Sunken Ships

Check out this World War II poster.

I live with a couple of history buffs. They love this sort of thing and I enjoy watching their enthusiasm when learning some historical fact. I love it even more when it brings to light a spiritual truth.

We've all heard the expression loose lips sink ships but chances are we don't know it's origin. Millions were drafted or volunteered for our armed forces during WWII. The military needed to convey a life or death truth to these civilians turned soldiers. It was imperative that they understand the importance of keeping information confidential. If a soldier revealed details of routes or plans, even inadvertently, in letters or careless conversation - it could be intercepted and result in the slaughter of his fellow warriors. Soldiers were also taught to keep silent when coerced or tortured. They were loyal to one another, refusing to endanger those who stood alongside them in battle.

Take it from me, we can learn so much from this example. My twist on this slogan is:

Loose Lips Sink (Friend)Ships.

Chances are we have each been on both sides of this sad reality. We've been the one with loose lips and we've been the one to sink. In both instances we've had to deal with the carnage. Both sides are awful but this scenario isn't inevitable.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1Thessalonians 5:11

The key to these is a transformed heart.

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34b

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45b

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.   Matthew 15:18

A heart transformed by repentance and faith in Christ is transformed. That heart, moved by genuine love for God and thankfulness for His grace so freely given, longs to love others. We recognize just how great God's love for us really is and we want to share it. Do we still mess up? Sure we do! Then we run to the cross, repent, and then make it right with those we hurt. We move forward confident that He is always at work in our hearts - changing, shaping, purifying, drawing us to Himself. We must be careful to guard our hearts and our lips. Take it from someone who knows. I pray that you will be blessed today and that you will know the immeasurable love of God and the freedom that comes from a life surrendered to Him.

Comfort

When hurt and regret linger and tears turn to a flood I'm often reminded of this old song.

Standing at my window, hidden by the night
Harboring the private wounds, safe and out of sight
There's an agony in living, but there's a comfort in the truth
That no one knows my heart better than you.
-Lyrics by Susan Ashton


He knows me. He really knows me.

Sound Off

  Date night, ahhh how I love the sound of it. Often times the thought of date night is the light at the end of the kid-wrangling, errand running, mess cleaning, answering 763 questions per day tunnel. I love my our three children and count myself blessed to spend my days training and loving them BUT I need some grown up time too. My favorite grown up is my hubby. We still date as often as we can. For many years we've avoided movies during our dates opting to enjoy some activity that allows plenty of time to talk without interruptions. You know what I mean - the moment we attempt to have a conversation one or more of our offspring decides to have a life threatening emergency (well, it feels like an emergency to the kiddo). More on this subject later.
  A few months ago we decided to mix it up a little. We saw a movie and much to our surprise, it was fun. We opted for the caramel corn and a large icee. I spent a few minutes searching for tiny gold flecks in the bucket of caramel corn - reasoning that since we paid $10 for it there must surely be some hidden treasure in there. Nope. Just golden brown, sticky, caramel-y, calorie laden goodness. We savored every bite of that yummy confection without pint sized beggars clamoring for just one more bite. The room was dim and we raised the arm rest between our seats. We snuggled up without little ones trying to pry us apart long enough to squeeze in between us. We whispered, we cuddled, we ate, we laughed, and I think that we may have annoyed the people around us. We sat much closer than we could have in a restaurant - that was my favorite part.

What about you? What are some of your date night favorites?