A Wordy Invitation and Give-Away

A Wordy Invitation and Give-Away

Today’s post is more invitation than instruction, but I trust you’ll want to come along…

It has taken gobs of self-control to wait to address the subject of speech on the blog because not only is it one of my most requested topic for the conferences and retreats I am invited to, it is by far my personal favorite topic in Proverbs.

But yay for us – we’re starting that study today!

The reason I put it off was because I knew it would require a series of posts and I wanted to wait until we got acquainted a little bit.  I’ve written for a few months and you’re still here (thanks!), so into a series we will go.

If you’re like me, it’s not because you smacked your friend, punched your pastor, kicked your child or bit your husband that you’ve been in trouble lately.  At this point in our lives, the offenses that ignite relational discord are more often than not, the verbal sort.

If you have taken the time to read this blog each week, you’re either a neighbor who wonders what I’m doing with my hours when I’m not cutting my lawn, at a sporting event or on a field trip, or you’re a lady who wants to please Jesus and be like him.  (Either one is fine.  Thanks for being here.)  If you’re the latter, that’s a super aim and I join you in that desire.   But as good as that desire is, many of us would have to admit that our speech looms as a menacing obstacle between where we are now and that reality.  And our tongue is the foe against which we fight our fiercest battles for holiness and Christian maturity.

As tough and long-term as this battle is, please take comfort today in knowing that it can be won.  If we belong to Christ, the reality of his death and resurrection means we are free from the bondage of sin – even the speech uglies.  (Romans 6:6)  Over the last two decades, God’s wisdom has rescued my speech from some rather unbecoming places.  True story.

We don’t have to live with rash, harsh, destructive, critical, careless or dangerously profuse words anymore.  However, as real as Christ’s triumph is in regards to that strangle-hold of vile speech, he does not leave us without some responsibility in the fight.  (Romans 6:12, I Peter 1:5-10)

That’s where our study comes in.

In the spirit and super-brilliant model of Galatians 4:22-23, we’re going to look at putting off six of the  common speech matters that women tend to struggle with and putting in their place, speech habits that are nothing short of lovely.

As a sneak peek, after we talk next week about the reasons this exchange is so important, we’ll look at what to do when:

  • Our words are Too Many.
  • Our words are Rash.
  • Our words are Harsh.
  • Our words are Destructive.
  • Our words are Critical.
  • Our words are Careless.

If you’re like me and resonate with many of these struggles, join me for the next 7 weeks as we look at God’s delightful alternatives.  This is marriage-altering, family-changing, life-transforming stuff we’re going to be talking about so I invite you to gather some friends to join our journey.

To sweeten the pot, I’m throwing in a little incentive.  Over the next seven weeks:

  • If you subscribe to the blog (Come on, you know you want to!)
  • Or for each time you share a post on social media (You can leave a comment and let me know you did.)
  • Or for each lady you refer to the blog who subscribes (You can e-mail me and let me know who which friends you should get credit for.)

Your name will be entered into a draw for a stunning, custom made, wooden sign (12” x 24”) from His Signs with a key “speech” verse from Proverbs – shipped straight to your house.  Even if you live in Arkansas.  The sign has been commissioned and I’ll be posting a photo of it within the next two weeks so stay tuned and gather your friends for this adventure!

 


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12 Comments

  1. Carolyn Klinck

    Can’t wait for this series Janet – very timely for me!!!

    Reply
    • Cindy Reid

      Ah, yes, this is going to be a great ride. I’ve been trying to conquer this stuff for years, 54 to be exact! Well I guess when I was a baby I didn’t do this, so maybe only 50 or so years! I’ve heard I came out talking!

      Reply
      • Janet

        Cute – thanks for the excitement. This subject is one of my favorites for a reason – primarily because I always get challenged each time I revisit the materials! Thanks for coming along. 🙂

        Reply
    • Janet

      Thanks Carolyn – but when is wisdom on speech NOT timely for any of us!?!?!

      Reply
  2. Hannah

    You know I shared it. 🙂 And that shout out to Arkansas made me smile this morning. So…when are you coming to visit?!?

    Reply
    • Janet

      Glad you liked that – that wasn’t to pressure you to share. 🙂 I was trying to pick a U.S. location that sounded cute and podunk. I’m totally making assumptions here. I have no idea what Arkansas is really like, but as a Canadian moving down to Iowa for Grade 4 and having to learn all the states in school, Arkansas forever stuck out as being a little funny sounding.

      I haven’t visited Arkansas in my travels, but I do have my sights set on a writer’s conference for next year. You’ll have to let me know your plans and I can stalk you next year instead of Sally. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kendra

    Excited for the upcoming series!!

    Reply
    • Janet

      Thank you Kendra. Me too!

      Reply
  4. Trish

    Looking forward to this and sharing because His Signs are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Janet

      Thank you Trish – I agree that the signs are beautiful. I have one about speech in my bedroom to help remind me! And thank you for sharing – Just send me a quick note at contact@janetsurette.com so that I can enter you into the draw and know how to find you if you win!

      Reply
  5. Angie Papania

    This study sounds really interesting/convicting! I’m in! And of course I’ll share this on FB/Twitter. 🙂

    Reply
    • Janet

      Thanks Angie – I’m so glad to have you along! And thanks for passing along the word to invite other ladies – I’ll be entering you in the contest three times for subscribing, and sharing twice. 🙂

      Reply

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