"Tongue in Cheek"

“Tongue in Cheek”

One of the things I enjoy doing is researching the origins of common idioms. So when Karen suggested this title it was right up my alley (there’s another one to check out). “Tongue in cheek” was a sign of contempt in a 1748 novel by Tobias Smollett and used in the same way by Sir Walter Scott in 1828. But in 1842 English minister Richard Barham used it to express irony and sarcasm and since then for the most part it’s had this connotation.

As I rethought my dental experience described in the previous article I came to another realization: As long as my tongue remains in my cheek I can’t use it. Maybe I should practice this in everyday life more than I do!

I couldn’t find “tongue in cheek” in Scripture. But a related phrase appears five times (Job 29:10; Psalm 22:15; 137:6; Lamentations 4:4; Ezekiel 3:26): the tongue’s sticking to the roof of one’s mouth. Of these occurrences two have the idea of thirst. Since my mouth gets dry at night I have this problem as did children during the time of Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem around 586 BC (“Because of thirst the infant’s tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth….”—Lamentations 4:4) and David’s description of Jesus’ agony while on the cross (“…My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth….”—Psalm 22:15 cf. “I am thirsty.”—John 19:30). I need to pray that my thirst will be quenched and my speech purified by “…the washing of water through the word….” (Ephesians 5:26).

The other three instances carry the thought of keeping silent. When the people of Judah turned a deaf ear to God’s prophet’s warnings He told His servant, “I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent….” (Ezekiel 3:26). Solomon had written some 400 years previously that there is “…a time to be silent and a time to speak….” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). I need God’s help to know which time is which.

When we say something with tongue in cheek it’s not always to be taken seriously. But I must take the utmost care as to how I use my tongue because “…(I) will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word (I) have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36). Put another way, I’m responsible for my words. May I give a good account for them and keep my tongue in my cheek or stuck to the roof of my mouth when it should be.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Tongue in Check"

“Tongue in Check”

(Thanks to Karen for this and the following articles’ titles)

This past September I paid my dentist a visit to have a crown put on a troublesome molar. (For more than one reason I’m glad he didn’t have occasion to sing “Crown Him with Many Crowns”!) The process took about an hour and hopefully the repair will last as long as I need it provided I don’t overuse it by eating too much!

During the procedure the dentist had to caution me to keep my tongue out of the way. After several reminders he put some gizmo in my mouth to keep it from wandering where it shouldn’t be so he could do his work. Since there’s an instrument available for this purpose I guess I’m not the first one to have the problem of lack of tongue control.

As I sat in the chair while the treatment was going on I thought about the difficulty I had controlling my tongue in another way. In his indictment of mankind before God the Apostle Paul quotes David when he writes, “…They use their tongues to deceive (to mislead and to deal treacherously).” (Romans 3:13, Amplified, from Psalm 5:9). Then I remembered the words of Jesus’ brother to his fellow believers: “…The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person…no (one) can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:5-8). How has God’s family (not to mention our earthly families) been impacted negatively by my failure to keep my tongue in check?

God’s Word uses contrasts to show the problems of careless speech and the blessings of properly using this gift: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19); “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19); “Words from a wise (person’s) mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12).

During World War II the War Advertising Council created the phrase “Loose lips sink ships” to warn the public of the dangers of unguarded talk. As God’s people we’d do well to remember “Loose lips can destroy people’s lives and reputations”. So please pray with David and me, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Works in Progress"

“Works in Progress”

When I write one of these articles several steps are involved. The process begins with choosing an idea gleaned from any one (or more) of many sources—conversations, observations, news stories and my personal experiences to cite a few—which I’ve accumulated (the time element can be one day to many years). Next I jot down some key thoughts (including Scripture references) to expand the original concept. From this I compose an initial draft which I run by Karen for her suggestions (she offers a lot of good ones). I then review it several times to clarify by changing words as well as adding and subtracting. Once I’m reasonably comfortable with what I’ve put on paper I type it into the computer (even as I’m doing this I’m apt to make changes) and print a hard copy which I place in a three-ring binder. Since I try to work ahead the piece is usually posted about two months later. (See the previous essay “What to Write” for more on this procedure.)

I could edit my work ad nauseam and probably find something to say differently each time I go over it but at some point I have to leave it or it’d never see the light of day. Agur observed that “There are…things that are never satisfied…that never say ‘Enough’….” (Proverbs 30:15). Solomon learned this as he pursued knowledge, pleasure, achievements and other attempts to find fulfillment but never did until he saw that life was summed up in the simple statement, “Fear God and keep his commandments….” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). So at some point I have to leave these blogs (and everything else in my life) in God’s hands and follow after Him in obedience.

While we must stop trying to reach perfection through our human efforts God never ceases His work in and for us. The Apostle Paul writes, “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6). The Hemphills put this thought into music when they wrote, “He’s still working on me to make me what I need to be….” And remember the old bumper sticker: “Be patient. God’s not done with me yet.” So we’re all works in progress which will continue until we’re with Him.

(I guess I’ve fined tuned this enough. It’s time to type.)

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"The Biscuit Church"

“The Biscuit Church”

When Karen prepares a crockpot meal she’ll sometimes make biscuits to go along with the chili, stew or other delicacy. Take them out of the oven, lather them with butter and honey—mmm! The only problem is not eating the whole plateful!

A lot of ingredients go into making these culinary delights. I consulted the Betty Crocker Cookbook and found that the various recipes call for a combination of flour, butter, baking powder, baking soda, salt, shortening, oil, sugar and other pinches of this and that. Try eating a quantity of each one by itself—yuck! But blend them together with some buttermilk, put them in the oven for 10-12 minutes and yuck becomes yum in a big hurry.

As I was indulging in one of these treats recently I thought of how it pictures the church. One of the 46 things that happens when we receive Christ (I had a list of them years ago and wish I hadn’t lost it) is that we become members of the Body of Christ (“…You are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.”—1 Corinthians 12:27, emphasis added). We bring our talents, abilities, needs, struggles and, yes, warts with us. Individually, then, we may not be particularly impressive but put us together with believers locally and around the world and we have the potential to bring great change. When Paul and Silas ministered in Thessalonica their opposers brought them to court with the accusation, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” (Acts 17:6, Amplified). (As Bible teachers have observed over the years, we’d say they were turning it right side up!) Since the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed with His help we can do this and even more (see John 14:12).

We as individuals as well as the church at large haven’t always represented our Lord well and for my part in this I must ask forgiveness from God and where possible those I’ve wronged. Paul instructs us to “…live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1) which means doing so in love (Ephesians 5:2), faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), Christlikeness (1 John 2:6) and caution (Ephesians 4:15). As we mix these and other qualities in our lives and join with other brothers and sisters we become the biscuit church. May we together make Christ appealing so those around us can “Taste and see that the Lord is good….” (Psalm 34:8).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Doing Right"

“Doing Right”

Many years ago my brother Dave’s wife Jean ordered some dishes for us which were only available through a well-known New York City area department store. When they arrived we found we’d received two more dishes than we’d paid for. At our request Jean went to the store to see how we could make up the difference. The saleslady was so shocked she had to sit down (literally). Once she regained her composure she told Jean to have us keep the items as they didn’t know how to handle such a payment (or maybe customers’ honesty). On another occasion we were overpaid by our health insurance carrier so I called and asked how to return the money. The representative said to keep it as “It’d be more trouble than it’s worth to us” to have it sent back.

In both these real life situations it was easier for vendors to leave things alone than have the right thing done. Both Karen and I were raised to (as best we could with God’s help) follow what He taught through His Word and the conscience He’s placed within us. As imperfect humans we’ve failed more often than we’d like to admit but we can’t stop making the effort (“Let us not become weary in doing good….”--Galatians 6:9).

When our son Dave and his wife-to-be Jenna were planning their wedding a friend asked me where they were living and was surprised when I told him they were keeping their own apartments until they were married. As God’s people we’re living in a world of changing values where it seems wrong is right and the right wrong. But God holds us to a higher standard: His! He gives a stern warning against twisting and rationalizing what He’s said: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil….” (Isaiah 5:20). And the Apostle Paul admonished the believers in Rome to “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” (Romans 12:17). And he practiced what he preached (“…We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of {people}.”—2 Corinthians 8:21). We’re further reminded to “Be wise in your behavior toward non-Christians….” (Colossians 4:5, Phillips). Why? You and I may be the only Bible some will read. What is my life saying to those who are reading me?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan