and Jesus rebuking them – because He came that they may be saved! It’s a struggle, my friend. I struggle daily with a wounded heart and asking God to take my words away and replace them with His. Thank you for this sweet reminder to continue holding the words that aren’t His! {{{HUGS}}} and Love, Linda! ~ Maryleigh
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“to continue holding the words that aren’t His!” YES, yes indeed! The desire to replace my words with His can snuggle right next to your same desire. Thanks for another encouraging reminder. ~ l
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It takes a lot of faith and a lot of spiritual practice to be silent until we know what we’re supposed to say. I admire your diligence, Linda. The gift of silence can sometimes feel like the hardest gift of all to give. I know you’ll continue listening for the Lord’s guidance on how best to use your words when the time is right. Love you, friend.
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Hi Linda, I love this post. It is so true. What we see around us is so horrible and frustrating and I too battle to determine what it is the Lord would have me say or do, if anything. I can so long pray. I can so long focus on my response, my behaviour. Such a relevant and powerful post. I’m visiting from Remember my Monday linkup
God bless
Tracy
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Rest assured, your post doesn’t not sound like rambling. On the contrary, it spoke to me about how important it is to be aware of what is going on around us at all times. Your diligence inspires me!
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Oh the wisdom in silence. Thank you for the reminder to not only think about what we say, but IF we need say anything!
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Thank you for your good words. Biblical words.
May the lord bless you.
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To cultivate faithfulness, to abide in Him, to walk in wisdom…these are things the righteous desire. Thank you for “stirring” faithfulness, abiding, wisdom and perseverance in Him and HIs ways, Linda. It’s worth it in the end!
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Linda, such a timely post! I have the same dilemma at times. I see what is going on in the world and how people disregard God and His word, and I tend to become angry. But as our pastor reminded us today, our job is to pray, to ask God to pour out His Spirit and to accomplish His purposes. So, sometimes we speak, but not in anger and as the Spirit leads. Your prayer is my prayer, too. Thank you for sharing your “few” words. They were powerful! Blessings to you!
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I love this post. Thank you for sharing.
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Very well said, with very few words. My heart is heavy with the burden of a conflict that seems to have no earthly resolution. I am trusting God for His answer. Your words remind me that I am not alone in my battle. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for this. It was a blessing and affirmed recent decisions God compelled me to make. Praying your prayer with you.
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