We need to watch how we speak! Whether it’s on social media, on the phone, in conversation, or in print, our words do matter. As a writer, I need to watch tone, emotion, syntax, motivation, and truth in order to be authentic. When our faith guides our words, we are representatives of Christ and His kingdom. When we speak as professionals, in my case as an educator, I need to consider my audience and their viewpoints, prejudices, beliefs, and personal training or situations. We need to avoid gossip. We need to consider our audience when we speak or write. Here’s today’s “My Psalm.”
MY PSALM 323 RHETORIC
O Lord of the Universe,
I come with humble heart before Your throne,
Knowing that in Your mercy, You hear my pleas,
Prepare my paths, provide for my every need.
You created the heavens and the earth
And pronounced them good
And I echo that,
Admiring the light that shines by night
And the sun that warms the day.
I thank you for Jesus, the Light of the World
And the Light of eternity,
For without You in my life,
I would know darkness and despair.
Precious Holy Spirit,
I ask You to be part of every conversation in this day,
To guide me in pathways of Your choosing,
To provide a barrier
Against sin of thought, of motive, of speech, of action,
Keeping my mind, body, soul, and spirit pure in Your sight.
Almighty God, Three in One,
Through the mercy of Christ’s sacrifice,
Thank you for Your provision and protection for me
And for my loved ones, the hedge that surrounds us all.
Be present at every conversation.
Be alive in every Word of Scripture
In every lyric of music today
To strengthen my faith.
Be ahead of my every pathway,
Leading me to those You want me to touch
With Your hands of mercy,
Influence through my words,
Bring to Your Throne in prayer,
And love through my actions.
Protect those who need You in a special way today,
The poor, the insensitive, the sick in body, mind, and soul,
And help me to be a beacon of light in dark places,
Soften my rhetoric,
Call to my mind songs of praise and thanksgiving
And passages from Your Word
For You are the source of my strength,
And in You I have my being, my purpose, my mission.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.