Regardless of the root or the motivation, one thing I used to do a lot was talk about others. I found it very easy to analyze their problems, judge their situations, and expound on what they needed to do with their lives. I found it very easy to solve all the problems of the world.

But a wake-up call, or perhaps the conviction of the Holy Spirit, got ahold of me and I resolved not to get involved with conversations about others. Both my husband and myself come from large families. We have seen mountains made out of molehills when families talk about other family members. Remember those good 'ole days at school in the cafeteria? Or maybe you recall a slumber party's juicy conversation? It's funny how we rationalize, but face it... gossip is gossip no matter who it's about!

You know what? I think this gossip problem has really gotten out of hand. My son tells me that chapel sermons at school seem to attack this problem on a monthly basis. Friends have cried on my shoulder because of what other friends have said (and to be blunt, not said "exactly".)

Remember that children's game where you repeat what was heard and by the time it gets to the last person, the story is blown up out of proportion? Ladies, it ain't no game unless you're playing "Life".

So, I determined not to involve myself in squabbles, bickering, or juicy tid-bit telling. In fact, in our home, we had a phrase, "Go To The Source!" It worked! - in our home, in our office, and with our circle of friends. We wouldn't even allow our boys to "rat" on each other without the other's presence. Believe me, it has saved a lot of explaining, excusing, and hem 'n' hawing.

Let me share a scripture with you that got right to the heart of the matter for me: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:15,16)

I could list a string of powerful verses for you at this point. But, I'll just make a bet you know most of the ones in Psalms, Proverbs, and James. No need for me to overdo. Let me just encourage you to think about your tongue, your thoughts, and your heart. I'm going to concentrate on words of blessing and confessions of faith. I hope to be an encourager to others by the things I say. I hope to pray more, to thank more, to sing more, and most importantly, to praise Him more.

The verse from Hebrews says that God is pleased with a sacrifice of praise and a helpful hand. I can use all the help I can get from a God who's pleased with me. - MP

May you rejoice in the fruit of the vine and
celebrate the benefits of nature with which we are blessed.

PLANT THREE ROWS OF SQUASH:

1. Squash gossip
2. Squash criticism
3. Squash indifference

PLANT SEVEN ROWS OF PEAS:

1. Prayer
2. Promptness
3. Perseverance
4. Politeness
5. Preparedness
6. Purity
7. Patience

PLANT SEVEN HEADS OF LETTUCE:

1. Let us be unselfish and loyal
2. Let us be faithful to duty
3. Let us search the Scriptures
4. Let us not be weary in well doing
5. Let us be obedient in all things
6. Let us be truthful
7. Let us love one another

NO GARDEN IS COMPLETE WITHOUT TURNIPS:

1. Turn up for church
2. Turn up for meetings, for prayer and Bible study
3. Turn up with a smile, even when things are difficult
4. Turn up with determination to do your best in God's service

Any advantage held by another can trigger this feeling -- intelligence, good looks, popularity, a good job, even a person's spiritual insights. The most devout Christian is not immune to the subtle temptation of envy.

When F.B. Meyer held meetings in Northfield, Massachusetts, large crowds came to hear his stirring messages. Then the renowned British preacher G. Campbell Morgan came to Northfield. Soon the people were flocking to hear his expositions of Scripture. Meyer was envious. He said, "The only way I can conquer my feeling is to pray for Morgan daily -- which I do!"

To rid our heart of envy we must identify and confess it to God. If it persists, we should start praying for the other person. We know we are rooting out envy when we begin to rejoice in that person's good qualities more than wanting them for ourselves. -- DJD

From seeds of envy in the heart
Grow tiny weeds of hate,
And when allowed to get a start,
Much strife they generate.  

THE FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS
A Word to The Prophetic Voices of The Church
John L. Moore

I was driving through the stark, snow frosted hills of our eastern Montana ranch when the Spirit superimposed a vision upon the landscape and I suddenly saw a summer scene of blue skies and a field of golden sunflowers.

As I watched a breeze stirred the flowers and they entered various stages of growth and maturity. A few began to grow leaves. Many that had leaves began to bud. The budding flowers began to bloom. And the blooming flowers began to wilt.

Trying to Stay In Full Bloom, Their Heads Became Weaker

I felt impressed that the vision represented stages of the prophetic movement within the Body of Christ. There are many young Christians who are just beginning to leaf-out and spread themselves upward. Others are budding, and there are many of these. There is also a strong company of those who were blooming. But then there are those who are wilting and the Spirit impressed on me that some of those who had been in full bloom and are now lowering their heads were fighting that stage of their growth. They are trying to force themselves to stay in full bloom but the more they try the weaker their heads become.

The Flowers Thought That The Ultimate Glory Was In Blooming

Also, the Spirit showed me that some who were budding were also trying to force the natural process and come into full bloom prematurely. As I watched I saw the whole process from beginning to end as the Spirit blew across the field. The flowers seemed to believe that blooming was the ultimate glory, but the ones that wilted and lowered their heads soon became heavy with seed and the seed began dropping onto the soil.

The Spirit said: "The wilting and dropping of the head produces seed one hundred times more glorious than all that which is produced in the moments of full bloom." When the vision faded I was left with the realization that there are certain prophetic ministries that appear to be wilting. These ministries must yield to this season, at the same time, the budding and blooming ministries must not uncover them or rush too eagerly to take their place, for it is in the lowering of the head and the dropping of seed that these ministries will be fully verified and honored.