How Green Is the Grass?

 We've all heard the expression, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side". I'm pretty sure that when this old adage was first coined there was no such thing as artificial turf in existence. In its early days, some of us remember artificial grass being referred to as "astro turf". That term became popular because there was one leading supplier/installer of this year round, lush green, artificial grass and their company's name just happened to be "Astro Turf". In the 70's and 80's artificial turf became the popular way to go for major league athletic fields especially in football due to the potential for mud laden messes as teams battled for yards, feet, and many times inches during rain and snow covered conditions in our college and professional stadiums. Today, artificial grass has been infused with computerized technology, allowing digitized advertising, pinpoint accuracy in measurement, and the potential for an increased artificial intelligence presence in our sports arenas. It would appear that the grass is most certainly greener where  natural grass has been replaced with a maintenance free, greener than green artificial option. I would like to offer a conversely different opinion, I'd like to suggest that even if it is greener on the other side, that doesn't necessarily guarantee that it is better.

What might appear to be the ideal setting for outdoor athletic competitions, may in reality be blanketed with the potential for injury and limited usability. Ankle injuries, increased cuts and abrasions, and a higher risk for damage to an athlete's ACL, have caused us to raise an eyebrow to whether turf is actually greener on the other side. Beyond that the lifespan of a turf field is limited to between 5-10 years, guaranteeing a recurring expense to keep that lush, green playing surface. Lastly, of course planting flowers, shrubs, or even trees is not an option on an athletic field. But,  for that maintenance-free seeking homeowner, the allure of year round, greener than green grass that doesn't have to be mowed or even trimmed might be a temptation. That is until the decision is made to plant a flower garden or tree in their yard. See how that works with a corner to corner artificial rug. To my opening point, just because the grass on the other side may be greener, that doesn't necessarily mean it is better. 

This same principle holds true in our walk of faith today. Modern advances in technology provide us with options and alternatives galore. Morals and ethics have been placed in the backseat over the years and replaced with allowing each person to decide their right or wrong and their definition of good and evil, creating an artificial playing field of life. Just as the illustration above provides evidence that just because something is greener, doesn't always mean it is better or even good for us, I believe the same principle applies here. The old adage was that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. To me that message was that things aren't always better on the other side. On the surface, the visual appearance may be alluring, but once you are on the other side, things don't always translate to a greener, better situation. The message I want to share today is that even if our society shows us an easier way, a quicker path, or a less bumpy road to travel, that does not guarantee that any of those are beneficial to you and your journey with God. Paul shared this message with the Christians residing in Rome and it still is so applicable for us today; "... but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5. The problem is, I just don't see folks rushing to the maintenance and restoration line. The easier, "greener" path appeals because it doesn't require sweat, cuts and scrapes, or use of "me" time. It sounds like the curb appeal would make this the choice of even the Godly saints of old. 

The prophet Isaiah wrote a whole chapter with that very thought in mind. In case people started thinking that a simple, work-free day meant you were living right and under God's provision for such chapter 5 can be summed up with this statement. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet" Isaiah 5:20. In other words don't go around thinking that just because it is greener that all of a sudden it is better. There still exists today, right and wrong, good and bad, and it is our God given responsibility to hold tightly to the green grass of God's word and His guidance for this life He has given us to live. 

I'll conclude today with a thought, when you look into your neighbor's yard the grass may appear to be greener. Who knows, they could have artificial grass from corner to corner of their property and their turf may appear to be greener year round. But, keep in mind the truth we have discussed today. Greener on the other side, does not always mean better on the other side! In one of the most popular and often quoted selections from the Bible, David's twenty-third psalm shares this exact thought. The psalm starts out stating that God offers him green pastures to lie down in. But then David reminds us that at times he is walking through the valley of the shadow of death. David affirms that even though it is dark and desolate, he knows he isn't walking through the troubles of life alone. God's rod and staff comfort him and are right there with him (vs. 4). At the end of the psalm, David reaffirms that he is promised that he will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (vs. 6). So today, mow your own lawn, be thankful you have a lawn to mow, and give thanks that your life isn't made up of man-made artificial joy! 

Coach Carter

Right Foot, Left Foot

 Over the years, inspirations for topics to share in the weekly Flat Tire Ministries Thoughts have come through numerous paths. A song on the radio, a part of the preacher's sermon on Sunday, a devotional thought, and many times topics to cover come out of a conversation with a friend, family member, or acquaintance. With over 450 weekly posts recorded, I can honestly say, I've never had a week that there wasn't a message to share. At times the ideas come three or four in rapid succession. At other times, a scripture or story from the Bible seems to weave itself perfectly into a situation I have recently encountered and thus spurred a message to share. For me, the most important part to understand is the topics and ensuing messages aren't mine, the pen and paper, (or in this case the keyboard and computer screen) are mine, but I depend on God to provide the words He wants to share. I am grateful that God allows me to be a scribe, and I pray that He will continue to use me as He pleases for as long as I can be of use to His purpose for the life He gave me to live! 

That being said, today's message is no exception. When the topic came to mind I wasn't really sure where it was going to head. My thoughts centered around things like: "You can go for a walk on your own",  or "You can walk in the same direction or the opposite direction, but whatever direction you are walking you should be walking with God." Soon after that, I had thoughts about Jesus walking in the Garden of Gethsemane, or back in Genesis how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and then heard God walking around the garden. I wasn't exactly sure what direction the message was headed, but then as He always does, God made it clear what He wanted me to share today. 

In one of my daily devotionals, the author shared that for us to grow in our relationship with God we must deepen our ability to trust and obey Him. The devotional went on to compare trusting and obeying to walking. Right foot step / trust, left foot step / obey. Trust and obey, right foot-left foot. To "walk" with God requires us to take that first step, then we can't just stop with one step, to walk with God we must continue that right foot-left foot succession. We take our first step in faith, we place our trust in God. As sinners, we must turn from our sins and take that first step towards God. We make the decision to trust God and seek forgiveness for our sins. Trust allows us to forgo self and submit all we are to God. But, it doesn't stop there. To walk with God requires progression. A step in the right direction is critical, but if we are going to be walking with God more than a step is required. 

That is where taking a step becomes a walk of faith. We must learn to obey God which requires us to take additional steps beyond trusting in Him. First step trust, second step obey. Right foot, left foot, right foot left foot, on and on we go, moving forward and not looking back. Trust and obey. So, how do we obey God? We have to listen, we have to learn, we have to seek, and we have to follow God in all we do if we are truly walking with God. Think about it this way, if you don't know the laws of the city, state, or country you live in, how will you ever know if what you are doing is legal or illegal? Or if you don't follow the directions on the recipe, how in the world do you expect the outcome of your cooking efforts to be successful? It is the same way with God's commands. We can't obey what we don't have knowledge of, so it just stands to reason that if we are going to trust God and obey God, then we have to seek what God wants us to do for His Kingdom. That is all part of the process, we can't trust and obey what we do not know or understand. We must commit to reading His word daily, praying without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), and seeking His will in all we say and do. 

Is walking with God daily as easy as taking a stroll in the park? Nobody ever said it was easy, there are several paths that we must choose between throughout each day. Jesus shared this pedestrian warning in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." The world offers a plethora of wide open paths we can choose to journey each day, but just as Jesus pointed out above, the vast majority of those roads lead to destruction. Addiction, dishonesty, unfaithfulness, or placing things in front of our relationship with God will all ultimately lead to destructive choices and quickly make walking with God a real challenge. Yet, when we place our faith in Christ who died for our sins and enlightens the path of His righteousness, we are assured that each step we take, right foot, left foot towards God's calling for the life He gave us to live, we will not walk alone. We can truly trust that God is in control and if we obey His commands and follow His instruction we will walk with God as we live out the life we have to live. Right foot/trust, left foot/obey!

Coach Carter

 

The Path

"Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. It would be hard to argue that "training" or educating our children isn't one of the top priorities in any society. Primarily the responsibility of parents; teachers, coaches, and other influencers provide a mentoring role in the lives of our young people, and are tasked with preparing the next generation of leaders. Of course, as an educator that "raising" includes learning to read and then teaching students how to read to learn. Math, science, and history also rank up there as significantly important, along with all the other academic and non-academic courses our children take throughout their educational experience. Those are critical no doubt, yet there are skills and lessons that will prepare our children for life that we must ingrain in their hearts, minds, and souls. The inherent problem here is that the skills I'm talking about are tough lessons to learn and in most instances they hurt physically, psychologically, or even in both ways many times. Today's message titled "The Path" is related to a question a preacher once asked, "Are you preparing the path for the child, or are you preparing the child for the path?" That is a tough question to ask today, but even more so, it is a tougher question to answer if you are one of the aforementioned path builders listed above. 

I'm pretty certain that most of us have heard the old adage, "the path to destruction is paved with good intentions", well that aptly fits our message today. As parents we obviously want what is best for our children. Teachers want their students to all make straight A's, and what coach doesn't want their athletes to feel successful and accomplished in the sport they are coaching. The danger therein lies in determining what is "best" for our proteges, best for their future and the progress of society. My parents grew up during the aftermath of the Great Depression, they did without, but so did everyone else. As parents they wanted to ensure that Bob, Donna, and I had a "better" life than what they experienced as children. I'd go out on a limb a little and say they actually gave us a little more than what we needed and with much less toil and sweat than what they experienced as children and young adults. Fortunately for us, we learned a great deal about hard work from both of our parents and that has made the difference in our lives. Fast forward to a more current day, and you will find a generation that wants a better life for their children, but I'm not so sure this generation wants their children to face the struggle and even disappoint that accompanies that "better" life. 

By preparing the path for the child, we remove any obstacles that lie ahead, we straighten the path so children don't have to risk wrecking in the curves, and we fill in all the potholes along the way so that the path is smooth and easy to navigate. But, how does this look in the real world of raising children you ask? I thought you would never ask! Fixing arguments between classmates, expecting our child to never make below an "A", or wanting your child to be the star of the team regardless of the effort they invest or the dedication they commit are just a few examples of paving the path for our children. Each of these would be considered commendable efforts today in the realm of parenting, but the actual price tag to obtain these should be earned and paid for by the child, and that is where our quandary lies today. If we pave the path for the child then we remove the actual things that will build up two critical attributes, perseverance and resilience. By not allowing the younger generation to stumble and even fall at times, they won't learn to get back up and to carry on even if the possibility of falling again may still exist. Think about it this way, a baby actually learns to walk by falling down numerous times. Each plop on their behind creates a neuro memory of what happened that didn't work, the child may not even recognize the learning through the experience, but the resilience and perseverance of wanting to walk around like everyone else serves as the foundation of learning through our struggles. Conflict resolution is a key life skill for us all, but often today, the term "bullying" is used to label what may actually be a lesson in learning to not get along with someone, an important skill that is expected in the world of work and in life. (Note: I am in no way disregarding the presence of bullying, I am a certified Anti-Bullying trainer and a huge advocate for those that are truly experiencing bullying and support any effort to stop bullying in our schools. There is no place for that type of behavior in this world, and definitely not in the lives of our children.)  In sports, in most cases, the victories go to the ones that put in the hard work and when they don't win those athletes don't look for someone to blame. The bottom line here is this: we can't pave out the path for our children, in doing so we do more long term harm than short term gain. I never had to worry about getting straight "A's" in school, but over my 33 years in education I have witnessed my share of exemplary students with outstanding GPAs. I would suggest that the struggle to get those straight "A's" will have more of a lasting impact on setting goals and then obtaining them than the grades recorded on their transcript. And when the "A" isn't there, that is where the resilience and grit of overcoming adversity rises to the top. I say all of this to express the thought that having high expectations for our children should be the norm, but when their best doesn't represent perfection, or when the challenge they are facing begs for us to interfere, it may be best for us to allow the struggle and thus build the path in the child. 

The psalmist's advice from the lead into our message today would probably tell us that "the struggle" is worth its weight in gold. In other words, preparing the child for the path that lies ahead will pay off down the road. The Apostle Paul commented that he learned how to be content through the hardships of life (Phil. 4:11-13) and the author of the Book of James stated that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials because those trials ultimately produce perseverance and if we persevere we will be complete and mature. (James 1:2-4) By preparing the child for the path rather than the former, we place the child in a position to be successful in life and to handle the bumps in the road along the way. By smoothing out the rough spots in their journey we unintentionally put them at a disadvantage when the stakes are much higher and we as the caring adult are no longer able to intervene and swoop in for the save. It is our job to prepare our children for the ups and downs of life, and part of that is to allow them to grow through adversity. The seed does not turn into the flower until it struggles to reach the surface and then breaks through to ultimately see its full potential. 

As our time together comes to a close today, I want to be the first to admit that I was not the stellar parent in this area of life and I made my fair share of mistakes. I'm working harder in the lives of our grandchildren. We want to encourage them to attempt hard things. Not impossible things, but things that stretch their abilities and their perseverant mind sets. I don't applaud when they fall short, but I cheer when they get back up and give it another try. At the core of all of the struggle and defeat, I want to assure them that they are not alone. Just as Jesus promised His disciples that He would always be with them in their struggles, I want my children, my grandchildren, and all those that I coach or support to know that I am there for them. (John 16:33). 

Training up our kids in the way they should go since 1986 and learning something new every day!

Coach Carter

The Value of Things

Over the past couple of years I've been hearing the term Cryptocurrency more and more frequently. To be quite honest, I didn't really have a clue about what crypto cash really is, so I did a little Google search and this is what I found: 

"Mining is the term used to describe the process of creating cryptocurrency. Crypto transactions need to be validated, and mining performs the validation and creates new cryptocurrency. Mining uses specialized hardware and software to add transactions to the blockchain. But, not all cryptocurrency comes from mining. For example, crypto that you can't spend isn't mined. Instead, developers create the new currency through a hard fork. A hard fork creates a new chain in the blockchain. One fork follows the new path, and the other follows the old. Crypto you can't mine is typically used for investments rather than purchases." (Source Coursera).

Again, I can honestly say that after my Google search was completed, I still don't have a clue about what cryptocurrency is?? I guess I'm getting old! Or, is it possible that this new fangled form of currency is beyond my grasp because I really don't understand how things have gotten so out of whack with what is valued in this world we live in. I've titled today's FTM "The Value of Things" let's dig a little into the value of the things we value. 

If we followed the trail of American history to a much earlier day and time, we would most likely find people trading goods for other goods. You have a beaver pelt I want, and I have a basket of potatoes that you want so we traded. But when and maybe more importantly who made certain shiny stones of value? Why is it that diamonds are so valuable and gold became worth dying for? I get it that the limited quantity of "precious" items such as emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and gold make them more desirable, but at the end of the day, they are still only shiny rocks. 

Dollar bills, credit cards, and even coins such as nickels, dimes, and quarters are all made out of items such as paper, plastic, and copper. Yet, we do all we can to acquire and safeguard our wallets and purses to ensure our money in our pockets and vaults. I fully understand the role of currency in today's economy, but what I don't get is how we got to the place where we value rocks, plastic, paper, and metals more than the true treasure of God's purpose for our lives. 

Throughout the Bible God reminds us and instructs us to not allow the treasures of this world to dominate our lives. Matthew 6:19 lays it out there pretty simply in this directive straight from the mouth of Jesus, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal." Later in the same chapter Jesus shared that the flowers of the field are beautifully adorned and the birds in the sky are taken care of in the winter, so why should we be so worried about what we shall eat, or what we shall wear? (Matt. 6:26-34). The Apostle Paul strengthens us with this  reassuring message, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19.

We all know we need money to survive, and I am not really talking about the necessity or importance of a sound financial portfolio in your life. What I am really wanting us to think about is how to keep things in perspective. "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) Our marching orders are simple in what is of value to us. Seek God, follow God, and serve God. When we do that, we will have what we need. That is His promise and I have found value in doing just that. Amen. 

Coach Carter

Price Tag

How much does happiness cost? What is the actual, non-negotiable price tag for being content? I'm not too certain that many people go around placing a sticker price on happiness, but I would say that I see a society today that is driven to have more. Buy more, attain a higher position in your work life, while the old adage "Keeping up with the Jones'" has been replaced with "Pass up the Jones' and anybody else that is in front of me!" Our society is chasing after something elusive and I'm here to share today that I just don't think money, riches, or fame can provide what a large portion of our world believes is attached to a number with several zeroes following behind. 

On my way to work each day I pass a billboard that projects the current lottery jackpot totals. It amazes me that the prize totals at times reach upward of one billion dollars. What I really find peculiar is that when the prize is 30, 40, or even 100 million dollars there doesn't seem to be that much excitement. Wouldn't even a prize of one million dollars be grand? But as I said, the news media doesn't even give a mention of the lottery until it bounces well beyond the 800-900 million dollar range. Why? Would suddenly "winning" a billion dollars make someone happier than someone else that just won 500 million dollars? Based on several news stories about mega lottery winners who end up broke, divorced, or dead at an early age due to drugs or other vices, my guess is the answer is a solid "No". The thought must be I don't want a million dollars, I want ten million dollars, but then the next person says well I don't want ten million I want 100 million, and the next demands 500 million, and it goes on and on and on. What are all those mega winners  going to buy that someone with one million dollars can't buy? My thought is that someone driven in this manner believes they will be happy if they can just win a little more than the guy that won the lottery just before him. Point in place, John D. Rockefeller, arguably one of the richest men in history was once asked how much money was enough, Rockefeller quickly retorted, "Just a little bit more". The question begs to be asked, if riches make someone feel fulfilled, then how much wealth is required to reach that nirvana? 

Unfortunately, happiness is not found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. Unfortunately, the rise to power and fame only leads most people to want more power and more fame, never feeling fulfilled with their status as it stands. The elusive search for happiness in bank account totals or the number of Oscar winning performances isn't the only evidence available. In our daily lives the average home has 3-4 bathrooms, 4-5 bedrooms, and a typical new home is running upwards of $500,000. +. I mean the United States is labelled as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but if that is true, why is it that the divorce rate in the U.S. hovers around 40%, and drug or alcohol addictions rank high among the rich and famous? My guess is these folks are looking for something to make them happy and they just don't seem to have enough money to get them to that happy place. Sadly, I don't believe the vast majority of our society will ever find happiness in their wealth. In the book of Matthew 16:29 Jesus asked his disciples this question, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?" In other words, I don't believe there is a price tag for happiness. So, if we can't find happiness in riches or wealth, status or position, where does happiness reside?

 A current Contemporary Christian song by the band Cochren & Company harnessed my attention recently. In the song,  "Money Can't Buy" the vocalist lays it out there pretty quick and pretty straightforward "Oh Lord give me eyes to see that what I need don't cost a thing, You fill my life with somethin' money can't buy!" What is that "somethin'", and why can't it be bought? This song speaks to my soul, you can't buy happiness, there isn't a dollar amount attached to being content that you can set as a goal, and as Rockefeller so aptly replied, "just a little bit more" unfortunately, will never be enough. Happiness is found in the life you have been given and the people that fill that life each day. I believe Cochren & Company nailed it with the line from the song that goes like this, "It's the peace that comes from perfect love. The wonder in the stars, the beating in my heart. Sometimes you gotta stop, and look at what you got, and that's when you realize, ooh, the gift it is to be alive." For those that reach the place where they understand what true happiness is, that is the "somethin" being described in the song. 

If you aren't happy with your life, money, riches, position or status won't get you there. It is a sad state of affairs for those who are caught up in the rat race of life striving for "just a little bit more".  That little bit more just becomes a part of the never ending chase for happiness in the things of this world. Again in the book of Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus spoke about wealth and the futile efforts that storing up earthly treasures creates. Instead Jesus directed us to store up our treasures in Heaven where the impact is eternal. Don't allow the chase after shiny things that will only rust and dull to fill your days, seek the happiness that is found in knowing and serving Christ. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:11-13 when he stated that his contentment is found in Christ and the life-giving flow of love that is only found in Him. That my friend is the "somethin money can't buy". If you have it, you know what I'm talking about, if you don't have it, get it today, it is available and it doesn't cost a thing! 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"         Romans 6:23

Coach Carter

Whatever

The fourth chapter of the Book of Philippians may best be known as the chapter that houses the "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 verse, yet the verses leading up to this more well known verse should serve as an encouragement to us as we traverse in and out of each day. In this chapter, I've labelled as the "Whatever" chapter, Paul describes how he has learned to deal with every adversity that life has thrown his way and what he has learned to do that allowed him to move forward, praising God "whatever" happens each day. 

Verses 6-7 are also often quoted verses telling us to not spend our days worrying about what is going on in our daily lives, but instead to present our troubles to God and we will receive a peace beyond our understanding. Sounds easy enough right? In other words, if we just pray, our troubles will vanish and we will be strolling through the daisy fields of life content that God is removing all of our worries and concerns. Well, I just don't believe that is what God is saying at all. To get the full gist of what Paul is proclaiming in chapter 4, you have to read on to see how Paul used prayer and petition to God to overcome and withstand the adversities of this life. 

In verses 11-12 Paul describes how he has learned to be content when he is in need, and how he has learned to be grateful when he has what he needs and also thankful when he is in desperate need. Full belly or empty stomach, overflowing bank account or dead broke, Paul states that he has learned how to be content through his relationship with Christ. (Phil. 4-13). Being content when life is tough isn't that easy, yet I firmly believe that Paul had reached that place through the art of not looking at the bad that was currently impacting his life, but instead, by placing his focus on the positive and good, his thoughts did not sink to pity or shame, but instead Paul's thoughts moved towards a glimpse into what is possible through God and His love. 

Paul shares the secret to being content in the "whatever" verses of chapter 4. What Paul suggests is that we have to adopt a different outlook on life. Instead of looking at every situation through the lens of "Why did this have to happen to me?" to a perspective of "How can I use what is happening in my life regardless of what it looks like on the surface?" That is tough, it is a challenge to see a health crisis as an opportunity, but it isn't the crisis that is the opportunity, it is more your perspective and what you do as a result of the crisis that will impact your life and the lives of others. The key to a different mindset is found in verses 8-9. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Whatever, no matter what, whatever is going on in your life, think on these things and God's peace will prevail in all situations and circumstances. What we give our attention to determines our perspective on life. Focus on the adversity and you will only see adversity, focus on the promise of a life eternal where there will be no more adversity and you will experience hope.

When we put things in a different perspective from the world's view, what we begin to see isn't the challenges, but instead we see the opportunities that our challenges present. I often share a quote from one of my historical heroes Winston Churchill that goes like this, "The pessimist sees the challenge in every opportunity, while the optimist sees the opportunity in every challenge he faces." How is that possible? I believe it starts with the mindset that Paul provides in Philippians 4. If we focus our time and energy on things that are true and worthy of being thankful, our mindset will experience a shift towards Paul's way of thinking. When the world wants to tell you that you shouldn't have to be dealing with whatever it is you are going through, remember the words of Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". Whatever it is, Gods got it! Amen. 

Coach Carter

The Hammer

 During one of my recent devotionals, the speaker noted that our words are like a hammer. When I think of a hammer my mind races to memories of my own father. Joe E. Carter was a builder and the evidence of his work still exists today in our home town, where he and his crews built close to 100 homes during the 60's and 70's. The houses he built have served as homes for thousands of families over the past 50+ years, and most likely will serve as homes for generations to come. His hammer provided safety, security, and a sense of belonging in our community. Just as a hammer can be used to provide the aforementioned assurances, unfortunately that same hammer can be used to tear down and destroy with one fatal blow. 

The devotional speaker I referenced above compared the words we speak to the power of that hammer. Our words can be used to build up and encourage or our words can beat down and destroy a person's sense of worth. Many times our words are said without considering the potential damage that they may cause. It is our responsibility to choose our words carefully, we make the choice of the outcome, building up or tearing down. The question you have to ask yourself today is "Do I build up or do I tear down with the words I speak each day?"

 Proverbs 18:21 warns us that "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit". Just as in our example of the contradictory uses of a hammer, our words have the power to provide encouragement and a sense of security, (build up), or we can use our words to tear down and destroy (death). Sadly, today I feel that many of our neighbors are using their words with the power to destroy and far fewer folks are building others up with their words. The good news is we are in control of our tongues and we make the choice of what impact our words will have on others. I want to encourage you to be a builder of hope and peace, not a demolition expert destroying others with the words you speak. 

The Book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, considered to be the wisest man to have lived prior to the birth of Jesus, and throughout his contribution to the Bible, Solomon constantly speaks to the constructive/destructive ability of our words. At least seventeen times in Proverbs, Solomon shares his wisdom on the topic of the impact of our words, and the message found in Proverbs 12:18 serves as a standard bearer for how Solomon felt about the hammer our words have the potential to be. "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." 

Choose to build people up with your hammer. Reconstruct what is broken in your world with your hammer and make the choice to firmly hammer love and truth to a world that so desperately needs  reconstruction in our hearts. Choosing to use your hammer to destroy may only take one fatal swing, so guard your words, think of others and the impact your words will have, and listen more than you speak. In doing so, your words will build safe and secure dwellings just like the homes my father constructed so many years ago. 

Coach Carter