A frequent item in the news as of late has to do with the matter of catalytic converter theft. The matter has become quite a problem since the pandemic. So much so that we are told by insurance professionals that, nationwide, occurrences rose from just over 100 a month in 2018 to around 1200 a month in 2020. Apparently, the state of California and larger metropolitan areas nationwide have been hit the hardest.
The reason is that catalytic converters contain certain valuable elements such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. These elements are each worth more than gold. For instance, at one point in 2021, rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per troy ounce. For this reason, thieves have turned to stealing converters from unsuspecting car owners, leaving them with a bill of from $1000 t0 $3000 to replace this essential automotive component.
Since 1975, every vehicle in America has been required to be fitted with one of these converters on their exhaust system. The reason is that they convert toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide to less noxious gasses such as oxygen and nitrogen. In short, they are an essential filter designed to prevent the spewing of harmful exhaust into the atmosphere. And in truth, few modern inventions have done as much to help curtail pollution as has this simple device.
Before the advent of catalytic converters, a plethora of noxious gasses were constantly being spewed into the atmosphere by each and every vehicle out on the roadway. Since then, that amount has been drastically reduced.
Let’s face it – filters matter! If a vehicle runs without an exhaust filter, it produces unnecessary and excessive amounts of pollutants. The same is true for intake filters on automobiles, which work to prevent the intake of unwanted pollutants into the combustion system. The same is also true for HVAC systems in our homes and other dwellings.
But vehicles and buildings are not the only things that need filters. People do as well. During the pandemic, we all wore masks to help prevent the transfer of COVID germs. Surgeons, physicians, and technicians regularly wear masks daily for similar purposes. As do individuals who work in laboratory settings requiring sterile environments.
It would be imprudent and improper for any of these individuals to proceed with their daily tasks without the use of filters. And the same may well apply to everyone, even those of us who do not work in such environs.
In truth, I have known many an individual who would have done well to employ a filter on their mouths. This is because they have repeatedly spewed forth harmful and destructive words that were uttered with little or no thought to the impact such words might have on others!
My title in this post is borrowed from a trending social media phenomenon. It has to do with pictures that get posted online with evidence of little to no effort at prior review or editing. While I do not utilize social media, I can well imagine the consequence of such a practice. I have seen the counterpart in spoken words.
In his eponymous New Testament letter (chapter 3, verses 1-18), the Apostle James reminds us all of the significance of taming the tongue…
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Interestingly enough, James concludes his admonition here with these words: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.” He is clearly suggesting here that the best way to sew in peace is to put a filter on our tongues! When we do, we cease to spew forth jealousy and selfish ambition resulting in disorder and every evil practice!
Do you need a filter today? One way to find the answer to this question is to grasp the effect of what you dispense upon others. If you do undertake such an assessment, and find the answer unacceptable, then why not do us all a favor and find some way to sift and soften the noxiousness of your exhaust?! You’ll be glad you did. And so will those around you!
STORY SOURCES:
https://www.rategenius.com/catalytic-converter-theft;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE:
https://biblehub.com/bsb/james/3.htm.
The reason is that catalytic converters contain certain valuable elements such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. These elements are each worth more than gold. For instance, at one point in 2021, rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per troy ounce. For this reason, thieves have turned to stealing converters from unsuspecting car owners, leaving them with a bill of from $1000 t0 $3000 to replace this essential automotive component.
Since 1975, every vehicle in America has been required to be fitted with one of these converters on their exhaust system. The reason is that they convert toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide to less noxious gasses such as oxygen and nitrogen. In short, they are an essential filter designed to prevent the spewing of harmful exhaust into the atmosphere. And in truth, few modern inventions have done as much to help curtail pollution as has this simple device.
Before the advent of catalytic converters, a plethora of noxious gasses were constantly being spewed into the atmosphere by each and every vehicle out on the roadway. Since then, that amount has been drastically reduced.
Let’s face it – filters matter! If a vehicle runs without an exhaust filter, it produces unnecessary and excessive amounts of pollutants. The same is true for intake filters on automobiles, which work to prevent the intake of unwanted pollutants into the combustion system. The same is also true for HVAC systems in our homes and other dwellings.
But vehicles and buildings are not the only things that need filters. People do as well. During the pandemic, we all wore masks to help prevent the transfer of COVID germs. Surgeons, physicians, and technicians regularly wear masks daily for similar purposes. As do individuals who work in laboratory settings requiring sterile environments.
It would be imprudent and improper for any of these individuals to proceed with their daily tasks without the use of filters. And the same may well apply to everyone, even those of us who do not work in such environs.
In truth, I have known many an individual who would have done well to employ a filter on their mouths. This is because they have repeatedly spewed forth harmful and destructive words that were uttered with little or no thought to the impact such words might have on others!
My title in this post is borrowed from a trending social media phenomenon. It has to do with pictures that get posted online with evidence of little to no effort at prior review or editing. While I do not utilize social media, I can well imagine the consequence of such a practice. I have seen the counterpart in spoken words.
In his eponymous New Testament letter (chapter 3, verses 1-18), the Apostle James reminds us all of the significance of taming the tongue…
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
Interestingly enough, James concludes his admonition here with these words: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.” He is clearly suggesting here that the best way to sew in peace is to put a filter on our tongues! When we do, we cease to spew forth jealousy and selfish ambition resulting in disorder and every evil practice!
Do you need a filter today? One way to find the answer to this question is to grasp the effect of what you dispense upon others. If you do undertake such an assessment, and find the answer unacceptable, then why not do us all a favor and find some way to sift and soften the noxiousness of your exhaust?! You’ll be glad you did. And so will those around you!
STORY SOURCES:
https://www.rategenius.com/catalytic-converter-theft;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE:
https://biblehub.com/bsb/james/3.htm.