Posted by Dr. Bob on August 14, 2002, at 10:26:02
In reply to Dr. Bob re: Colin Wallace block, posted by johnj on August 12, 2002, at 20:12:46
> I know you have banned Colin in the past, but I got a much needed chuckle out of his comment. Is there not any leeway for a joke or sarcastic response for some spamming this site? I consider that poster's spam much more offensive than what Colin said. Just because someone was banned in the past shouldn't lower the threshold for banning them in the future. I sometimes feel your intention is to run people off of here. I have gotten much needed insight and support from exchanging info from people like Colin, Ron, Isom, and many others. And the guests you have had also. I wouldn't might a friendly jab or poke if I was out of order and spam is out of order. Thanks for listening
First, I'd just like to say it's been great to see some old posters again. I hope we can find some way to coexist (relatively) peacefully.
As far as leeway, one match can start a forest fire. Maybe a preacher can get this across more effectively than I seem to be able to:
> James ... compares the tongue to a forest fire. How many times have we heard of forest fires being started by one match. Think of the Chicago fire on October 8, 1871. It started when Mrs. O'Leary was milking her cow and the cow kicked over an oil lamp; some hay caught on fire, until all the hay in the stable was on fire, then the next building was on fire, and the next and the next!
>
> When the fire was finally extinguished, there were only two buildings standing. The little flame from that lamp destroyed 17,500 buildings, 300 died, 125,000 homeless & $400 Million damage.
>
> Is your tongue like that? Do you have no control over it? ...
>
> Then James compares our tongues to wild animals. James reminds us that we can tame wild animals, but we still can't tame the tongue, it's a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We can go to Sea World and see a killer whale kiss its trainer, we can see people hold deadly snakes, we see lions and tigers tamed, but it's so difficult to train our tongues not to be filled with a deadly poison. ...
>
> So, how do we learn to tame our tongues?
>
> A few practical suggestions —
>
> If you can't say something good, say nothing. President Lincoln once said, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
>
> Another president, Calvin Coolidge once said, "I have never been hurt by anything I did not say."
>
> Proverbs 10:19 tells us "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
>
> Think before you speak. Again, remember James practical advice from 1:19, 'listen, listen, listen, be slow to speak and slow to become angry.' ...
>
> If you think you are heading down the wrong path of injuring another person because of what you say or how you say it, then ask yourself "How can I build up instead of tear down?"
>
> Proverbs 12:18 says "Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Is that true for the way you react when someone says something you don't like? Do your words just come flying out . . . before you can think?
>
> Then use the acronym think —
>
> T - Is it true?
> H - Is it helpful?
> I - Is it inspiring?
> N - Is it necessary?
> K - Is it kind?
>
> If what we are about to say does not pass these tests, we should keep our mouth shut. It works!
>
> http://www.fbcashland.org/Sept3001.htmlRemember, only you can prevent forest fires!
http://www.smokeybear.com/vault/history.asp
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:7124
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020725/msgs/7138.html