Words to Live By

This struck me this AM while reading Colossians 3 in "The Message":

~v5-8 "... make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

*ouch!*

and

v12-14: "... dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on , wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." (It's like American Express:never leave home without it - gh)

and

v15-17: "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ-the Message-have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives-words, actions, whatever-be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."