Day after day, I become more aware of the weapon of mass destruction each one of us carries about and uses daily: our tongues.

James 3:6,8 – The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (NIV)

Nothing can do harm faster than an ill-spoken word. We can damage our relationships with our families, friends, neighbours, or fellow workers with a thoughtless or reckless spoken comment. All our good deeds can be overturned in a matter of a few seconds. Lies and gossip delivered by our tongues act like poison to demean and hurt others.

Psalm 140:3 – They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. (NIV)

Christ is hurt every time we hurt our fellow man.

Prayer: Loving Father, giver of all our blessings, be near us each day. Guide us to think before speaking. Help our tongues to utter only helpful and loving things to others, and stop us when we are about to cut down our friends. This we ask in Your Son's name. Amen.

We have just returned home from the 150th year celebration of a little village in south-western Ontario. We joined others for a parade, the official opening, band performances, and a community dinner.

The parade consisted of antique and new cars, horse-drawn farm implements and the modern up-to-date sanitary truck owned by a local business, bagpipe bands, and several old-time groups who represented the social gatherings of the house parties throughout this area in bygone days. Several brass bands were also present. Many organizations, local church groups, and several family groups (dressed alike) paraded by.

After an official opening that consisted of the recall of many memories of the good times of the former days in this area, a band tattoo was performed. There was a mass pipe band from several different areas and a small brass band that played some hand-clapping pieces.

We sat on the side of the street in the lush greenery of the trees and grass, in the beautiful sunshine, among friends and strangers, young and old. May the Lord be praised for His constant mercies.

I couldn't help but feel that day that the people in this area were giving thanks and praising the Lord for the many blessings received over the past 150 years. Let's remember to praise the Lord for all our blessings.

Prayer: Loving Father, we thank You for the many blessings that we receive daily. We thank You for our fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and ancestors who taught us of You. Grant us strength and guidance to help future generations. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.