Is this your "poison?"

This is the snake that

poisons everybody:

It topples governments.

Wrecks marriages.

Ruins careers.

Busts reputations.

Causes heartaches, ulcers

and generates grief.

Dispatches innocent people

to cry in their pillows.

Even its name hisses.

It is called GOSSIP.

Office gossip, party gossip,

church gossip.

It makes headlines and

headaches.

Before repeating a story,

ask yourself:

Is it true? Is it fair?

Is it necessary?

If not, SHUT UP!

YOU AND I will profit by reading

the New Testament book of James.

Do you say "Yes" to the right things?

Pythagoras, the famous mathematical thinker, said, “The oldest, shortest words, ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are those that require the most thought.”

Say, “Yes” to:

The need of careful preparation for your work…

The importance of being prompt…

The necessity of politeness…

The influence of being sincere…

The respect to God and to His word…

Say, “No” to:

Gossip…careless criticism…indifference to responsibility… selfishness…

Say, “Yes” to:

Loyalty…compassion…truthfulness…service to others…

ARE YOU QUICK OR SLOW?

   “Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak

    and

        slow to become angry.”  James 1:29

QUICK TO LISTEN.  James is encouraging us to listen eagerly to

God’s word.  A good listener is wise between the ears.  You and I cannot afford to have “sound proof” heads to the instructions of our Creator.

SLOW TO SPEAK.  The tongue is in a wet place…it can slip so easily.  Trying to “unsay” a cutting remark or a bit of gossip is just about as easy as putting toothpaste back into a tube.

SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY.  Remember “anger” is just one letter short of “danger.”  Angry words can destroy love.  Angry actions can devastate life.