Jae Lynne Dykes

Word Power

By: Jae Lynne Dykes

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Bio – Jae Lynne Dykes

Jae Lynne currently resides in Naples, Florida, with her husband Bill Dykes, who is Chief Marketing Officer for Sky Angel (Faith & Family Television). Bill is best known for his rich baritone voice and singing with many gospel music groups throughout the 70's, including Coy Cook & The Senators, The Cathedral Quartet, and Jerry & The Singing Goffs.

Jae Lynne was born and raised in the Queen City, home of the Cincinnati Reds, Skyline Chili, and Proctor & Gamble. Raised by Christian parents, she became a Christian at the age of 5. She enjoyed church and gospel music as far back as can be remembered, with her father playing guitar and singing in the church. Her earliest memories are of The Weathfords coming to sing every year at their church. Gospel music was always blaring on the radio or stereo. After taking up piano at age 8, her family sang southern gospel music as a trio in their local church for several years.

Today she enjoys traveling, all genres of Christian music, reading, swimming, and any time spent with family or in church. Jae Lynne welcomes your comments and suggestions, and you can write her at merniesgirl@peoplepc.com .

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication precede out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Remember the saying you used when you were a child, "Sticks & stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"? We all said it, but how untrue! We all have had something harsh or cruel said to us that cut deep. Words seem to be such simple things and we speak thousands every single day (just ask my husband - ha). We are able to choose each and every word that we speak and we can use these words to encourage someone and build them up, or we can use them to discourage and tear them down. Our words are very important!

One of my favorite authors is Florence Littauer. I heard her speak at a business conference many years ago. She is a stately and attractive woman who commands your attention with her articulate style of speaking. She is also a Christian and she trains other Christians in public speaking. She is the author of a wonderful book entitled "Silver Boxes". When I heard her speak, she relayed a story about having to give a children's sermon at a church. This was not her particular strength, but she set about to teach what the above verse in Ephesians talks about. It is pretty self-explanatory to adults, but she began to break it down into simple examples for the children, asking for participation and input. They agreed that corrupt communication included bad words, gossip, saying nasty things to others. They then concluded that edifying meant "to build up" and that their words should be like little presents to each other. The funny part of this story is when she concludes her sermon and a little girl stands up, turns to the crowd (which included their parents and the congregation), put her hand on her hip and said, "What she means is that our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top." From that statement and experience began a long running lesson that she began to teach all over the United States entitled "Silver Boxes". Psalm 8:2 says "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength." She told this story and taught her "Silver Boxes" lesson at the business conference where I first heard her speak and that is when I bought several of her books, including "Silver Boxes".

Can you think back in your life to particular people who might have given you the gift of words, making a positive impact on your life? I certainly can! I was probably given the biggest amount of encouragement boxes by my parents. They always told me I could do anything and be anything, while encouraging me to seek God's will for my life. When I was a teenager, my father and I had the normal communication problems. He didn't "get" my puberty, and I didn't "get" that he was trying to protect me in so many circumstances. But while I was an insecure girl trying to figure out who I was, he was always good to give me compliments about my looks, my grades in school, and my talents. Parents play an important role in their children's lives and the words they say make a huge impact for good or for bad.

But there were also school teachers, Sunday school teachers, and even friends who have been quick to encourage me in the form of words. A high school principal encouraged me that I could excel in college and helped me work on getting a scholarship. There were teachers who took a special interest and encouraged me in my academics and my personal life. A wonderful Sunday School teacher exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman and encouraged me as a young girl how to be a Christian young lady. Positive affirmations are so important, and if we need them, we should also give them.

It seems that Christians are under attack constantly in our world - television, movies, and the internet take great joy in making fun of our Lord, and those of us who call ourselves Christians. The Bible says if we love the Lord, the world will hate us. But have you noticed that many times, the Christian community itself is at odds and is quick to tear each other down. It makes me sad when I read on the internet, Christians attacking people in ministry or the gospel music industry. Worse yet - when people in ministry attack one another. We are an imperfect people, that is true - but spreading lies or even sometimes, ugly truth, only brings more reproach on Christianity. It's just wrong and God is not pleased.

One of the things I enjoy doing around Christmas time is picking a theme of sorts when it comes to my wrapping paper and ribbon. The packaging seems to be as exciting to everyone as the content of the boxes. Do the words you speak to others come out as beautifully wrapped gifts with delicate ribbon and bows on top? Or do they come out more like a card board box? I know everyone was not blessed with a childhood filled with edification and positive affirmations. This is sad, but there is nothing that you can do about it now. It is important, however, that you make a conscious effort to surround yourself with people who are positive and uplifting. Positive association is a choice that we can make as an adult.

In addition, we can make a conscious decision to BE positive people and speak words that encourage others. Proverbs 12:18 says "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing". Isn't it interesting that the little verse we sang as children is really backwards? Sticks and stones may break our bones, but hateful words will stab like knives, with wounds that ache all through our lives. If encouraging, edifying words build people up, in turn, hateful and negative words certainly knock them down. I don't want to be responsible for knocking someone down emotionally. Even sarcasm can inadvertently hurt someone - sometimes I type faster than I can think and I have to be so careful not to hurt someone publically on the internet for the sake of a laugh.

Let us resolve to make a conscious decision to speak words that build each other up. We can't see each others faces through e-mails, Facebook, web forums, etc. ~ but our spirits shine through brightly. There are gifts in each of our personalities and spirits that can be "seen" through cyber space, so let us love on each other and lift each other up in celebration of our uniqueness. I want my words to be a positive power in life. Let our words bring salt and light to the world!