Discussing Problems<\/b><\/p>\n
Four men of the cloth, taking a short breather from their heavy schedules, were on a park bench, chatting and enjoying an early spring day. You know, since all of us are such good friends,\u201d said one, \u201cthis might be a good time to discuss the problems that are disturbing us.\u201d They all nodded in agreement. \u201cWell, I would like to share with you the fact that I drink to excess,\u201d said one. There was a gasp from the other three. Then another spoke up. \u201cSince you were so honest, I\u2019d like to say that my big problem is gambling. It\u2019s terrible, I know, but I can\u2019t quit. I\u2019ve even been tempted to take money from the collection plate.\u201d Another gasp was heard, and the third clergyman spoke. \u201cI\u2019m really troubled, brothers, because I\u2019m growing fond of a woman in my church\u2014a married woman. \u201dMore gasps. But the fourth man remained silent. After a few minutes the others coaxed him to open up. \u201cThe fact is,\u201d he said, \u201cI just don\u2019t know how to tell you about my problem. \u201dIt\u2019s all right, brother. Your secret is safe with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s this way,\u201d he said. \u201cYou see, I\u2019m an incurable gossip.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arlene Quant, quoted by Alex Thien in Milwaukee Sentinel<\/p>\n
Vices<\/b><\/p>\n
Four preachers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one preacher said, \u201cOur people come to us and pour out their hears, confess certain sins and needs. Let\u2019s do the same. Confession is good for the soul.\u201d In due time all agreed. One confessed he liked to go to movies and would sneak off when away from his church. The second confessed to liking to smoke cigars and the third one confessed to liking to play cards. When it came to the fourth one, he wouldn\u2019t confess. The others pressed him saying, \u201cCome now, we confessed ours. What is your secret or vice?\u201d Finally he answered, \u201cIt is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source unknown<\/p>\n
The <\/p>\n
Many years ago the Moody Church News carried a humorous story about a woman in a small town who was know for being a gossip. One day on vacation she visited the offices of The Chicago Daily News. She was wearing a white dress and inadvertently leaned against a wall where a freshly printed copy of the front page was hanging. It was a hot, humid day, and some of the print came off on the back of her white dress.<\/p>\n
Later, as she walked down the street to meet her husband, she noticed that people walking behind her were snickering. When she reached the place where her husband was waiting, she asked him if there was anything on her back that shouldn\u2019t be there. As she turned around, he read the large black reversed letters: sweN ylaiD. Realizing the appropriateness of the words, he said, \u201cNo, dear, nothing\u2019s on your back that doesn\u2019t belong there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Our Daily Bread, June 23, 1994<\/p>\n
Be Careful What You Say<\/b><\/p>\n
In the course of your conversation each and every day, Think twice, try to be careful of what you have to say;<\/p>\n
Your remarks may be picked up by someone\u2019s listening ear, You may be surprised at what some people think they hear.<\/p>\n
Things that you innocently say, or try to portray, Can be changed, and greatly exaggerated along the way;<\/p>\n
Many stories change for the worse as they are retold So try to keep any questionable remarks \u201con hold.\u201d<\/p>\n
May I give all of you some very sound advice? When you speak of others, say something nice.<\/p>\n
Try to say good things, regardless of who is around, If you have nothing good to say, don\u2019t utter a sound.<\/p>\n
You may find that an innocent remark, in the end, May lose you a close and valued friend.<\/p>\n
Henry Lesser, Teamwork, Darnell Corporation<\/p>\n
They<\/b><\/p>\n
Have you heard of the terrible family They, And the dreadful venomous things They say? Why, half the gossip under the sun, If you trace it back, you will find begun In that wretched House of They.<\/p>\n
Ellen Wilcox Wheeler, Christopher News Notes, June 1992<\/p>\n
Winston Churchill<\/b><\/p>\n
Winston Churchill exemplified integrity and respect in the face of opposition. During his last year in office, he attended an official ceremony. Several rows behind him two gentlemen began whispering. \u201cThat\u2019s Winston Churchill.\u201d \u201cThey say he is getting senile.\u201d \u201cThey say he should step aside and leave the running of the nation to more dynamic and capable men.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the ceremony was over, Churchill turned to the men and said, \u201cGentlemen, they also say he is deaf!\u201d<\/p>\n
Barbara Hatcher, Vital Speeches, March 1, 1987<\/p>\n
Lincoln\u2019s Coffin<\/b><\/p>\n
In 1887 the coffin of Abraham Lincoln was pried open to determine if it contained his body. What makes that act so remarkable is the fact that Lincoln\u2019s body had rested in that coffin for 22 years. Yet, even more amazing is that 14 years later a rumor circulated again that Lincoln\u2019s coffin was actually empty. The furor so gripped the land that the only way to silence it was to dig up the coffin\u2014again. This was done and the rumor silenced when a handful of witnesses viewed the lifeless body of Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n
Today in the Word, February, 1991, p. 27<\/p>\n
Think<\/b><\/p>\n
I once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress in one of my pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.<\/p>\n
\u2022 T\u2014Is it true?<\/p>\n
\u2022 H\u2014Is it helpful?<\/p>\n
\u2022 I\u2014Is it inspiring?<\/p>\n
\u2022 N\u2014Is it necessary?<\/p>\n
\u2022 K\u2014Is it kind?<\/p>\n
If what I am about to say does not pass those tests, I will keep my mouth shut! And it worked!<\/p>\n
Alan Redpath, from A Passion for Preaching<\/p>\n
Quotes<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Some people will believe anything if it is whispered to them. – Pierre de Marivaux<\/p>\n
\u2022 So live that you wouldn\u2019t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip. – Will Rogers<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you don\u2019t say it, they can\u2019t repeat it. – Swindoll<\/p>\n
Sources unknown<\/p>\n
Deadly Microbe<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Gossip is the most deadly microbe. It has neither legs nor wings. It is composed entirely of tales, and most of them have stings.<\/p>\n
Morris Mandel in Bits and Pieces, June, 1990, p. 22.<\/p>\n
Rumors<\/b><\/p>\n
If somebody says, \u201cI hope you won\u2019t mind me telling you this,\u201d it\u2019s pretty certain you will. One of the best ways to end a rumor is to ask if you may quote the individual passing it along. If the person says no, it\u2019s possible that the rumor is just idle talk. If the person answers yes, you should contact the gossip\u2019s subject to verify the story you heard. Also, if you like to spread news about others, ask yourself if you would want someone to quote you. A negative answer is a good sign you should keep your lips sealed on the matter. And a positive response should lead not to back-fence reporting but to up-front confronting.<\/p>\n
Source unknown<\/p>\n
Giant Earthworm<\/b><\/p>\n
When a stretch of street swelled, cracked and then returned to normal within 20 minutes last summer, one city official joked that it was the work of a giant earthworm. Fire Dept. spokesman Charlie McCafferty, who make the quip, later chalked the 20-foot-long bulge up to a natural gas accumulation and forgot about it. Until Tuesday, when he learned that the weekly National Examiner carried the headline, \u201c20-foot earthworm terrorizes city.swallows dogs.\u201d The story told readers about a \u201ctop-level investigation ordered into the horrifying sighting of a giant earthworm.\u201d McCafferty said he heard about the article when two frightened women phoned him about a creature \u201ceating up dogs\u201d they\u2019d read about in the magazine. The tabloid quoted unidentified city officials and witnesses who said they saw the worm grab dogs and swallow them whole. Cliff Linedecker, news editor for the West Palm Beach, Fla. weekly, said the paper got the story from Frank Kendal, a stringer who \u201chas given us some pretty good stories. It was a very good story and I saw no reason to question it,\u201d he said. \u201cWe run into a lot of really unusual stories here.\u201d When asked if he believed in such giant earthworms, he said, \u201cWell I do now. When you\u2019re dealing with the printed word. All I had to deal with was the printed word.\u201d<\/p>\n
February, 1985, Spokesman Review, of Fort Worth, Texas<\/p>\n
Gossip Makers<\/b><\/p>\n
Yiddish forklore offers a telling tale about gossip-makers. One such man had told so many malicious untruths about the local rabbi that, overcome by remorse, he begged the rabbi to forgive him. \u201cAnd, Rebbe, tell me how I can make amends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rabbi sighed, \u201cTake two pillows, go to the public square and there cut the pillows open. Wave them in the air. Then come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rumormonger quickly went home, got two pillows and a knife, hastened to the square, cut the pillows open, waved them in the air and hastened back to the rabbi\u2019s chambers. \u201cI did just what you said, Rebbe!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood.\u201d The rabbi smiled. \u201cNow, to realize how much harm is done by gossip, go back to the square…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd collect all your feathers.\u201d<\/p>\n
From Hooray for Yiddish<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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