Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

One year ago, the Palisades fire started and lasted for a month, causing significant damage in that short time. One month sounds like a long time, and it is, but so much damage was done that one would think it burned longer. 

As of today, there are over 200 fires reported, with some contained, some controlled, many active, and one that is out. There is one in Florida that began January 17th that has burned nearly 5,000 acres, but there are some across the country that have burned less than an acre. Other places in the country are Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Montana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and many other states as well. One fire in Texas burned 25 acres in less than an hour. The oldest fire has been burning since January 13. This data was acquired by www.mapofire.com.

There are many ways that fires start. Could be lightning strikes, power lines, or human negligence. However it begins, it only takes a spark, and once the spark begins, often the flames can move quickly and dangerously, and destroy much.w

James uses a forest fire as an example of how the tongue can be the spark when he writes about taming the tongue. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:5-6).

James continues to tell the reader that the tongue we praise God with is the same tongue we curse others, who have also been made in the likeness of God (Jam 3:9). Our tongue can be viewed as a double-edged sword that can hurt or heal. It is up to us to tame our tongues.

James writes that bits, which are used in the mouths of horses to make them obey, can turn the whole animal (Jam 3:3). Reading our scriptures daily is like putting a bit into our mouth to turn us in the direction in which God wants us to go. Worshipping the Lord is also like biting down on the bit to acknowledge that we submit to the will of God and choose to follow Him.

If we are not careful, we can burn through our whole family, our friends, even people we do not know but come in contact with. This fire can easily jump the road or the track and spread to others, destroying lives. We are called to lift others and bring hope, not destroy it.

When you realize that your tongue needs taming, call upon the Lord for that taming and ask Him to put in your mouth a bit that will guide you and lead you away from the evil that corrupts the whole body and ultimately destroys lives like a fire in a forest.

The Pacific Palisades are still in the midst of rebuilding, with residents at different stages of recovery. I say this to say, there is hope for those damaged by a fiery tongue. It is in Christ that we can find that hope and find the bit that can help control a tongue that needs to be tamed. Start taming your tongue by praising God and loving on others.

Last week, the little lambs took a trip to the Old Testament and learned about Choices and Consequences through the story of Abram and Lot. Lot was given the choice to select which land he wanted, and he chose the land that was greener but near a town that was sinful and did not follow God. Abram trusted that God would provide even in the desolate land that he was left with. This week, we will be learning how to show love through action, just as Jesus showed us His love through healing, blessings, and dying for us.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and a pleasing heart, and may He comfort you, guide you, and grant you strength when you need it.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)