Someone to Talk too

The other day I saw that there was a certain celebrity that was able to talk a suicidal man down off a building, where the rapper celebrity happenened to be doing a radio interview. Pretty awesome to see someone talk a jumper down. The point I took away was this: We all need someone to talk too! Life happens and sometimes sucks. There are natural frustrations in life, and sometimes there are things that happen that we need people to be able to just listen to us vent and get the frustration out. Those who bottle it up sometimes make irrational decisions. Some people have no one to talk too. Some may be the person doing the listening. Either way, both roles are important and it is wise to have in these people in life. Some people come home from work having a bad day, maybe home life isn't any better, maybe a financial turn blows your plan, and maybe what you thought was right turned out wrong. The point is this, all of us need to be able to have a friend, or confidant you can talk too. I know I need those people in my life and I know I am that person for others. Instead of getting to the point of this man, last week who was ready to end it all, I thought-this guy had no one to turn too that would listen? He didn't have any options? I pray and hope that either I am that person for someone who is this desperate, or I pray that when I need to talk to someone-they will listen. I know who those people are in my life, the question is...DO YOU?

Stand Behind What You Say!

This time of year brings out the "he said, she said" statements as political campaigns are in full force of smearing each other. I just mute or change the channel now, because I already know people are screwing up America. We have also moved to a place in our society where many public statements, and even private, have to be retracted, because someone was offended by a remark of another. So, this is what I have to say about that...if you can't say something you can stand behind, then shut your friggin' mouth. I'm tired of people having to apologize for statements they said because people had their feelings hurt. I realize people say stupid stuff, that is because we are human, and in case people have forgotten, we are not perfect. I also understand the new trend is too attack people who don't agree with you on certain political, religious, or even social issues. So, we have too many people apologizing for things said-to put a band aid on a minor scratch, and get people back on board of "like me again" campaign. This political correctness is leading us down a very slow and painful death as a country. It seems this is the season when attacks are vicious and every word is micro scoped til death of a candidate. Tis the season! I have said some things I regretted. I have said thing behind closed doors, and I have said things in front of groups of people, that made me feel like an idiot later-but hey, who hasn't ever felt like an idiot at least once in their life? If you have a solid belief or stance on something you should feel free to stand up and speak up and don't feel the need to apologize. The warning is be careful about what you say. A wise man once told me to think before I speak, and make sure that what comes out of my mouth is what I intended to come out. If I operate by these standards then I should not have to issue some statement apologizing for my error in judgment pertaining to my vocabulary or delivery of a statement. Words have hurt me, words have helped me, and words have been used to correct me-that my friends, is called life. James gives us a great warning revolving the use of the tongue: James 3:5-6 (NIV)
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
So there you have it- James warns us, the tongue can be a dangerous weapon if used improperly, so if you are going to say something, think before you speak and then be able to stand behind what you say!

Who's Your Tour Guide?

In my life I have had numerous tour guides. I have toured national landmarks, power plants, churches, radio stations, wineries, parks, production sets, and television studios to name a few. Even the Jungle Ride at Disneyland gave me a tour guide to make sure that I didn't get lost or eaten alive. Each tour guide offered me insight and wisdom. The question for you right now is, who is in your life guiding you? Guidance is something all of us need in our life on a regular basis. Guidance comes in wisdom and counsel of the wise. Those in your life that offer guidance can come in many shapes, sizes, and relationships. I know that I am in need of having wise people around me to help me understand things I have yet to grasp. I also realize I may be that person for someone else. As I was writing this blog I got a call from someone who needed guidance. I was able to give my professional opinion and encouraged them in finding faith and relationship with Jesus. I love some tour guides and others are hard to handle- I love the words of the tour guide in Proverbs, where we are encouraged to not get sidetracked and resist temptation in chapter 4. It goes on to say, "hold close to you instruction and dont let it go. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble." I know I want to be wise, and follow the right tour guide. There are plenty of tour guides out there leading people to wrong decisions, time wasters, and boring tours. Make sure you have a great tour guide and if the opportunity presents itslef, make sure you are giving the right tour yourself-one that leads to great reward.