Ladies SOUNDS OFF

Returning from the PFW retreat brought some strange blessings. Our rental car was not waiting for us on arrival as we had expected, so we were boarding a shuttle to go back to the airport to await yet another shuttle to take us to Ventura. Tired and a little edgy I shot up a prayer that we would make it home ok and that I would not snap at someone if everything fell apart again. As we boarded the shuttle we noticed all the seats were taken by a young men's water polo team. Not one offered us a seat. We stood. OK, I can deal with this I thought to myself. Then a few more of the team got on after us and one of them leaned into my face. One whiff told me the celebration was in full swing. The boy reeked of alcohol. OK, I can handle this too, so long as he turns around and doesn't breathe on me. But then it happened. One of the troupe that was seated decided to cuss. He didn't stop and he kept getting louder. OK, I can't handle THIS! I usually ask people "Please be careful how you speak. There are young ladies or children present". Not this time. No "please", no "would you kindly", no manners, just outrage! "Hey! Hey! You need to SHUT UP! These ladies do not need to hear your foul mouth so knock it off!". He gave me a dirty look and he was quiet. I haven't felt that good in a long time. I am not sorry that I raised my voice (raise is an understatement). I am not sorry for calling him down so roughly in public (he deserved more than a tongue lashing). Not one of his teammates backed me up (no guts). Cussing stinks. I will not tolerate it. The final shuttle we caught for home was driven by a Christian man and we praised the Lord all the way home!

Deborah Williams
Wells Road Baptist Church
Ventura, CA

Julie SOUNDS OFF

Hello....my name is Julie Brown. My husband pastors Eagles View Baptist Church in Rex, Georgia. Sis. Martha Sue Harrelson is a good friend of mine and I think very highly of her as a Christian. I've known her for many years. Her husband and her were at our church today presenting their burden for the country of Nicaragua and she gave me one of your newsletters Pur-r-r fect For Women. I was noticing that you mail these newsletters out. I was wondering if you could add me to your mailing address. I like to share things like this with the ladies in our church. She recommends your newsletter highly and wanted to know if it would be possible for you to send me one or several of them so I can offer it to our ladies.

I'm looking forward to reading more this newsletter she gave me today.

I also make it a habit to pray for ministries that I know about so I will be praying for this ministry and your church. Thank you very much!!

In Christ.....Sis. Julie Brown

Stephanie SOUNDS OFF

I just read a news article that sparked my interest after reading "Pardon my French," PFW Jun 2004. In Vermillion, South Dakota, the city council just renewed a 1950's law that makes it illegal for adults to cuss in front of kids under 12 years of age. It went into effect June 17 and carries a $60 to $90 fine. THe writer from RezNet News listened in on a conversation of teenage boys in the dugout of a baseball game, "...the team used a vulgar word on average every 2 1/2 minutes... If a 10 year old and a police officer were in the dugout, the fine would have been $1,566." I think that is something we could use around here, maybe providing some incentive for adults to watch their mouth! Children pick up on these words so quickly. However, the law allows the substitute cuss words to be used. What do they think, that the kids don't know what cuss word they are implying? They might as well use the real one, it means the same thing.

The comments from the residents of Vermillion were ones of defiance, "I think it's kind of stupid," Rachel Odens, 14 yrs., and Kyle Moloney, 38 yers., "I have been indulging in civil disobedience and it's great!" Today, many people are not ashamed of anything, even what they are passing on to future generations. Their cursing in front of kids is completely self centered.

"For as he thinketh in his heart so is he..." Proverbs 23:7. The words coming out of their mouths are just a symptom of the deeper problem inside that only Jesus can remedy. When they fill the God shaped void inside with Jesus, instead of trying to fill it with their own ego, then their mouths should project the new creature inside. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold; all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17. That would be the perfect solution, completely surpassing the city council's law!

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