Scripture

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

~Proverbs 12:18, NLT

Quote

Never lie down at night without being able to say: “Today I have made at least one human beings life a little better.”

~Charles Kingsley

Those who know me well have probably heard me say that I believe the gift of healing was an apostolic gift that is no longer operational. I believe that Peter and John could heal but I can’t. I am going to have to retract that statement or at least modify it: I do believe there is a gift of healing but it is the one mentioned in Proverbs 12:18. The NIV reads like this: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Obviously some have the gift and some don’t. I am not sure I have the gift but I know some who do.

We’ve all met the folks who can’t say anything without it turning into an insult and to make matters worse, they don’t think we have enough sense to understand what they are saying.  Practically everything they say is an insult. These are the people we try to avoid because sooner or later, we know they will say something demeaning. I had a guy tell me once, “You do a little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing.” I have forget a lot, why can’t I forget what he said? It was over 50 years ago. I have forgotten because cutting remarks sting. One man said to me during the Reagan years, “Preacher, you are the only beggar I know that is a Republican.” Of course he did not realize that he was pronouncing judgment upon himself for voting for abortion. People can say cutting things and the sad thing is–they think it is cute. Little do they know what people thing about them. I guess this is what makes them fools: they think they are fooling others when they themselves are being fooled.

Praise the Lord, there are those who are gracious and have kind words of encouragement. I have some of these precious folks in my life. If I stumbled and fell out of the pulpit, they would be there to help me up and say something life…”Preacher that was some display of humility. No one can fall as graciously as you.” I know I preach some bad sermons but not according to some of my encouragers. I am amazed at how gracious and kind they are and it brings healing to my heart and soul. Yes, I believe encouraging words can heal and blessed are those who speak them.

Extra

In a way it has been a long five days. I thank God that Mickey gave me the nudge I needed and I wouldn’t take anything for the experience but I don’t think I’ve ever venture that far from home again. I got in a tizzy before we left and accidentally locked my office door. The problem with that is I had lost both keys. I carried the I-pad and intended to blog but I could get my passwork right. I had the letters but two of them are in caps and I couldn’t get it right. We got home about 4:00 but I turned around and went to Lowe’s to get hacksaw blades for the saw so I could cut the knob off which I did. As soon as I got in my building, I was OK but too dirty and too tired to drive across the county to mid-week.

I do appreciate the prayers and we could not have had a better trip. It did rain on us all the way to Michigan and all but one day while we were there. Traffic was heavy around the I-65 and I-69 junction. We had no problem with Louisville going or coming. Nashville is always a headache. In both Indiana and Michigan they have acres and acres of corn in the field but can’t shell it due to the moisture. We did see a lot of farms which I love. Hillsdale college is unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it. It is state of the art. It make Samford look like a Junior College. Yes I have seen the building at Samford; you should see the ones at Hillsdale. The lecture hall probably seated 500 and the dinning room was just across the hall. It was a fancy dining room. I didn’t even know what I was eating unless someone told me. I didn’t intend, but I became the entertainment at supper which they call dinner. I got to be friends with a Dentist from Montana. One younger lady upbraided me for my table etiquette, everyone laughed when I said, “You remind me of my wife. I wish she was here; she would pat you on the back, because she has to get on to me all the time.” Everyone laughed and she said, “I only did that because I could tell you could take it.” I said, “That’s mild, my wife slaps me on the hand.”

I expected to see a lot of geeks but I saw none. Unbelievable! They have more pretty girls than Auburn or Alabama. I have never seen such an impression group of young people in my like. Everyone was cordial and they tried to answer all my questions. I saw no long hair on boys, no blue hair on the girls, no body piercing and no tattoos. No halters or hot pants. I am not kidding. The average ACT score among the 1600 students is 32. Unless you are a gifted athlete, I wouldn’t think you would have a prayer of getting accepted with anything below 30. They accept only 21% of applicants. You have a better chance of getting in Yale.

I guess my favorite lecture was from a professor at Notre Dame. He said he believed in the BIG BANG, but the Big Bang was the atonement of Christ.  He mentioned the atonement multiple times. Folks, I got my wagon loaded and it will take awhile to unpack this experience. I do appreciate Grace Point paying our way and it is something I will treasure as long as I have my mental faculties. I appreciate June going with me. She is a good navigator. We made one wrong turn on the whole trip but it didn’t cost us more than 10 minutes. Thank God for Grace Point and Big Mama.

I am going ahead and post this on Wednesday evening although you may not see it until Thursday morning. I’ve got to stop typing and put a door knob on my wonderful little office building.