#healingwords — Public Fediverse posts

The Transparent Tongue

I prayed for a transparent tongue—

not one without language,
not one emptied of conviction,
not one so pale with caution
that it could no longer name the wound,

but a tongue through which
truth might pass
without becoming a weapon.

James saw it clearly:

the small bit
turning the great horse,

the little rudder
steering the ship
through a violence of wind,

the single spark
lifting its bright red shout
into the trees.

So much ruin
from so little flesh.

Inside the mouth
a forest of ash waits.

One word,
and the branches begin to burn.

One word,
and someone carries the smoke
for years.

We bless God
with the morning hymns,

then turn before noon
and curse the likeness of God
walking beside us.

Sweet water,
bitter water,

both rising
from the same hidden spring.

I prayed for a transparent tongue,

but transparency is not
saying everything.

A window is transparent,
yet broken, it becomes
sharp and dangerous.

Light passes through it
without leaving a cut.

The transparent tongue
does not confuse cruelty
with courage,

or bluntness
with honesty,

or the pleasure of being right
with the work of righteousness.

It pauses
at the gate of the teeth.

It asks:

Will this word heal?

Will this word clarify?

Will this word protect the weak
without becoming
what it condemns?

Will this word leave room
for repentance—

including mine?

I prayed for a tongue
clear enough
that anger would not stain
every syllable,

clear enough
that fear would not bend
every meaning,

clear enough
that the old need to win
would not stand
between the speaker
and the spoken.

Not invisible.

Not innocent.

Not pure.

Only transparent enough
for mercy to be seen
moving through it.

Transparent enough
for silence to enter
when silence is wiser.

Transparent enough
for lament
to remain lament
and not harden into blame.

Transparent enough
for praise to rise
without requiring
an enemy beneath it.

The tongue is not alone.

Behind it waits the heart.

Below it, the hands.

Beyond it, the feet
that must walk
where the words have pointed.

A mouth may speak of peace
while the body prepares for war.

A mouth may bless the hungry
while the hands remain closed.

A mouth may cry justice
while the feet refuse
to cross the street.

So I prayed not only
for a transparent tongue,

but for a transparent life—

a body through which
the word and the deed
recognize each other.

Let my speech become a window,

not so others may admire
the speaker,

but so they may glimpse
something gentler
standing behind me.

Let the tongue become
a small clear pane
in the house of the soul.

Let light enter.

Let light leave.

And when the spark comes—

as sparks will—

let it kindle warmth
instead of wilderness,

a lamp
instead of a pyre,

a fire around which
enemies might sit long enough
to remember one another
as human.

I prayed for a transparent tongue,

and heard no answer
except the next word
waiting to be spoken.

So I held it
for one breath longer,

turned it toward the light,

and asked whether grace
could pass through.

NEW Song! Words Kill

Continuing with James’ challenge regarding the tongue (see yesterday’s sermon post), the following is an excerpt of a recently created song based on lyrics from several biblical translations. The Message, in particular, has a pretty blunt rendition of Proverbs 18:21:

“Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.”

Christ have mercy on our tongue-lashing tongues.

In the footsteps of the Sibyl.

Interview with Claudia Ciardi.

#academiaedu #essay #interview #bookstodon #Sibyl #healingwords #therapy #poetry

https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/165661843

In the footsteps of the Sibyl.

Interview with Claudia Ciardi.

#academiaedu #essay #interview #bookstodon #Sibyl #healingwords #therapy #poetry

https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/165661843

In the footsteps of the Sibyl.

Interview with Claudia Ciardi.

#academiaedu #essay #interview #bookstodon #Sibyl #healingwords #therapy #poetry

https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/165661843

In the footsteps of the Sibyl.

Interview with Claudia Ciardi.

#academiaedu #essay #interview #bookstodon #Sibyl #healingwords #therapy #poetry

https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/165661843

In the footsteps of the Sibyl.

Interview with Claudia Ciardi.

#academiaedu #essay #interview #bookstodon #Sibyl #healingwords #therapy #poetry

https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/165661843

A Valentine’s Day reflection while facing cancer treatment, masculinity, and learning to remain open to love and connections with my therapist Agnes
#ValentinesDay #CancerJourney #HealingWords #MentalHealth #LifeWithCancer #BlogLife #GotLove #LoveMeAnyways #StayTrue #MensHealth #TherapyTalk #Cancer

https://rickollie.com/2026/02/13/valentines-day-and-cancer-the-truth-with-my-therapist/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

A Valentine’s Day reflection while facing cancer treatment, masculinity, and learning to remain open to love and connections with my therapist Agnes
#ValentinesDay #CancerJourney #HealingWords #MentalHealth #LifeWithCancer #BlogLife #GotLove #LoveMeAnyways #StayTrue #MensHealth #TherapyTalk #Cancer

https://rickollie.com/2026/02/13/valentines-day-and-cancer-the-truth-with-my-therapist/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

A Valentine’s Day reflection while facing cancer treatment, masculinity, and learning to remain open to love and connections with my therapist Agnes
#ValentinesDay #CancerJourney #HealingWords #MentalHealth #LifeWithCancer #BlogLife #GotLove #LoveMeAnyways #StayTrue #MensHealth #TherapyTalk #Cancer

https://rickollie.com/2026/02/13/valentines-day-and-cancer-the-truth-with-my-therapist/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

A Valentine’s Day reflection while facing cancer treatment, masculinity, and learning to remain open to love and connections with my therapist Agnes
#ValentinesDay #CancerJourney #HealingWords #MentalHealth #LifeWithCancer #BlogLife #GotLove #LoveMeAnyways #StayTrue #MensHealth #TherapyTalk #Cancer

https://rickollie.com/2026/02/13/valentines-day-and-cancer-the-truth-with-my-therapist/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

A Valentine’s Day reflection while facing cancer treatment, masculinity, and learning to remain open to love and connections with my therapist Agnes
#ValentinesDay #CancerJourney #HealingWords #MentalHealth #LifeWithCancer #BlogLife #GotLove #LoveMeAnyways #StayTrue #MensHealth #TherapyTalk #Cancer

https://rickollie.com/2026/02/13/valentines-day-and-cancer-the-truth-with-my-therapist/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Good morning, here is an uplifting message for you in my new article. Big hugs, Jeanne
😇
Read here:
https://www.adhdneurodiversitylife.com/news/youdeservelove#/
🥰
#YouAreWorthy #MondayMotivation
#HealingWords #SelfLoveJourney
#KindnessMatters #mentalhealth

Good morning, here is an uplifting message for you in my new article. Big hugs, Jeanne
😇
Read here:
https://www.adhdneurodiversitylife.com/news/youdeservelove#/
🥰
#YouAreWorthy #MondayMotivation
#HealingWords #SelfLoveJourney
#KindnessMatters #mentalhealth

Good morning, here is an uplifting message for you in my new article. Big hugs, Jeanne
😇
Read here:
https://www.adhdneurodiversitylife.com/news/youdeservelove#/
🥰
#YouAreWorthy #MondayMotivation
#HealingWords #SelfLoveJourney
#KindnessMatters #mentalhealth

LIVE, Dammit Bluesky Blog

#YESquotes: #GerardManleyHopkins: the Major Works -
"My own heart let me more have pity on; let
Me live to my sad self hereafter kind,
Charitable; not live this tormented mind
With this tormented mind tormenting yet."
#SelfCompassion #HealingWords #MentalHealth #EmotionalResilience
bit.ly/3TAcz6x
https://bit.ly/3TAcz6x

LINK: https://bsky.app/profile/livedammit.bsky.social/post/3ltwveql66c2y

---------
LIVEdammit is a mental health support site with stories, tools, free e-course, bookstore & inspiring wearables — for stubborn souls doing the work to stay here, stay human, & stay strong.

WEBSITE: https://LIVEdammit.com

This robot is not affiliated with LIVEdammit.
--------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #livedammit #suicide

LIVE, Dammit Bluesky Blog

Two months in. No likes. No reposts. Still showing up.
B/c someone someday may need a #YESquote to keep going.
#Healingwords matter—for survivors, seekers, truth-tellers & anyone feeling the weight of these days.
Even quietly, the words are working.
#MentalHealth #Healing #LIVEdammit
bit.ly/40YsiPX

LINK: https://bsky.app/profile/livedammit.bsky.social/post/3lsmifhkjlk2j

---------
LIVEdammit is a mental health support site with stories, tools, free e-course, bookstore & inspiring wearables — for stubborn souls doing the work to stay here, stay human, & stay strong.

WEBSITE: https://LIVEdammit.com

This robot is not affiliated with LIVEdammit.
--------
#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #livedammit #suicide

Words have the power to heal and transform. 💬❤️ Discover how the right phrases can restore your relationship and bring you closer than ever. Ready to rekindle the spark? #RelationshipAdvice #Love #Communication #RelationshipGoals #HealingWords

https://paminy.com/can-these-powerful-words-restore-your-failing-relationship/

Words have the power to heal and transform. 💬❤️ Discover how the right phrases can restore your relationship and bring you closer than ever. Ready to rekindle the spark? #RelationshipAdvice #Love #Communication #RelationshipGoals #HealingWords

https://paminy.com/can-these-powerful-words-restore-your-failing-relationship/

Words have the power to heal and transform. 💬❤️ Discover how the right phrases can restore your relationship and bring you closer than ever. Ready to rekindle the spark? #RelationshipAdvice #Love #Communication #RelationshipGoals #HealingWords

https://paminy.com/can-these-powerful-words-restore-your-failing-relationship/

Words have the power to heal and transform. 💬❤️ Discover how the right phrases can restore your relationship and bring you closer than ever. Ready to rekindle the spark? #RelationshipAdvice #Love #Communication #RelationshipGoals #HealingWords

https://paminy.com/can-these-powerful-words-restore-your-failing-relationship/

Writing in the midst of despair can present a formidable challenge for any writer. The tragic events that unfolded on September 11th in 2001 were particularly devastating and had a profound impact on numerous individuals. As authors, we possess the ability to employ our words to promote healing, ignite inspiration, and bring about transformative change. https://medium.com/writers-blokke/when-you-despair-as-a-writer-79532315a655
#writingcommunity #September11 #healingwords

Writing in the midst of despair can present a formidable challenge for any writer. The tragic events that unfolded on September 11th in 2001 were particularly devastating and had a profound impact on numerous individuals. As authors, we possess the ability to employ our words to promote healing, ignite inspiration, and bring about transformative change. https://medium.com/writers-blokke/when-you-despair-as-a-writer-79532315a655
#writingcommunity #September11 #healingwords