The Power of Words

Everyone needs a memory jog, including you (and me)!

Today I was reminded of how powerful our words really are, and thought I would pass this along to you. So often, the things that we know best are the things that register the least – especially when we are going through something. Whether it’s wrestling with internal issues or figuring out how to measure our words with a stranger, or keep from reaching the boiling point with our kids, we all know that words have the power to create life or to create death. (See Proverbs 18:21)

I want you to read the following passage from Only Nuns Change Habits Overnightby Karen Scalf Linamen, and really understand that this isn’t only Biblical in scope. Nor is it a fanciful philosophical idea that does not have concrete roots. Science has further clarified for us what God has already stated as fact. (But I know some of  us “know” these things but don’t give them much credence until we read something like this.)

“Words are another form of energy. At their most basic level, even without the meaning of language attached to them, spoken words are sound waves. It’s no secret that sound waves can leave things changed in their wake. Think of the high-pitched note that breaks a glass, the gunshot that sets off an avalanche, the sound wave known as ultrasound that can pulverize a kidney stone.

How extensive is the link between sound, vibrations, and physical reality? By passing sound waves through sand, Swiss scientist Hans Jenny proved that every sound creates its own distinct, consistent pattern. Some sounds create beautiful, orderly patterns while other sounds create chaotic, broken patterns. Other scientists have discovered the same phenomenon: When freezing water is exposed to classical music or gentle words, the ice crystals that form are delicate and orderly. Rock music or harsh words create ice crystals that are broken and in disarray.

If certain sounds and words create orderly patterns in sand and ice, could the right sounds and words influence or even repair genes, cells, and other structures in the body? It’s fascinating to ponder, don’t you think? And sound waves are only one of the reasons our words create impact. After all, our words not only create vibrations, they also convey meaning, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and interpretations of everything that happens to us.”

Here’s my two cents worth on this one:

How much of our lives and the lives of our children, friends, and family members have our patterns (whether orderly or broken) embedded into the very fiber of their being? I want my daughter to have delicate and orderly patterns, not ones that are shattered and in disarray. I have the power to influence her and the others I encounter on a daily basis with just the sound waves that I produce. Sometimes I think we forget that power!

What kind of pattern are your words creating?

BTW, this isn’t my book review. Stay tuned for that one and for instructions on how to get your name in the hat to win a copy of Karen’s book.

Wild Goose Chase Quotes Revisited

I started this series before I left Nashville and have been remiss about completing it. So, we’re officially reopening the posts on Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. Feel free to add your comments and insights on the quotes as well — especially if you’ve read the book.

For those of you who may not have seen the other posts on this book, you can read the review of the book here and the other entries here and here.

Mark talks about cages that keep us from living the spiritual adventure that God has destined for us. The first one that he tackles is the Cage of Responsibility. He says:

“Here is the mistake that so many of us make: we start out pursuing a passion and end up settling for a paycheck. So, instead of making a life, all we do is make a living. And our deep-seated passions get buried beneath our day-to-day responsibilities.

Don’t get me wrong. You need to take care of your responsibilities. You need to pay your bills, take out the garbage, and plan for retirement. But your greatest responsibility is pursuing God-ordained passions. And if you allow less important responsibilities to displace more important ones, then you are practicing … irresponsible responsibility.”

Mark goes on to say that instead we need to practice responsible irresponsibility. Simply put “responsible irresponsibility means refusing to allow your human responsibilities to get in the way of pursuing the passions God puts in your heart.” He then begins to examine the life of Nehemiah. In particular the passion he had for rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

Here are a few more quotes from this chapter relating to discovering your God-ordained passions:

• “When it comes to doing the will of God, God-ordained passions are far more important than any human qualification we can bring to the table. In fact, God often uses us at our point of greatest incompetence. That way He gets all the credit.”
• “When God puts a passion in your heart, whether it be relieving starvation in Africa or educating children in the inner city or making movies with redemptive messages, that God-ordained passion becomes your responsibility.”
• “Supernatural sadness and righteous indignation often reveal our God-ordained passions. As in the case of Nehemiah, if something causes you to weep and mourn and fast and pray for days on end, it is a good indication that God wants you to take personal responsibility and do something about it. … So what makes you cry? What makes you pound your fist on the table? … What makes you smile? If you want to discover your God-ordained passions, then you need to identify what makes you mad, sad, or glad.”

I’ve sort of been stuck on what he says next in this chapter. I can’t seem to move on. I’ve been mulling it over in my mind for quite some time now. I’ve even chatted with close friends and family in hopes that I can sort through the thoughts in my mind.  See if you feel likewise after reading this:

“‘What is is you want?’ That is the question the king asked Nehemiah. And it gets to the heart of passion. I’m convinced that many of our problems are by-products of the fact that most of us can not answer that question. We don’t know what we want. We’ve never defined our goals or values or passions, so we’re out of touch with our hearts’ desires. And our growing responsibilities have numbed us to the possibilities around us and the passions within us.”

Think about that for awhile, will you? Really ponder that. Let it settle in around you. Try and make a list. I couldn’t at first. I’m not talking about a self-centered list — I’m talking about passions that you KNOW God placed inside you.

I’ll see if I can wrap up this series in another post or two. If you can, I highly recommend you purchase it here or borrow this book so that you can read it all in context and not just the little snippets provided here.

When did you die?

Continuing on with some of my favorite quotes, this one from Chapter 2 in the Wild Goose Chase stopped me in my tracks.

“I’m not convinced that your date of death is the date carved on your tombstone. Most people die long before that.”

Owww! That one nailed me and I was flooded with the realization that for quite a long time now I’ve been going through the motions and living without any true passion. In effect, I died long ago. Sure, I started out passionate about what I was doing, but passion turned to routine and routine to dead, lifeless motions. I can honestly say I am re-evaluating.

Mercifully, we serve a God who has a penchant for resuscitating the dead!

So, take some time today and ask yourself “when did you die?” Then ask God to help you live with passion and to revive the long-dead embers in your life.

Better late than never

As promised, here are some of my favorite quotes. I figured I’d start with Chapter 1 and move forward into the book. Some are lengthy and others are quick snippets.

By the way, I was wondering if anyone wanted to read along and discuss the book here on the blog. Let me know if you do.

Quotes from Chapter 1: Yawning Angels

• “The will of God is neither logical nor linear.” (I love the fact that it’s not linear. We think that everything is bound by linear constraints. Mercifully, God is not.)
• “If you would describe your relationship with God as anything less than adventurous, then maybe you think you’re following the Spirit but have actually settled for something less – something I call inverted Christianity. Instead of following the Spirit, we invite the Spirit to follow us. Instead of serving God’s purposes, we want Him to serve our purposes … The result of this inverted relationship with God is not just a self-absorbed spirituality that leaves us feeling empty, it’s also the difference between spiritual boredom and spiritual adventure.”
• “… Jesus didn’t die on the cross to keep us safe. Jesus died to make us dangerous.”  
• “You cannot simultaneously live by faith and be bored. Faith and boredom are antithetical.”
• “… the Author and Perfecter of our faith … wants to write His-story through your life. And if you read through Scripture, you’ll discover that His favorite genre is action-adventure.” (What a fabulous thought — and oh so true!)

I’ll leave you with just two more quotes that I enjoyed. In fact, the last one needs to be framed and hung on my wall!

• “As long as you are focused on what you’ve done wrong in the past, you won’t have energy left to dream kingdom dreams.”
• “We need to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.”

It reminds me of another quote I’ve seen before.

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘WOW! What a Ride!'”
    –Unknown

Great blog … great quotes

I admit … I’m a sucker for great quotes. I’ve really enjoyed this site:
A Fancy Word For Simple
It just started the first of January and the idea is simple. In fact, here are the “rules” as posted by the blog creators on January 1.

Here’s how to play: There will be a new quote each day. There might be questions with it or pictures or creations. It’s your choice what you want to do with the quote.
Think about it
Write about it
Take photographs
Create art
Check back daily for new inspiration. Be part of the process by posting comments, art, etc. on our blog or your blog. Collect quotes and inspiration. Share them with us.

So, here are a few of my favorite quotes so far from their site:

Iwanted a perfect ending. . . Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.
-Gilda Radner

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.-Walt Disney

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.-Henry David Thoreau

Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I guess the reason I adore a good quote is because I prize the ability to string words together in an interesting and thought-provoking manner. Enjoy the site and feel free to share some of your favorite quotes as well.

Ciao~