My all-time favorite Christmas song is “O, Holy Night.” If I could sing that would be the song that I would close with at every concert. Truly, something was different and “holy” the night when the Babe born in Bethlehem’s barn became flesh and for thirty three years lived among us.
His birth was spectacular, His life sin-less, His death a sacrifice and his resurrection was nothing short of Sovereign. He was born in a virgin’s womb and laid to rest in a virgin tomb. Charlton Heston was right when he said: “The Gospel is the greatest story ever told.”
One of my favorite hymns of all time is “I Love to Tell the Story” and the words always thrill my soul:
“I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do
I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story, ’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and His love.”
My daily prayer is that I not only love the Story but live the story out all the days of my life. One of the reasons, I take planes, trains and automobiles to preach the Word is not only because God called but I truly love to tell His Story. History is really HIS STORY. Together, lets make HISTORY. Let us SHINE the rest of ‘09, WIN in 2010, because the fact is we could be going to Heaven by 2011.
May the Christmas Story never get old for you and may you never be too old to celebrate Christmas. Indeed, it was a holy night because that Babe born in Bethlehem became The Holy Light.
The “Little Drummer Boy” Christmas classic is my all-time favorite. The first time I saw it on CBS, I was in elementary school and I cried. For the past three decades I have watched it annually and it still tugs at my heart strings. Yes, “Frosty” was good, “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase is great, Rudolph, was grand but nothing captured the GOOD NEWS of Christmas for me like the wooden animated drummer boy.
We all recall the “Three Wise Men” whom brought “gold, frankincense and myrrh.” It is true, they came with their gold and gifts and arrived with their pagentry, pomp and prestige. They indeed came from a great distance to pay respect to the Christ Child as they followed that Star pointing them to the Son. I love that old adage: “The reason the Wise Men were “wise” was not because they brought Jesus their gifts but because they chose to be in His Presence.”
Enter the Little Drummer Boy. Without a doubt, I am convinced that this little lad who was reverently watching in the back of the barn starring at the crib of Christ knew He was standing on Holy Ground. Not because the world leaders were “in the house” but the “King of ALL Kings” was present and prophecy fulfilled before his very eyes. In that barn was both Divinity and Humanity wrapped in swaddling clothes. A babe yes, but also a Messiah in the making with a message to save Mankind. Christmas really is a story about God and grace.
In one corner of the room we have the Christ-child, a babe with piercing eyes, rosy cheeks and despite the chilly elements a flaw-less face and smile that was wider than Israel. In the other corner; in the back, behind the crowd is a poor lad, with eyes the size of saucers, filled with awe and amazement; his cheeks covered in grime and a hunger in his heart that was too much for any adolescent to know firsthand. This little lad whom was dirt poor and quite possibly an orphan immediately found acceptance in this Babe but he had no earthly idea that Jesus from Heaven was a “Father to the father-less.” Ironically, the “world” had “no room in the inn” for the Christ child that first Christmas morning but Jesus made room for a poor boy born on the other side of the tracks. This is the greatness and grace of God. He always makes room for us to have a seat at His table. Not because we are so good but God is so great. This is grace.
This destitute drummer was in awe. Not only was not used to seeing Divinity and Humanity collide but he was not accustomed to seeing the world’s power either; much less the Lord’s power! Especially, not in the same room. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that deep inside we know we really don’t belong. The lad knew he was witnessing something special and I am sure that Satan, society and himself was encouraging him to stay in the back, remain silent and don’t embarrass anyone. He felt un-worthy and inadequate and probably believed that he had little to offer The King. He didn’t have gold or expensive gifts but he had a feeling that the King just steps in front of him wouldn’t mock him for his lack of gift(s). However, deep inside he knew that he needed to do something. When you are in the presence of God you cannot remain a spectator but we must graduate from the bleachers and become active participants in His Kingdom Work. At this moment, the little lad left the crowd and came to Christ. The lad realized he had a gift and thought: “Maybe I can play my drum for Him as an act of appreciation of HIs Birth?
Slowly, he eased from behind the crowd and ceased to exist and began to live and He played his beat up, broken down drum with battered drum sticks and played the best he possibly could. To some spectators it meant nothing but in Christ’s eyes it meant everything! God was touched not by his works but his worship. The lad truly “put feet to his prayers.” The drummer boy solitarily sent a clarion message to all; by boldy, yet humbly approaching the Almighty and he did what he did best. He played his drum. Surely, this was the biggest audience he had ever played. In the past, he played to anyone and everyone who would listen locally. He played to those on the street, those on the corner, those in the marketplace but tonight this young lad played before the Redeemer, royalty and even those in rags all rolled into one amazing audience!
Now he is playing before both representatives of earthly kings and “The King of All Kings” on one stage. At this moment, he is playing to eyewitnesses on Earth and God the Father, Angels and those peeking over the portals of Paradise. The Bible says: “If we are faithful in small matters we will be faithful in larger matters.” He played not just to them 2,000 years ago but this Christmas Season that poverty stricken drummer boy continues to play to us and his example encourages us to “play” our part in using our God given gifts in an act of service, gratitude and worship of our Savior.
If this young lad lived locally today; I am convinced he would have continued to “play” the same tune. He knew that the crowds may change but his commitment to the Christ Child would be constant and consistent. Regardless if he was “playing” in La Plata or Los Angeles, Dunkirk to Dallas, Waldorf or Washington, D.C., Solomons to San Francisco, Atlanta to Albany, Baltimore-Bowie-Boise or the Bahamas, Clinton, Maryland - Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlestown, West Virginia, Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, Cozumel, Mexico to Cairo, Egypt, from Fairfax, VA - Frederick, MD to Frankfurt, Germany/ Huntingtown-Hartford-Hollywood to the Holy Land, Jacksonville-Jamaica to Jummonville, New York-New Jersey-New Hampshire, Richmond to Raleigh, Tampa - Tupelo to Tuscaloossa, Miami-Memphis-Monterey-Myrtle Beach back to Maryland, Upper Marlboro or the Outer Banks; his music, mission and message would be identical as when he first starting playing: “Promote God and point as many people to Him as possible.”
The lad never really desired to be “seen” but he knew he had a message and a song that needed to be heard. Ironically, the boy had been playing his drum all along but on this night the audience was a little larger. The stage was now wider and the stakes were higher but he “nailed it” because he knew it was all about Him and because of God’s great grace.
When he stepped forward and played his gift at that moment “all eyes were on him.” But he knew that the attention was not really for him or a result of him so he continued to focus his eyes on Him, the Christ Child. It is true that when we promote Christ; He promotes us. God elevates those that exalt Him.
In the chorus of the “Little Drummer Boy” I love that line: “I played my drum for Him….ba rum bum bum bum.” My favorite verse is “The King smiled at me……ba rum bum bum….me and my drum.” What caught the attention of Almighty God and the angels in Heaven was when a dirt poor shepherd boy gave God all that he had. The song doesn’t imply that Jesus smiled at the wealthy, Wise Men bearing gifts of gold given to God but the song says the Savior smiled, Babe beamed, God grinned, the Lord laughed, Christ cooed and joy came to Jesus when the boy gave his ALL to the Almighty.
Just like the wealthy in the sanctuary who gave out of their “abundance, wealth and surplus” the Wise Men gave extravagant gifts but they still had more in reserves and they didn’t give their all. Like the widow who threw in ALL she had in the offering plate so did the lad who loaned his lunch to the Lord when God fed five thousand and this is true of the Little drummer boy. Something special always happen when we give our all to God. I love that quote: “God is not interested in our ability or in-abilities but our avail-ability.” What is amazing is that we are not only in the Presence of God with a front row seat when we give our best but we are used by God in His Grand Plan. We are partners with the Prince of Peace, Laborers with the Lord and soldiers/servants of the Savior. The greatest thrill in life is being a pawn in God’s Hand on His chess board as He strategically moves us at His leading.
Once we have been in the Presence of the King we are never the same. We are forever changed. Once we see the King firsthand; our actions change, our desires change and our reason and purpose for living change. I learned early in life, that we don’t have to be the best, or bring the best but it is imperative that we do our very best! It has been said: “Your life is God’s gift to you but what you do with your life is your gift to God.”
Looking back the boy never got into it for the crowds but for Christ. Not for attention, acceptance, applause or approval but an act of adoration to the Almighty. Rewinding the reel of his resume he was ministering all along and even the “smaller venues” were just as important in God’s eyes. Yet, all of his early marketplace concerts, corner crusades and small town recitals were preparing him for this one moment. An audience with The King.
The Little Drummer stood Face to face with God and gave his all and used his God given gift for God’s Glory. One day and possibly one day soon we also will stand before God and give an account for what we did or didn’t do with our gifts. The Bible says: “To whom much is given much is required.” That verse has been imprinted on my heart since elementary school.
In 1982, at the age of ten I was at Vacation Bible School and had a enormous burden for my lost friends without Christ. I wanted everyone to come to Jesus before it was eternally too late. I was thinking: “What will my friends think? What if they don’t respond? What if they reject me or reject Jesus? Will they still invite me to play sports with them, etc?” At that moment, I felt like God said: “Frankie, there is a Heaven and Hell what are you going to do?” At that moment, I elected then and there that I cared more what God thought of me than what my friends would think of me. I cared more for their precious souls than my personal popularity. Well, that week at Vacation Bible School I started calling friends and inviting them to come to church. At the end of the week, I had 22 first time visitors (at the age of ten).
The Little Drummer Boy’s goal was never really to be before the popular, powerful or prestigious but he played for the Prince of Peace, the Christ Child and he knew that the Babe born in that broken barn was worthy. He knew personally that God was worthy of his ALL.
Sometimes as a travelling evangelist; I stare out an airplane window, stretch back in my coach class chair on a train, sipping coffee from Starbucks or kicking back at a rocking chair at Cracker-Barrel (my favorite restaurant) and I wonder if the little boy with his drum realized how far God had brought him? Without a doubt, I believe he realized two things: It was because of God and for God that he played from day one. Also, it was because of God’s grace that the doors of ministry had opened, met folks from all over the world and to the very end he was still “playing” for Jesus. Plus, he never forgot that the biggest “star” would always be the SON!
Today, I thank God that he uses “broken” people to bless others and I am extra thankful that God saw fit to use imperfect people to promote His perfect Son. God truly uses the “foolish to confound the wise.” One of my life verses. The beauty about this little lad is that he was “playing” his drum for God’s glory. We never know the rest of the story but I am convinced that if we pause and listen closely, blocking out the “hustle and bustle” of Christmas you can still slightly hear the beat of that boy’s drum today. Friends, when we are in the presence of the King everything changes. People may mock you, Pharisees may question your motives and pundits may make false media about you but you but one cannot be stagnant once standing before the Savior.
I would have loved to attend one of his concerts after playing before Jesus that time. The precision and power on that lad’s life must have been AMAZING! He was both appointed and anointed! It was not a “performance” but from a personal place now lived out in public. Deep in my spirit, I am convinced that wherever and to whomever that boy ministered he knew God was watching and his gift to THE GIFT was from God.
God was watching while he played to individuals early on, viewing Him before small crowds on the street corner, and staring at him Face to face as the boy played before Him in Bethlehem’s barn-like edifice. Years later, God is still watching and I am sure He is still “smiling.” For him, from Day One it was always for an Audience of One.
Christmas is just a holiday for those that don’t know Christ. However, Christmas is not just a mere holiday but a Holy Day and it is every day for Christian believers. It has been said: “You will never find Christmas under the tree but on the tree of Mount Calvary.” That little Babe born naked in a wooden crib grew up to be the sin-less Savior who died naked on a wooden cross. Indeed, there was something special and “holy” about that day when Jesus was born. Christmas is certainly about giving but it is also about receiving Christ as our Saviour, Sacrifice and Source of Strength.
I love that song by Andre Crouch: “Soon, and very soon. We are going to see the King.” Like never before, I long to see Jesus. As a child I used to stare towards the Heavens looking for Santa with a sleigh led by a red nosed Reindeer. Today, my gaze is on God, my sights set on the Savior, concentrating on Christ and I am looking for the Lord because He (not Rudolph) is the Light of the World.
Truth be told, we all have a gift. We can use our gifts to bring others to God’s Presence. The Bible says: “Whatever your hand finds to do make sure you do it for God’s Glory. Friend, if you are a mechanic…..change carbuerators for Christ. If you are a dentist….do root canals for the Redeemer! God is not interested in the title on our door as much as He is with our testimony in our hearts.
This Christmas Season, as snow sticks on the sill of your window while listening to Nat King Cole sing his classic Christmas carol, trading cookies, wrapping presents and tucking your loved ones in for the evening may you pause and consider the true majesty of the ocassion. Even today, 2,000 years later; God allows us to peek into His crib, ponder His cross and point blank come Face to face with the Christ Child.
In closing, Christmas is special that the God of the Universe came to Earth to teach us how to live. Christ taught us how to live but we because of our sin and selfishness taught Him to die. What is even more marvelous is not that Christ came once but He is coming back! That Christmas morning Jesus was a gentle lamb eventually led to the slaughter. The moment he rolled out of the crib and took His first steps He was already en route to the cross. However, when Jesus returns again He is no longer the little lamb but the Lion of Judah.
The word “mas” in Spanish means more. Truly, we need more of Christ this Christmas. This Christmas Season give God ALL that you got! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This past year has been a whirlwind and the older I get the faster life flies by. The one thing I don’t regret is serving Jesus early in my life. It was 30 years ago this July 2009 (at age seven) that I trusted Jesus as my Lord & Savior. Praise God, I have yet to get “over it.”
The clip above was a promo video that Dr Rick Scarborough’s church in Texas made for my visit this past August with their precious people. Brother Rick is one of my heroes and it was an honor and humbling to preach in his pulpit. He is also founder of VISION AMERICA.
After being bi-vocational in ministry for 17 years, while I worked on Capitol Hill in various capacities my passion was always people and preaching. It has now been two and a half years full-time completely living “by faith” since leaving the salary, benefits, health insurance, 401K, retirement, etc. This past year counting radio, tv, revivals, camps and speaking wherever God opened the door; I was blessed to preach over 200 times in one year. God gets the credit and I say this not to say “look at me” but in the wise words of Tony Nolan: GO GOD!
When I walked away two years ago, I didn’t have a single booking to speak or preach. When God said: “Go” I knew I had to be gone. We are thankful for the invites and open doors to preach and we are already filling up dates into Spring and Summer 2010. We pray daily for open doors and to go wherever, to whomever and whenever God leads. The greatest “high” in life is not alcohol but being used by the Almighty. Its not in crack but Christ, its not mariajuana but knowing the Master, its not playing with PCP but preaching on bahalf of the Prince of Peace. Its not in LSD but the Lord and not heroine but Him!
If you know of a church, camp, conference or concert that could use a glorified goof-ball for your next event - PRAYERFULLY remember my willingness to be a blessing to your church or group. My motto: “Have Bible - will travel.” Stacy at The Robinson Agency in Atlanta, GA helps with my bookings and her e-mail: Stacy@TheRobinsonAgency.com
If you are free in February 12-15, 2010 - JOIN Dr Tony Evan’s son, ANTHONY EVANS and me as we minister together aboard the Royal Caribbean on a Christian Singles Cruise. All Christian Cruises invited Anthony to sing and I have been booked to speak four times leading all devotions on the ship. DON’T MISS THE BOAT and it would be an honor to sail the seas with you into the SON! For more info - www.FrankShelton.com
LOOK OUT next week for my post on “The Little Drummer Boy.” God doesn’t ask that we be the best but DO our best. Lessons we can all learn from this little lad. God bless & go with God.
Michael Tait is a product of Washington, DC and today, one of the most celebrated musicians in Christian music. His father was a pastor for 50 years in our Nation’s Capital and his sister, Lynda Tait Randle is a featured artist/singer with Bill & Gloria on the GAITHER HOMECOMING TOUR.
They say lightening doesn’t strike twice but for Michael Tait does it does. Michael was one of three singers that became a household name with the legendary group dcTALK. The three amigo’s met while students at Liberty University (home of Jesus & Jerry Falwell). Their hits soared to NUMBER ONE and they helped changed Christian music forever.
After the popular group disbanded and chased their solo careers, Michael formed a group that bears his last name TAIT. I first met Michael briefly at a dcTalk concert in the early 1990’s but reconnected with him in 2006, when he was a featured artist aboard the first PRAISEFEST “Cruise with a Cause” to the Bahamas where I was blessed to minister as a speaker. He is humble, gracious and lives life to the fullest. Plus, he loves the Lord with a passion.
This show was taped on my radio program “FRANKLY SPEAKING” and aired on American Family Radio earlier this year weeks after his latest assignment. God opened the door for Michael to be the lead singer to one of the best selling Christian bands of ALL time - NEWSBOYS. This interview talks about music, ministry and matters close to his heart. It also includes a funny story about my Pastor Marvin Harris’ daughter, Melissa who is a childhood friend of Michael. They went to Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, MD for high school and graduated together from Liberty University in Virginia.
Michael Tait and his band the “NEWSBOYS” will be touring this Winter with my buddy, TONY NOLAN at WINTER JAM all across America. Other amazing artists include: THIRD DAY, Tenth Avenue North and Grammy Winners NEWSONG! For more info visit http://www.hearitfirst.com/winterjam/default.aspx
After working over 17 years on Capitol Hill, I was blessed to see not only firsthand Democracy work but watch elected officials “work the room.” It really is something to behold (especially as a people person). By my 32nd birthday, I watched and heard “live” FIVE United States Presidents speak. At age 10, I remember as if it were yesterday listening to President Ronald Reagan at the DC Covention Center in 1982.
From there I was fortunate to hear Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, George W Bush, respectively at various venues. I left Washington in July 2007, “by faith” to travel the Globe bringing the Word to the world. When I was a speechwriter to my hometown Member of Congress (now Majority Leader) people often asked me how I could write the speech? I would always laugh and say the only way I could do it was to pretend that I would be the one giving the remarks. Ironically, after awhile if he couldn’t be present to give the speech; he or the Chief of Staff would send me saying: “Frank, you wrote it - GO GIVE IT.” If you can SEE it you can ACHIEVE it!
Looking back, all of the former Presidents were unique and gifted in their own ways. Reagan was the master at rhetoric and Clinton captivated crowds with his charisma. Both Bushes’ were not the most eloquent but elegant in the fact that they said what they meant and meant what they said. That is high marks in my book.
However, I don’t know of anyone that worked a room or crowd like President Bill Clinton. I wish I was a tad older because President Ronald Reagan to me was certainly a statesman and it was like watching the American Flag wave in the wind. He was “patriotism” all the way and I am sure he was wonderful working the crowd as well.
Having volunteered and worked in both the Clinton and Bush WHITE HOUSE, respectively this blog will never serve as a partisan forum. I always wanted more than one particular political party at my funeral and the Apostle Paul was “all things to all men that some might be saved.” However, watching Bill Clinton shake hands and rondezvous with a rope line was almost like reading a romance novel. Some may suggest “poetry in motion.” He resembled Barry Sanders with a football, Michael Jordan with a basketball, DaVinci with a paint brush and Elvis with a microphone. Like Bruce Springsteen’s classic - Bill Clinton was “BORN TO RUN.”
As a former driver and speechwriter to the House Majority Leader of Congress, aide to the Governor of Maryland, floor staff of the United States Senate and worked a year with the United States Capitol Police; I had a front seat (literally) in watching politicans interact with people. The ropeline always fascinated me politically but from a policing or security stand point scared me. When an elected official would complete his or her remarks it was almost always expected for them to work the room, shake hands and touch folks (if not emotionally) than certainly physically. Political insiders and operatives gave this term that most know now as “PRESS THE FLESH.”
Hollywood actor, John Travolta studied hours of President Clinton in preparation for shooting the movie: “Primary Colors.” Once Travolta had his hair dyed grey and practiced what the President did on a daily basis working a crowd; Travolta really resembled the then Commander-in-Chief. Clinton was notorious for gazing deep into ones eyes, smile as bright as Broadway, hit them with that trademark southern drawl and then pretend no one else was in the room. From there he would take his left hand and touch the person’s right elbow and shake firmly with his right hand as his head tilted slightly to the left and the person in his presence (regardless of poltical party) oftened resembled a “deer in the headlights.” From there he would waltz on to the next voter (or victim).
In politics, it is imperative to learn the art of “working the room” and pressing the flesh. It works in politics but in ministry we need to learn the discipline of SUPRESSING the FLESH. The Apostle Paul also said: “I DIE Daily.” It is mandatory that we learn to die to the flesh to run and finish the race the Lord set before us. As Ambassadors of the Almighty, Liaisons of the Lord, Representatives of our Redeemer and Servants of our Savior we must die daily in order to live for Jesus.
I have always said that public service should be self-less and not selfish. Politicians do well when they Speak to Crowds, Serve the Constituents and Stay the Course. Getting out the vote is one thing but our values are everything. We find VICTORY in His virtue.
What we need more of in our daily lives is not contacts, credentials and charisma but compassion, character and Christ-like behavior both in private and public. Regardless of our vocation, it is important that we remember to take an inventory daily of WHERE we are at, whom we may be with during the day and remember WHY we do what we do. Perhaps most importantly we must remember WHO we represent. We must put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD and resist the temptations of the devil.
We must stay close and stay clean. Regardless, if you are a preacher, principal, plumber or part-time at WAL*MART we are in the ministry as kids of the King. One deterant for folks wanting to be used by God is to learn the discipline of FASTING. This is one thing that many believers fail to utilize and its commanded by Christ. I am going to be writing a post in near future on the FEASTING OF FASTING. Until we learn to die to the flesh we will never be able to “live by faith.” Our greatest enemy outside of Satan is self.
Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with shaking hands, loving on people and showing Christ-like compassion. But may we “press the flesh” less and SUPPRESS the flesh more. Die to self - live for the Savior because the greatest “high” in life is being used by the Lord.
fs & Frank Shelton Sr, USCP Deputy Chief w/ POTUS
We should agree by now that the quote we learned as kids: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” are false. Actually, sometimes we would be fortunate to have broken a bone than bruised the soul or psyche.
In the final installment of “ROCKY BALBOA” we find Stallone shooting the breeze at a bar that he rarely frequented in his hometown of Philly. It was always ironic to me that the “City of Brotherly Love” produced so many fighters! While minding his own business a young teenager approaches him and begins to berate him for no reason. Over the years, I have learned that sometimes your success can scare the daylights out of others. Your gift may bring the best out of you but sometimes it extracts the worse from others. After her hurtful remarks to Rocky when she leaves; ironically his head is still ringing as if he endured another avalanche of assaults from Apollo Creed. When Balboa gets his bearings back he realized that the lady behind the counter is an acquaintance from years gone by.
Rocky says: “Yo, do I know you?” She doesn’t remember him at first but he then replies: “You’re little Marie.” Rocky in the original film walked her home one night because streets are no place for a kid. Rocky remembers a negative word that she (when she was much younger) said to him. She was blown away that he would remember her much less the words she said some three decades earlier.
Rocky, went on to say: “Insults last a long time.” The fact is there is great power in the spoken word. The accuser never lost a wink of sleep over what she carelessly said to the soon to be champion of the free world but truth be told I bet not a day went by that either her words or the negative remarks of another rung Rocky’s bell like no opponent in the ring before or since.
Perhaps that is why the Bible notes: “We will have to give an account for EVERY idle word spoken out of our mouth.” I was taught as a child, if you don’t have anything nice to say - “DON’T SAY ANYTHING.” Just being real, I must admit that I have failed a few times but the older I get I am trying to do my best to take the high road (especially with my remarks). The Bible also says: “To let our words be few.” Maybe my next post will be less than 500 words 
A milkman in the early 1970’s, would say “hello” to a five year old girl with big blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair. When he walked by on his weekly route he would tap her on the head as she played in the yard while dropping milk off on her front porch. He always said the same words: “Hello, Miss America.” She would smile with a grin the size of Georgia and continue to play and jump rope with her friends. Day after day, week after week when the milkman came by he said the same thing: “Hello, Miss America.”
Years, went by and the milkman’s job unfortunately became obsolete with his deliveries but those words danced in her head like a teen on a trampaline. In the early 1990’s that young little girl matured into a southern belle and was crowned Miss America from the Peach State. Most likely, that milkman didn’t see the future with her waving to the world with a sash across her shoulder as she beamed with beauty talking about “world peace” - or did he? We don’t know but the fact is those positive words sown in her life as an adolescent reaped a harvest for her as an adult.
Recently, Evangelist Perry Stone showed a scientific experiment on world-wide television where a scientist had two containers of rice. The scientist had a label placed on the outside of both bottles and after 81 days he revealed his findings. Both containers had the same amount of rice in the cup and after the time alloted he displayed that one bottle had the rice in tact with very little deformation. However, the second cup was filled with fungus that made the stomach turn to look at. He then turned the containers to face the television viewing audience and on the cup that still had the rice looking fresh after 81 days the label had words scribbled from a child: “I LOVE YOU LITTLE RICE. I HOPE YOU HAVE A NICE LIFE and LIVE LONG.” The one filled with fungus had a note that read: “I HOPE YOU DIE!” The lesson speaks for itself.
The Bible notes: “We find life and death in the power of our tongue.” It also notes: “Our mouth speaks both blessings and cursings.” This should not be. Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Friends, some of us need a CHECK UP from the NECK UP and our words should be seasoned with honey not spoiled with hypocrisy.
It has been said: “If one yells at a tree long enough that it will die.” I have not yelled long enough to test that hypothesis but I do know that if words can cripple a soul-less and heart-less grain of rice imagine what our words do to humans in our presence. In case you MISSED the MEMO: Life is a fight but we don’t have to battle everyone in our path. Today, we have the milkman in one corner who was a winner with words and built folks UP or we can resemble the reckless rehetoric of a negative wannabee who tore others down. Why be a chump when you can be a champ! WORDS are WONDERFUL until you use them to hurt others. Don’t delay - BLESS someone today!