Saying Something You Will Regret

Saying Something You Will Regret

by Keith Bellamy

David Dykes tells about a man named Bill inviting his boss to his house for dinner. He was hoping to make a good impression, so his wife prepared an excellent meal. Eight-year-old Adam was clean and scrubbed and warned to be on his best behavior. After introductions, little Adam wanted to impress his dad’s boss, so he ran into his room and grabbed a deck of cards. He brought them out to the boss and gave them to him. He said, “I want to give you these cards because my dad says that you’re not playing with a full deck.” Oops!! Somebody messed up.

How many times have you put your proverbial foot in your mouth? About the time I think I have learned to not do it, I do it!

Saying something you will regret has come back and haunted many.

Years ago, a man was very angry and said some things about a certain preacher. Late that night, that preacher was killed in a plane crash. No, what was said, did not cause the plane crash. But the one who popped off wished he could take back his hateful words.

Words hurt. Words build up. And sadly, words can destroy.

Jesus was careful with His Words. When He spoke, He was kind and loving. However, there were those times when He had to “unload,” He directed His Words toward religious hypocrites.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:18 something about this in Matthew 15:18. “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and defiles a person.” (ESV)

I wish I could be in that much control of what I say. Maybe I need to spend some time by myself and talk to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom, to guide my thoughts and then my words. Maybe, just maybe then I won't say what I don't need to say.

A Time To Be Thankful

A Time To Be Thankful

By Keith Bellamy

Some people have a hard time being thankful. However, Christians are instructed to be always thankful (1 Thessalonians. 5:18).

I heard Willard Tate speak at a workshop years ago about being thankful. He told how he had an early Saturday morning class at Abilene Christian University. He would ask his class to write down ten things they were thankful for on that early Saturday morning. I must admit that when I was going to the University of Houston many years ago for an early Saturday marketing class, I would have had a difficult time in writing down ten things I was thankful for. And then Willard would help the class by saying, “You got up, didn’t you?” “You are alive!” And the list went on to ten.

Surely you have something for which to be thankful!

Recently a dear friend’s house was damaged to the point that they had to move out while it is being repaired. The attitude of the one dealing with this has been tremendous. “It could have been worse”, was the comment I heard. They are thankful they are alive.

I am thankful for God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the church. I am thankful for this wonderful country I live in. I am even thankful for Tyler County. I am thankful for having the opportunity to write this column. I am certainly thankful for my wife, my daughters, my grandchildren and my sons-in-law. And the list goes on and on!

It is always time be thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please consider the following.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15; NIV)

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6; NIV).

Veterans Day

Veterans Day

By Keith Bellamy

President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill into law on May 26, 1954 replacing "Armistice" with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day ever since. So, on November 11th every year we honor those who served.

But what does it mean? It means we remember those who were willing to serve in some branch of our military service. My dad, Glen L. Bellamy, Jr., served in the United States Navy during World War II. My father -in-law, Melvin M. Neely served in the United States Army during World War II. His father, E.R. Neely served in World War I. They served.

So, let’s take time to thank those who served. Our freedom was obtained because someone was willing to shed blood…someone was willing to serve. Those of my generation never received that thank-you for their service in the Vietnam War. So, when I see a veteran from modern wars like the Persian Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan I thank them for their service.

George Washington said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

Remember that freedom requires the shedding of blood. And TRUE FREEDOM required the shedding of Jesus’ blood and He did it because He loved us. Let us not forget John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”