Avoiding the Big Blowups (James 1:19-21)

   James, the writer of the book that bares his name offers five steps toward overcoming anger:

1. Be slow to speak (v.19).  Weigh your words carefully (Proverbs 17:28 and 29:20)
2. Be quick to listen (v.19).  Avoid erupting into anger.  Assume the posture of a listener (Proverbs 18:13).
3. Be slow to anger (vv.19, 20).  No amount of yelling at my (our) children will turn them into the righteous young people I (we) long for theem to be.
4. Get rid of all moral filth and evil (v.21).  When distracted by sin we cannot dedicate ourselves to controlling our anger.
5. Humbly accept the Word of God (v.21).  Submit to the Word of God as the final authority and guide for your life.

CONCLUSION:  What If I do blow up?  Admit it, ask for God's help, and confess to the people you hurt.   (Taken from a sermon by Reverend Mark Hollis)

Happy Mother's Day!

Webster's New World Dictionary defines a mother as:  "A woman who has born a child; someone that gives birth to a child; someone who is the source of something."  When you say "mother" to a little child, he usually thinks of her functions first, then her feelings.  A child thinks of being fed, clothed, cleaned, etc.  Motherhood is a bestowed honor, especially when looked at from a Biblical perspective.  There are many things we fail to remember when we think of "motherhood."  Here are just two of them:

• Mothers have needs - These needs grow out of the fact that mothers play a number of roles ---- mother, woman, and wife.
• Mothers meet needs - Mothers are educators, financiers, budget directors, nurses, dietitians, baby-sitters, chauffers, referees, philosophers, dishwashers, and waitresses, just to name a few. 

WOW!  What a terrific position to be in ---- A Christian Mother.  Christian mothers are those who demonstrate genuine faith in Jesus Christ.  Thanks, to all moms who take their God-given responsibilities seriously, for they realize that "the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world."

"When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5).