What Glenn Writes

A few years ago, a science satellite picked up a weak signal and boosted it back to Earth.  The range was undetermined and the source had yet to be identified.  Scientists could tell the direction was from a strange unknown place called, “deep space”.

There was likely the usual chatter of excitement you would expect from scientists when they receive weak radio signals from deep space: first, the disbelief; second, the realization they were discovering something for the first time; and third, a mad dash for the closet to grab a freshly laundered white lab coat and a cleaning rag to polish the pocket protector – you always have to be prepared for the photo opportunity.

Imagine their anticipation growing as they start to decipher the signal, each one expecting to hear alien communication, a chance invitation to the Galaxy Ball, a stray Martian cell phone call, or the weekly broadcast of Saturn’s Fear Factor Show – this episode has contestants surfing the rings of the planet, eating Jupitarian Hissing Beetles, and finding Fear Factor Flags in an asteroid belt.  The exhilaration must have wavered ever so slightly when one of the first broadcasts of the Howdy-Doody show played across their screen.   

 There was still cause for celebration for they made the papers with their discovery.  They speculate the signal for this episode was strong to accommodate the weaker receiving capabilities of the television sets of the day, sending the playful image of a puppet throughout the universe to bounce between planets, solar systems, moons, and asteroids until it was picked up back here on Earth. 

With their pocket protectors polished, these scientists set off the calculate the distance Howdy-Doody traveled by the rate of flow, rebound timing, and other factors which really do not exist but scientist make up to keep receiving their grant money.

I doubt the producers for the Howdy-Doody Show expected the transmission of this particular airing to come bouncing back to Earth decades after the broadcast.  In this same way, many of us will be surprised when the words we speak come bouncing back at us and we must answer for the words we have spoken in vain. 

Ouch.  Is this news for you? 

I can tell you this news strikes close to home for me: I am always the joker and the clown who sometimes takes jabs at others, has a library of put-downs for my buddies, and can tell more “Your Mamma” jokes than most comedians.  These are all words spoken in vain. 

In this regard, the Bible warns me in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  This spreads a whole new light on trash-talking my friends and our word battles when we get together. 

In the above verse, “careless word” comes from the Greek words REEMA ARGON and corresponds with the Hebrew word SHAAW’, which gives us a literal translation to mean a vain, thoughtless, useless word; a word to accomplishes no good; a word which is wicked, injurious, false, or malicious.  When we understand many scholars believe this verse correlates with Luke 6:45, which ends “…for out of the overflow of his heart [a person] speaks,” we find why our words will acquit us or condemn us. 

Our mouths speak the condition of our hearts even when we are kidding around.  Negative words reflect a negative attitude whether expressed openly or suppressed.  We may not have a bad attitude toward our buddy, but somewhere in our lives we carry the source for words we speak.  Whether our friends are bothered by the words or not, there is still an aspect of our lives we are ignoring when we have cause to speak in a foolish nature.

How many times have you had to say, “Oh come on, I was just kidding…” to a friend, coworker, or relative?  This could be a good indication the above Scripture is speaking to you. 

Words of encouragement, love, and friendship reflect the heart of God, a gift Scripture records as presented to all persons to receive. 

My struggle is I continue to search deep space for the answer the Lord has already transmitted to my heart.  I speak words inconsistent with my faith as I grasp for some weak signal in an attempt to be funny or accepted by my friends.  The answer is not out in deep space, it is not always funny, nor does it require my friends have accept me. 

My encouragement for you today is to guard the words passing from your mouth.  I can tell you, this is not easy, especially when we feel we “need” to say something to fit in, fill in the gaps, or go along with the crowd.  There is only One with whom we need to go along, He fills in the gaps, and we fit perfectly into His plan.

Do you know Him?

If you do not know Jesus Christ in this way, send me an email.  I would like to help you get to know Him. Do you know someone who might enjoy this blog or one of my eStories or Books? Please share this blog or my website with them. Thanks!

Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
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