In honor of President Obama's State of the Union address and because I've had such a wonderful day I thought I would share some of my favorite passages on speech and the free exercise thereof:
Let's start with the First Amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
As every journalist knows, the First Amendment is not a get out of jail free card. According to the Tennessee Injury Law Center, there is a such thing as defamation. Actually, 2 kinds of defamation - libel and slander. Basically, libel is if you write something that is untue and results in injury to a person's reputation or character. Slander is when you speak something untrue that results in injury to a person's reputation or character. According to the Center, libel and slander do "not occur just because the statement is annoying, offensive, or embarrassing to a person."
This is the first tenent of journalism. It is the very first thing that you learn. It's funny how in the course of my job people that we do stories on forget this. Do I empathize that there are situations that some people would rather remain hidden? Who wants to see their lives played out on the 5pm news or the internet? But sometimes speaking the truth - exposing your (or my own)ills to the public - can keep others from going down the same path. Or it could right a wrong. And that's important.
In Proverbs 18:21 it states:
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Or how about Proverbs 10:7-11,
7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,[b]
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
I really believe that journalism is a noble profession. TMZ - well, that's another blog all together. But I love my job. I love what I do. And speaking truth is what I am good at - even when I speak it about myself and my misdeeds. But like the saying goes: "The pen is mightier than the sword."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
I'm Calling Roll.. well, maybe not
Remember when you were in school and the teacher called your name. And you raised your hand and said "here!" or "Present!" Remember that? Well, today I am calling roll. I think too often we cover for people and let stuff slide. We call fat kids "chunky." Or tell bad children they have "anger management issues." We don't call stuff by name. So today I am going to call folks by name. Ready?
Well, maybe I won't call you by name. But I will say this: you reap what you sow. You may not believe it. You may not want to listen to a word I say, but believe me... you reap what you sow. I understand. Haters are going to hate. Everyone isn't going to be happy for you. Some folks - especially those that had a vested interest in the negativity - are not going to cheer for your growth/victory/development. And that's ok. I understand.
I am constantly amazed by some people. The people who hate on you actually are the very people that should thank God every day for your deliverance. If they only knew! A few years ago, this would be a whole different blog.. probably a "Tales from Riverbend Prison" Blog. But God had to deal with me. He had to deal with my temper. He had to really sit me down and say, "I got it. You just keep on moving forward." And that is what I try to do - most days. I have to be honest here, right? Right. When stupid people try to come at me, I admit sometimes I want to just go Kanye/Jay-Z on them- straight "H.A.M." But I don't. I pull back - not because I can't, not because they don't deserve it, not even because I don't feel like it. I pull back because for me the real show of control, strength, power, and growth is not how many people I can make cry, but how many I can leave to grow along their own road to Damascus. And while they are hating on me; I am praying for them. I am blessing them. I am doing more for them than they will ever know. And while they should be appreciative, it's ok. This isn't for my glory, or even for theirs, but for His.
It's something that every winner must face when a prize is fairly won. It's looking the loser in the face after you've been declared the winner. Think about it. You see the anger/regret/disappointment that is etched across their brow, and while you feel sorry for them, there's nothing you can do. The better person won.
I can appreciate the loser who takes her loss like a woman. Who understands her missteps and goes back to training camp and learns from the loss? What I can't understand is the sore loser. The hateful loser. The loser who tries to call the ref's and make them review tape. You know the ones who threaten, cry, blackmail and plead but still come up empty. A little advice. Be upset over the loss but then take your "L" like a grown up. Go back to training camp and watch your play tape. Get a good coach. And study up on the playbook. Check out Proverbs 31:10-31. Or how about Proverbs 6:26-29. And please end with John 8:1-11. Actually, this is my favorite one.. that last line: "Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Well, maybe I won't call you by name. But I will say this: you reap what you sow. You may not believe it. You may not want to listen to a word I say, but believe me... you reap what you sow. I understand. Haters are going to hate. Everyone isn't going to be happy for you. Some folks - especially those that had a vested interest in the negativity - are not going to cheer for your growth/victory/development. And that's ok. I understand.
I am constantly amazed by some people. The people who hate on you actually are the very people that should thank God every day for your deliverance. If they only knew! A few years ago, this would be a whole different blog.. probably a "Tales from Riverbend Prison" Blog. But God had to deal with me. He had to deal with my temper. He had to really sit me down and say, "I got it. You just keep on moving forward." And that is what I try to do - most days. I have to be honest here, right? Right. When stupid people try to come at me, I admit sometimes I want to just go Kanye/Jay-Z on them- straight "H.A.M." But I don't. I pull back - not because I can't, not because they don't deserve it, not even because I don't feel like it. I pull back because for me the real show of control, strength, power, and growth is not how many people I can make cry, but how many I can leave to grow along their own road to Damascus. And while they are hating on me; I am praying for them. I am blessing them. I am doing more for them than they will ever know. And while they should be appreciative, it's ok. This isn't for my glory, or even for theirs, but for His.
It's something that every winner must face when a prize is fairly won. It's looking the loser in the face after you've been declared the winner. Think about it. You see the anger/regret/disappointment that is etched across their brow, and while you feel sorry for them, there's nothing you can do. The better person won.
I can appreciate the loser who takes her loss like a woman. Who understands her missteps and goes back to training camp and learns from the loss? What I can't understand is the sore loser. The hateful loser. The loser who tries to call the ref's and make them review tape. You know the ones who threaten, cry, blackmail and plead but still come up empty. A little advice. Be upset over the loss but then take your "L" like a grown up. Go back to training camp and watch your play tape. Get a good coach. And study up on the playbook. Check out Proverbs 31:10-31. Or how about Proverbs 6:26-29. And please end with John 8:1-11. Actually, this is my favorite one.. that last line: "Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Friday, January 14, 2011
Back to the Basics
I love ballet. Well, honestly, I love most forms of dancing. But I really love ballet and modern dance. You know about the Alvin Ailey Dancers, don't you? The beautiful music, the grace of their limbs, the way their bodies tell a story so completely, are all reasons I love dance. Dancers take the stage and deliver a wonderful performance. But no matter how beautiful the performance, every dancer worth their salt attends a barre class from time to time. For those of you that aren't dancers, a barre class is a class of ballet basics. And the basics don't change. A plie is a plie. But every good dancer goes back to the barre to perfect their form. Why? Because your form changes after months of dancing. You begin to take on the habits that you repeat daily. From the way a certain choreographer wants you to move to the aches and pains of your body - all contribute to changing your form. So great dancers always return home to the barre.
My husband reminded me of that today. I need to go back to the spiritual barre. Because right now I am pretty beat up and worn from dancing on too many stages and listening to to many choreographers. I am worn out. I need to go back to the barre and get my own beat back in my head. The beat the Holy Spirit gave to me and me alone. Only then can I dance all night.
My husband reminded me of that today. I need to go back to the spiritual barre. Because right now I am pretty beat up and worn from dancing on too many stages and listening to to many choreographers. I am worn out. I need to go back to the barre and get my own beat back in my head. The beat the Holy Spirit gave to me and me alone. Only then can I dance all night.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011: Fresh Slate (The Study Guide)
Here are a few tools to help you stay focused for 2011:
When the enemy is telling you that you are never going to make it, refer them to:
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Or when you are overwhelmed and ready to quit, try:
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
What about when you start to question if the vision God's given to you will come to pass?
Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
Or when you are backed into a corner and see no way out?
Psalm 3:7-8
7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
What about when you don't know which way to go?
2 Corinthians 5:7 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
How about when you are just fed up and ready to snap off on folks? (yeah, that one was real personal!)
1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Or when that person that is sooo fine but means you no good calls at 11:35pm and wants to come over and talk...
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
And for me, when I spend more time talking about God than talking to God:
1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
When the enemy is telling you that you are never going to make it, refer them to:
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Or when you are overwhelmed and ready to quit, try:
Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
What about when you start to question if the vision God's given to you will come to pass?
Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
Or when you are backed into a corner and see no way out?
Psalm 3:7-8
7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
What about when you don't know which way to go?
2 Corinthians 5:7 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
How about when you are just fed up and ready to snap off on folks? (yeah, that one was real personal!)
1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Or when that person that is sooo fine but means you no good calls at 11:35pm and wants to come over and talk...
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
And for me, when I spend more time talking about God than talking to God:
1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
2011: Fresh Slate
I was in a small church in another county a few weeks ago. The pastor there was amazing and delivered a Word tailor made for my life. The subject was "I ain't letting my enemy in my 2011." Yep. I know. That's not grammatically correct. But it was the Word that I needed to hear. God really thumped me upside the head and said, "Hey you! I am talking to you!"
Then last night at my church's Watch Night service, my own pastor confirmed the message. When he stepped into the pulpit, the first words he said were, "You can't carry last year into 2011." There are some things that need to be left behind in 2010. And you know me. I am organized. I have a full list with the enemy's first and last names, events, feelings, etc. And it all needs to be left behind. Period.
That doesn't mean that your enemy got the memo. Knowing how the enemy works, I bet they DIDN'T get the memo. But what matters is, I did. I heard God loud and clear. Now let's be honest. The enemy may try to walk into your new year, but so what. The fact that you are different is what matters. And let's be honest, it's your reaction to the enemy that determines whether or not you allow them into your new year.
So, cue the song. You know it. "Nah-nah, nah, nah, nah-nah, nah, nah.. goodbye." The enemy can kick and scream outside my door but it's staying outside my door.
Goodbye, enemy. Hello, restoration. Hello, rebuilding. Hello, 2011.
Then last night at my church's Watch Night service, my own pastor confirmed the message. When he stepped into the pulpit, the first words he said were, "You can't carry last year into 2011." There are some things that need to be left behind in 2010. And you know me. I am organized. I have a full list with the enemy's first and last names, events, feelings, etc. And it all needs to be left behind. Period.
That doesn't mean that your enemy got the memo. Knowing how the enemy works, I bet they DIDN'T get the memo. But what matters is, I did. I heard God loud and clear. Now let's be honest. The enemy may try to walk into your new year, but so what. The fact that you are different is what matters. And let's be honest, it's your reaction to the enemy that determines whether or not you allow them into your new year.
So, cue the song. You know it. "Nah-nah, nah, nah, nah-nah, nah, nah.. goodbye." The enemy can kick and scream outside my door but it's staying outside my door.
Goodbye, enemy. Hello, restoration. Hello, rebuilding. Hello, 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)