A few weeks ago the message at the church we attended was about how what we say can affect others, and the scripture reference the pastor used was from James 3:1-12. The things we say can either delight and lift others up or destroy and crush their spirits. What a person says reflects how others will think of them — in a positive or negative light. What a person says will either bring joy or sadness to God’s heart. Gossip is one of the most hurtful things we can do, and so are words spewed forth in the heat of anger.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of gossip? You know how much it hurts to hear someone say something about you that isn’t true, or even something you’d rather not have others know.

Proverbs 16:24 reminds us: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” With God’s help I want to speak kind, soothing words to my family and those I meet. What battles do you think you could win in the area of the tongue this week?

A few days ago I finished a deadline for a novel I had been working on since early spring. It took commitment on my part to finish the book, because I had so several interruptions along the way. It would have been easy for me to become sidetracked or let other things stand in the way of completing the novel, but I knew I had to stay committed or it wouldn’t get done.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay committed to something because we become tired or sidetracked. But Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Our Amish friends are some of the most dedicated, committed people I know — attending church regularly, caring for others, and preserving their way of life. However, I’m sure that even they struggle with the issue of commitment at times.

The life of commitment, for anyone — Amish or English — means being steadfast. We’re committed to things we know are helpful to someone. We’re dedicated to things we know are important. If we are faithful and committed to God, then we’re more likely to be faithful to other things as well.

Special Note: Wanda is currently holding drawings for a free dinner with her and her husband. If you will be in the Lancaster County, PA area on Tuesday, September 13th, enter the “Dinner with Wanda in Lancaster County, PA” drawing here. If you will be in the Holmes County, OH area on Thursday, September 22nd, enter the “Dinner with Wanda in Holmes County, OH” drawing here. Winners will be notified August 27th.

Extremely hot weather has prevailed this summer in many parts of our country. As we have dealt with the heat where I live, I’ve looked for ways to stay cool. Wearing lighter, cotton clothes; closing curtains to keep the hot sun from streaming in; drinking plenty of cool water; enjoying a dish of cold, homemade ice cream; opening windows whenever there’s a cool breeze; sitting under the shade of a leafy tree; and of course, appreciating the benefit of air conditioning and fans.

Sometimes our lives are sometimes filled with unbearable situations — financial problems; illness; injuries; family issues; and the list goes on. In 2 Corinthians 4:8 it says: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Here are a few things I’ve found helpful to cope with the heat of life’s problems: Reading and meditating on God’s Word; spending time in prayer; fellowshipping with my Christian brothers and sisters; listening to uplifting Christian music; reading a good Christian novel; taking a walk or just sitting quietly outdoors so I can reflect on all the good things God has provided for His people. What are some things you do to get through your unbearable situations?