Since the July theme for the ChristianWriters.com blog chain is “celebrate”, it’s appropriate that we celebrate words. While there are some “word” celebrations in place, such as the Celebrating Words Festival in Los Angeles, National Writing Day and I Love to Write Day, this will be a smaller scale of just a few minutes.

Words are fun to play with. Such as seeing a sign that says “Giant Tire Sale” and wondering just how big the tires are. Or, thinking of movie titles like “The Sum of All Fears” and imagining what the plot would be for “The Fear of All Sums”?

My favorite personal example came one day at a produce distribution plant. There were rows and rows of boxes stacked to the ceiling. A label on the side of each box indicated its contents. Most were straightforward (tomatoes, peppers, bananas, etc.), however, one box stood out. It’s label read simply: “Squash, Do Not Crush”. I imagine someone was just having fun with words, and it may even be a standard produce plant gag, but, it sure stayed with me. I suppose I celebrate words each time I think of it.

As Christians, our celebration of words must include God’s Word. There are passages that can be fun (remember short Zaccheus climbing up a tree so he could see Jesus (Luke 19), or Balaam’s donkey talking to him (Numbers 22:28)). But, in our celebration, we can move far beyond fun, and we can consider the joy, thankfulness and humility that Scripture brings us.

One of my favorite verses comes when Nehemiah is encouraging the people in Jerusalem to rebuild the wall around the city. He in effect told them “Let me tell you the good things God has done to bring me to this point” – and it worked – their response was “Let us rise up and build!”.

Let’s take that verse and celebrate what God has done for us.

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.” Nehemiah 2:18

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“But Noah (and we) found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

 “And she shall bring forth a Son and thou shall call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“.. so He was their Savior.  In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in his pity He redeemed them.” Isaiah 63:8-9

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes..” Romans 1:16

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me.”

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23:6

Those are the true Words we celebrate!

(Read additional blogs this month on the days listed on the right)