Tag Archives: gossip

October 13, 2008 · 6:00 am

Gossip Girl


I was watching Oprah the other afternoon, wishing I had a wonderful glass of wine iced tea to enjoy it with.  It was about how to handle various social situations.  Perhaps, you saw it?

Well, one situation was where a gal found herself in a “real e-mail pickle,” to quote Oprah.  She sent an e-mail gossiping about someone…..to the someone she was gossiping about! 

Yikes!  How to recover from that one?

She was given the advice to never, ever gossip via e-mail again.  As a matter of fact, don’t write anything in an e-mail you wouldn’t want to see on the front pages of the NY Times.  You know what happens.  You send an e-mail.  It gets forwarded.  Forwarded again. 

Even text messaging can produce the same “oops.”  In today’s world of mass communication, these blunders are all too common.  I can’t tell you how many times my husband has texted our pilot, Blue (yes, that’s his real name), telling him/me how much he misses me, wants to kiss me, wants to……

You get the picture. 

As a result, Blue’s job is secure for the rest of his life. 

I’ve written e-mails that were forwarded but meant for private eyes.  (Just typing “private eyes” makes me suddenly break out into the Hall & Oates song.  I’m so not kidding.)  Anyway, I’ve also texted the right message to the wrong people. 

Another issue that e-mail and text messaging presents is how we interpret the tone of the sender’s voice.  That’s why we put the little smiley faces at the end of nearly every sentence these days.  As if to say, “Hey!  Don’t take me seriously!” 

The art of communication can be lost so easily these days.  And, the risk of Susie finding out how ugly you thought her dress was last night has never been greater.

 Best thing to do?  Don’t type it. 

Has this ever happened to you?

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April 22, 2008 · 7:00 am

Sticks and stones.


I’ve heard my entire life that my words are powerful.  They can speak life.  They can speak death.  They can impart blessing.  They can impart cursing.  Let’s break that down into easier to understand terms.

They can make someone smile.  They can make someone cry.  They can give the weakest hope.  They can discourage the strongest.  They can thrust someone into greatness.  They can hinder someone from taking chances.  They can heal.  They can wound.  They can change a life.  They can destroy one.

What is it about being mindful of our words is so difficult?

The fact that many of us reserve to speak words that hurt behind the subject’s back reveals that we are unaware that words do, indeed, affect that person.  They didn’t hear you.  Did they?

I’ll never forget hearing Chris Spradlin, a pastor in Oklahoma, explain that when we speak harmful words about another individual (cleverly called gossip as to make it sound trivial) we leave behind us a path of destruction.  Who walks down that path?  The one our words just hurt. 

I was talking to a good friend the other night, and she shared the path she has been forced to travel down.  Hurtful words have not been spoken directly to her.  But, she hears them.  People will justify their dirty mouth with explanations such as “I’m not gossipin’, I’m just speakin’ the truth.”  Puh-leese.  As a follower of Christ, it is our greatest responsibility to speak life – ALWAYS. 

We have been called to be a light in darkness.  We have been called to proclaim God’s grace and His love.  I’m afraid that gossip is the antithesis of this call. 

Let’s think before we speak.  Remember, even the foolish seem wise when they keep their mouths shut. 

….Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Ephesians 4:29

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