Squeeeeeeeeak!

Such a strange word, squeak. I've heard it used as "the sound a mouse makes" and I've also heard it as "the sound a girl makes when she sees a mouse." Usually a high pitched sound, not even a real word, but one that draws attention. I made the sound myself the other day, when I was moving a tarp next to the wood pile and a snake came darting out from under it (and right across my foot!) Of all the things to worry about, I wonder if mere sounds count as "every idle word." I mean, when I was younger I might have whistled at a pretty girl. Surly I am communicating there. Am I accountable? I might give the thumbs up to something I should not be approving of - does that matter to God? Seems it should. I also seem to recall that those who give agreement to a sin reap the punishment as if they'd committed the sin themselves. Just ask Aaron, or Edom, or the Corinthians or many of the other "bystanders" God took to task.

And in our society we often think of all the "rights" we have, such as the right to complain. I mean as long as we pay our taxes surely I have the right to grump about them, yes? I wonder. The "squeaky" wheel gets the oil, so I hear, but it seems like it is also a way to draw attention to yourself that you might not want. Didn't the children of Israel make a lot of noise about having no meat, and look, God catered to them did he not? Seems like it paid off, they got their quail... at least until you read further along in the chapter and see what else they ended up being served. A second helping I could do without.

My dogs love their "squeaky" toys, I think because they play this game they are "killing something" (maybe an imaginary mouse?) and the noise seems to both excite them and soothe them. Pretending to sin, while not actually robbing the bank as it were, surely that is OK? But there are those pesky verses about murder, or committing adultery in our hearts, and such. Maybe we ought to avoid such things even on the pretend level - after all, we can dirty our mind as easily as our hands - easier I would say, and of much higher consequence.

If you think my bulletin is strange today, remember that Eric has been doing a great job writing them for many weeks now. And like the "squeaky" hinge of a door, I am a bit rusty to be put back in action. I would hope that in scriptural matters I might always stay well oiled, with action that is frequent, proper, and quiet without complaint.

I guess the point is, in my own way, I wanted to remind us this morning we should dwell on being cautious of every sound we make - and of course the associated intention behind it. We should stay positive and not give in to the habit of grumbling, even in a supposedly "good-natured" way. We should strive to keep not only what comes out of us, but what crosses our minds pure and righteous. And we should study the word often so we are easily able to give anyone who asks a Godly answer. Why? Ready?

So we can be "squeaky" clean, of course. <smile!> Now, I wonder why I have a sudden craving for cheese....

Randy