If you think women are just plain "gabbier" than men, you are right. At least that's what Dr. Karel Muncik, a researcher of Prague, Czech Republic has discovered in one of his studies. According to Dr. Muncik, the average man speaks 10,580 words per day, whereas the average woman speaks 12,620 each day. Broken down, he found that a teacher speaks 12,900 words a day; a waitress 12,300; a policeman 10,600; a soldier 7,800; and a priest 3,420.

I'm not too sure that we all don't do a whole lot more talking than we should. I know I do. And that's always caused me problems. (My mother could attest to that!) James said, "But no man can tame the tongue_.." (James 3:8) Please notice that he did not say the tongue could not be controlled. You can control a lion by caging him, but lions are very difficult to tame. So it is with the tongue. I might not be able to perfectly "domesticate" my speech, but that's no excuse for a lack of control over it.

Friends, instead of allowing our tongues to "run wild" in speaking words that tear down and harm others' we need to use them for the purpose of building up and encouraging others. (See Eph. 4:29; Col. 3:8; 1 Thess. 5:14) Think about the following questions below:

How Long Has It Been Since You_..

_took the time to go see someone who lives alone?

_wrote a letter (or e-mail) to someone who crossed your mind?

_read the Bible to someone too ill to read for themselves?

_encouraged someone who was having a hard time being a Christian?

_prayed earnestly for someone who was faltering?

_tried to have a Bible study with someone you knew was lost?

_told a teen that you were proud of their efforts to live for Christ?

_spent more time on your knees praying than on the phone talking?

_informed your family of your love and appreciation for them?

Every Christian can DO and SAY something to encourage someone else!

01 Lola Duvall

02 Joe Scheidt

04 Megan Prater

06 Anita Sharp

07 Bob Allen

07 Ryan Parman

11 Vivian Cross

11 Amber Curtis

11 Nathan Kelly

11 Barbara Vanlandingham

13 Geoff Root

13 Lorine Watson

16 Janice Gardner

16 Brian Nipper

17 Joann Cheney

20 Mary Sorensen

20 Talhia Vanlandingham

21 Wynona (Nona) Carter

21 Nadine Magee

22 Millie Riley

23 Sydnee Evans

28 Tanner Nipper

29 Herman Guin

29 Frances Taylor

31 Clovie Dossey

01 Bernard & June Sharp - 4^th

12 Roger & Lori Farris - 4^th

21 Larry & Sarah Smith - 32^nd

30 Bob & Ann Bivins - 43^rd

30 James & Ellen Childers - 59^th

30 Carl & Ruby Holt - 20^th

We extend our best wishes to all who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in March.

Walker Joseph Sharp was born on February 14, 2005. His parents are Brian and Julie Sharp. The grandparents are Bernard and June Sharp and Jimmy and Huong Pham. His aunt is Anita Sharp. We extend our very best wishes to all of these.