A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 20 511 spring and summer are times for the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the moon up above and a thing called love that often means wedding bells and I know that some of you will be celebrating weddings and anniversaries right about now. It has been my privilege to be involved in quite a few weddings through the years. Its always fun to watch a nervous bride and groom come to the altar, but they arent the only ones who get nervous. I heard about a new pastor who was very nervous about officiating at his very first wedding. He sought out an older pastor for advice on what to do if he lost his place in the wedding ceremony. The wise old preacher smiled and told his young friends not to worry if it happened. He just needed to quote some passages of scripture until he found his place again. Well, the wedding day arrived and wouldnt you know it, the young pastor did lose his place at one point. Thinking about the advice received from his older mentor, the young pastor started to quote scripture, but the only verse he could remember off the top of his head is the one that says, father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. We laugh even though we know how embarrassing that would be if it happened to us. Our words have the capacity to encourage or to discourage others. They can heal, but they can also hurt. James called the tongue a world of evil among the parts of the body. Jesus warned that we will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, he said, and by your words you will be condemned. I like the little Sunday school song that cautions, oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say. And I like the well known piece of advice telling us to think before you speak the right word, spoken in the right way, at the right time, is medicine for the soul. But the wrong choice of words can be disastrous, even if unintended. May the words of our mouth as well as the meditation of our heart be pleasing in God's eyes.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com dot. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.