Words

Words are a platform.

A platform can be stood upon like a stage for a performance. A platform is made to hold materials and workmen while building a house. A platform can be the floor of a tent a camper or a chicken coop. A platform is what allows people to get off and on trains, busses and planes. The platform is a means of support.

It can be built quickly with not much to it or built to last a long time. It can be raised or lowered. It can be taken apart and rebuilt.

Some platforms are made of stone and last for decades.

How does this apply to my words?

Will my words, (what I say) support me and my family and friends? Will they help them stand, or will my words be weak and cause them to fall. Will my words be solid enough for them to hold onto during stormy life times? Will my words raise a platform of hope and encouragement?

We cannot see words after they’re said, however, they can still ring in people’s ears days, years, decades later. Many are still being heard centuries later – passed on by word of mouth or in writing.

Everybody is talking, saying something now-a-days. They want to be heard, noticed, listened to.

I want to examine my platform…my word platform. Do I have the right kind of materials to build it. Do I need to find some better type lumber? Will I use particle board or solid planks? Will I pick a beautiful board or will any old crooked, knotty board do? Will I use cheap nails that bend when driving them or use steel screws to hold my message together? Will I make the framework sturdy to hold the weight of truth and good, or will it be flimsy and anyone can rip it to shreds.

Will my words bring clarity, stability, comfort, and hope for another person?

We can do this folks. Yes, it will take some effort and maybe new learning, but there’re lots of lives that just need some place secure to stand while they put themselves back together.

Can they stand securely on your platform? Can I stand on mine?

Loving People

How do you love people? You don’t even know them.

It begins in your heart. You see them as an individual like you, who has weaknesses and frailties, doubts and insecurities, but also has strengths and courage and opportunities.

It is our responsibility to one-on -one spark the strengths and invigorate the courage in others.

How do you do that?

Most of the time you won’t have more than a second or two passing someone on the street, standing in line at the coffee shop, but a smile, a positive word, a positive look on your face towards them… That effort on your part will not go unnoticed on theirs. Even though they show no response, it can seep down into their soul and possibly be just the strength they need going through a difficult situation.

You can make the difference in someone else’s life.

Good and Counterfeit Money

Back in the day when only cash was used…

Bank tellers were trained in a very simple manner – learn what the real money looks, feels, and smells like and you’ll recognize counterfeit immediately.

This simple method works in many other areas.

Take a bite and chew the sweetness of an organic apple. Yum! Bite into a pesticide sprayed apple and experience the bitter taste on the skin. You’ll see.

Eat a slice of homemade cake using your own flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. True flavor! Premade and box mixes have the customary smell and bitter flavor of the BHA and BHTs added for preservation.

Real vanilla extract does not smell or taste like imitation vanilla flavoring.

Tempered solid steel tools, nuts, bolts and screws won’t break into pieces or lose their shape when the craftsman uses them. Imitation metals will and can be dangerous to use.

Even ideologies, philosophies, religions need to come under the counterfeit test…the test of histories past, civilizations won and lost, good and bad outcomes.

We are responsible to train ourselves to recognize right vs wrong, good vs. bad, healthy vs unhealthy. This comes through reading and learning from the past, studying and observation of events and peoples today, and thinking through what the future might look like depending on which is chosen.

We have been given a good brain. Let’s train it, use it, keep it sharp!

Decide not to let others do your thinking. Teach yourself. Learn. With practice, we will come to recognize good intentions and bad intentions even within ourselves.

Grow and see how much good you really do have to offer.

It’s there!