They speak of You with evil intent; Your adversaries misuse Your Name. Psalm 139:20

Although most of us in the fly-over states love California, many of us have to admit we don't always understand.

We certainly understand when Californians brag about their climate, but we wonder why someone might build a multi-million-dollar house on a slope where a good rain will wash it down the hill.

We understand the benefits of being able to go swimming in the ocean and skiing in the mountains, but we don't understand the highway design which seems to produce 24/7 traffic jams.

We understand California often leads the way in fighting for social causes, but we don't always understand what those causes are all about.

Having said that, most Christians do appreciate the fact that California has been working with a resolution that would declare the first week in March to be "Cuss-Free Week."

In case you're curious, Cuss-Free Week is the idea of a South Pasadena teenager, McKay Hatch. Hatch founded a No-Cussing Club at his junior high. Today, his crusade to stamp out profanity has caused more than 35,000 people to join the No-Cussing Club.

Hatch believes a cuss-free world would be a more harmonious one. He maintains that we ought to use the things we say to build people up rather than tear them down.

Now there are all kinds of things that could be said about Cuss-Free Week. We could ask, "Isn't it sad legislature has to pass a law so our language can be cleaned up?" We could inquiry, "Why stop with one week? Why not add the other 51?"

Personally, I prefer to say, "Thank you McKay Hatch." As a minister, I like it when people respect each other and when they honor the Lord's Name. God likes it, too. As our text says, the Lord really isn't keen on it when people speak of Him with evil intent or when His adversaries use His Name.

Having seen the Savior and being recipients of His gracious sacrifice, our references to the Divinity ought to be respectful, reverential, and courteous.

Not because it's the law, but because it's right.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, because we are grateful for all You have done, allow our references to You to be filled with thanks and praise. This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 25    Mark 11:1-18

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