We had more rain again last night and this morning and the river in San Miguel has risen again, but this time it has stayed within its new bankings! We just returned from there as I was going to see if our house sites would be ready in the morning, but it looks like we will have to delay a day or two before we can return. There would be no way to get our lumber across the river until it recedes some more.

Question.... Why did God give us two ears and only one mouth? According to the message I heard at church this morning it is because He wants us to listen twice as much as we talk. In James, we are definitely told to be quick to listen and slow to speak, but I am not so sure that being told that this is the reason I have two ears and only one mouth is the best way get this message across. When will we just be honest with people and tell them the truth and not find some catchy, silly, makes no real sense, analogy to make our point? Why not just tell folks that listening (understanding what someone else is trying to communicate with us) is very important to communicating with those around us and that as we are in relationship to one another it is simply wise that we be slow to speak so as not to insert our big feet squarely in our own mouths? Having two ears is not some hidden message of God telling us we should listen more. That message would become pretty hollow to those who have hearing problems wouldn't it? This "illustration" (2 ears, 1 mouth) falls right in there with the one about "5 steps to salvation" if you ask me. I just don't believe the the truth of the gospel and a life in God has to be put into some oversimplistic method of trying to remember. If you ever hear me doing this, please stop me as I just want to tell folks the truth in ways that don't minimze it to counting ears, mouths, or fingers!

Pray for no rain!!