Speak Blessing – Today we continue with the Epistle of James, written to a congregation that the writer feels has strayed.  In today’s reading from chapter 3, using some analogies the writer cautions against the harmful words one can utter – a small rudder can change the course of a great ship.  Rev. Will McLeane relates an account of John Lewis, about to speak in anger in the midst of the civil rights movement, who was cautioned by Martin Luther King, Jr., and another friend who both challenged Lewis to change to non-violent rhetoric, which he did, and very effectively so.  The writer of James muses about words of blessing and of cursing from the same mouth.  Words can transform, and the words of Jesus are the prime example.  God’s blessing of creation, and especially of the creation of humans should indicate that the first language of God’s people is blessing.  We should reflect on the question of whom God is calling us to bless, and is it not all others who are created in God’s image?    (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)