Tone of Voice

Tone of Voice

 

The way you say it means just as much as what you say.

 

Walking through life we have a “tone of voice” in the way we live. The way we speak and act causes tones to ring out for everyone we encounter to hear. What is the tone of my voice? I hope it is passion…for God, for Scott, for family, for hurting people, for life. I hope it is zeal. Expression is interpreted in written words because there is no inflection of voice or facial signals. Words must be chosen carefully in order to send the intended message. Are we careful with our words? Are you?

 

How many times has someone noticed your smile? Your confidence? Your upbeat disposition? Your encouragement? If you get that a lot you more than likely have a tone of voice that is appealing to people. Life lifting. Evangelistic maybe. If you don’t get that so much you may want to consider singing another song. It takes a bit of effort but once you decide that you matter…that you have a part to play in this great cosmic God-plan, you carry yourself differently. On purpose. Carrying ourselves down trodden and sad-faced, short-tempered or just unengaged communicates something. It’s the wrong message.

 

 

The way we treat people in service positions speaks a lot about our “tone of voice”. Condescension is self-absorption. Have you ever been out with a friend who talks down to the waitress or sales clerk? I have. It is disheartening to say the least. Have you hung out with teenagers much? They can be very critical and fault finding, not unlike some of us. The thing about being a teenager is that they are young and growing up. It is time to have a critical eye because it helps them develop into the person they want to become. The positive side of critical is that is help evaluate and can lead toward good decision making. It is ugly when criticism gets vocal… toward people’s appearance, clothing, conduct, etc. Judgmental even. When you discover that some of your purpose in life is to build a bridge from darkness to light you lighten up on harsh criticism. You get a better tone of voice, a lighter one like the Pied Piper, one people can follow.

 

People are amazing. They are made in the image of God, even if they act like the devil sometimes. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could treat people from a place of tenderness and security in our own hearts? Having a tone of voice that is kind and winsome could make all the difference.

 

What is your tone of voice? Do you love Jesus? How are you saying it? Do you like people? Do you want to make a difference in the world? Be the solution you are looking for.

 

 

Taken

Write a New Note

Taken

 

Today at 9:06pm | Edit Note | Delete

 

 

So I watched the movie Taken again last night! Have you seen it? You should if you haven’t. The premise is a father who used to be some sort of government secret agent who goes to another country, France in fact, to find and bring back his 17 year old daughter who has been taken.

 

The movie is a great advocate for the victims of sex slavery and does a good job of showing the business some have made from kidnap, abuse and rape. It gives a picture of how modern day brothels operate and who makes all the money. It made me feel anger toward those who dare to violate young women, leaving me with a want to see justice done to these criminals, no, a need to see justice done. My heart was overwhelmed for the victims.

 

Even though it was just a movie, the horror of human trafficking is very real. There are over still 14,000 individuals brought into the United States every year from other countries, usually third world countries and they are all sold as sex slaves. Not just curvy, long legged teen agers but children, Boys and girls.

 

Is it just me or is this a sickness beyond words? What is attractive sexually about a young person tied, drugged, sweaty, used, full of disease and other men's stuff? I truly wish that punishment was much more severe for the "johns"! I bet it would make all the difference.

 

Recently someone told me that if we could just end world hunger we would be able to abolish much of sex slavery. I wonder. It seems to me that as long as men will stand in line and lay their money down for the dirty deeds they violate women with, prostitution and sex slavery will always have a place!

 

It brings us back to the idea of the Gospel of Jesus Christ one more time! We are confronted again with the state of man's heart. Lust, greed, the pride of life... all lead to lives unfulfilled, even chaos, even to the point of treating humanity cruelly through rape and sexual violation. It is wrong. Some say there are no absolutes but hope the majority of us can still call sex trafficking a crime. A horrific err. Only the life and love of Jesus can bring a change in heart and mind. I know. I have tried everything else. He brings hope through forgiveness and restoration. Not in some religious way but in a very profound and spiritual way. He cleans. And, He is really good at it.

 

The church is broken sometimes. I wish it wasn't so but in my observation and experience, it is true. The biggest obstacle in Christianity is... christians. Now before I go too far and completely offend the Christian elite, I want to say that I myself am a follower of Jesus Christ and I belong to Him, heart, mind and soul. 

Some of the heartbreaking things I have seen include but are not limited to: Telling people they don't have enough faith when they are sick, giving  bad advice to stay in a marriage to a woman who is completely abused by her husband, acting like yourself and your family can do no wrong or that your way of existence is superior to the rest of the world. These things are not like Jesus Christ at all. Nope.

I am not angry. I am not upset. Not anymore. Those types of behaviors used to really get under my skin and irritate me. But now I am just sad about it. I come from a perspective of really liking people.  I think they are interesting and unique. Of course I am not wonder woman and cannot relate to every single personality type but I can appreciate them. I really wish that people who bear the name of Christ by calling themselves christian would try to act more like Jesus. 

You know, bold and fresh, brave and cutting edge but full of love and compassion for people. Full of mercy in their words. Kind. Understanding. Challenging. Passionate. Awe-inspiring! Yea.