I had the pleasure of the Melanson family visitin' last night, and in my usual manner I put off the bulletin writing until too late. I tried to get Robert to help me write the bulletin, but he didn't have any good ideas. Not having any good ideas never stops me though!

Sometimes, of course, I have things to say when I should probably have kept my mouth shut. Other times I just don't know what to say but I do know I need to say *something* just nothing obvious comes to mind. When it comes to smooth, fancy speech I just don't have it. So what about those who simply say nothing at all?

There are many people in the scriptures who had nothing to say. All of them had different reasons for not wanting to talk. Jonah disliked the people of Nineveh so much he tried to run away rather than talk to them. Aaron was standing there the day Moses "shared the credit" with God for bringing water from the rock, and for his silence he got chastised by God. Elijah at Mount Carmel had a great audience of the people, and put the question to them plainly - "How long will you be between two opinions? Either follow God or Baal" but the people answered not a word.

There are a few notable examples in the New Testament, too. At the wedding feast, the one who came in unprepared and not properly attired (representing those who try to enter heaven without being cloaked in good works) was confronted by the host and had nothing to say. (After all, when one stands before God condemned, what can you say???) The men with Saul along the road to Damascus heard the voice come from nowhere, but remained speechless out of awe. And, of course, Zacharias had nothing to say after he was struck dumb by the angel!

Jesus also didn't answer on occasions. There are many recorded, the most notable was when he was being questioned by the priests. I think the lesson we learn here is that there are times when answering not a word is appropriate and proper. For the rest of these, note how being silent didn't relieve them of responsibility. Most of the others mentioned were showing their views on the matters at hand, even though they said nothing at all. (and unfortunately most of those who kept silent where making the wrong choices!)

I remember a few years ago, I think it was 1991, when then president George Bush was in Pearl Harbor remembering the 50th anniversary of the attack. He spoke of forgiveness, of putting the sins of the past behind us and reaching out to the Japanese in new ways. I saw the faces of the admirals who shared the stage with him. While they never said a word, I saw their eyes go very hard, and the slow deliberate shaking of their heads in disagreement. Apparently you can say a whole lot by not saying a word.

Of course there are those who say too much as well. Hezekiah for all his good intentions should never have bragged and shown the men from Babylon the treasures of the temple! Timothy was warned about those who ask foolish questions or make vain babblings. In the parable of the talents, the one who buried his talent foolishly reminded his Lord that he "reaped where he did not sow" and thus proclaimed his own doom. Job was without sin in all that he had done... until he started to question God. Peter should have kept silent at the mount of transfiguration instead of trying to be helpful. Some of the Jews were so anxious to disprove Paul that they blasphemed. This shows that there is a time when saying something is also not appropriate.

So what do we do, brethren? Say nothing and let a friend or relative be lost, or say something risk sounding or being foolish? Obviously the right answer is to say the right thing at the right time and say nothing when that's proper. Obvious, but not easy! The same thing said to two different people can have (and will have!) two different outcomes. Like anything else, you don't just luck into it. It takes practice, and that means lots of mistakes.

And if you want some practice, see me about writing a bulletin! I think I have the mistake part down pat - enough that perhaps some people would like me to keep silent!

Randy