Some thoughts from TLW

So we're having a True Love Waits youth event at our church this weekend. Its an intensive weekend, starting at 5:30 Friday night and going until the end of church Sunday morning. We do it about every two years, but change the lessons and such a bit. Anyway, I've been studying my material (I'm teaching Sophomore girls) and I was reminded why I love the English Standard Version of the bible so very much! I memorized Ephesians 4:29 a long time ago...probably after being mean to my brother and my mom wanting me to learn to control my mouth. lol. As I learned it (in NIV) is says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Pretty good verse right? Well listen (or read..) what the ESV says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Maybe its just me, but giving grace to someone else is a LOT different that just benefiting them!!!! Its all about pointing them to God and HIS grace, its all about being humble and REAL with people. Showing them that I'm a sinner but Jesus gave me grace and therefore my speech (ALL THE TIME) should reflect that grace to others!!!! Which is not to say that every other word out of my mouth has to be "Jesus" but just that it has to be something that ultimately points to Him. Make any sense? Maybe it was just something God was showing me in my life, but I figure if that's true someone else out there is probably struggling with the same thing, so there ya go! lol

And because I HAVE to have pictures in my post...
My kidlets cuddling on their grandma's lap! :)