Ad1 by Edward Thomason

"Another blankety tele-marketer!”
Wait . . . hold the phone! Don’t say something you will regret!

There are many opportunities during the course of our days to put Christian principles into practice. Sure it’s easier to loose one’s cool than to be gracious and polite to someone who interrupts your supper trying to sell you something you probably don’t need. But “be ye angry and sin not” is the admonition of God’s word. (Ephesians 4:26.) What good does it really do to be rude and to vent your frustration with words that show a lack of self-control and a lack of purity of heart? Did you know that Jesus taught: “... every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36.) And yes, that includes what we say to some stranger on the other end of the line. There are ways to handle such situations without “flying off the handle.” Immediately interrupt them after they tell you who they are. Tell them that you want your name taken off their marketing list. Southwestern Bell says that by law they must do so. If the same business calls again, tell them you are going to report them. If you wish to follow thru then call or send a letter to the State Attorney’s office. But be kind, after all, the one on the other end is just someone, like yourself, trying to make a living. (A very difficult living - I would think.) So why not be polite but firm and treat them as you would want to be treated.

   By: Edward Thomason, minister
            New Madrid CHURCH OF CHRIST
           “ . . . where families are growing in Christ!”