Many words mark the speech of a fool

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

I have been thinking a lot about my prayer life this week.  I guess more correctly, God has been giving me lots to think about.  Between reading what Francis Chan had to say on prayer in "Crazy Love", and the sermon I heard on Sunday about the life of Charles Spurgeon, I have come to realize that I tend to rush into prayer, say a quick "Hello" to God, pour out my list of requests, and rush out again.  I am getting the message to slow down and realize just Who it is I am talking too.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 says:

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Do not be quick with your mouth, 

   do not be hasty in your heart 

   to utter anything before God. 

God is in heaven 

   and you are on earth, 

   so let your words be few. 

A dream comes when there are many cares, 

   and many words mark the speech of a fool.

I have definitely guilty of being a fool in this regard.  Francis Chan has helped me to see just how BIG this God is that I worship.  It is a humbling experience.  But it has certainly made my prayer life much richer, and enhanced my relationship with God.  

How about you?  What is your view of God?  How do you approach the Creator of the universe?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

   night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words; 

   no sound is heard from them. 

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, 

   their words to the ends of the world. 

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 

   like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 

It rises at one end of the heavens 

   and makes its circuit to the other; 

   nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the LORD is perfect, 

   refreshing the soul. 

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, 

   making wise the simple. 

The precepts of the LORD are right, 

   giving joy to the heart. 

The commands of the LORD are radiant, 

   giving light to the eyes. 

The fear of the LORD is pure, 

   enduring forever. 

The decrees of the LORD are firm, 

   and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold, 

   than much pure gold; 

they are sweeter than honey, 

   than honey from the honeycomb. 

By them your servant is warned; 

   in keeping them there is great reward. 

But who can discern their own errors? 

   Forgive my hidden faults. 

Keep your servant also from willful sins; 

   may they not rule over me. 

Then I will be blameless, 

   innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart 

   be pleasing in your sight, 

   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.