Oh Bother

What’s the word or phrase that you say SO often that people notice and comment about? My wife pointed out recently that I’m saying “oh bother” a lot recently. I don’t mean to be quoting Winnie the Pooh, it just comes out. I don’t really know why. A number of years ago it was the word, “indeed”. I think I picked it up from Teal’c on Stargate SG1. And if I need a random number, you can bet it will be 87. 

Things others say often: the reality is, folks, true/false, Yikes, that’s a good option, super-fantastic, I’m just sure, Safety first, it’s gonna be okay, sounds good!, Make it a great day or not the choice is yours., Good heavens or You dear soul!, In a minute, but not right now, Is this a you problem or a me problem? Are you being a problem solver or a problem bringer?, It’ll be great, Do what you think is right” or “is it adding or distracting from the camper’s experience?, It’s a great day to change lives, Hey y’all!, Teamwork makes the dream work, “there’s a method to my madness”. 

What words should be marking our lives? Surely words that demonstrate our character. Consider these verses:

• Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14, ESV
• Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19, NLT
• Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Proverbs 11:12, ESV
• Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3, ESV
• A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. Proverbs 15:1-2, ESV
• From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:23-24, NLT
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21, ESV
• Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23, ESV
• A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11, ESV
• I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37, ESV
• The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45, ESV
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29, ESV
• But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8, ESV
• Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6, ESV
• If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 1 Peter 3:11, NLT
• If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26, NLT
• In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:5, NLT