Live from the Pathway Studios in Johnston proper. You are live from the path.

And you are listening to live from the Path, coming from the Pathway Studios here in Youngstown proper. It's good to pseudo see you tonight. My old man's talking hat. My wife thought she threw this thing out, but it's like like an old guy that runs a garage, but, like, it out of his out of his own garage. Right? Like, he can't work anywhere legitimate. That's the type of hat I have if I've painted I've painted a picture for you. Okay. Are you seeing your see that in the hat. Is that distinctive? Are you saying your hat is like the garage or you are like a guy who works out of his garage? No. See, here's the deal. The the deal I suppose the thing that I find this hat appealing would otherwise indite me as well under that same example.

You can make proper assumptions about me and how I run my life based upon the type of hat I chose. Alright. You're listening live from the path. Here's what got going on the show tonight. Hey. I wanted to talk a little bit more. We've talked about this in the past, but just it it seems like a relevant thing to discuss,

with some of those beheadings that went on, with Christians, the the Coptic Christians. And,

there is a broad spectrum of Christianity that that has the the the right answer to this. Like, what is the right response? You have the, kill them all and let God sort them out type of folk. Evil is evil. It's our job to combat. And then on the other side, you have, pray and and let the cards be what they may. And so, like, that's a pretty wide gamut.

And, there's a lot of implication not only to to this circumstance, but, like, historically how people have reacted. And I just I wanna talk through that a little bit and and see if we can try to understand, like, where are those coming from? Where do we feel like we have some foundations? I'll be honest with you. I was talking about this with my wife before I came to the show tonight, and the truth is is I I don't know that I'm sure. I have a pretty strong inkling in one direction, and there's probably just part of me that's a little afraid that that that's the right answer. And, and and it's it's just a big right answer. So, so, anyway, I wanna kinda wanna talk to that just a little bit. Also, there was there was an interesting there's been tons of articles about, 50 shades of gray and stuff. I don't really wanna talk about the movie or the book. To be honest with you, I I think there's there's been 10,000 articles and 10 of those people read the book. Everyone else just got kind of excited about other things that other people said either because, oh, there's nudity. Oh, oh, crap. There's nudity.

So so, anyway, I don't really wanna talk about all that, but there was there was a one article that was talking about, industrialized sex. And I thought it was just an interesting way of thinking about how to how to understand sexual relationships. And so I'm gonna I'll I'll read to you what it is I'm talking about, and then,

I don't know, just see how it hits you, see if it rings right, and if it changes kind of how we have conversations about what sex is, how it how it works inside of, inside of relationships and that kind of thing. Also we have, advice on dear life from the path. Mike, have you taken a spot of these things? Are they any good? Well, there's a couple heavy ones in there and there's a one where a, a husband likes to send texts and if his wife does not answer immediately, he gets kinda, he gets kinda mean. He's like, why don't you have a cell phone? You ain't even gonna text me back. Blah blah blah. Shoot. Yeah. So Shoot. Okay. We have a good characterization of this man here, so it ought be excellent. Okay. I'm ready for that.

Also, you know, one of the things that I've been wondering actually is from some things that have come up today is like, what does it what does it mean to lead like like Jesus? And here's the deal. I'm well aware that there's, like, a million books out there by corporate types that are trying to sell you on your corporate job and how Jesus leads. But but I wanna take him outside of a specific corporate box and just ask broadly. Like, what are the characteristics of Jesus as a leader, and how does that influence how we deal with things? Either how thing when things are going well, when things are going poorly, when people are acting foolishly,

when when when you're coming upon, you know, success and the things that you want. Like, how does how does Jesus, the leader, act? And and and reasonably not not like I wanna sell books, attachment, but, like, reasonably, how should that influence what we do in our day to day lives,

from families, from work, from from whatever. Okay? So, and and and what I asked kind of the guys before the show started was, I I'm just looking for things that kind of stood out to you because what's gonna be what's gonna be interesting is that people will see different aspects of Jesus, the way Jesus leads depending on their personality. Right? You'll see one guy that makes it sound like Jesus hugs everybody and gives us a flower on casual Friday. And then the other guy who's got Jesus, like, get behind me, Satan, and throwing people out. So, like, it it just be interesting to kinda see what everybody comes with this. So we're gonna talk about that. Also, before we get any further, quick shout out to our sponsors, Bob Eiselin with the Eiselin Lower team. Go to eiselinlowerteam.com, if you're looking to buy or sell a house, hopefully both, Bob can help with that. And, he's a great friend of the show, an awesome realtor, and, just an all around good guy to be a part of, and so is his team. John's John's great to deal with, and, his his whole team is just excellent. So, we would come he comes highly recommended from Life in the Path. Go to eisenhowerteam.com

and, get ahold of Bob. And it those will got, like, house listings and stuff on there. So even if you just wanna peruse around and see what's on the market, he can help you out with that. Also, Westfield Veterinary Hospital, that's westfieldvethospital.com. You can set up your appointments online, which means if you're sitting right now in your boxy shorts and you know that you gotta get that cat in, now might be the time to do it. Just go to westfieldvethospital.com, set up that appointment, get that put on the calendar and and get the animal in, get them taken care of. It's still classified as a new year. It could still be a new you, and, you can do what you know is correct for your animals.

Get them the shots, get them the the right food. Here's the deal. Animals deteriorate just like people. Right? And so you notice the dog's, like, eight years old. What? Here's the deal. People people treat Hello, grandpa. You look to be a deteriorating kid. People treat the dog like it's like it like it lives forever in a normal state and then just keels over one day and dies. Right? It'll contemplate the fact that, hey. It's it's seven years old, not two. We should feed it differently. It should be eating different things.

We should be giving it different things. We may have to care. It's limping around for heaven's sakes. We should give him some medicine, things of this nature. So, so now is the time to react to that. Make the right choices. Go to Westfield Vet Hospital, .com. Again, that's where I take my pets. They've always done an awesome job with our animals. Help we have a limping dog at the moment, and they they gotta straighten it out. I've got a couple animals heading that way, this week, I think. Oh really? Yeah. We, we came across a, there was a cat that come up to, to the in laws house, you know, and, and my wife and I were dropping off the kids because we're gonna go out on a date. And I said, great. So we drop off the kids and, and, this cat shows up and it appears to have one eye and it's meowing looking for food. Right. And I said, oh man, I hope my wife does not see this cat. Right. And so there goes the date. So she sees him and, we leave. I convinced we're going go out and we go have some dinner somewhere and we get done with dinner. I said, well, what should we do? It's still kind of early. She goes, we should go pick up that cat. I said, no, you know, no, we, we don't want to do that. And she looked at me square in the face and said, I love him. Oh, no. I said, well, I guess we're going to pick up a cat then. And so we go pick up this mange artist and this cat, can't be but six weeks old has a one eye missing. So I've told, and then it seemed to be in discussion, like there might actually be an eye back there, but it was an infection, you know, and I thought, here's the deal. If I've been roped into getting this one eyed cat and it turns out to have two eyes, I'm gonna be very upset. Like, I might kick re kick it back out of the house. You know, I was willing to take it in based on the one eye principle. But,

I mean, story short, I, I, I come looking at this thing in today. The kids have made this massive bed for it, you know, with the blankets off their own bed, in this box. And, you know, I go into the bathroom, check on this thing and it's licking a wound and I'm like, oh no, it has a wound. And I said, wife, there's a wound. Come, come, come look at it. And she goes, oh, it's infected that the cat has been bitten by some animal. I'm like, oh no. And then she starts squeezing it and pus starts coming out. Oh, She goes, we gotta get it all out. And I said, no, no, no. You and West field's gonna get all this stuff out. This does not seem like a place for me, you know, but I hung through it. She used my beard trimmers to cut the hair back so we could see the scab correctly. And I thought, man, don't know. I don't know what the Lord's done to me. You know? Said I you need to do. In fact, I offered that up. Said, you take that cat into Westfield, can you take the clippers with you and get them disinfected? However, y'all do it there so I can have my beer termers back. Either way, we're gonna use their services, and I'm pretty excited to see what they're gonna do. Oh man. They exist in the world to handle things like that. Yeah, absolutely. When you see a cat with one eye and can't decide whether there's an actual eye in there or not, it's time to take them in. You have a tender hearted wife. Yeah. She she's she's excellent with animals. That's that's the truth. Although her excellency drives a lot of animals to our place. We don't ever get a legit animal. You'd always get someone that's got some the first dog we ever got, in fact, she saw him on channel thirteen news. Right? They take this dog in from the animal lifeline or whatever. He's he's on there like, oh, he's totally adoptable. He's a nice dog. He sees his own reflection in the camera and, like, goes ape crazy.

Starts starts barking and tearing the place up. Your wife. We've gotta have him. The wife goes, that's that's dog for us. Go we will pick him up. Next day, he's at our place. Oh, no. That dog was crazy. He used to take food and hide it behind doors. Like, he'd take a he'd take, like, a butt cake off the counter, open the door, and then prop it up between the door and the wall, and then, like, shut the door. Like, nothing had happened. I'd find food in the couch all over the place. He tried to drag a deer carcass in one No. He did not try. He succeeded. Yeah. He the door I don't know how the door got open, but it was wide open when we come home come home from work. And this dog has been out and found, like, a it had to been like a three month old deer carcass. Oh. Like, the bones and all the stuff is kinda still sinewed together a little bit, and he is dragging it from it's gotta be like a quarter mile out, and and it's sitting in the kitchen. Oh, no. He's got it dragged in through like the mudroom, sitting on the kitchen floor with his deer carcass. And then when he comes in, he's got this biggest grin on his face. It's a good idea. You'll never guess what happened. He brought you a present. When we took it outside, like, the looking disappointment in his eyes could not be overcome.

It was it was heartbreaking. Like, mean, like, he had worked so hard for this thing, and he said, you're not keeping us in the house. And you take it outside, and he just looks, I mean, broken. Like, his insides had just fallen apart, and there was nothing left for morale. Anyway, take your dog to a cat. Don't know if they could fix the deer carcass problem, but they can certainly get that dog up in hell. Yeah. That sounds right. That sounds right. Alright. Here we go. So here's here's what I came across. I was reading this article. It was on the gospel coalition

by Joe Carter, and it was talking about the industrialized view of of sex. And it comes out of kind of the 50 Shades of Grey book and and and film stuff. But, like, here's one of the things he said about it that was that I thought was really interesting. Some people will claim that there's something valuable to be gained by having multiple sexual partners before settling down for lifelong monogamy.

These misguided souls completely missed the point. Sex is not a technique to be mastered, but a means of communicating. Sexual intercourse is a nonverbal expression of profound commitment, openness, and trust. Having multiple sexual partners as a means of preparing for marriage is like mastering the art of lying in order to become a paragon of honesty. And so I really thought that, like, there's something very strong, about

about talking about sex is not a technique. Right? Like, how can I do it better? How can I get it to feel better, work longer, whatever it is they sell pills and business for, for you to spice up your life? So if it's not a technique to be mastered, but a means of communicating, it it it very much does change the way that I think we approach, like, trying to trying to perfect an event as opposed to trying to embrace

what we are actually communicating when we are having sex. And the the truth is though, like, here's here's where I think he's he's gotten this not quite right. Is that for some people, it is a technique to be mastered. Like, you can say it's not a technique to be mastered, but, like, I think the right thing to say is that a healthy view of sex is to understand it as a means of communicating and understand what exactly you are communicating through it, versus looking at it simply as a technique, something that you can, should look to improve on, be the very best at, and then then it will be the best it can be. That seems not to catch it in kind of in its entirety, what it's designed to be. So anyway, that stuck out to me. I feel like that. I mean, it's almost on the same level as like the, like the, the classic faith and works conversation, you know, works on its own is is really nothing impressive,

right? And and like, it'd be like a guy saying, look, I'm I'm really good at at making people think that I love them, you know, without actually loving them, but I'm really good at making people think that I love them, right? And so like on one end, it feels like it feels honest. And on the other end, it's it's coming from a from a bucket of lies and, and, and like, you know, the way that he's bounded is, is pretty much the same way, you know, like, with, without having it coming from a, from an honest place and, and, and being, you know, what it was designed to be for. It really is just just taking up, taking up time with a, with a fleeting compliment that, that really had no basis of truth. Yeah. Yeah. I think the whole in, in

what I'm sort of looking for is people are just so obsessed with, you know, technique or, or that's what you're mentioning, you know, the technique and how you do the process of it. And I'm thinking, well, if, if you take the godly approach, let's say you're a, you're

a person of God and you go in this and you get married and you're, you're both virgins. I mean, the, the, the really, I don't know what the technique discussion really isn't there. I mean, it's like, there's no like, well, you do it differently than that person or, I mean, there's no comparing. There's no, I mean, it's awkward anyway in the beginning, but I mean, it's, it's just a, I don't know what I'm trying to say. Always getting as well. Yeah. That's right. You are the best. Adam and Eve figured it out. You got one of these? I got one of those. Yeah. I mean You think? Yeah. That kinda works. Let's communicate. Eve's not like, no. That just doesn't work me because Well, it does. Yeah. It does go. Okay. This is great. It's it's just like,

I think there there is I mean, there's a there's reasonable desire to say I want it to be the best experience possible for everyone involved. I I get that. Right? But, like Sure. Sure. Even the process of exploring that type of thing is is a means of of positively communicating with people that you're involved with as opposed to, like, you know, thinking that you're whoever you're with, is looking to say that they don't love me unless sex is whiz bang. I mean, like, you're just probably thinking of it wrong. And frankly, it it just approaches the context differently. So anyway, I I I just you know, may maybe there's not a lot to digest there. I just I just thought it was an interesting way of

of trying to make sure that when you when we're looking at it, like, if we define it only as a technique, then, like, I you know, the field is a lot more open. But if you recognize what you're communicating with it and, like, and the question whether you're lying or not, even within the action, is an interesting thought. But, yeah, I I it's just something something I think to keep a handle on even even as married folks, is to recognize that, like, it is is an expression of something. And you're communicating something, even when it's everyone's tired and it's short or even when, you know, you haven't had time for it in three months. Like, they're just you're still communicating with people in the in that action.

And and maybe be cognizant of that and treat that with the care that you would with other communications, how you talk to people, the way in which you approach things. You you can't have a a fruitful discussion if you're the only guy talking things of this nature. Like, think there's probably a lot of pretty good examples to recognize, like, if you want a healthy sex life, if you look at that as a form of communication and understand the the needs that exist when when people talk and wanna come together on a certain thing and and see sex that same way, that feels like a very positive thing. Like, you come out with, I don't know, making sure things head the direction that they should and you get the most out of the experience. Yeah. Well, and I think probably most of the,

you know, how we got to where we are or how that that comes to be is it's it's almost out of sheer laziness and not wanting to invest in that type of communication, right? Like, like it's easier to, oh, it's easier to go to McDonald's than it is to make stuff at your place. You know what I'm saying? You gotta go to the store. You gotta prepare it. You gotta get stuff ready. Yeah. And like in the long run, the stuff you made at home is better for you, But but it is really easy just to walk up and take something and, you you know, and then have it. And it was and it was quick. There was no investment in your time. The guy basically worked for you. And, you know, you told him what to do. He propped it up, then it was gone, you know? And so like, you know, it could be very much like the, like the, the fast food satiated mentality, you know, like I just want it. I just want it over with. I want it done. I wanna be, I wanna be satisfied and then I wanna get out and then move on with the rest of my day. And really what you lost was a large amount of communication

and maybe a more meaningful, investment of your time. I heard it described in a way that was really compelling to me and it really stuck with me in terms of, sexuality is a form of connection. And that ultimately that's what's going on is that people are

satisfying their desire to connect between each other. And with that kind of a backdrop then we start looking at all these different forms of sexuality that are part of modern society that are really devoid of connection,

involving the internet or involving going off to a seedy place but where in which no human connection is actually being developed or taking place. And instead it's some of the loneliest places on earth are these places that would otherwise be thought of as very sexual. On the other hand, could have someone who's, completely celibate, but yet they connect well with people. And so looking at it more from a different type of perspective now they're, they're oozing with sexuality

even though it's not just dripping lust instead it's they're someone who connects well with people and looks at the way in which they connect with people in a way of right, how am I helping out these people? How am I satisfying needs that that need to be met, not just for lust, but like actual human needs instead. So I prefer this other paradigm of looking at sexuality in terms of a connection.

So I found it kind fascinating if I could just for a second, the, the, no, that's no, no, I'm done. I'm sorry, dad. Go ahead. Whole outcry against the 50 shades of gray now, I haven't read the book. I have not seen the movie. I have no intention, but I've seen a lot of people just really, it's terrible. Don't see it. Blah, blah. And I think, well, we missing the fact that that you don't have to go. I mean, it's all over computer screens. I mean, it's like, it's already there. It's not like no one's ever heard of this stuff before. I understand it's abusive and, and, you know, just, just, just degrading, but I think isn't that already out there? I mean, shouldn't we be saying that anyway? I mean, it's it's, you know, it's funny because it because it's it's exactly like, I don't know, you know, like, it's it's more like the the the God's people's reaction. Like, and we talked a little bit about this last week, Like it's a rules versus relationship.

Is it something that that that you prefer? I don't know, to have roll not to roll across your TV and think that what you're you you know, anybody who's involved in this kind of practice is wrong. Yeah. They they don't know Jesus. You know, you wanna talk to a guy about that kind of stuff? Or, I mean, tell me it's not a an outcry of the the void in their life that they're trying to fill with something different. Some people use alcohol or drugs or or lying or or greed, and these guys use, you know, whips and deviant behavior. I, you know, I mean, you're looking at the exact same problem. And and and it's funny that that like, you know, and and that it's been my Facebook feed for two weeks now. Yeah. It's been that. And I'm like, you know, it doesn't matter how many articles you post, man. You know what I'm saying? Like, I get it. You're you're you think this is terrible. Well, you know, the Lord thinks that the guy behind it, needs him. And so let's just start there, you know? Yeah. There must been a fire sale on high horses,

because there were a lot of them on the net this week. It was it it's it's just it's just weird. Like, to to Dan's point, right, like, it's it's weird that we're we're opportunists Yeah. And ineffective

ineffective opportunists. Right? The opportunity is when someone's struggling in their in their personal life. Right? Our opportunity is not a broad scale war over the Internet. It's just not. I know how we think, like, we're gonna channel and horse this thing into doing the Lord's work. And I it's not that it can't be done, but like Well, all of a sudden, Why weren't we a year ago or three years ago or ten years ago or Now that it's come up, I I protest. Yeah. I you know. Yeah. Like, we've got we should here's there's there's just a bit of disingenuousness

about it. Yeah. Yeah. I'm upset because it came across my desk. And then then I'm not really upset about it anymore. Like, I didn't really pursue it to see if I should be upset about it, which to be honest with you, and and I probably I go back and forth on this, but, like, I really don't wanna listen to a bunch of people who've not seen or read the books talk about it. Like, I'm just not interested in it. I don't need to see it. I I don't need to see it. I know enough about it to know that I don't need to see it. There you go. I'm done with that. Right? But I don't need to go rent a high horse and share why I don't need to get see it with somebody else. Like, I can't speak intelligently about it. Yeah. I can only take someone else's broad overview, generally twisted to make sure they get their point across, and then share that. And, like, I'm not sure I find that all that fruitful that I can speak into someone else's life with someone else's words who also didn't see it. So it it's just not you're just not moving the needle is all. And, like, I'm certainly not making the case that you need to go check it out for yourself. I'm telling you that from the very basic things I know, I don't need to take it in. But I I just I'm not sure that we the thing that we feel like is winning the Internet is not winning the Internet. It's not really doing anything. No. And we need to stop doing that because we look we look silly. Could be the Illuminati. It could be the Illuminati. Probably the Illuminati. Probably either.

Alright. Alright. Another thing that I ran across hold on a second. Where was this at? Nope. Nope. Gone completely. Oh, yeah. Okay. I wanted to talk about, I wanted to talk about the, the beheadings. So this is weird, because you're it

feels like it should be it should be doing more. And I'm not like a mainstream media sucks type of guy, but, like, it's it's weird how our consciousness

has been dulled to horrific things like that. It's not that you don't feel that. Right? But, like, when I read about that, there was nothing nothing that went, oh, I can't believe that happened. It's like your first school shooting. You couldn't sleep for three days. Yeah. And I was like, oh, another school shooting. Yeah. Yeah. I mean and I I don't know that that, you know, you're necessarily called to, you know, sit in a corner for eight days.

But, like, I don't I don't know. I I just feel like like it I've been digesting it. Right? I'm not whatever. I don't know any of those guys, but they were they were brothers of mine. Mhmm. And and for doing the exact same things I do, they're dead,

and I'm not. And so I think my question then is is like, what is the right what is the right reaction? And I and like I said, I I know that we've kinda had this conversation before, but it it just it seems appropriate to discuss, continually, which is what is the right personal reaction? And then what is the right

group reaction? What is the right government reaction? And are those the same things? Like, what what what do you what do you do in the in the face of Satan? What's what what's the what's the what's the Jesus answer? I I think if I were there, I'd be reading revelation a lot because that was written in the context of a similar thing. Christians being put to death.

You know, you, you stand firm, you overcome, you, you go to your death, if so, if so needed, you know, if you're called to die, you will die. I've often, you know, thought of myself if I were there and I was the guy in the orange suit marching down the beach and they're ready to cut my head off, do I fight it? I was like, I don't think I do. I think I just say, I think that's already been done. You know, the death sentence has been given. I'm going to sit here and take it.

You're gonna be in some major prayer, you you know. Yep. Here I come, Jesus. You know? But that's not your question. So I I've just been praying a lot that that they remain strong, that, the church tends to grow in times of persecution, that that the the gospel spreads through this time? You know, I, there might've been a time I, I would've been the guy who says, well, nuke it all nuke them all. Yeah. Like, wait, we're also nuking our brothers. Yeah. You know, that's not the answer. Do you think like, do you think like items like this, and this is a little bit off, off the conversation, guess, but like, do you think items like this

bring about some of the, some of the changes in a democratic society, right? It's like when we look at a, at a, at a free society, like our own or governments that were based on the decisions of the people. They say, you know, freedom for all. And then people have taken that freedom and used it to destroy others. Do you think that moves the needle in the democratic society that looks at it and goes, you know, maybe not freedom to everybody for everything. Maybe this, you know, maybe, maybe our mindset on, you know, letting everybody just do whatever the heck they want is maybe that was a mistake. Like historically,

does it do that? That do actions of like, and maybe not this just this specific instance, right? But like when people take their freedoms and use it to do horrific things, does it change? Does it change your perspective on the freedoms that you allow people to have? I don't know. I don't, I don't know if that's true historically. Like, I think, I mean, you've asked similar questions have been asked, about, you know, burning the flag. You know, like, the things we we consider to be offensive,

and whether our free speech or free you know, covers that type of thing. And and generally, we've fallen on with with certain level of restriction on things like that should be permitted versus not permitted in the name of freedom. Yeah, I mean, I, I, frankly, when I heard the story, I thought, you know, I,

I mean, it, it, I don't know if it had to happen this way. Right. But like they're, they're, they're gonna cross a line. You know what saying? Like there's, there's only so much that that people will, will stomach of your, of, of, of your way of living before they'll, they'll say that's it. Even, even the most war torn guy who says, look, you know, we don't, we don't we don't promote violence for anything. We will not fight back regardless of these and these actions until they got your grandpa, until they pick up your dad, you know, until it's your sister. And I that's what I'm asking. Like, is that is that is that appropriate? Is that is that really our line, or is there a line?

Is it, like, to what level of the do you defend yourself? Right? Because, like, if it's if it's too late by the time they're marching you down the down the way, do you do you flee if you can before the trial? Do you you punch the guy in the testicles and make a break for, like, what you know, what what's the right level of of a Jesus of follower who's who's frankly prepared to die,

knows that it's very possible. The the Bible is clear that it happens. What what what point is it? Is it someone's to intercede and say that they're just killing people randomly? Well, I mean, but look, I mean, there's there's biblical examples of,

you know, God fearing men that that bailed when they were about to get captured, you know, or split because the the rising was too bad. Or when people were trying to lay hands on Jesus, and he just kind of dissolved through the crowd and and and went elsewhere. Right? Like, I mean, it can't the the answer can't be, you know, you you take the comeuppance because comeuppance are coming solely based on the fact that that they're coming to get you. Well, that's a bad example. Right? Like,

I suppose only because he's his time income, right? There was Well, that's what I'm saying. Like, and he obviously knew that. Right? But we don't I don't know my time. Yeah. Yeah. And so, like, you just assume every time someone's after you, it's your time. This is it. So what so I was thinking about that today, I thought, like, save John and not not for lack of attempt that all the disciples died. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, all of them died. Not one of them was able to flee successfully, or do we have a record that they attempted to? Now, although although I think there are, like, there are biblical examples of saying, hey, man. They're after me. I'm gonna go somewhere else, and they do that. Mhmm. So is it just like you're allowed to be squirmy until until they finally get you, and then you resign? And you say, well, okay. They got me. Guess they got me. Yeah.

Mean, like, know, John the Baptist. I mean, Jesus is is the ministry is growing. He had the power to do what he mean, you know, he was the son of God. He could have gone in and said, no way, John prepared the way. I'm gonna get him out of I'm gonna break him out of jail. He allowed John to be beheaded. I mean, excuse me. Sometimes that just comes with the package of being a a believer. I mean but you didn't see David hit the ground and go, get me. You know?

He he ran. He took to the hills. You know what I'm saying? Like, he he escaped. And so, like, I I'm maybe maybe it's not a black and white blind that you can draw. You know? Is that what I'm trying to figure out, though. Like, is the call to say, hey, man. We gotta do something. Send in the the bombers. Is that the right is that the right reaction? Because, like, you Well, here's the thing. You're you're basically you're saying you you're killing people, and we're gonna solve this problem by killing people.

By killing you. They don't sniff right? See, this where you have these these blurred lines of okay. We're talking as brothers in Christ or as the nation of America. What what what does the nation of America have vested in a bunch of Christians in Egypt, you know, or or up in Syria? Can you do both as a Christian man living in America? Can you go look? I wish America would bomb them. Right. But I wish that we you know? When we had this kind of same similar discussion on the kind of the immigration topic. Right? Like, how can our national conscience be different than my personal conscience? How can I like, as an entity, we're allowed to do x y z? Like, I'll take a man into my home, but you certainly can't let him pour across the border. Like, there's it's the thought process that that I I think I I need help thinking through that. Yeah. I need help thinking through, the ours ours the freedom in our society puts us in a bit of a conundrum, with the paradigm through which to think. I don't know that the decisions are actually all that difficult. But, like, if you understand, like, if you're promoting what you believe personally on a national scale, there are significant implications to that.

I mean, take take The United States involvement out of it. Egypt is pissed. Yeah. Right? Like, a bunch of guys got got beheaded for looking for work. And so, like, they send in the bombers. If I'm the president if I'm the leader of Egypt, am I the do I say, yeah? If I love Jesus, do I say, send them in? Because I feel like my reaction is no. But I I feel

there's there's a part of me that holds on to the fact, like, that feels foolishness. If you're like civil government, you know, you're the leader of the government, and they're assaulting your people, then you protect your people. You know, you assault you go back at you go after them. You could take out the terrorists.

As a Christian, I have a hard time saying, we're gonna get them because they killed my brother. So how how why do how can those things be different? How can I set a role that says, I'm the leader of Egypt? I will do this thing, or should I just not have accepted the role of leader of Egypt? Like, is that true? I mean, you gotta protect you know, David killed Goliath to protect his people. Joshua and the Israelites, I mean, wiped out nations on the way to the promised land. I mean, sometimes things happen for the protection of

Wait. Wait. Wait. The people. You said David killed Goliath for the protection of the people? But, I mean, they were gonna become slaves. Whoever won was gonna become slaves of the other was the agreement. We did it because Goliath was was blaspheming against his god, didn't he? Sure. I mean That was what David cited. Yeah. Right. Against him. But, I mean, the war in general was not for that. David didn't start the war. Right. But there was a bunch of other people that knew who God that that were that were God's people fighting in that war. But he got involved because God's reputation was being slandered.

And his whole family were gonna become slaves of these godless people. Maybe the David and Goliath was not a solid example. Work with him. Okay. Moving on. Let's Just smiling now. Let's come together on this thing. Alright. So do do do I do I reject do I reject ever running for for president of Egypt because I simply

can't uphold the basic tenants of what they would expect a leader to do if my Christian reaction would be don't send in the bombers. If your creation if if your Christian reaction is correct? That's what I'm asking. Well, I can't answer that for you. Yeah. I I I just I I feel like you can't do I there's not a black and white line there. Like, there's time when God said you guys are going to war. My people are going to war. You're doing this thing. And there's times when he said you're not. I wouldn't as a leader, I wouldn't have any problem sending in the troops. If they're attacking us and beheading our people and and causing havoc, I'd be like, I've gotta protect the citizens. I mean, they're they're crucifying children. I mean, it's not like they're they're not going after soldiers. They're going after citizens who are just out there doing life. It was like, I've gotta protect my people. Whether you're a police officer or a or a soldier, you you sometimes you step in and protect innocent people.

Buha, Eric? Compelli. Yeah. I I've been sitting here, and I I want to comment on it, but I just I honestly don't know. I don't because

But we comment anyway. Well well, right. That that's got me in many many situations. Paid for the time, Buva. Feel feel free to pontificate. Well, that's gotten me in many bouts of trouble with you guys. It's me just walking into something not knowing. From the from my my first glance perspective, I mean, obviously, you've got the whole

you know, you're supposed to treat everybody with, you know, the love of God. I mean, that's that's expected. Everyone you love on. That's that's if it's God's child, you love on that person. That is straight up how it goes. Right? But at the same point in time, you guys are right. There's plenty of old testament examples of God saying,

you are to destroy all of them. You will go and kill every single one of them. I mean, the situations where if if they didn't kill all of them, if they didn't kill every single person and then all of their livestock,

and if they took any of the things, God was furious with them. And and that's where I'm trying to to figure out where my line is because, you know, I don't know I don't know how I would take that whole concept of do what do I feel like God is calling me to to take care of these people because they are slaughtering innocent people?

Or do I feel like God is calling me to to love on them no matter what as my enemies because they are children of his? They are misguided and they are running away from him, and they do not believe in him or have any relationship with him, but they are still his people. They're still his children. So how can I, knowing that, knowing that God has called me to love my enemies, knowing that God has called me to love my neighbors, which is everyone, how can I take that as it is okay to retaliate and kill them?

I don't know. Can you love somebody and still kill them? You know what I'm saying? Like, can you I mean, can you can you have the heart for people to know Christ and go, look, you just can't I can't Can't leave here anymore? I can't allow you to run around killing everybody. You know what I'm saying? Like, I want you to know Jesus, but like, I cannot I'm taking your freedom away to continue and run around killing people. Now what I would prefer is to have a Jonah show up to go into a society that's full of very evil people that are cutting people's heads off and using their skulls as mugs and and, you know, I mean, that that was a Nineveh was a pretty evil place.

You know, they didn't take the army in there. They took a preacher went in there and the whole place re of course, that was a god thing. That was a god inspired thing. That'd be ideal. That we could just parachute preachers. Maybe that's the right answer.

We'll just find some blow hards. Let's just strap some parachutes on. Put some guts on you. Go filibuster the entire army so that they're no longer killing you. We'll see what the Lord has to do in here. I'm just like, the the the truth is, like, there is a reality that we get to step back from and talk about,

that other people face. Yeah. Right? And so, you know, the question is is what what is the level of, is God pro self defense? Is it, you know, like, what what is the what is the right level of,

you know, does loving your neighbor, extend to, you know, protecting your neighbor from physical harm, as you also pray for those who persecute you? But what if he's coming after your neighbor? I'd like like,

I think those are the things where you're trying to find the heart of what what's what's the heart of Jesus here? I think sometimes it I mean, Jesus gives us the three commands about how to deal with enemies, and that's love, pray for, and bless them. And

getting beyond that is maybe it's just secondary. I mean, I don't wanna just say it's not important, but sometimes in a day, I I've only got enough time to really accomplish one thing. And here, Jesus has given us three things that we need to do for these guys. So I don't know

how to get involved really on one side or the other of do we be pacifists or or do we, take an active self defense role in it or not. I do know these three things that Jesus commanded us to do, and and that's home territory for me. I I know that much.

But as far as my neighbor and and self defense and and things like that, I I don't see a clear black and white answer given to us, and and maybe it's something that's very situational, and so I can't really point fingers on either side and say that you're doing it wrong.

So with it open, maybe maybe either option is is okay so long as you're following the the other three things that Jesus told you to do, love, pray for, and bless. And you can personally, as an individual, love, pray for, and bless while your nation

is using civil discipline Mhmm.

Routing them out. Civil discipline. I'd like to see that press conference. We've decided to incur civil discipline against you. If the if the act was being committed against a a race of people, then it'd be considered genocide. But instead, they were targeted because of their faith. So it's not technically genocide, but it it's more or less the same thing that's going on. And that's something that the nations have gotten together as a UN and said, this is wrong. The genocide is morally wrong. Well, this is a religious form of it, but same sort of thing. As nations,

we can intervene in each other's backyards when one nation has gotten so far out of line that they're committing genocide. I I see this as a similar type of act.

You know, and I suppose, you know, broadly speaking, it is a manner of confusion of which like, everyone living faithfully in a kingdom of God, this is a nondistinction. Right? But, like, we live in a gray area. That's where we live. We live in we live in times of which you can have moral misguidedness that through the eyes of some are not are not judged as to whether you are outside of what God wants or not. Like, we're judging. It's not alright to commit genocide irrelevant to what God has said about genocide. Like, that's not where the stance is coming from. It's just we as a

a people, God or otherwise, believe the genocide is wrong. And so it is, the clear answers exist in the kingdom of god, but we, you know, we live in a place in which,

that kingdom is not is not embraced and not lived fully. And so, like, we we we simply exist in a gray area. Mhmm. And so where where things are otherwise I think there's moral clarity, within the within the kingdom,

that is that is muddied by the distinctions that an ungodly group of people, brings with it. They bring with it problems that, that that, I don't cause cause confusion,

and and make things difficult. And I suppose it it it does really make sense to say that, that it is situational. To say that, like, the Holy Spirit will will

show you what's appropriate. Understanding that, like, although although every time you see the word Jesus and sword in the same sentence, he's not advocating violence. He's talking he's speaking the movement of truth. To take the sword out of God's hand is also seems inappropriate,

because he has moved through that. And and that that is a reality. And so, situationally, I suppose, yeah, like, we're

if we we follow what we know we can do and to like I said, to be honest, we have a bit of a luxury here. Right? Because we have the chance to talk about what would could potentially do. It is simply not our situation in which we are faced with. And and to be honest with you, of all the accounts that I've ever heard,

of Christians kind of being in those situations, they seem to have pretty, pretty morally clear ways of thinking. Mhmm. Right? Like, you don't and it could be there's just not documented well. Right? But, like, like, all the accounts that I've that I've read, there's just clarity with I die today or, I live today and fight. And, like, there there doesn't seem to be bits of of people having this kind of conversation about the situation they're in. And maybe the luxury of being separated from it, introduces the ability to, to talk about things that that are simply the Holy Spirit's to answer.

And it's not our problem. And sometimes, you know, suppose suppose even even close things, take out national stuff. Sometimes a man breaks into your house and, you know, it's yours to fight him or take one for the team and he becomes a Christian. Who the heck knows? Right? Like, suppose it's a Jesus deal. I yeah. I I don't I I suppose that's the only realistic answer we could we could we could come to here. I've I mean, it's just compelling arguments for either side of that thing. It's just it it seems like it's, it's God's prerogative, and you're just gonna have to do what he wants.

Agreed. That's rough times. Alright. I thought oh, shoot. I thought oh, oh, yeah. Okay. Lead like Jesus. Lead like Jesus. Yeah. So,

you know, there there's a we talk a lot about following Jesus. And and part of following Jesus sometimes puts you in the position to lead others. Either

either in a in a, like, a ministry situation, either in a, like a discipleship type thing or, frankly, in in a secular situation, be it work. I don't care what you do. So,

the question is is, like, what are the characteristics of Jesus as as a leader? What what about those are are the things that make him unique in which this is not applicable? Right? Because, like, the I hesitated to bring this up because, you know, what I have seen is, like,

is people take all aspects of Jesus of how Jesus dealt with things and then try to apply it to, like, a corporate or a or a secular function. And the truth is there's some unique things about Jesus and his circumstance of which are simply not the same criteria. It is it is not the same thing. You know, it was your boss at work isn't likely on a specifically called mission of which, their sacrifice is imminent, and they are well aware of that. It just simply isn't the circumstance. Right? So it it's there are some elements of the way Jesus has led or done things of which is just inappropriate to pull those out and say, this is how people act when they're when they're leading because there's just more to his circumstance. However, broadly speaking, he is still dealing with a broad populace that acts much like we act. And and the question is is, like, what are some aspects that you would say, like, as having read scripture that you would pull out from Jesus as the leader?

I'd say you owe it to the people that are following you to know where you're going. And I'd say Jesus certainly did that. He knew where he was going, and despite, the rabble from the crowds and the even even his disciples be like, I don't know about this move we're making. He says, here's what we're doing. And then just keeps rolling calmly. And, you know, I and and frankly allows them to be foolish when it's time to give them some room to be foolish for a little while. And then, you know, puts them in the place when it's, when it's best for them. But, like, I don't know. He has a very, very strong of course, he's Jesus, but, like, you know, he has he has a very strong sense by watching the father of what he's gonna do. He knew what he was there to do, and he knew where he was going, and he knew the routes he was gonna take to get there. And like, it's almost impossible to lead people if you don't know where you're going. And so, you know, that, that could probably have some well do thought to not to not fight in the weeds of the day to day,

making 50 decisions a day. You know, you know, the grand scheme, you know where you're going, and and people will follow you, when you do that with authority. I was thinking too, he was he's very focused and purposeful. Like and and like you mentioned, Betting me, he had a you know, we know what his focus was, but his Yeah. What his what his ultimate purpose was. But his whole ministry, everything you read, everything he does,

you know, he wasn't like just running around, you know, chasing wild geese. You know? He he he everything was leading to that Mhmm. That that point. He was preparing the crowds, preparing the disciples, somehow laying a foundation for for, his ultimate, command to the church Yeah. Imperative to to make disciples.

So so it yeah. There was there was very much a lot of focus in that. He he definitely had his goal in mind, but he never really sacrificed the moment in in order to get there. Like, he he would stop and he'd he would address the situations that were in front of him as he was marching to Jerusalem. He he would converse with people. He'd take time for what was going on around him. And and it didn't mean that he got pulled into everything. I mean, he chose what he was getting involved in. But it you know, I mean,

yeah, Luke presents a gospel where, Jesus is marching to Jerusalem by, like, chapter nine. He doesn't get to there till chapter 19

or so. So, like, a third of Luke is just Jesus making this journey to Jerusalem. He's he's taking his time. And for one guy who has the only excuse to have a messiah complex, he doesn't

he doesn't treat people like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He he never just says, oh, I'm too busy for you. He never says, I'm too busy for you. He always has time for for the needs of people around him. Right. He lives he lives in today as he as he moves towards tomorrow. Mhmm. And, like and he knows his business. And and he knows, frankly, that those day to day things are hit are are part of that Mhmm. Are part of that business. Right? The same time, he did escape once in a while, you know? And Yeah.

To to reboot, you know, and and yeah. Yeah. I I think he knew who he was and what his mission there was, and and ultimately, his authority came from God. And he he has that connection with God that, well, obviously, he is God. But even in human form, he he still took time to commune with the father.

And and it it grounds him. It it reminds him of who of who he is and what his authority is. And so that that was never a question in his mind. He always knew where he was going, who he was, and what's going on. He was a constant teacher in every situation,

taught every single person around him. When it comes to to leading like Jesus, you have to be able to teach people. And I'm not talking about having the the skills to be able to to be a good facilitator. Obviously, you guys know well enough. I'm gonna gravitate to that. But he just taught people constantly was was investing in where they were now and then was willing to do what he needed to do take his time to get them to their next level and was patient with them in their foolishness. Mhmm. Complete patience in their foolishness. There was no

Peter, you're an idiot kinda deal. Like, there was no There's a bit of a get behind me, Satan, but that seems situational. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So valid point. Also on the boat, he kinda just looks at everybody like, hey, guys, I got this. Shut up. Stop freaking out kinda deal. But for the most part, as in the random situations, he he just he stayed patient with the people he was he was trying to teach. Yeah. Understood where they were coming from rather than forcing them to come where he was coming from. And I think that it was so important for that to work. He had to know where they were,

rather than just have to stand in his ground and where he was. It wasn't about bridging the gap from them to him. It was it was him meeting them where they were and then getting them to that next level. Yeah. I mean, the the point was that they come along. Right? The point was that they follow. Mhmm. And and it two basic definitions to be leaders, like, you have to be going somewhere and people have to be following you. Mhmm. Like, if you're not going anywhere, you're not leading anybody. And frankly, if you're just walking by yourself, you're also not a leader. Right? Mhmm. And so so both of those things, like, if you're just the guy that walked 10 feet ahead and said, now people will come to me, like, that's not that's not leading. That's standing and hoping a crowd forms. It's it's the most embarrassing flash mob ever. And and and the the second part of it, like, if you have a bunch of people around you, you're not going anywhere, then you just found, you know, like, you created a flash mob that actually doesn't do anything. And so,

you know, it's I think there is, like, the combination of those things to actually grabbing people and and and having them come with you as opposed to you saying, I'm going. I I hope you come along. Now it's not that he didn't have have

aspects of that. He met them where they were and presented with an honest proposition, and sometimes it involved him walking pretty lonely. Right? Because, like, people turn around and left and said, we hear what you're offering. We're not interested. And and it doesn't change what it is that you have to do in life. Like, you're his deal was his deal, and his business was going to continue whether people were coming or not. But the truth was is that he wanted people to come. And so as he went on his business, he knew that it was successful as he as he kinda grafted other people in. And so it's it's keeping all those things kind of continuously moving, as opposed to, like, elevating one or the other and saying it's it's important that, that I continue continue moving forward as a leader,

and then people will come around. I mean, they do, but, like, you have to help them come around. Like, isn't just isn't the guy having the the right idea or the right answer. Jesus always he implicitly always had the right answer. That's how it works with Jesus. But, like, he has to help people see that. Like, there's still some hey. The think of the,

think of the the discussion he has, this is in this is in John with with with the Jews. Right? Like, he's providing him like, trying to get them to understand. Like, Moses was pointing to me. He could have just said, I'm right. You're wrong. Dig the miracles. You stink. I'm out. Right? But he's actually trying to, at some point, trying to help them and say, I I I'm trying to help you understand where this is coming from. Like, if you wanna honor God, this is what I was what all this was pointing to. Know me. See me for what I am. And and he could've just said, I'm right. You stink. I'm leaving. And so right. You see aspects of that where he's

you can't just tell them the right answer even if it's right. Like, you have to help leading people is actually leading them, helping them understand it, helping them see what it what it does to their lives and the impact that it has on them and what it means. So I I think that teacher thing is a is a very strong thing to think. Like, Jesus, just because he had the right ideas, he didn't bail on actually helping people see it. You have to have a love for the people around you to understand what it is that you're talking about so that you may come along. And I was like, I I don't I've I've I've been there. I've been there. I've gotten frustrated where I'm like, actually, more happens for my kids where I'm like, I'm just right. I'm just right, and you're just wrong. And and we should we're just gonna do what I wanna do. And the truth is is that, like, it's my job to help them understand why there's a difference, why they what they think about is not in their best interest, and why what I'm talking about works. Like, it's it's just part of my gig. And and when we bail on that type of thing, we're we're we're not actually leading. We're just grandstanding as people who don't know any different. And, like, what kind of victory is that? That's a lame victory. So, yeah, I would say that's that's strongly compelling to Jesus' leader. He he also had a perspective of what happens after he's gone, after he's out of the picture. He he was taking time to invest in in Peter and and in the others and train them up because at some point, he's gonna ascend back to heaven. And then you've got, you know, 11 guys at that point kind of looking around like, alright, what do we do next? Well, they're gonna get anointed with the Holy Spirit, but

they're gonna be following the example of what Jesus just taught them. He he's he's leaving behind a legacy and knows that, you know, I've got a certain amount of time. So in the process of training up people, it's not just training up to have better subordinates, but he's training, to replace himself. And then he even makes the comment, you guys are going to do greater things than I even did, which is just phenomenal.

I I I would love to have a leader who has that kind of perspective of the people that he's investing in or that she's investing in that, that those people are going to do greater things than than I could ever do. Jesus had that perspective of his disciples.

And if there was anyone who would be an exception to that rule, I would think it would be Jesus, but he seemed to have that. Yeah. Which I suppose also touches on, the thought of Jesus as a as a as a servant leader. Right? Like, that he that he serves those, that that he was actually trying to lead, which is a very awkward predicament for some of those people Yeah. Both culturally and just

the basic nature of, people that are above you attempting to serve you. But because they're trying to lead you, they're trying to lead you to that. Yeah. And and it is to recognize that kind of thing. And so, you know, I think if if we miss that, like, we we try to protect the, the thought process of what is,

what it is to lead to to rise above, but it's it's not like the what it is to lead is to, is to get people to where you want them to be. And and those means are necessary where, like, if you want people to know how to serve, you serve to demonstrate, and you've gotten them there. And so, you know, Jesus could have think of the example when they became to rescue me. He's like, I could have called angels. Like, I could I I I have the authority. I have the ability. I could have just called them down, wiped the place out, but that is not how I want things accomplished. That's not how it's gonna get done. Mhmm. And through his example, he, you know, he presented that. And, and that's how he led up, you know, through his whole interaction on earth. And so, like, sometimes I think we, we spend a lot of time on on Jesus' words, and and we parse them too too thick outside of his actions. And and and what did he actually do? What did he do? How did he if he said this thing and then did this thing, I have to understand them both that they fit together. How can I understand that as opposed to I rally towards what he did or I rally towards what he said because it fits my personality and how I wanna lead things? And that becomes dangerous. I'm trying to parse out, like, he's effective because he's the complete package and ultra ultimately, he's Jesus. Not because he took a couple of his sayings as pithy wisdom, put it on his office, and then rocked out on those particular principles. It was it was all those things come together. There was a balance to that, to that nature of him. So I also see the, I guess, it's part of the servant servant leadership style, but he always did the heavy lifting.

But he also called the disciples to likewise do Yeah. He was the first to sacrifice that, but he would train the guys to sacrifice as well. And so they were ready when it was their time. And, he would give them the opportunity to step into that role of of doing the heavy lifting, doing the sacrificing. It wasn't a it was not a place of comfort. It was not at all the cushy seats that that most people would really like from a leadership type of role. To to lead like Jesus is not

not a comfortable thing. I don't know why you would really desire it from that perspective. That'd be foolish. But yeah. Okay. I don't know. Any other any closing thoughts on that, fellas? I

I just thought, like I don't know. That that benefits me personally, to be honest with you. Like, just to to kinda think through I think I I know I can corporate style, I I feel like I can lead like Jesus. I I mean, like, I know the things to say,

and potentially the right infrastructure to to keep in place. Right? But that is that is not even half a story. That's a quarter of a story. And so if if I'm to lead like Jesus in in whatever whatever aspect of my life, beat my family, beat my job, be it be it ministry, whatever, can I contemplate what that actually means? Not for for people. Because when you say, like, what does Jesus as a leader look like? A lot of times we we wanna see what does that mean to the people below it. But the question is, like, me personally, as if you're called to be a leader in any aspect as a Christian,

how how is that defined by how what Jesus does? I I thought it was pretty key as well that, even as the son of God, God in the flesh, before making big decisions, he went to the father. Yeah. There there's prayer involved and, you know, he didn't just choose random 12 disciples. He was like, he spent time in prayer ahead of time. So, okay. There's all these guys hanging out. Which which are the 12? Yeah. You know, who's it gonna be? And and I think that's that's extremely important

in in leadership of of making sure you know who the head is. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No doubt. Alright. Well, I feel like I got stuff to change about my life. I don't know about you, fellas. Buva, do you feel like you have to change your life? Of course, I do.

Classic. Good job, Buva. Well, so I admittedly, I kinda just take that stand in pretty much my entire life. This is perfect. The moment that I decide that, you know, I think I've got it right, and it doesn't seem like there's even really gonna be anything that I need to change my life on is a problem. No. Yeah. No. I agree. I agree. Alright. You've blessed a live from the path coming from ninety nine point three FM, the truth network, and I wanna thank you for hanging out with us. Hey. If you, could do us a big favor, contact Bob Eisenhower with the Eisenhower team or Westfield Veterinary Hospital. Utilize their services, because it makes us happy. And if nothing else, shoot them an email, give them a phone call, stand outside their windows at all hours of the night and say, hey. Thanks for sponsoring Live The Path, because we enjoy the program. Also, if you're with the with us on the podcast, we'll be right back with you. Just give us a couple minutes. Thank you for listening to Live From The Path.

What? That's a heavy one. It's a heavy show. Heavy show. Just trying to catch up from last week. Dang. Last week was a valet of party hats and roosters. Was day heavy. It was iffy.

Alright. What do you got for some advice, Mike? Here we go. Dear lie from the path. My husband has many wonderful qualities. However, he's obsessed with my always being instantly available when he calls or texts my cell phone. I don't carry it with me every minute of the day. At work, I can be busy taking orders, dealing with clients, having a conference with my boss, or using the bathroom. But if I don't answer, my husband leaves nasty messages asking why I have a phone if I'm not going to pick up or respond to a text. I always do it as soon as I am able. I have explained the reality of of what I might be involved with when he contacts me. I've told him his demand that I always be immediately available is selfish to no avail. What's your opinion? Oh, that it wasn't even advice. That was just like, what's your opinion? Yeah. What do you think of that? I think your husband is overreacting. I think your husband sounds like a schmuck. Yeah. He's selfish. I'm a I'm a little bit of this guy.

I'm being a bit of it is understandable, but being this guy is not. Like, yeah, you you can you can reasonably expect that, hopefully, your wife is gonna get in contact with you as soon as possible. And you contact her or call her or text her for a reason and yeah. And you'd like a response. But to take this just vindictive ridiculous response Yeah. Is messed up. Yeah. That's not me. I I instantly worry something's happened. And I'm I'm not sure what part of my I think that's what this guy is. This guy sounds like He's got a jerk. Wife creature. Why have you not responded to me within ten seconds? I'm angry at you, and I'm now contemplating shutting off the contest. I am husband. Hear me text. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Maybe well, maybe he's maybe he he only reacts in one way, you know, like, he's actually worried, but he just he reacts in anger. Can't express it correctly. Yeah. I think he's a jerk. Then he needs to communicate better and tell his wife that. I wouldn't get so upset. If people stayed married without that cell phone, I'd I'd I'd say, tell him you're just not gonna carry with you. See what happens.

Yeah. So either I can answer all your texts or none of them. I'm going with none. I'm leaving the phone at home. Yeah. Can you just shoot him a quick okay. That's it. Just I got your message type of thing. Quick. She's in the bathroom. Acknowledge. She's in the bathroom, Dave. Taking a poop, Dave. Those are my dead best texting Have your phone with you? Or a conference with your boss. It's probably Actually, I always grab my phone on the way to the bathroom. Yeah. It's an excellent time to catch up on Facebook. Here's what I'm a tell you. Here's what I'm a tell you about. I work in a corporate environment,

and, there's a distinct difference between sales guys and people that do, like, operational work Yeah. As to their level of comfort speaking in the toilet. Like

like, the operation guys tend to keep it themselves. They don't not a lot of glan head. Sales guys do not stop their personality in the toilet. Like, they'll be talking like, a guy will be on the toilet. Hey. Hey, man. What's happening? Oh, no. No. I heard you in Arizona last week. Yeah. Sure was. Like like, full on as if there's that guy is not on the toilet. And I I just I I don't know why. I just had this thought that maybe there was a difference, but it I mean, it is distinct, my experience over the last three months, between these types of fellas. And some of them talk about some pretty sensitive talk. It was like, hey, man. Heard your mom was in the hospital. Yeah. She's doing much better now. I'm like, you were on the job.

Like like, maybe maybe let's not talk about that anyhow. Oh, wow. So anyway, just Something to keep in mind. So, yeah, I'm just thinking a quick acknowledgment is probably all that guy's really looking for. I don't think he needs a book or something written back to him. Yeah. I mean, you're not gonna solve his his issues with a I mean, you really wanna you wanna bolt up against him. You know what I'm saying? Like, maybe you just have some grace for his neurotic personality and just be like, got it. Yeah. What if he's out I mean, like, what if he he's outrageous, like, 15 times a day.

Got it. Can you say is it is it is it disingenuous to set up an auto reply? There's an yeah. You could do that. Hey. Gotcha, man. There you go. You could just have it auto reply. I saw your text. Yeah. Then you don't you don't really feel anything about it. I would say that's kind of a lie there. Here's a here's a text. Your text was received. You teach the husband to do Facebook Messenger and that alone because that will automatically alert the person that you've read the text and read the message. So real quick they've read it. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. Mhmm. Real quick. You see it? Okay. They're alive. Alright. Bye. That's solid. Alright. Here's secular advice. My opinion is you should ignore your husband's nasty comments because he's acting like an immature, demanding child who who needs to grow up and realize the world doesn't revolve around him.

Yeah. Was the word ignore used? No. You need to ignore your your husband? Yeah. Yeah. Ignore your husband's nasty I feel like that's the wrong response to someone being childish and demanding, just ignoring it. I don't know. Yeah. That's cool. Sometimes That's the children's problem. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Child is gonna sit there and be demanding and and ridiculous and childish. You're not gonna just go, well, looks like I'm not responding to that one. Yeah. Yeah. That that that kid's been violent with animals. Yeah. Don't worry. He'll murder it out.

Hopefully, hopefully, that thing sorts out. Got awful advice. Got one more. Yeah. Go ahead. Dear life from the past, my husband has a grandson, Kyle, in quotes,

who has been living with us for two years while he earned his bachelor's degree in college. However, he is now going for a master's. It'll be another two years before he graduates. Kyle works a lot and takes classes, so he's not at our home that much. However, at age 25, it seems to me he should be out on his own. Some of Kyle's uncles are upset that my husband has allowed this to go on so long because their kids never got the same treatment. But Kyle doesn't get the support from his parents that he should, and my husband feels sorry for him. Am I selfish for feeling that my space has been invaded for too long? Yeah. Yeah. I agree. Yeah. Yeah. So

the kid's still in school? Yeah. Yeah. What? Getting his stuff. Mom, I'm guessing. Here's the deal. And, like, I fall under the same category. I have a you know, when when you grow up in America, you get this idealized version of what your life is supposed to look like. Right? Like, you're gonna have you and a wife and two kids living at your place, and that's gonna be the deal until you retire. And then you get a motor home and toot around the nations, stopping at random RV parks or whatever. And the truth of the matter is is like, you know, what if your mom's get sick or your dad's gotta come live with you or, you know, or or your brother dies and you gotta take the kids or whatever. Like, you're gonna you're gonna let a a terrible thing that's befallen somebody else now be the worst thing that's ever happened to you. You've basically taken what Ben has described last week as,

something that wasn't true, act as acted as if it was true, and then been and then mourn the loss of it. The truth of the matter is is that you you don't, you have no idea what this life bears have been for the people around you or yourself or your family. And, you've set up an idealistic, version of yourself, which frankly maybe doesn't produce the most joy in your life. You know what I'm saying? Who's to say that another person living in your place, there can't be joy in your life there? Why that that instantly a terrible thing?

Yeah. I think you're complete you're I think you're you're missing the joy of having someone living at your place. Mhmm. And he's not even there that much. Yeah. Yeah. And he'll be that was two two years go by. It flies. It's it's yeah. It's not a big deal. And it'll be gone the rest of your life. You can say, yep. We helped you out. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's completely a perspective thing. Right? Like, if you approach it as something that's been taken away from you, yeah, there's no way to rectify that. You're just gonna be upset about it. Right? But if the circumstance that you didn't ask for that you were given, that you have the opportunity to see some some, you know, pretty cool experiences, you get to know a person, be close to them, whatever.

Yeah. You just have to change your perspective on this thing. Yeah. It's a blessing. It's a blessing. Secular says that you and your husband have chosen to be generous with Kyle should be nobody else's business. Tell them catty uncles to go else. For the reason you mentioned, Kyle needed a break. Your husband stepped in and and, has seen that he got one. If Kyle were constantly underfoot, I can understand why you might justifiably feel invaded. However, because he isn't, then, yes, I do think your attitude is so much. Solid. Alright. Secular takes a swing and, knocks one out of the park. Alright. Hey. You've been listening to live from the path. Thanks so much for hanging out with us this week. We very much appreciate it. If you want to, contact us during the week, you can shoot us an email info at life from the path dot org. Check out the website, past clips of the show, including clips from today and clips from other very, very cool artists, including Matt Baird, who was in the who was in the studio recently. He's got the an album coming out both on his own and with Spoken. So that should be very cool, and you can check out clips, from Life of the Path out on the website. Until then, be faithful to me, and God will handle the ends. Have a wonderful week.