Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All Paperback – January 6, 2015

Excellent book. Uses Biblical references. I love it

ave you ever stopped to think about the “aweful” (and sometimes awful) power our tongues can have? Like, maybe, when you put your foot in your mouth…again? Or, perhaps, you have pondered the good in your life when someone spoke words of kindness and encouragement. Karen Ehman has written a special, down-to-earth book for those interested in taming the tongue: Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All.This book is humorous and full of anecdotes. It is also biblically based and gets REAL about the issues that all honest women will admit arise in their lives from time to time—especially in this digital age. Ehman addresses various problems of communication including listening, talking to God before talking to others, gossip, flattery, and anger. She shares verses from Proverbs as the original tweets, and they are powerful. It turns out the Bible has a lot to say about what we have to say.Ehman concludes Keep It Shut by summarizing tips and tricks derived from the body of her book as a quick and easy way to refer back to those truths. She discusses ways to find time and opportunities to get away with God for a few minutes or hours to be grounded in Him so you can make Godly decisions about what to say and when to say it. She lists ten verses that will “help you watch your words.” She has questions to ponder to help you examine your motives and decide if something is gossip or not. Ehman doesn’t stop at the negative. She also includes “powerful phrases” to speak to various people in your life and Scripture verses, quotes, and phrases that you can photocopy and display around your home or office as reminders.Keep It Shut had a surprisingly big impact on me, giving me a lot to think about. One example is the “white lie.” Yes, I do tell white lies occasionally to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Ehman discusses the dangers of that and offers alternatives. I recommend Keep It Shut for the humor, the chatty presentation, and the Godly truths found in its pages.

Good read!

Keep It Shut is a helpful and practical guide that serves as a great reminder of the power of our words. Whether you’re looking to improve your communication, build stronger relationships, or simply create more peace in your life, this book is an easy, insightful, and encouraging read. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a positive, realistic approach to navigating speech in a noisy world.

Just reviewed my notes from this book again because I believe it is a valuable reference for all of us who know too well the embarrassment, isolation, and grief that come from our runaway words.It covers flattery, gossip, digital words, learning to be a better listener, tone (how to say what you say), controlling angry words, the beautiful ways to use your words for good, arrogance and humility, the power of prayer to guide our words, and how to communicate appropriately with others in various situations and relationships. I love the list of powerful phrases to share with parents, spouse, children, and friends--words we all long to hear but no one ever thinks to say until its too late. There are quotes to cut out and a handy summary guide at the end of each chapter. There is even a yummy recipe tied into the theme of the book, but I won't spoil that for you. Very clever!What I treasure most in this book is Mrs. Ehman's unflinching honesty about herself: her motives, thoughts, mistakes. Moreover, I sincerely commiserate with her on the issue of receiving hurtful comments from friends and family on her weight. She has sage advice for that situation, too, if it is something you might also be dealing with. For Mrs. Ehman and fellow Christians who struggle with weight, I would tell her that I have recently discovered the most entertaining and inspiring book which is nevertheless packed with a solid plan to help with that issue by entirely changing the way we think about food. It is called Skinny School by Julie Gordan, an inspired Christian advocate for women's marriages and health. It is a weight-loss self-help book that reads like a romance novel but acts as a workbook. You will love it.Thanks to Mrs. Ehman, there is hope for us that we can learn to harness the power of our words to make the most of them and minimize collateral damage.

This book is amazing. The tips and scripture given to speak words laced with grace & that honor the Father are wonderful. Throughout my time reading this book, I found myself holding my tongue a bit better and saying things I normally would have an attitude about in a nicer way. I’m thankful that the Lord has worked more in me because my mouth was definitely something that needed major work. He’s still working, and I’m thankful! I HIGHLY recommend you get this book, especially if you want to work on “what to say, how to say it, and when to say nothing at all.”

“Keep It Shut” deserves a solid 10/10 in my book! The author delivers a powerful message about the impact of our words, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in both what we say and how we say it. The inclusion of biblical scriptures adds depth and wisdom to the narrative. This book serves as a timely reminder to be cautious with our words, fostering positive communication ALL the time! A must-read for anyone seeking personal growth and mindful interaction. It’s a game-changer & a great way to start off 2024!