The Power of Words

Young people who can communicate WILL serve and lead

When writing is sterile it holds no power. The words in essence are empty. When “these words” comes in the hand delivered mail we can still simply toss it in the trash, shred or crump it up. Here in the digital world simple hit the delete button. If you are going to remove it from “the trash” you might have 30 days in which to do so, otherwise it is gone.

My last blog post was pretty clean. Just the billboard, the tag line, less than catchy. Not a tag line that would cause one to ponder or comment or even like. It wasn’t bad, it was truthful but held not one ounce of power.

This morning I turned to a book that sits on my bedside nightstand, one that I am reading just a bit at a time and it is written in such a way that I can do that. One that caused me to put it down and go to my computer to write this blog post.

“wherever God uses human agents, he gives them his power, pours into them his life and illuminates them with his light. If men only realized what it means to be used as God’s instrument, what supreme joy came from the least touch of his hand, there would be no lack of volunteers for his service.”

….it is exhilarating and energizing to be an instrument in the hands of such a supreme wordsmith as our Lord and Savior. And this is as true for those whose “pulpit” is a table at Starbucks, the boardroom, the commuting car, or a child’s bedroom as it is for those who earn a living by speaking in church.

In a world bursting with communication, transformed speech proclaims God’s empowering life.”

The Beautiful Fight by Gary Thomas

“Transformed speech” is something we want for ourselves as well as for each of our children. I submit to you that if we do indeed believe that words have the power of life and death, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh, that God spoke the world into existence, and that by a response to the Word preached is the vehicle used to give us New and Everlasting life in Christ then we who are raising children for the Glory of God ought to be purposeful and deliberate in the training of speech. I am not simply talking about taking the public platform, but about greeting one another, asking for assistance, being an attentive listener and then responding appropriately and of course, being prepared to give an answer for the Hope that lies within us.

Training takes time, effort and preparation. Dan and I got our children involved in a number of activities to develop their skills. And people know that if you want to become proficient or dare I say excellent at skills you need to practice and one of the best ways to practice is through competition. Our family has been affiliated with NCFCA, National Christian Forensics & Communications Association since 2004. And yes, my children have achieved some measure of success in competition but more importantly, their skills are being put to use to serve others, to share the love of Christ, to have meaningful conversations just about anyone they meet and to encourage and train others to do the same.

Next Blog…..the IMPACT…….

Cigarettes to Cellphones


Driving around Charlottesville you see so many people out walking and talking on their cell phones. Just yesterday 3 girls about to cross the street each on their phones. Not too long ago all three may have been smoking cigarettes and talking to each other while waiting to cross he street.

Just observing. CM

Seventy times Seven
As some of you know, we (the Mullaney Pilgrims) are involved with public speaking and debating. The ministry of Communicators for Christ (CFC) helps us to prepare our young people for these activities and for the past 2 weeks we have been challenged, stretched and equipped to become better communicators at the 10th CFC Masters conference.
We heard from polished instructors and teachers who communicate in a professional and gracious manner and the following story from the road reminds us that the tongue is one of the most difficult things in this world to tame. However, there is hope in winning the war of words.
It's the 11th hour on the road and someone needs to go to the bathroom. Oh yes, there have been quite a few stops before this one, but like I said, it's the ELEVENTH hour and we are close to home. On this particle part of the journey I am riding in my friend's van (without her ;-( and 8 young people, three of whom are mine. Truth be told I lost my temper and not really sure now if I apologized or not, I think I did but if I didn't, I ask those of you who were with me, will you forgive me?
Why am I highlighting one of "my moments," the ones that we all hope and pray that everyone will forgive and forget about? Well it has to do with love - not the selfish love of I will love you as long as you give me what I want but the deep and true love that the Lover of our souls calls us to extend to one another. This is the love that includes forgiveness. It wasn't enough for Jesus to just love us, He could have done that from above, however in Romans Paul says, "but God demonstrates his own love to us in this, that while we were still sinners He died for us" and the death, the shedding of his blood was for the forgiveness of sins.
I sinned and I am truly sorry. The Lord granted us traveling mercies and for that I am grateful. It was a van full of firstborns, 6 including myself and it is amazing that the clashes were few and far in between. As we continue to debrief from our trip these things come up and I desire to be washed in the blood of the lamb and know that God's graces and mercies far outweigh my blunders.
Riding 800 miles with 8 young people was an adventure and I would do it again in a heartbeat. We road without a stereo or DVD player - IMAGINE, just with one another and a number of cell phones. Everyone took care of one another and stuck together; no one was left behind at McDonald's or anywhere else for that matter. There was an issue with the number 7 but all in all it was a good ride home and I look forward to more journeys in the coming year.
PAX,
CM

The Body of Christ
Today I wrote emails to Mississippi, California and Washington. Just following up with some friends from the Masters conference. Our world has gotten so much bigger not just because we move often but also because of our involvement with competitive speech and debate. Our children are now also speaking out in the community and helping others to develop their communication skills while continuing to work on their own skills. It is an exciting and fast pace part of raising a family and I would not miss it for the world.
Thanks to everyone especially the Moon family for contributing to the lives of our three children. We are so grateful to God for you being a part of our lives.