Words

Words, we use them everyday, often very casually. I know the bible tells us to use our words to encourage others and not gossip and be wise with what we say and it's something I've been trying to take to heart more lately because I've really started noticing how often people (including myself) jokingly insult their friends or are mean to them, yes it's meant to be a joke but personally I don't think it's all that funny to hear best friends calling each other curse words - (I'm sure you can figure out which ones I'm talking about) and then acting PROUD to be called that? It drives me a little crazy.

But I'm going to share a few of the words that I think are waaaay over used and used to casually in the world around us.

The first is the word HATE.
I do not like this word. Especially when I hear other people using it to describe how they feel about another person.  I didn't start getting annoyed when others did that until about 2 years ago - up until that point I used that word when describing people allllll the time. So what was with the sudden change? A woman named Eva Olsen came to talk at our school, she is a holocaust survivor and she told us her story which was tragic. But she also talked about how she'd raised her children and grand children to NEVER use the word hate, because that's what the Nazi's did. they hated, they murdered, they did horrible things and to feel that towards another human being was a crime. I was in tears at this point when she was talking, it was just sooo true and I was so inspired by that part of her speech that I don't think I've used the word hate to describe a person since. I try to avoid it all together but sometimes it slips out when I'm describing a nasty paper cut. Yes this woman is an inspiration to me - I even got to hug her afterwards - Now -whenever I hear this word used to describe someone I sort of cringe.  But I challenge others not to tell people they hate someone. Even as a joke. Because hate is the complete opposite of love - and the bible commands us to love others, Not hate others.


The second word that is way over used today I think is kill.
You hear the words 'I'm gonna kill you" spoken to a friend after they may or may not have had a prank pulled on them. I know it's said jokingly but again, it's one of those words I try not to use even as a joke. To me, telling someone you're going to kill them as a joke is basically breaking the sixth commandment of 'thou shall not kill' in your mind. Maybe it sounds extreme, but I don't like it when I hear people say they want to kill each other and I'm sure God doesn't like it either.


The third word I find that is thrown around too casually is PERFECT.
When someone says perfect I instantly think - Jesus- He's perfect, what else is? So when people say other people they look up to are 'perfect' I almost snicker, because nobody else is. I often wonder what God thinks of people who think or say that they are perfect people, Does He try to show them otherwise or is He just saddened because they don't realize that there is only one perfect person? Hmm... something to ponder.


Does anybody else have certain words they avoid using (besides swear words)? If so, leave a comment. Tell me what you think of the post and I challenge whoever reads this to think on it!

God bless :)

Baptism Pictures!

The photos from my baptism on December 9th. I'm standing in a tank of water (I swear), it's just very well concealed inside of the stage! (This is just before)

Aaaaannnd, this is just after! It was a wonderful day! :)