Mosaic Mansfield

Our culture has created for us a type of silo… a cylinder of space that we have come to believe insulates us from the rest of the world, a world where we can reside safely pontificating on everything, all the time, without any sense of responsibility or accountability. On one hand we have been duped into thinking that friends are cyber clicks and photo shoots of a life of adventure and perfect selfies; on the other, we rely on the safe distance our new friend culture provides us to say anything, anytime, anyway, about anything and anybody, we want… and not be held responsible or accountable and oh man, if one of our “friends” doesn’t agree!! whoa!!

Our want it now, instant message, post-it-quick culture has conditioned us to think that we have to speak “NOW!”, having a fully formed opinion and position immediately - as it is relevant now and if i wait i will have missed my opportunity - there has never been a time that the phrase “strike while the iron is hot” was more appropriate - ready, hit send, fire, …um, i mean, aim… short fuses... quick retorts… unsubstantiated opinions…

We must learn that dialogue is not in the stating of your opinion or our rebuttal, dialogue is when two differing thinkers conflict (with) one another with respect and an expectation to change - self - not just the other - When we harmonize, speaking the truth in love, singing together hymns of praise, we, together, instigate change… where it matters most - in me - bringing life and freedom with that truth, in love

Ensuring, that when it is up to us, that all who see and hear what we say can see God in and through us - Ephesians 5:19
● NIV - speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
● NLT - singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
● ESV - addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

And if we still differ on these things - pray - that our eyes are open to see truth/Truth to be able to receive/speak this truth there has got to be some sense of true humility.. a recognition of wanting what is best for the "body" not me? not my will but yours.. Always pray 1st!!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Could it be that little lasts, because there is little (of) substance being said? There is little of substance being said, because there is little thought and consideration going into what is being said. Because there is little thought and consideration going into what is being said, there is little impact being made…with little impact, little lasting change; with so little lasting change, little trust… in fact it seems growing mistrust and increased vitriol and ultimately, lost hope…

...and where does hope, true hope reside? Is it not in Jesus? His love expressed in mercy, by grace? And are we, who are His, not to be the bringers of such glad tidings, and that with our deeds, with our words, with our attitudes… as we display the very hope the world so desperately needs? May our words and deeds say so, yes, there is hope, hope in Christ, the wisdom, the Love, the Truth, of God

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

This command is attached to 3 more verses that help instruct and govern our speech...

Ephesians 4:30-32
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

...and these not far from to previous verses that set it up

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,


Prudence says, and trains one, to act rightly, realizing…
● Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
● Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
● Proverbs 17:27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
● Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath , but a harsh word stirs up anger.
● Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat of its fruit.
● Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
● Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.
● Proverbs 10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

James 3:13-18 Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Vs. 18 Peace-maker - tie together into a whole, wholeness, when all essential parts are joined together - peace - where harmony prevails in a peaceful mind - one who sows out of a peaceful mind, will promote peace - and bear righteousness

Proverbs 2; 8:(1-)12

Tools of wisdom, slowing the heart, mind, temper, and mouth


● Knowledge – information, familiarity
○ Prudence – forethought, careful consideration – of consequences and act accordingly, discretion, to gain or use good sense

● Insight – to see through or underneath, to perceive, to be perceptive, the ability to see clearly and intuitively into the nature of a complex person, situation, or subject – as to learn
○ Prudence

● Understanding – ability to grasp the meaning (of what has been perceived, assimilating knowledge into a whole
○ Prudence

● Discernment – once grasping the meaning and its implication, the ability to keenly select the proper course, to judge rightly based on what is seen, perceived, and understood
○ Prudence

● Wisdom – good judgment, application (knowledge applied - correctly and lovingly)
○ Prudence

Matthew 7:1--6“1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Putting it together