Stumble

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. James 3:2  I do not feel I have it all together. the other morning at coffee, I may have offended a man. I contradicted several things that he said. I know at times I upset people, not that I try to but I do try and stand for what I believe. If I hear something contrary, I try to speak up. Jesus said a prophet is without honor in his own country, his own family. Sometimes those closest to us can be offended by the words we say.  As I thought back on the conversation, this man said in the Lords' prayer, we ask for nothing, I countered give us our daily bread. I stated it seems so hard to believe God gives us our Presidents. Some believe God gave us Obama but find it hard to believe God gave us Trump. There again I hit him where he believes. When he left, another man said , you hit him hard. I didn't mean to hit anyone, I just want to stand for what I believe.  He stated God did not give us Trump.  I say we can't have it both ways, if God is sovereign, he gives us both Trump and Obama. I was talking to a group of people at the city hall meeting the other night and a lady made a statement that I asked for clarification on. She was an older Black lady and I think as a White man, I may have intimidated her. I feel free to talk to black and white, having come from the Northwest. In the south, I think it is a little harder. As I thought back to her words, I think I did misunderstand at first. But later as I thought on it, she was right.  We can stumble in what we say. We come from so many backgrounds in this world. My hearing is bad and sometimes I don't hear everything clearly. I do not want to offend, but do feel it is important to stand for what I believe. Love needs to be part of our speech, may love come through in the things we say. He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23  There are so many more verses that could be listed here. God help me to not stumble in the words I say.  God bless, LVZ.