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Lock Horns

Lock Horns

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Lock Horns--Elk fightingIf you have seen elk or other animals lock horns, you know exactly what this expression means. Two animals fight one another. The fight often results in locked horns (or antlers).

A fight usually begins when the animals:

  • Face one another
  • Dig their feet in the dirt
  • Run toward each other
  • Hit their heads together

Two males often fight over a female.

If we lock horns with one another, we have conflict.

Our conflict may be:

  • Physical fights
  • Verbal arguments

Locking horns may also affect us:

  • Mentally
  • Emotionally
  • Spiritually

Conflict may arise over:

  • Money
  • Jobs
  • Relationships (romance, family, friends)
  • Silly disagreements

Sometimes we must lock horns.

We see wrongs that need to be made right. Our efforts may not be easy. Yet, we must figure out how to make necessary changes happen.

Usually, we want to avoid locking horns.

Much that we fight over is not worth the fight. We end up hurting others and ourselves. We get off on the wrong foot. Then we have to mend fences.

We can disagree without locking horns. That sounds like the better plan.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

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If the Shoe Fits, Wear ItIf the shoe fits, wear it sounds like a shoe ad. However, we usually mean something much different:

If people say anything bad, but true, about us, admit it.

We may not like to hear it. Yet, if we complain, someone may say, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” In other words, if it applies, accept it. Face the music.

If the shoe fits, wear it may follow:

  • “He called me lazy.”
  • “She said I can’t cook.”
  • “The doctor said I need to exercise more.”

Perhaps we need to change shoes.

Just because a shoe fits, we don’t have to keep wearing it. We can choose other shoes.

If we have a bad habit, we don’t have to keep doing it. We can come clean. We can choose a different way to live.

  • Work harder, if we don’t want to be called lazy.
  • Take cooking lessons, if our food tastes bad.
  • Exercise more to get a better doctor’s report.

We may have our work cut out for us, but we can do it.

Choose the best shoes for the best fit.

“Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God” (Ephesians 6:15 TLB).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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Johnny on the Spot

Johnny on the Spot

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Johnny on the Spot--flowersA Johnny on the spot helps anytime he is needed.

He remains:

  • Prepared
  • Willing to work

Every day he gets up ready to put his hand to the plow.

According to the NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary, a Johnny on the spot is “in the right place at the right time.”

Employers love such workers.

The workers:

  • Have the tools they need
  • Get to work on time
  • Do a good job

Johnny on the spot can refer to anyone of any age or position.

Whether men, women, boys, or girls, they decide to do their best at whatever they do.

  • Gardeners remain ready to garden.
  • Drivers remain ready to drive.
  • Students remain ready to study.

A Johnny on the spot teaches by example.

He helps keep everyone else on their toes:

  • Younger workers learn good work habits.
  • Older workers decide to work harder.
  • Bosses often learn as well.

Like the pictured flower garden, a Johnny on the spot bears good fruit. He also encourages others to do the same.

“Remind them … to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1 NKJV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell for the suggestion

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On the Square

On the Square

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On the Square-Kristy HorinePlease welcome my friend Kristy Robinson Horine as today’s guest writer. Kristy and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, where she serves on staff. Kristy makes her life in Paris, Kentucky with her husband, Eric, and is mother to four children – Hanson, Anna, Emily, and Sadie. Her professional and creative work has been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies in Kentucky and beyond. Kristy can be reached via email: kristyhorine@gmail.com.

On the Square--Patrick Joseph Moran plaque

 

In the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum, a bronze plaque and statue honor former Reds manager, Patrick Joseph Moran.

The plaque lists Moran’s achievements. It also says, “He played life’s game on the square, beloved by both players and the public.”

Many Squares

In real life, we try not to end up as a square peg in a round hole. However, no one can escape the reality of a square life. We often have:

  • Square roots in math
  • Public squares in politics and speech
  • Square deals in business and trade

Or,

  • We can be squared away when we tie up all our loose ends.
  • We can square off against opponents in any area.

On the Square: 2 carpenter squaresPerhaps the best kind of square is like the one a carpenter uses.

Carpenter squares come in many sizes and are made of varied materials. They have a 90-degree right angle. Some have a cross bar between the angle’s two sides for additional measurement.

To be squared up against a carpenter’s square is to be true, steady, and wise.

  • A wall that is not square poses a danger to those inside or out. Angles that are too wide (obtuse) or too narrow (acute) cannot support weight without falling eventually.
  • A floor that is not level causes objects to slide, roll, or lose balance.

Walls, floors, and lives built on the square:

  • Are not in danger of toppling over
  • Do not cause others to slide, roll, or lose balance
  • Bear up well under weight.

May we all live our lives as if we were built by the best carpenter of all time – Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (Psalm 102:25 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Crocodile Tears

Crocodile Tears

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Crocodile Tears--crocodile in a swampWe don’t want anyone to cry crocodile tears for us. Neither do we want to cry crocodile tears for anyone else.

Crocodile tears mean false tears.

We act sad about something, but we really don’t care.

Years ago people thought crocodiles cried either:

  • To trap their victims
  • Or as they ate their victims

However, any tears crocodiles shed are not tears of sorrow. You can read more about that here.

Examples of crocodile tears include:

  • Saying we are sorry someone lost a job we plan to take
  • Crying at the funeral of someone we never liked
  • Acting sad we hurt someone we meant to hurt

Rather than crocodile tears, may we honestly care for one another.

  • Love like Jesus loves.
  • Live like Jesus lives.
  • Give like Jesus gives.
  • Forgive like Jesus forgives.

May we be as good as our word (and our tears).

When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow (Romans 12:15 TLB).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Free and Clear

Free and Clear

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Free and Clear--white houseIf we own something free and clear, it belongs to us.

We owe nothing for it. Many of us make house payments for years. After the final payment, our house belongs to us free and clear. That makes us feel free as a bird.

Sometimes we receive free and clear gifts.

We owe nothing for those gifts. They may come from:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Anyone

Other times we give free and clear gifts.

When we hear of needs, we want to help. Therefore, we give and expect nothing in return.

We may also give for no special reason. We simply like to share.

Gifts may be large or small.

Many cost little or nothing, such as:

  • Notes
  • Crafts
  • Food
  • Flowers or vegetables from our gardens

People who sign up for my email list receive:

  • My weekly blog posts
  • News about my writing journey
  • Occasional gifts

The first email includes a link for a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days That Hurt.” I like to thank subscribers for their support. Small gifts help me do that.

God offers us the greatest gift of all.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).

What free and clear gifts do you like to give?

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Down in the Mouth

Down in the Mouth

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Down in the Mouth-sad puppy between two smiling scarecrowsWe all get down in the mouth sometimes.

Down in the mouth and down in the dumps mean almost the same. We feel:

  • Sad
  • Depressed
  • Hopeless

In the middle of smiling faces, we still feel bad.

We may be able to hide how we feel when we get down in the dumps.

Usually people know when we feel down in the mouth.

Happy faces disappear. Smiles turn upside down. We:

  • Frown
  • Cry
  • Have nothing good to say

Hard times often make us down in the mouth.

We have trouble with:

  • Relationships
  • Jobs
  • Health
  • Daily life
  • Bad news of any kind

We don’t have to stay down in the mouth.

Sure, life gets hard. We all have problems. However, good can come from the hardest times. God offers hope in both good times and bad.

Therefore, let’s remember to always:

  • Count our blessings
  • Learn from tough cookies who have gone through worse times than ours
  • Look to God for guidance

“My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you” (Psalm 42:6 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion and to Gosser Farms for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment.

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Put Your Foot in Your Mouth

Put Your Foot in Your Mouth

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Put Your Foot in Your Mouth--baby with foot in mouthEveryone smiles at a baby with its foot in its mouth. However, you don’t want to put your foot in your mouth as an adult.

I doubt most of you can physically get your foot to your mouth. Yet, most have probably had foot-in-your-mouth moments. You wish you had kept your mouth shut.

When you put your foot in your mouth you say something you regret.

Your words sound:

  • Silly
  • Mean
  • Insulting
  • Embarrassing

Once out of your mouth, you wish you could take those words back.

But you cannot. You end up in hot water.

Think before you speak.

Sometimes you need to bite your tongue instead of saying anything. Silence is golden more often than you realize.

Better to keep quiet than get off on the wrong foot.

“Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (Proverbs 10:19 TLB).

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together--geese flying in V formationBirds of a feather flock together is true for people as well as birds. A flock (noun) is a group of birds, animals, or people. When birds, animals, or people flock (verb) together, they get together. They form a group.

Birds often flock with other birds like them.

They also fly together, as we see with these geese. Flocks provide safety and support.

Birds of a feather flock together means people stay with people like them.

Groups may form based on:

  • Interests
  • Beliefs
  • Looks
  • Goals
  • Backgrounds

People also form groups for safety and support.

Birds of a feather flock together can be a warning.

Adults warn children or youth about certain groups. Young people may see no harm. However, adults fear:

  • The groups’ effect on their children
  • Their children’s reputation when with those groups

People can learn from birds of a different feather.

To figure out one another, people must spend time together. Friendships with people of another background offer wonderful rewards. These include new:

  • Knowledge
  • Food
  • Music
  • Language
  • Activities

Sharing another person’s culture offers richness to any life.

Spend time with birds of a feather. Also reach out to birds in other flocks from here to Timbuktu. God created a wide, wonderful world. Enjoy all its variety.

“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork” (Job 39:13 NIV).

Thanks to Kay Emerick for the suggestion and Jeri Stone for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Mad as a Wet Hen

Mad as a Wet Hen

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Mad as a Wet Hen--chickenWhen we get mad as a wet hen, we get angry – very angry.

This seems like a strange expression, because most hens don’t mind getting wet. (Hen usually means a female chicken.)

We may not get mad often. Yet, most of us get mad as a wet hen or fit to be tied when people:

  • Hurt someone we love
  • Steal from us
  • Lie to us

Sometimes we get mad as a wet hen for no good reason. A little problem occurs, but we make a mountain out of a molehill. We usually regret that anger.

How do we act when we get mad as a wet hen?

We have several bad choices:

  • Fly off the handle and do something we regret
  • Scream like a baby
  • Destroy property
  • Hit something or someone

We also have several good choices:

  • Think before we act
  • Admit our anger
  • Learn how to express anger without hurting anyone
  • Use our anger to improve life for everyone, if possible

As with all emotions, we choose how we show anger.

May we always use it for good.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).

Thanks to Pam Barnes Harlow for the photo.

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