10 Jul, 2007
Vulgar venting!
A-Rod's spouse makes nasty T-shirt statement
NEW YORK–The wife of Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez wore a white tank top with foul language on the back when she attended a game against the Oakland Athletics.
A common two-word obscenity ending with "you" was clearly visible when Cynthia Rodriguez, her 2-year-old daughter and an unidentified older woman took their seats Sunday in the players' family section at Yankee Stadium.
A front-page photograph in the New York Post shows the back of the tank top with the obscenity printed in Old English lettering between the shoulder blades. The first letter of the first word is visible; the three other letters are intentionally blurred. The second word is "You."
According to the Post, the team's policy prohibits banners or signs that are not in "good taste" and also warns that security guards will eject any guests "using foul language" or "making obscene gestures."
In late May, A-Rod's marriage was front-page news when the Post published a photograph of him and a woman – reported to be a Las Vegas stripper – at a Toronto hotel.
The speculation is that Mrs. A-Rod was venting her anger toward the media for reporting some apparent marital cheating by her husband.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story thestar.com, 7/3/07
Proverbs 29:11 (NLT)
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about losing control and getting some self-control?
The book of Proverbs teaches us Godly wisdom for practical living. An unwise person "vents" to the extreme when feeling frustrated by circumstances and/or annoyed by others.
It's our human tendency to retaliate when someone or some situation annoys us. But as we've all experienced, this doesn't solve the issue and usually results in more trouble. Just ask Cynthia Rodriguez, who made a very immature choice in front of her 2-year-old daughter and millions of fans.
To hold back our temper and stay calm, we need to have self-control ahead of time. According to our practical friend, the apostle Paul, this happens only when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our hearts and minds every day.
If you think it's hard to develop self-control, you're right - we can't! That's because it's part of the fruit of The Spirit. God produces this fruit in us when we are consistently abiding in Christ.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Let's be honest. Though most of us would not wear clothing with an "f-bomb" message on it, how often do we think or mutter something vulgar under our breath when we are not under the Spirit's control?
- Thank God for the practical wisdom He provides in His Word. Confess any way in which you have been responding poorly to "annoying" people and circumstances. Ask His Spirit to take control of your heart and emotions every day. Tell God that you're willing for Him to use life's frustrating situations to teach you self-control, patience and forgiveness. Ask Him to produce the fruit of His Spirit in you. Thank Him that He will use your Godly response as a way to connect your story and His Story to others.
- Make a written list of frustrating situations that make it difficult for you to maintain self-control. It might be a certain relationship, another student at school, a teacher, a pesty little brother or sister, something at your job, frustration with possessions or a lack of them, etc. Place this list where you'll see it every day. Pray for God's Spirit to show you why you get annoyed and how to respond in a way that pleases Him.
- Whenever you eat some fruit, let Jesus remind you to abide in Him and produce the fruit of The Spirit in you.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Chances are pretty good that you will see someone wearing, doing, or saying something vulgar at school, at work, or on the street. If you are with someone in your storysphere, bring up today's story about Mrs. A-Rod and look for the opportunity to talk about your story as it relates to learning self-control.
- Use this DAILYBIDE as a discussion starter with your family, youth group or small group.
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