Live from the Pathway Studios in Johnston proper. You are live from the path. And you are listening to live from the Path. We're coming from the Pathway Studios here in Johnston, Proverbs. It's it's doggone good to see you tonight.

Hey, thanks. Here's the deal. How long have we been doing this show, I thought probably going on four years, man. So a quality program figures out something to say that doesn't act like this is the first time you've been on the radio, and I I still have not been able to come up with anything. I feel like you were an error when you label it a quality program. No, shoot. That's where it's gone down the wrong road. That's true. I opened with a lie. I've sullied the rest of the program. The tagline of the show is honest faith, and the honest part is pretty heavy. I suppose, honestly, it may not be good. Yeah. It's possible. Okay. Alright. Anyway, thanks for hanging out with us at Life For The Path. Here's what I got going on the show tonight. So first of all, I wanna talk they they put out some Twitter statistics about what people were giving up for Lent, and they're pretty interesting. So I I thought we'd kinda talk through that that kind of stuff. Just just you have kinda have an idea of of what, I don't know. There's been a sharp drop in what people are posting on Twitter. Like, they they tag, I think, like, 600,000 in a certain amount of time. And this year, it's down, like, 33%.

People are are just not as enthusiastic. Some kid There was, like, a big group of dudes that were like, school. I'm giving up school for Lent. Hey, man. Here's the deal. At Buuva and I don't really understand what Lent is. Yeah. No idea. John Wagner, you a man that could straighten that out for us? No. Okay. You guys don't know Lent? We do Lent. Oh, obviously, we do Lent. Yeah. But I don't know. It's kind of that time, you know I mean, we don't, so we really don't know. We fish, no.

In the while Methodist, Methodist Church, we celebrate Lent as the forty days of Christ temptation is a piece of that, walking toward Easter. So kind of ourselves, we're not quite as doctrine based as Catholics would be. So Well, actually, that's the only basis I have for Lent is I listen to Catholic radio on occasion. Yeah. And then they start talking about it, I think, I I think I'm with you. I'm not sure I'm not sure. I'm I'm not really sure what's So, going on I mean, I I obviously, I don't find anything wrong with it. I just don't know anything about it. We'll just call it a partial fast. Hey, we're going on this forty day partial fast. Yeah. It's the same thing. Okay. Kind of giving up something or kind of taking something on or kind of focusing on the temptation of Christ or maybe even ourselves walking toward the cross

with Christ. Okay. Okay. So studying Christ's last days, studying Christ's last teachings, committing ourselves to something new, some new either biblical discipline or So you can add something. You don't No, absolutely. Necessarily have to take away. You could say, I'm taking on. So Mike Absolutely. Giving up cigarettes, beer and he's taking on belly dancing. Is that is that an appropriate I'm holding on Lent. That's done. You should tweet that. I don't think so and I've already done it. I don't remember what order they were in. That's

really kind of important, I think, though. Maybe so. So, so just just so I I know a little bit more about is this, like, a command that I've missed? That that Jesus talks about this is something we should be doing is, you know, going through that motion or is Yeah. Because that was partially where my confusion came from, is that, I I didn't know where that that came from, or I didn't know if that was a tradition that that someone started, or if that was a biblical tradition or command that I'd missed on. So I I just wasn't sure about where where Lent came in. So it's it's folk it's focusing on,

It it should It really isn't. John, you can stop me for not describing this right. But it's basically just being intentional and then calling it something. Yeah. Right? Go ahead. Right. It's The the Catholic church has some more doctrine around it. But, yeah Right. If for the most of the rest of mainline Protestants who would celebrate it, it is. It's just kind of, let's take a time, let's name it something, let's focus on a discipline or a doctrine, adding something, take something away, being more engaged in the life of Christ prior to Easter. Yeah. Okay. It'd be like Advent. Ash Wednesday. Yeah. Exactly. Christmas. Mean, it's not Advent. Yeah. The Bible doesn't say do it, but it's not a bad Yeah. I'm not really sure what Advent is. Yeah. I don't know what Advent is either. I've never heard of preparing for Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You can call me in the morning. Take two and call me in the morning. That joke only plays in certain circles, and this ain't one of them. Hell. Was that a lead balloon I heard? Not a whole lot. So so does the does the the Mardi Gras celebration, the fat Tuesday, whatever, what is it how does that tie in? Does it That's tie the whole idea. You go wild because you're you're gonna start behaving tomorrow.

Yeah. It's like the bachelor party before the before the marriage thing. Really? So So I'm not saying it's biblical. Just saying that's what it It's a misguided approach to the to the beginning of Lent. Get all the heathenism out right before you you get into piety. And then so the fat Tuesday is followed by Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Now but the fat Tuesday, show Tuesday isn't necessarily a church celebration either. Okay. So you're not gonna see Yeah, we didn't Everybody hears your beads. Exactly. Right. We don't we don't play that game in church on So what's Ash Wednesday for? That's the start of Lent. Right. But what why why do you do it? What's what's the significance of putting ash on your forehead? You know, the the biblical from ashes you came to ashes you return, it's a reminder of the

the frailty, the finite nature of our life, and also the essential nature of salvation, you know, for us. So in that kind of moment, we we use the symbol of the cross. Yeah. You know, in our denomination with the ashes kind of, hey, you know, I'm only temporary and I need Jesus. Hey, That is very much like our, this man can't be trusted. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's an outward sign of of of how you Sacrament. Yeah. You know, of of of just a realization of what your life looks like compared to what, you know, who God is and what what God is. Right? Like, we were on this big kick a couple weeks ago. Were gonna Your friend. We were gonna write in our mirror, you know, that said, your kingdom can't be trusted, only to be looking at your own reflection thinking, you know Oh, yeah. You didn't realize who you are, friend. You know? And so, like, you know, if I had to put it in perspective so I I could totally understand it, that would make perfect sense to me. Hey. I wanna apologize to you and everyone who who does Ash Wednesday

ever. Of the number of times throughout the years on Ash Wednesday, I didn't know what was going on. And I'd go up and say, hey, man. You got something up. And I'm like, oh, wait. And it was I mean, really, honestly, it's been awkward moments many times throughout the years. I did that this year. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like, Oh, I'm Well, I apologize. That's very good. I didn't realize that was, like, an important thing. Have some No, no, no. In the in our nomination, really, it's only been since probably the mid to late '70s, early '80s that we've really taken it on as a an activity

Sure. More than a discipline. But the Catholic church has Yeah. Rest ones have Yeah. Much longer. And here's the deal with stuff like that. It's like, it's just like any tradition or or any type of, outward expression. Sure people can can use that foolishly. Right? Like Oh, sure. They find piety in something that is otherwise to point you back to Jesus. Like, that can happen in anything.

But, like, that's true that's true with every denomination. It's true with anything, like, that people want, can can point to Christ. Someone else can use it in a way to point back to themselves. That's just the truth. Wearing a cross necklace. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Some some guy wears it because it's important to him and it means something to him and some other guy wears it because he thinks it's cool and draws attention to himself. Like, yeah, I mean, you run that risk with anything and, I'll be the first guy to say that, like, my first reaction, to things like that is is a, is is not necessarily a one that that sees depth, but to be honest with you, it's been something that's been growing in me probably over the last few years is to recognize that, like, just because some people use something foolishly or shallowly doesn't mean there's not a lot of depth to those types of things. And and and to be honest with you,

traditions and things of that nature, aren't holy, but it doesn't mean they're not useful. Right? It doesn't mean they don't point you to Jesus. It doesn't mean that that they don't, that being intentional about certain things like that, aren't beneficial. It just ultimately, is true for anything in your life, is it pointing to you or is it pointing to Christ? If it's pointing to Christ, then rock with it. If it's pointing to you, you should give it up regardless of what you think it does. Yeah. That was a last week, I almost come embarrassed to say this. I'm not like a necklace guy. Like, you know, I mentioned the cross necklace. I used to, when I was a kid, have one of the yeah. You know? So last week, I was thinking there there's this, like, on Facebook, a lot of people have their pictures are, like, the we are in. We are the the Nazareth, the symbol of our our persecuted brothers and sisters over overseas. And I thought that that really I I pray a lot for them, you know? I And was thinking boy if I would have a necklace that's that I want that symbol. Oh yeah yeah yeah. And so I'm like that is that like weird? Mean I mean I don't think they make it anywhere because like that's kind of like Mhmm. I know a guy. Really it has one? Do you have one? Of course, he does. But he gets something like that. Because honestly, I I would be like this continual reminder to pray. Like, no one would know what it is even. But like me, because not a cross. Well, people would know, but Yeah. Okay. We'll talk. Alright.

I'll have my people call you. But I was, you know, doing googling searching, and I thought, then I kinda felt like, well, I kinda hope they don't make neck I mean, that's kinda like, oh, people are dying. This is cool. I'll make a gold necklace out of it. Mean, it's commercial. It's just an Arabic letter, noon. Yeah. Yeah. And and that's that's how they identify themselves as Christians, isn't Nasrin. Yeah. Yeah. Isn't that the basic nature? I mean, that's the the nature of the cross too, mean, it's it's a it's a reminder or something that you Death penalty on my neck here. It's like, yeah, look at this. Yeah. Mhmm. Alright. Okay. I'm gonna get one. Okay. It's it's decided. I'd like a big gold chain and a convertible. Alright. You're done. Wait. I'm a beat. What was that? Let's park. Yeah. Also, we're gonna so we're gonna play a game, called 50 Shades or Song of Solomon. Oh, no. So I'm gonna read you a quote. Oh, my gosh. And you need to tell me whether it is a whether it is from Song of Solomon or 50 Shades. We're gonna see how well you know your bible and how well you know your proposed smut. Before you invite me to this thing this time, I wanna list the topics. When we were dating, I used to send my wife cards all the time with quotes from Song of Solomon just to see if she would pass the embarrassment test.

So I should have this one down. I had no idea this was coming. That's the last time I read it, by the way. You're in your youth, and I delight in you. Click click. So, anyway, we're gonna give that a shot. We're we're gonna see what we know. For as racy as as I I I think, sometimes you propose that 50 Shades is, we'll just see if we can tell the difference. It's a bit of a secular Solomon,

but, more apropos for your for your current world. Did our online viewership just go up right there? Is that what happened? We need the numbers, boys. Here's the thing. I was gonna say, are we gonna tag them on the YouTube? Here's the thing. Last time I tagged 50 Shades, I had a mini blinds dealer give us a call. But I feel like we've got more legs on this thing, so we're gonna see what happens. Hey. Balloon's going up. A piece. Sure.

Also, Dan's got some Pope style. Dan, you have a preview of your Pope Yeah. Yeah. I I took my daughter to a scholarship competition this week, and she impressed me. I mean, and and it has deeply, like, affected me this week. Mhmm. Okay. Alright. Alright. The rare and jubilant pope style from Dan Hudson coming right around. Also, Buva Buva, you had some

you had some Facebook evangelism thoughts. Right. I I I wanted to get everybody's thoughts on, getting lost in the comments section of somebody's post, when it comes to, sharing Jesus through Facebook. I think very easily it can be a trap, and very easily it can be something that could be beneficial. But I wanna see what you guys think about it.

I feel like Wagner's intrigued. And I get a grunt. Illuminati. Okay. And the Illuminati. Alright. So here's, what what to give up for Lent. Twitter reveals top 100 ideas, for 2015.

I want folks to give it up for Lent. It says nearly one in five Americans observed Lent last year. This year, more than 400,000 tweeted about their fast. Food and technology remained the most popular categories, that tweeting Americans reported giving up in 2015. The top five choices,

school, chocolate. What? School's the top five? Yeah. Number one. Wow. Yeah. Okay. School, chocolates. I'm gonna miss school so much. I'll think about Jesus. Don't don't sass my teach. I'll give you up for Lent. We we don't I feel like you don't

width and depth of the Lord that you're dealing with Yeah. When you threw a meal. Yeah. Yes. We got a big, it's coming, Pete. We're I'm gonna set a date probably in the next two weeks, and we're gonna we're doing the buffet, showdown. We did the What was it? What was it? The hibachi. The hibachi. We went to the hibachi. Hibachi. And, I mean, it got good reviews, but then, the Twitter suggestion was that there's a there's a better one. And so we're gonna check that one out in March and give the old Life in the Path review of the of the buffet. Ew. So that's coming up. And that's a that's a free for all, meaning free for me because I'm paying for myself. And you can come and join us at your own dime. It's the classic church

Dutch treat. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Christians don't pay for other folk. That's the buffet. Wait. Unless you wanna pay for me as a Christian, then I can accept. It's it's time to write the tie, boys. In my favor. Alright. So, here's the here's the other top tens. We said, school, chocolate, Twitter, alcohol, social networking, swearing, soda Mhmm. Sweets, fast food, coffee,

college. I'm gonna reword this to having sex with boys. Yikes.

Holy cats. What is in the top? This one is explicit. And 13 is a tongue in cheek you. I'm I'm giving up you for Lent. Break of sadness. Feel like these aren't really people that care about Lent. No. Maybe Go back to the beginning. So Lent is supposed to be, like you said, like a fast. Right? There's forty days of fasting as you do this things, like, oh my goodness. I'm hungry today. I missed my chocolate. I missed my Twitter. Maybe I'll go pray instead. So something tells me there's a few of these on here that Not quite understanding. Right? Getting that. Cold weather has moved up 79 places. I passed that. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Anyway, Hot Cheetos made the top 100.

Here's a hey. You know what's interesting? Marijuana is 42, And 14 is lint. Wait. You said marijuana was, like, next to the Cheetos? Hold on. Surrounding marriages no. Feelings, 41. Marijuana, 42. Shopping, 43. Rice, 44. Now hold on. Some of those some of those are on purpose. Right? Because they sneak into everything, like, people that give up ice or something. You know what saying? Or or, know, something that you find in everything that says, look, I'm I'm I gotta be more careful on what I'm choosing because it's such a common ingredient.

And, you know, not only will will it help me, you know, remember that I'm I'm I'm focusing on what I'm focusing on, but it just becomes more of a a minute by minute instead of an, you know, an hour by hour, you know. One of my daughters fasted ice once and then she kinda thought, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was really tough. Yeah. There's ice everywhere. Yeah. So of the of the snack foods, Hot Cheetos is number one by far. And then popcorn, Doritos, potato chips and regular I feel like this is this is, reflective of the general age group that uses Twitter Right. And their attitude towards Lent. Yeah. So I don't think it's an indication of what the man thinks it's an indication of. Right? Life on the Path didn't tweet any of those. Correct? No. No. We didn't participate. We did not make. How many people say the word Advent outside of church?

Yeah. Nobody. I How many people really say or use the word Advent probably appropriately outside of church? Yeah. It's mostly in nonvermass. Even in all churches, right? Yeah, right. Yeah. I think this is, an example of, like, this society taking something that was once perhaps doctrinal church and saying, hey, let's lay over top of that. Right. Something fun. There's a There's there's a social thing around being able to say, hey, I'm giving up something. Here's a good reason for me to talk to everybody on Twitter. So anyway, that's the that's those are your top, those are your top tens. It's, it's you know what's interesting, I guess, is people obviously, if this is their reaction, right, obviously missing the big point, right, of what it's actually pointing to.

But there but it's not it's not not serious for them to to a certain extent. Right? Because, like, if you're giving up, like, okay, school, I'll throw that out. Right? But, like, chocolate, Twitter, swearing, soda. Right? Like, there's inklings of it being rooted in saying,

I'm I am legitimately trying to give up something. It's just, it it it's it it embraces the superficial part of it, but never makes its the boat never makes its way across the ocean into the island, which is, you know, actually having it point towards Christ, which I suppose is something that we've been talking about that we see a lot lately. Right? Like, we we embrace some of the teachings of the Bible for its for its moral direction, but often not further enough that ultimately who it came from and who it points to.

And so as we do that, like this is kind of the result of that. Right? Like, I I need to be a better person before I before I go to church on that on that single Easter morning, so and I'm I'm gonna give up these things. Now giving up these things and pointing to Christ is awesome. Just giving up those things, isn't like moving the needle just a little bit. It basically doesn't move the needle at all. Right? Because the whole point is to point back to Christ. Yeah. I heard a I heard explain it really well once when he when he was talking about, you know, some of the reasons that, God has included. So, I mean, some of the guidance in the morality ways. Right? Like, basically, he's pointing you to a joy in him. And so, like, there's things that that he's provided that we can either use for his glory and our joy or or, you know, basically, just our our happiness. Right? But, like, if the if the worship stops on the item or the act and doesn't roll up to God, then it then I mean, how's the Bible usually phrase it? You've been paid in full. Right? You've gotten everything that you thought you were going to get out of it. Right? But like, when that when that when that worship rolls up past the item or the or the act or the the feeling, you know, that God is full well knows because he created it and put it on the earth. Right? If it doesn't roll up to him, then then really you've gotten everything that you've expected. Right. So you go you go forty days and you give up swearing, you might be able to be happy with how how clean you kept your mouth and and maybe any negative consequences are removed,

around you for you using bad language. But ultimately, if you if you look to where it points to, you get an example of your of your full restoration, and what comes from Christ and what he's able to do in your life. Right? Like, so you missed you took the shorter story, and although the short story is good, it's not near as good as the full picture. Yeah. That otherwise Yeah. It's like my kids are pretty excited about a dollar. You know what I'm saying? Not knowing that there's a $100 bill out there somewhere. You know, like, they're they're happy with the dollar Yeah. Not realizing that the 100 is possible, you know, or not believing that the 100 is possible. Right. And my my most spiritually

alive times are during fasts. It's just it just is. So so people, they do it with the right spirit. I mean, could be a a really powerful time for them. Yeah. Yeah. That Whatever you call it, Lent, fast, you know, whatever. Right. That's the thing. It's like, again, it's it's it is a foolish thing, I think, to to write things off Yeah. When their emotions, when their when their commitments to things, because frankly, they're they're great biblical examples of God's people doing those things. And I think we're blind to say, well, they did these things, and I don't have any reason to do this. All I need is Jesus. And I agree with that. Right? But the like, obviously, God's people have A trouble focusing. True. True. And and and then the relationship with God, like there are ways in which you see them growing

spiritually. And, there there is a certain It's the same sense that we look back, where where people have some, historical, pride to say, people two thousand years ago don't know what we know today. Like sometimes we even take that when it comes to certain spiritual disciplines. Now if you worship the discipline over Jesus, yeah, got a problem. Right? But if you if you see how God's people have have engaged in those to engage with God, I think we're foolish to to to act like we're we're beyond that type of thing, when God's people interact with him in that way. Yeah. Agree. Okay. Anyway,

my phone, fried food, selfies. Some of the there's a weird order on some of this It's inter I suppose it's interesting to to think about where people's, If if this rep is representative of not necessarily direct biblical, but their own moral guideposts of how I should live my life and what I should give up if there's some sense of morality, it's interesting to see the things that they, that they say above one above the other. Well My swearing is still pretty high. That's the right?

It's like it's like this is I don't know why this keeps sticking with me. Right? Well, like it was was when Paul was talking about people that, were God's people and people that have the law ingrained in their heart. Right? They haven't been taught it, but they just had like, people people obviously show themselves, like, a certain amount of of of non taught morality. Right? Like, who's to say swearing is bad? You know, who's to say that selfies are bad? I mean, people recognize without without without the bible, you know, God's heart on you taking a picture of yourself all the time. Right? Like, there's just something that's a bit much about it. Right? And so, like, it it does seem odd that, like, almost some of that stuff is self convicting for people who obviously don't take Lent seriously or, you know, the rolling up of the worship anyway. But like they can look at it and say, look, I'm depending. Chocolate is owning me. Well, who says that's a problem? That's to to be owned by something that you love. Right? Like who even recognize that as being an issue? Yeah. Yeah. That's true. It's it's, to to a to a culture where we're like, hey, that they don't know right from wrong, they're self convicting on on things that otherwise, I mean, would make my list. They would just make my list to point you to Jesus, where they're just making your list and convicting you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's interesting. Anyway, you can get more, there's if you go to openbible.info,

there's a blog post about what, Twitter's are giving up for Lent, 2015, edition, if you intend to, enjoy on that even just a little bit more. Alright, Bubba. So what's on your mind for Facebook evangelism? So I find myself scrolling through my feed and looking at a lot of posts of of my friends and and the people that I know personally or that I've connected with throughout the years. And I find myself kind of at a at a crossroads recently.

Because the fact that there's a lot of people who are are pouring out their heart onto Facebook and then, you know, quote unquote throwing their drama onto Facebook and stuff like that that are that are honestly going through some tough times and are legitimately seeking, you know, someone to tell them, hey, you know, everything's gonna be okay and all the good stuff, you know, this is this is something that's happened before and it'll happen again, and life goes on and all that good stuff, right? And and I my crossroads is is one that I've seen taken both ways, because I've seen people try to do,

the whole Facebook evangelism thing. So what I mean by that is either commenting on someone's post or or someone else's, feed that's been going on and jumping onto a posting on their wall and something like that, and talking about Jesus, and talking about who God is, and, you know, doing the whole quoting scripture, and then kind of explaining it, or even just quoting the scripture itself, and then leaving it alone. So that being one portion of, jumping in onto the comment section and saying, you know, well, God's heart on the matter is this. And then the other flip side,

I see as someone avoiding doing that entirely. Not jumping into a comment section, not jumping onto someone's feed, and then starting to talk about God, or or even consult that person in that that forum. And here's why I ask. Are we turning Facebook or the whole Facebook evangelism thing, into a thing that could be used for good, where we're honestly talking to people about who Jesus is, and honestly connecting with people. Or are we using it

as a substitute for creating actual legitimate relationships, and having legitimate conversations one on one, whereas, I can sit down with one of you guys and have a conversation about Jesus person to person, or I can just comment on a post on your wall that says, hey, Jesus loves you. Have we turned it into something that that could have been intended for good that has turned into something that that just us avoiding relationship

And us avoiding honest, honest fellowship with with people that are in trouble. So that we use it as a weird medium for us to counsel them or talk to them about Jesus rather than actually trying to make an an open communication relationship with them. John Wagner?

You asked me because I went Your your piqued interest has really got me wondering. I'm intrigued by, what people consider to be a relationship and communication and if it's relative. You know, like, I'll use a dumb example, but I'm used to hear people who used to read books, like actual paper books, right? I know, right? Gave And you all of a sudden, stuff shows up like Amazon readers or electronic readers. Oh, it's not the same as holding a real book. Yeah. You know, it isn't the same. You you don't know the experience until you've held that paper, you know? Typewriters, a computer, etcetera. I think there's some value,

obviously, in face to face. You know, I can see you, I can get close to you, we can have a real conversation, I can read your face. But I think more and more as communication becomes electronic, we're foolish, at least I feel foolish, to tell people, hey, you know what, that's not real. Like don't put don't put work out there. You know, don't respond to that the same way you'd respond to conversation or don't at least put an attempt out there to reach someone if you know them, if you can kind of sense, hey, this person's really in need. Like, they're posting something that that I feel God is calling me to say something about.

If I can't reach you, if I can't find you, if I can't get to you, I think the way we communicate via, whether it be Twitter or Vine or Instagram or, you know, Facebook kind of feels like the old one now. Facebook's like the one we're kind of holding on to waiting for the next thing. But I say run with it. I think, a lot of folks use social media, Facebook, even emails.

They kinda become bullies behind the computer. They can say what they wanna say. They don't have to really fight for themselves. They can they could be bigger than they really are. But you also have a lot of conversation you'd never have because you'd never be bold enough to say, I'm really lost or I'm really confused or I don't know how to tell somebody I'm ready to, you know, do something terrible. So I I tell people run with You know, be cautious, be in prayer. The same way that I need to ask God,

how how do you want me to talk to this person face to face? I need to say that same thing before I go blast somebody on on their social media wall. But but to not speak to someone that when they've reached out that way, I think we've been missing the boat a little bit. Yeah. So I think I think one of the one of the risks there, and I think this is John kind of touched on this, that we we treat it like it's not a conversation.

Right? Like we deal in we deal in moments. Someone said something, we we dump a bit of information or or scripture, true or otherwise, and and you do it in a moment. Now now take that same interaction and let's say you had it face to face. There was a guy who was running into some trouble and he's having a conversation. There's five or six people around. You walk up, you'd be like Proverbs eight nine, and then you just leave. You know what I'm saying? Like, that that's that's equivalent to what you're doing. And so the the medium is that people are are dealing with I I I agree with John. It's foolish to act like, to hold certain types of connections or relationships in a higher esteem. If that's how people are connecting, that's how they are. Right? Like, there's people who have who will make great friendships,

you know, over communicating in those ways. Think of people who used to we act like we're we're the new party. Right? Where face to face was the has always been the thing. Like, yeah, people were writing letters. The Adams's were almost never together. Abigail and John, like, they were always writing because they were separated. Right? And then there there's this you talking about the president, John Adams? Yeah. Exactly. I thought you were talking about the Adams family. And I thought, watch a bit. I I kinda did too. Yeah. Thought, wait a minute. The Adams's Mike and I run with a different They appear to be together all the time. Lost references. It's alright. Mean We live in a big creepy house. Anyway If it makes any difference, I thought of both. Classy.

So so anyway, I I don't know that it's I think we wanna argue that the medium is not good. And and and frankly, like, I'm hesitant a lot of times to jump in, not because I I I don't think there's there's conversation that can be had that can be valuable, but I I can't I won't stick with it. Right? Like, I'm just checking my Facebook feed and someone's got a got a deal going on, I know that I can give a comment and I probably won't touch that thing for four hours. Like, that's just a rude way to have a conversation. Right? But I've also had some very productive Facebook, like, message things, talking through with things, dealing, and type and just having that conversation. So I would say more you're more prone to bail on a conversation unintentionally or without thinking about it because it's less socially awkward to do it. But if you're otherwise intentional about understanding what that feels like,

and you're and you're committing to a it's not like you have to be on there for eight hours. Right? But like if you're touching base with someone for forty five minutes today and then you're touching you're talking to them again a little bit tomorrow even if you say, how is it going? Right? That's just much different than having than sharing a social moment, or continuing a a conversation that actually helps them. So like, I think that's more the more the difference than the medium. We should just understand that the medium actually contributes to us acting that way because it feels like we can deal in moments like that. It's a post, a response, and a moving on. I think that's where your risk is. Yeah. And I I think what something you maybe implied, but as you start to read down through a feed, you know, so someone will say, Hey, I need help, or I'm having a good day, and you start to get Proverbs eight, whatever. But then they start to pile and pile and pile and pile and a separate conversation begins to happen. That has nothing to do with, you know, how it started. So at that point, you do reach out back to the original person. Hey, if you need to talk. Like, your face just blew up now, just like life in the path does. We went from a Twitter to, you know, something crazy to 50 shades. I don't know I don't know where it went, but, if you wanna get together later, we can talk face to face, so we can do a separate message. Yeah. I feel like that's all. Like, mean, you can you can kinda get aggressive. It's just like any other social situation. Right? Like, you know whether this conversation is not best to be had in front of 10 people. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know there's I mean, they've reached out in a certain way. Some people who have who have lost their bearing will reach out in any way. Right? Like in and sometimes I take that in kinda rough where I'm like, why would you put that on there? You I mean, you look like you lost your mind. You don't wanna be telling everybody that stuff, you know. But the truth of the matter is they lost their footing and they're they're grabbing at the closest cliff and they just don't you know, they don't know where to grab on to and so that's what they did and, you know but like, I think when when when push comes to shove, there's certain conversations that are gonna be not in front of 15 people and not separating like that Proverbs eight thing is almost a perfect example. Right? Like, we talk a lot about separating what Jesus said versus, who is. Right? And you can't do that. Right? You gotta present the entire package. It's still still throwing a

bible verse or a quip from Jesus or, you you know, like, separating that from who he is is not comforting. Right? Who he is is comforting. Yeah. And so, like, if that's the message you're trying to get across, I don't know that Proverbs eight's gonna do that. You know? Yeah. And so that is a conversation that that, you know, if they already know Jesus that that that, you know, that you can you can get with them one on one and say, well, let's talk about it. Let's pray on this thing and let's do this. If they don't, you know, you can show them Christ's love first and so and and, you know, eventually get to that point where you can say, look, it's you know, this this well is not coming for me. You know, like, don't have the depths that you need to to help with this issue, but I I I know a God that does. And so once again, like, that's just not a conversation for 15 people. So, if in general, we're willing to condone the medium of of using Facebook or using social media to. Does condone mean good or bad? It is Approve. Okay, love. We're with it. If if we're okay with people using the social media to to talk about Jesus or have the relational conversations, which I I tend to agree with you guys. I think you can have those relational conversations through Facebook. I think that very easily you can get lost in that comment section, but, I think that there are well intentioned people that could use it correctly.

Are there any general dos and don'ts that, that someone who's going through a Facebook feed should should use at their discretion based off of should I jump in on this and should I comment? Should I message based off of the situation? Or is there there something that I should try and reach out to them, personally through a text message or phone call first? Or I message every time. Yeah. I don't I don't think I I've once I've ever joined in in a group pile on of a take on anybody's life. It just seems messy. I don't know. And that that might just be me, but, like, I I think I always go straight for the one on one. You got something to say, you know, call me or whatever. But, like, I I mean, just just having that conversation in a two way conversation in front of 10 ways is just like it just never goes well. It just doesn't. Right. You gotta assume that like if you're if you're responding to someone's post regardless of the social media platform or in a group, every time you post something, just imagine that after that, you're also saying the phrase, what do you guys think? Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's what it was. And then and again, put yourself on a face to face conversation and think of how often you'd actually be doing that. Hey. Hey. I just told this guy, he's having trouble with his wife, and and, I think he should do x y and z. Hey. What do what do you guys think? Yeah. Like, that's what you're doing. And so I would consider that question if you really care what they think. Because to be honest with you, a lot of times when you're someone's got something heavy going on, I I don't really care what this gaggle of friends that they have fakes.

Mhmm. They may or may not be contributing to this man's problems. And so, the honest honest truth is I I don't care. And so I don't and and frankly, don't need, there's some sort of vindication of being the right guy in a group of fools. But that's you gotta give that up. You know what I'm saying? Like, you don't need to be the the one reasonable guy in a cat of 10 that are having some sort of tiff with this man and giving him bad advice. Because what are you gonna do? You're gonna convince 10 fools? You're not that persuasive. That's right. Now you're fighting 10. You're fighting That's exactly right. You're fighting 10 fools. Right? You would rather be the right guy in a room of two than the right guy in a room of 15. Yeah. Yeah. But there might be other people in the room who are who are listening for some bit of wisdom. Something that because they might be facing a similar situation and and they're not gonna speak up on I've never met anyone like that on Facebook, Eric. Oh. Like, I I Exactly. They they don't come out. They're just wallflowers about it. They're they're stalking the I mean, they're, you know, not literally stalking, but they're just watching and, you know, they've got hurts that they can relate to, and they're seeing other people express it. And they wanna know, alright, what are some perspectives on this? So what are things and if if it's only ever resolved in messages, then they're never gonna get it. So I think that that probably depends on how on how people have kind of proposed this conversation. Right? Like, if you're if you're having, hey, here's what's going on, what are some perspectives, that's different

than, you know, the the something that is is basically about their personal problem. You talked about the response saying, you know, hey, what do you all think? I think what we forget in the dos and don'ts is that when I post, I'm basically walking into a room of 600 people. Yeah. Because you all have, you know, two, three, four, five, 600 friends. Yeah. And you're just shouting at the top of your lungs, you know, Hey, I lost my job today, or, Hey, I love my kids, or whatever it is, and you're expecting everyone to listen. -Yeah. -You know, so,

maybe it's the initial post, which were about more than the response, the Who are you? Stand it. What do mean you don't understand? You don't understand what Just just all of what we were talking about. Well, why don't you care about fasting? I Well, that that's kind of the question. Right? It's like, I feel like I I should and, people who I respect for their walk with Christ, who I think have an honest heart, for God, do it. And and I I don't know why. Maybe I see it as a mature discipline that maybe I just don't I don't do. I I don't know. I think maybe Eric's right. Maybe I just haven't asked God what if I should or if he wants me to or I suppose that's possible.

Well, don't let us stop you. Well, you're not. Alright. I don't know. That does seem like a long list of stuff though. Like, if I have to say, maybe this is possible, but I haven't asked God about it. I'm gonna have to go through, Lord, should I own a Buick? I just check it just checking in today, see how things are going. I thought about buying some chickens recently, but I haven't really heard from them from you. So I haven't thought about buying five chickens, six chickens. I'm waiting for a ding. I'm gonna I'm gonna fleece it. Is the fleece gonna be wet when I wake up in the morning? Seven chickens? Good. Fleece it. Can I can I use my, you got the right one, baby t shirt? Although there's no examples of Jesus doing the chicken buying, there's several examples of him fasting, you know, especially making big decisions and in pivotal times. So you could certainly say at least say, wow. That was a big part of his life, and and it was a big part of the culture at that time. Know? Wait. What's one? What's one of him fasting? Before

choosing the disciples. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That's one. Before the temptation. Mhmm. There's two off the top of my head. I that's does that count as a fast? He he went out into a desert where there was no food available. Well That's more of a starvation. Why do think he did that intentionally? He chose his environment. And he could have the hazely just went. Hold on a minute. The holy spirit chose his environment. They let him on a fast. Alright. Yeah. I'm just saying, he didn't like, I'm heading out for a fast. The holy spirit said go to the desert. Well, alright. But he would misplaced it to go to your point. He he knew it was forty days, and he he knew it was not over when Satan was offering him bread. So Yeah. Fair enough. Bummer. Alright. Alright. Yeah. So anyway, social media.

Did we did we land our Facebook conversation? Yeah. I don't know. I I just think Oh. Go ahead. I would say I just think you have to be careful that you're not speaking to people, but you are speaking with people. Yeah. Just like any conversation. But we you can do that in any any any group. I'm just here to make sure my voice is the loudest and you hear me. Kinda like a fast bully. Yes.

So drop it in the Facebook comments. Proverbs three five through six, all caps, exclamation points, All drop the time. It's most annoying watching Christians pile on in a conversation on Facebook or social media when they're throwing verses. And then they start arguing with each other and here's the person with the legitimate need and we, you know and it's like, well, yeah, but I'm this and I'm that, you know. And and we're we're we're speaking to people, not with Right. And actually, here's the deal too. If you're talking about what Eric was talking about, whereas some people may benefit from the conversation. If you go in and you throw out, like, chapter verse and not actually post the information. Yeah. Yeah. Like, you've just excluded a bunch of people and also shamed them to say, if you don't know what this is, people will judge you. Because you should know when I say, you know, Matthew eight ten. You know. Don't know

what a galactic and we're gonna well, it's Galatians four. You know, like, I don't know what that is. Galactus four? After the Marvel universe? Galactic yeah. It's pompous. Like, it's just it's it's a pompous way to deal with people. You know the Bible. If you knew your verses, I wouldn't have to do this. I have had that happen to me so many times. It's ridiculous. I know. Someone just drops a verse and they're just like, well, here. It's like, I don't know that verse. Like, tell me what it means if you've got it from memory. That's when you have to make up one to go back at them. Well, know Jacob four. You've you've heard of Buva thirteen one.

Oh, man. That's not Bible. I need to take that. Nobody knows Buva. Nobody knows. Alright. Anyway. Okay. So I well, I appreciate that. I think that that's something that that I've personally dealt with multiple times because like I said, I I scroll through my feet, and I I see I see a lot of people hurting. And I jump in, and I have caught myself many times trying to just comment and then leave it at that. And then I stop myself and realize I'm like, is this honestly personal? Is this something that I'm willing to follow through on? And it's the heart of Jesus for me. I've

stopped myself, say something real out. He doesn't walk away. Facebook but I think you need to make it that personal relationship just like Dan was saying, rather than talking to people, talk with them. So thanks, gentlemen.

I appreciate that. Alright. Here's the big, here's the big test, boys. Alright. Here's the big test, available from faith.com. 50 Shades or Song of Solomon, how well do you know your bible? How many Hold on. This is a third party quiz? Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. I borrowed it from the net. I'm ready. I probably feel better about that now. Alright.

I guess, otherwise stress of mine. Otherwise, I would have had to go read the 50 Shades to find out scandalous items so that I could present them in the quiz. And I I I don't have time or energy for that stuff. That's fair. Some other Christian organization is doing that. It's homework for a big quiz, dear. Oh, dear. Here we go. Number one. Your belly button is perfectly formed like a glass filled with wine. Song of Solomon, 50 Shades. Group. Song of Solomon. Solomon. Everybody's in for Solomon? Yeah. Are we gonna go around the room, Ben? Okay. Yeah. Go ahead, Bova. You're up. Shut up. Go ahead and just spit it out. Song of Solomon. Yeah. Solomon.

Solomon. I'm going the other way. Shades. Shades. Wagner's in for Shades. Bye. I feel like I gotta go Solomon. Alright. Here we go. Song of Solomon it is. Song of Solomon seven two. Alright. Belly button for real? Belly button? What translation are we working with? Well, that's a good question. That's Dan's fallback answer. Here we Is the 84NIV?

Because that's how I live. Here we go. Number two. I was a virgin like a wall. Now my breasts are like towers. When my lover looks at me, he is delighted with what he sees. Shades or Solomon? Eric. Oh, that's Solomon. Solomon? Dan? SOS. Solomon. Wagner? Mike? Dang, I was gonna go the other way, but No, I think I remember that towers bit. Towers? Preston Towers. Boova. Solomon. Let's see. Solomon? Song of Solomon 08/10. Are they all Solomon? Is this some kinda

No. I don't See how dirty the bible is. Say one of those things. Here we go. Number three. I gasp, and I'm Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he see he's the serpent, and I cannot resist. Shades or Solomon? Dan. Shade. Shades. What about shades? Shades. Absolutely shades. 50 Shades. 50 Shades. Far so good, boys. Number four, I feel the color of my cheeks rising again. Song of Solomon, 50 Shades. Wagner,

I feel the color of my cheeks rising again. Shades of Solomon. Shades. Mike? Shades. Shades. 50. Yeah. I'm going shades too. Why did why did you say 50 when everyone else said shades, Harry? He's

his own man. Why why you gotta wear purple when it's red dates? Shades. Shades is indeed the answer. Here we go. Your, your thighs shelter a paradise of pomegranates with rare spices.

Solomon or shades? Mike. That's Solomon. Moova. Solomon. Solomon. Solomon. Solomon. Your thighs shelter a paradise of pomegranates with rare spices. We chose Solomon. It is song of Solomon four thirteen. Tell you what. That pickup line never works for me. Yep. How familiar are you with pomegranates? Number

six. Not the right crowd. You know what I'm saying? The shock runs through me, and it's the sweetest, strangest, hedonistic feeling. Go on, Premise. Wait on it. Breast tower. My body convulses at the sweet, stinging bite. Boova. No. No. Boova. Shades. Shades. Eric. Shades.

Damn. I'm sure some of that may have happened. I'm not. I'm going with Shades. Shades. I'm I'm embarrassed to be here. Shades. I've always been embarrassed to be here. Shades.

Welcome home. And Shades it is. Indeed. Shades it is. Here we go. How many of these are there? Okay. 10. Here we go. Number seven, kiss me over and over again. Your love is sweeter than wine. Shades or Solomon? Eric. Solomon. Dan. Solomon. That's possible Solomon. That's definitely Solomon. Solomon. There's

a guy, named Derek Webb who sings a song, and he goes, sweeter than one. So I assume he's a bible man, and this is indeed Solomon. I didn't see that coming. We no. We're There's no part of that that I thought Ben's gonna do that. We're sweet. Zero chance, I know. That was not expected that we could see this bit. Crashing up. Know? Suck at Solomon one two. I wanna find it. Number eight, I gasped and all the muscles deep in my belly clench clench. Solomon or shades? Dan. Shade. Shade.

Deep in my belly. This is You thought that you thought that that is was this must be the message or something. I'm I'm going with Sullivan. Mike went for Sullivan. Booba. I go Shades. What's funny, Dan? This is Shades. Sullivan.

Alright. Alright. Solomon was a little rough. Alright. Shades, it is indeed 50 Shades. Dang it. My Foost. What? Here we go. Two more. Two more. So far so good, boys. He grabs me suddenly and yanks me up against him, one hand at my back holding me to him and the other grabbing my hair. Shades or Solomon? Wagner?

Oh my gosh. All I can imagine right now is my wife sitting at home going, he's he's gone for this? He's he's not home he's not for home this? Neanderthal language. Is this radio? I'm just teasing. I'm just teasing. I'm gonna say that's shades. Mike. Wagner has shamed me. I can't participate.

Shades, I guess. I didn't post it on Facebook though. Boo. I don't see Solomon using the phrase yanks me closer to him, so I'm gonna go Shades. Seems legitimate. This is Shades. Shades, Dan? Yeah. Shades. Alright. We guessed Shades. It is indeed Shades. Alright. Number 10, seal the deal. Alright. Welcome back. If you're still watching the Life in the Past broadcast, after these, technical difficulties, I really do appreciate you, but you can go ahead and go to bed. Yeah. We we do a podcast. You can pick that up then. Or or, if you're listening on, on the Truth Network, I've already edited that stuff out,

This is what happens? You don't put up a belly button. You don't put up a shield. You put up a sword. What? Yeah. And I would think the difference what made it so easy is the the Solomon stuff was, enjoying the beauty of God's creation and the 50 shades, which it was just kind of an had a native feel to it. It was a it's about me, and the Solomon was it's about you. I think there was a pretty good different big difference there. Just just the distinguishing. Yeah. You know? Yeah. Put a little. Yeah.

Which, you know, it reminds us that that, like, for all the for all the tizzy that kinda comes around this, God is very familiar with what things do. He's he's familiar on how people feel. He's he's, you know, he's created these things. And so, like, he knows what you're he knows what you're what you're ultimately after and and just remember he's pointing you to something that has

complete joy in it as it is. And so like, if you feel like that's lacking the the the real the the thing to dig into is what God has created and pointed you to as opposed to trying to to explore something outside of, what what he's done. Because,

obviously, if God has the right answers, you got the right answers. And that that goes for all things. Yeah. And actually, I don't have any reason to suspect God of shortchanging me. You know what I'm saying? I've not seen any, realism or backup to that that that he's selling me half goods. You know I'm saying? If he says, look, this is where the joy is, I say, okay. That's where I wanna be. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Alright. Dan Dan has so much ballyhooed, pope style. And here's here's the setup. So someone has mistaken Dan for the pope,

and they've told everyone that Dan Pope is gonna come out and give them information for their lives, on how to live their lives. So the people gather on Dan's lawn and they refuse to leave until Dan comes out on his faux stoop and gives some pope style advice that applies to both his life and theirs, so that they may disperse from his lawn. Go ahead, Pope Dan. Alrighty. I'll

just say that the message I would tell them, then I'll give you the backstory. Okay. I would tell them is to to speak their faith boldly no matter what the consequence. And here here's why I say that. We went to my my daughter and I went to a college. She was doing a competition for a scholarship, a very valuable scholarship, a full ride potential. There was like, I don't know, 250 or something people, and they're given 16 scholarships, six full ride

tuition and room and board, 10 full tuition. And it's based upon of course, their criteria got in there in the first place. They were invited to this thing. But, then it's based upon that day, you have a a, like, a fifteen or twenty minute essay that you write, and they give you three different prompts and then a personal interview. And, so she's got

approximately a $150,000 on the line in a in a non viable college. Right? Yep. And she has these three prompts and and and the one she chose I I mean, I'm gonna have some of the details wrong, but it has something to do with math. Do you believe that math is something

that is there and man discovered or or or did man create it? Did someone else create it or did man create it basically? And my my daughter's the kind of gal who who she's kind of the wallflower. She doesn't she's not the one who jumps up and down and screams Jesus. She believes she has a deep faith. But, you know, you know, I I've through the years at during public school, encouraged her, hey, through a little this, you know, a little Jesus topic in some of her assignments, she's always like, I'm not gonna do that. She's still not gonna go controversial.

She's not she just, you know, toes the line and and and does her stuff. And so she here she is with with a a significant amount of money on the line, and and she writes all about the design that God created. And and and I mean it's all it's all a mapping. I I don't know. We haven't seen it. I haven't read it because, you know, she was it was handed in. But I was even asking her about it today. Like, what what, like, what are some things you you said in there? And and I'll never be able to repeat it, but, like, what's what's the number e? Is there that that number? Yeah. So someone's with the number e in the design, and it's like in a snail, but it's also in the beauty of a face, the the face that you would call beautiful, and it's it's design. And and and things like look at all these people through all of the world throughout the the ages that have come with with with these math systems. And you put it all together, it's the same it's the same thing. That that's not like us creating different things and throwing it in a pile. Was already created. You know? And she was just she really pointed out my point is,

she pointed it toward God and toward a designer that that that created this thing. And and we have benefited from that. And from that, we've done all kinds of things. And it just it just blew me away that she would say that knowing knowing full well this could be kissing goodbye any chance at at at this scholarship. And she did it anyway. It wasn't like a she's you know, it wasn't like an in your face, I'm gonna show you. It was just like, here's my observation Yeah. Of what and here's why I answered the question this way.

And I I I thought to myself, man, I don't know that I would have done that. If I weren't her place, I'd go the safe route. I'd be like, oh, yeah. You know, whatever math. Yeah. Because of math. You know? I'd do some math formula thing. And, I was just so proud of her. And I told her, said, I've never in my life been more proud of anything you've ever done than this right here. Just because I don't even care if you're getting a scholarship or or not. You you you've stated your faith and you believed in it and you and you you just took a risk. I mean Yeah. You know? And that that'd be my my challenge for people is is not to be so afraid. We're so pansy. You know? We're either so bold and weird when we share our faith that we're just, like, ridiculous Yeah. Or we just don't say anything. And why can't we be somewhere where we're just legitimately speaking of faith as intelligent people,

with something to say? And and that that's my thing. Just just just if god opens a door, you you go through it. And and obviously, he led her to that. We prayed about it, and she prayed about it ahead of time. So when that moment came, she didn't know what the prompts were till she saw it. Yeah. Right. You know? And she just felt like, I'm going this way. And, like, wow. So I was pretty pretty proud dad, and and that's it's all for of us, you know. We we can share our faith, at the right time when when when God opens that door. And, don't be afraid to do it. Do it. Say it. Yeah.

Yeah. That's I I mean, the the truth is is, there's any number of things that cause you to be the person that doesn't share. It could be the wacky, Christian who's done it wrongly, and you're afraid to be lumped in that group. Sorry, boo. You're just to my left. Or guilty. One or the other. Put this on it. The Facebook prophet.

You know, or or, you have this idea that that it is, people are not willing are not willing to hear it. But the truth is is that like, most people that that come to come to Jesus have to be faced with with the truth of who Jesus is. Right? And if the if the story of Jonah tells you anything, it's that, even people that don't wish to repent will listen to God. Like, it it can happen. And that you just have to be willing to go to to take the opportunities that God provides you. And ultimately, it's it's not yours to con it's not your people to convert. They're gods. They're gods. And people will do what they're going to do.

It's it's your life. It's just your life to live. And like it's it it is. It's a very encouraging, thought when when when people can approach a circumstance and say, it is not my job to bend to this world. It is the world's job to bend to Jesus' feet. And that his truth will be will be spoken and not I'm not trying to beat you up with it. It's just this is this is what is accurate. There there's, the the NT Wright has a has a new book out, and it's called, it's it's centered around good news. And, and the basic nature is that, like, we we try to, sometimes we wanna sell this thing like it's a moral thing. Like we're trying to give you a moral way to live. But no, it's it's news. It it's happened. It's fact. And as opposed to if you hear if you hear fact, if you hear news, it the reality has changed. Some event has occurred that did not occur before, and now you know that. And your reality is different than it was. And, I was explaining this to somebody. He doesn't really say this in the book, but I was explaining this to somebody earlier in the week because I thought, to be honest with you, it it really is it's a difference between sanity and insanity. It's the person that hears

news, information, fact, and then pretends like it's not real, that's that's insanity. That's not reacting to a world in the way that it exists. The person that hears news, fact, and says, and then it it impacts their life. It changes who they're alive. They change with the circumstances that have already changed. Like, that's a sane way of dealing with life. And so the thing is is like we wanna we wanna put, sometimes the information about Christ,

as if it's not news, as if it's option, as if it's moral teaching or whatever. It's it's it's it's news. It's good news and and it's changed reality and we have it to react to. And that's the thing is like an answer kind of talking, you know, what what your daughter did is like that's just a reflection of of news. The news is God designs,

Jesus rocks. Like that's news, that's truth. As opposed to like, displaying his options or moral teachings or whatever. So like, it's, it's just interesting if if we just went from the fact that it's it's news, it's information that has changed the world and we're simply sharing it as opposed to like trying to to figure out clever ways to do things or figure out like formulas to do things. It's we're just we're just sharers of news. And then that reflects so much easier in your life versus you trying to figure out some sort of program or or some way to kind of trick someone in in into engaging in something. It's just news that people can deal with so Yeah.

No. No reaction to dance popes out? Everybody else good? Okay. Okay. No. No. I don't know why we run a radio program. Why? Why do we do such a thing?

Alright. Hey, if you're listening on ninety nine point three, The Truth Network, we're gonna have to let you go. And, we will see you next week. If you got some comments on the show, go to info at, live from the path dot org. You can send us an email or just, check us out on the website, livefromthepath.org. And by the way, regards to what you're doing this things.

One is to call Bob Eisenhower and go to Eisenhower team dot com. His phone number's out there. Interact with Bob and say, Bob, life in the past says I need to be thinking about buying or selling a home. And it's just to enter it. You're not committing anything. It's just something to do. And Bob Eisenhower is the man to do it with. So go to eisenhowerteam.com. Also, westfieldvethospital.com.

If you need to get your, get your pets in, they're an excellent place. It's where I take my pets. They've always done a great job, very loving and and and caring for my pets while also, being mindful of of the pocketbook. So, that's westfieldvethospital.com. Go check them out. You can sign up for appointments online with those folks or, I said, get a hold of Bob. If nothing else, even if you're not in the market to buy or sell a home or, you don't need to hit up the veterinary hospital, give those guys a phone call, shoot them an email, wait outside their doors at all hours of the night and say, hey, thanks for sponsoring Life in the Path, because because of their, gracious support that we get to be on the air. So very much appreciate that. So if you're on, 993, we'll let you go, and, we'll see you next week. I don't have any tunes. Oh.

Alright. What you got? You got a quick quick, dear life from the path? Here we go. Dear life from the path. My girlfriend and I have called it quits after three years. Distance was the main reason. It wasn't a bad breakup, but it's still a difficult transition for both of us. She would rather we not see or speak to each other for a while to let things heal. Her birthday is coming up soon. I don't feel right not acknowledging it. Her special day means a lot to her, and I still love and respect her for who she is. Is sending a card and gift appropriate, or should I just leave her be? Distance. Yeah. You can leave her alone, man. What? Yeah. Leave her alone. Yep. That's what she asked for. Absolutely. Even on her birthday? Yeah. Yeah. You think the good thing to do is send her a birthday card. You're doing it because it it it you think that's nice. It's not. She's asked for something else. You need to do what she's asked for. Yeah. Yeah. Think of it as a gift. That's your gift to her. She asked for this, you're giving it by not contacting her. Yeah. She will appreciate your silence more than she'll appreciate your presence. I just want her to know that, I wish her a happy birthday. Here's deal. She knows. Leave her alone. We did a gift exchange when I was in, seventh grade homeroom. K? You're with your homeroom folks and you're supposed to do Christmas gifts. This kid in the class asks for a pair of Nike socks. I went to the Walmart, the day, before you're supposed to give the thing and and they didn't have any Nike socks And I bought Adidas socks.

That was a grave mistake. There's a cultural difference between whether you buy a man Nike socks and Adidas socks. And apparently, it says something about what you think of that person. And so the moral of the story is

the moral of the story is is My nose hasn't been straight. You you give people what they want. If you could accomplish the right thing, you do the right thing and not just what you think is gonna work. Okay. You're welcome. Secular's advice is,

send a birthday card and tell her that because the day is special, you couldn't let it pass unacknowledged. It shouldn't be necessary to send a gift in light of the fact that you are no longer a couple. Hey. That sounds like the same thing you would say while creeping at her window. Because this day is special. I couldn't help peeping at you from the outside. I actually agree with secular. Oh, damn. Think so? Yeah. Yeah. No. I I don't care what she said. She she still wants a birthday card. Hey. This trade. She feels

Yeah. I know. To do with man.

To know he's encroaching from afar of you. Is it

okay for or for How much stalls? Why is the people use a toilet and talk out of phone? It's a difference. Hold on. Do we have to speak for personal Answer is just general. I

saw John Wagner talking on the phone at the urinal. Is this okay? Okay. Dear life from the Is it okay for John Wagner to talk on his cell phone at the urinal public restroom or or a lady while talking in the stalls. Also, please remind everyone to wash their hands after using the restroom. Love nurse Betty. Hey. You could just put a bulletin board up at your own house.

You know I'm saying? This is the this is the classic example of talking at people on the Facebook or Exactly. Okay. Or through a secular advice columnist. Before we answer this, I have to ask you guys about a certain social social situation. Okay. Have you ever found you I may be outing myself here. Have you ever found yourself in a restroom getting in, a hand washing competition with someone? Like, I I have found myself there where I don't wanna be the one who does not wash my hands long enough. Yeah. So I will overwash my hands more than I would normally do so that the man next to me does not think that I did not thoroughly wash my hands up to his own. I'm the opposite. I wanna get out of there so I can get the paper towel first. We're just in different competitions. Okay. You wanna get the paper towel first? I don't wanna see them like I'm not studying. Both of you guys are leaving the restroom next I win.

Feel like I have Restroom never break accomplished. I I feel like Wagner and I have never gauged the room Oh. On what exactly we're doing in there. I check for feet out of the stalls and then leave without washing if no one's around. Yikes. Oh, that

I would That's why use a paper towel to open the door handle. Please state your name. I would. That feels gross, man. I mean, I I I've on a couple of occasions like to like, I've like to make the other people in the restroom feel like they're washing their hands too much. And so I get in there, give it about ten seconds worth of swipes, and I'm like, I'm out. And then I leave directly. It's to shame them for their extensive hand washing. I don't know if it's worked or not. No. You pious jerk boovah. Maybe okay. Fine. Yeah. That's true. Okay. So what's the etiquette on the phone or the bathroom?

Don't do it. It's weird. In my it it's weird. I think it's better than than, talking on the phone while you're, like, checking out at the gas station or something. I think if you if you're gonna have to do it That's rude. Yeah. That's way rude. Yeah. And people will will comment. I've heard people comment to, like, the people on the phone were like, hold on. I'm at the gas station. The lady wants to talk to me about my stuff. You you you willfully walked up here, man. You know what I'm saying? Those two legs could take you anywhere in this place, and you came up to the cash register. I'm sorry. But, yeah, I I feel like talking to install is fine. No big deal. I think it's weird.

Yeah. You can text to install or play Clash of Clans. Yeah. I think with the way that communication has evolved, there's plenty of good options than talking out loud on the phone. Listen to me. There's very few times that either a dog, a cat, or a child just does not want something from me. And so my house of freedom is in that bathroom. And sometimes I will You don't even use the phone. Sometimes I will call people. Just randomly be like, hey, what's up? Got some time. How's life? I'm in the free cave. Yeah. And then one of the kids will come in and be like, it's dinner time. You're pooping. Why are you in here? Alright. I gotta go. See you. Yeah. The problem is this opens the door for the unexplained plonk on the other end of the line.

You you can move a phone away. You know what mean? What's that? What is that? Egg drop soup. Moving on. Egg drop. That's classy. Yeah. The neighbor has gas. No one will decipher that. Okay. So here The last time I was on lap of the path, it was not like this.

Sorry, John. It's alright. Last socially awkward question. Okay? Go ahead. What have you guys ever been in the situation leave me alone. Where where people are talking to each other in the stalls. Yeah. Like, regardless of if you were there or not, like, they know you were there, there's have you ever had someone try to talk to you, know full well who they are, know that they know who you are, and are therefore silent

just so that you don't actually engage in conversation with those people. No. Mm-mm. Okay. That has happened to me on many occasions. It was more often with my brother. Wait a minute. You were trying to instigate a conversation? No. The conversation was trying to be instigated to me because the And you acted like you weren't there at all. I was like, wasn't there at all. Well, that's kept right. That's obviously not true. I should've just put out a grunt or something to let know. Busy. You're a silent liar. Lifts his feet up. Yeah. It's not a lie of omission. Where did he go? No. Like, I don't what if someone else comes in? Right? We're having a conversation. Like, it's just uncomfortable. This is where those rapture theories come from. First, my brother was in the stall next to me, and then his feet weren't there There's shoes And I thought, oh, no. That's it.

Shoes with no owner any longer. What happened to Bubba? You know, it's a very mild form mutism. I'm just saying, like, I I I'm completely uncomfortable about this. Booba was in his seventh dispensational. And then he disappeared. Rough times, though. Alright. No. Yeah. You should stop doing that. Yeah. Secular's advice is, hold on. I gotta get past the handwashing.

No. There's no advice. What? Secular did not offer any return advice. They just published it? Secular doesn't understand the question. Oh, no. Here it is. I just didn't see it. Segler says, I can think of a few things more unpleasant than conversing with someone with the sound of running water or worse in the background and toilet flushing. Why anyone would do this is beyond me. It's very rude. And while I can remind people about handwashing until the cows come home, I'll suggest instead that men and women who use public restrooms not touch the door, handle without a paper towel. When available, firmly in hand. I've done that. Here's the deal. I only this is terrible. I only run into situations of where the bathroom is disgusting when I have, like, my little girls with me. You know I'm saying? Like, I have to take my little girl into a public restroom,

and and, like, they're of the age where they're gonna have to go in the dude's room with me. Yeah. And it it is always just a disaster in there. Like, it's never a in fact, I've been to one restroom that was uptown, and it was at the Chick fil A. And I took the ladies in there, and I said, this is amazing. And I walked out, and said, I talked to the manager. You know, I act like I was mad. And a guy came over and I said, you know what, dude? I have to take my kids in the dude's room of everywhere I go, and this was by far the cleanest. And I can't tell you how much I really appreciate that. Because it was just like, I was blown away that it was a clean Nice. Dude's restroom, and the ladies got in there, and it wasn't just a complete disaster. Yeah. But, anyway, take that to your, you know, to your local establishments. You have a clean dude's room. People with that have little girls will really appreciate that. You've been listening to Live From The Path. We appreciate you hanging out with us here on the podcast. I'm talking about restrooms here. I hear what you're saying. Big thanks to John Wagner who's made mistakes in life, this was one of them. But thanks for coming on the show. Always a pleasure. We love John. Alright. You guys, we will see you next week. Thank you for listening to Live For The Path. Sometimes when you're in the restroom.