The Bee Gees: "I Started a Joke"

This is one of many songs I related to when I was at Jericho Hill School for the Deaf and Blind. Whatever I said or did seemed to go wrong. I could write whole chapters on the consequences of my well-intended actions. My classmates certainly latched on to any mistake I made. Children can be especially cruel with their teasing and particularly their bullying.

Listen to this song here:

Psalms 141:3 and 4 (Bible in Basic English) is one set of verses I pray. "O Lord, keep a watch over my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Keep my heart from desiring any evil thing, or from taking part in the sins of the evil-doers with men who do wrong: and let me have no part in their good things."

This foot-in-mouth trend carried on into my working life. I'll never forget the time I was sent by my supervisor at work to take an award plaque to be framed. As I walked, a blond prostitute sidled up to me and asked, "You want a date?"

Before my brain processed the question, a shop-worn comedy phrase slipped out of my mouth. "No thanks, I'm trying to cut down."

Later on, I had to laugh at the total look of incomprehension on her face. Of course the feeling of embarrassment took longer to fade.

No wonder then that Solomon said in Proverbs 17:28 (BBE), "Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense."

Often times, our pride gets the better of us whom Christ has saved. The charismatic house church I joined made a big deal about speaking in tongues. I now know that we merely jabbered but we thought it was real.

Even so, we didn't ask for an interpretation as we should have done. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:28 (BBE) something even today's charismatics forget. "But if there is no one to give the sense, let him keep quiet in the church; and let his words be to himself and to God."

How wonderful it is that God makes use of our mistakes and foolishness. Someday we'll see the reasons for what we went through and give our Father endless praise.

If Christ hasn't returned by Saturday, I hope to post about the wish to be famous which we all have had.

Joe Jones: "You Talk Too Much"

This is one song I can easily relate to. My brother, Roy, has a bad habit of latching onto people and talking their ears off. I'm sure we all have had somebody like that. They never seem to be able to converse normally.

Listen to this novelty song by Joe Jones here:

Holy Scripture has much to say about talking too much. James 1:19 and 20 (Bible in Basic English) reads, "You have knowledge of this, dear brothers. But let every man be quick in hearing, slow in words, slow to get angry; For the righteousness of God does not come about by the wrath of man."

Solomon also had plenty of excellent advice about those who talk more than they should. One excellent verse is Proverbs 10:19 (Bible in Basic English). "Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely."

Keeping silent can also save one's life. Proverbs 13:3 (BBE) says, "He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction."

Nothing gets done when people only talk about their plans. Proverbs 14:23 (BBE) reminds us that, "In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor."

And Proverbs 17:28 (BBE) shows us that we can't judge somebody's intelligence if they keep quiet. "Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense."

Wise folks also avoid tail bearers and gossips. Proverbs 20:19 (BBE) advises, "He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide."

Finally, here's a wonderful bit of advice from Proverbs 27:2 (BBE). "Let another man give you praise, and not your mouth; one who is strange to you, and not your lips."

Because we don't know what tomorrow will bring, I say that if Christ doesn't return by Thursday, I hope to post about the kind of dying all Christians must do.