You know , especially here , I think , in America , even within the church , I mean , there are some things that I think are good to think about . You know , I remember years ago , a guy that I worked with my family had a gas station and I had my Bible and I had put it on the ground or on the no , it was on the seat of a chair , in fact and he comes and he picks it up he was a Muslim guy and he goes . You don't ever do that . This is like something sacred . You don't put it on a seat where people sit , you know kind of thing , and so , yeah , you have all kinds of things like that , and in the Arab culture , yeah , showing your , showing your shoe to someone or turning your back is like major taboo , I couldn't imagine . So anyways , as he turns his back , why , oh , why , oh why , oh why , oh how . I wish that I knew why , for I have searched and searched around and still no answer has been found . So , day and night , and night and day , I pray and ask and ask and pray , and anguish and pain . I loudly cry why , why did such a style of kids walking around with their pants pulled down to their knees ever exist ? I mean , seriously , guys , I'm trying to find . That's not a thing anymore , though , is it ? It still is to some degree , but not , I don't think what it was , but you guys , you guys know what I'm talking about Pants on the ground .
Speaker 3Pants on the ground . You remember that guy ? Oh yes , that was terrific .
Speaker 1That was amazing .
Speaker 3It's like a little redemption , was that ?
Speaker 1American Idol or I don't remember what that was from , but there was some guy . I think it was American Idol . He was an older guy and he made up this song Pants on the ground . Pants on the ground , looking like a fool with your pants on your ground . Pants on sideways oh yeah , that one .
Speaker 2Do you know , all of these styles start in a form of a form of practicality and then become in excess of style . For example , baggy pants . One of two things either lower income communities you wore your hand-me-downs , your older brother's hand-me-downs , and so you would get baggy pants , and or in other communities you wore baggy clothes to hide weapons , but then that becomes popularized in pop culture .
Speaker 1Is that really the history ? That's really the history .
Speaker 2And then kids start wearing baggy pants because they're like ah , it's cool .
Speaker 1Okay , but in my mind the way I viewed this was it was some cruel joke that some celebrities or something playing with it like , hey , let's do this and watch .
Speaker 3All these stupid kids are going to start doing it , or at least put out jeans with holes in them .
Speaker 2That reminds me of the big red boots . Have you seen those ? I don't think so . That's the new thing . What are those called the big giant red boots that people are wearing now ? They look like I'm going to take a picture .
Speaker 1Big red boots .
Speaker 2Have you seen them , Mark have ?
Speaker 1you seen this ? Oh , man guys , this is real . But here's my thing , though , with the pants on the ground thing , like , okay , back when I was a teenager I got into the gang scene for a little bit and you know the rap scene back then and bags , pants were baggy and stuff like that , and you would they called it sag , he's sagging . You would sag a little bit right , like maybe it's , you know it's on your waist , but just barely . But stop , oscar , those are real .
Speaker 4No way .
Speaker 3Are they serious ? What in the world ? So , explain , describe what's going on .
Speaker 2I don't understand .
Speaker 3Look at this is it's from . Disney . It's from Disney . Okay , I was not expecting that I knew you weren't . That's why I was so excited to show you they are red ag boots . They're ag boots that have gone red .
Speaker 1They're beyond ag grade . These are like out of some cartoon or something . What , yeah what ? They're sagging pants with the boots . This is another joke being played on this sad generation .
Speaker 3This is real .
Speaker 1Oh , I wish our friends could see that .
Speaker 3So they're like ag boots , but they're shiny and they're red , but they're like three times .
Speaker 1They're like ski boots but bigger . I mean I've never seen anything like that . It's so funny . Anyway , you wouldn't wear that . They're not real . Oscar . I'm telling you this is a thing right now , which means you're going to show up with them .
Speaker 3Do you know what .
Speaker 2You know what the thing is minor at the dry cleaners right now .
Speaker 3Gumboots . Do you know what a gumboot is ?
Speaker 1Those are you . Wear them in the rain .
Speaker 3Yeah , it's like they're on steroids .
Speaker 2Yeah , like . So , listener , if you don't know what we're laughing at , if you just go to Google and type big red boots , that's all you need to do and you'll see . It's a new vibe and I ordered mine . They're in the mail . I'll let you know how comfortable they are when they get here .
Speaker 3You just see my head sticking out the top . Yeah , right .
Speaker 1You just pop some holes on the sides .
Speaker 3You'd have some arms . And then , yeah , a woman that lived in a shoe .
Speaker 1Yeah , and then back to the pants on the ground . So the thing that I don't understand about that is why anyone would intentionally make themselves walk like a penguin Because that's basically what's happening Like a penguin Penguin because their pants are below their bottom .
Speaker 3Some of these kids but isn't it just a sign of rebellion ? I'm gonna get as close as I can to being . It's a sign of stupidity .
Speaker 1What kind of comfort and practicality is there in that ?
Speaker 3That brings my name into it .
Speaker 2You've never seen the way Mark dresses on the weekend . Huh , oh , you do on the ground of the mud .
Speaker 1But you know , it's like . I remember I think I saw a video on this kid . It's someone who's trying to run away from the cops .
Speaker 4Crazy .
Speaker 1Anyway , friends , some things are just stupid . We won't get into what Oscar wears , I'll move right along , I push the line everything . But what fascinates me more than anything is people tripping over lights . But like bright lights . What ? Like big , long , bright lights .
Speaker 3Oscar doesn't know anything about this .
Speaker 1But no one would like . Would anyone do that right ? Yes , somebody would do that it was .
Speaker 3The humiliating thing wasn't tripping over the lights . The humiliating thing was having you right behind me Because we go out on stage . I don't know how many people are there , but I made sure I sit nicely , you don't slouch . When I was asked a question , I asked nicely and when I left the stage , I exited nicely and tripped over these stupid lights . Did this happen last night ? It happened last night .
Speaker 1No , it's not stupid lights . This thing's probably like three feet long , bright , shining light . Yes , I didn't see them . It says go around me or , if you must step over me , not recover it .
Speaker 3Well , you gotta remember , stepping over , for me , is a bigger thing than stepping over for most .
Speaker 1Yeah , it was like a hurdle and I just hit the top of the hurdle .
Speaker 3You jumped over it , but I really am a doofus . The last time you guys mocked me because my iPad fell down just in three programs , one after the other . I had a 20-minute break , had to go home and I smashed a glass while having lunch and I thought my whole life is just stupid .
Speaker 4Behold the Lord's anointed .
Speaker 3Can you explain that , mark , because you've said that Every time .
Speaker 4Ray has messed up , which is like three times a day doing something . I've thought to my head . I go . How is this person used by me ? By life ? And so it evolved and morphed into Behold the Lord's anointed not many wives are chosen , yeah well that's what Samuel said right about David when he was .
Speaker 3Well , they mean , not many wives are chosen .
Speaker 2Just real quick , because it is EZ's birthday . What size are you using ?
Speaker 1You know , that reminds me of something out of Wallace and Gromit .
Speaker 3Yeah , it's just Wallace and Gromit . How much are ?
Speaker 2they Take a guess , $390 . You saw it $350 .
Speaker 1Okay , you know what man I've seen the zenith of stupidity , the pinnacle , whatever .
Speaker 2I'm going to show up tomorrow .
Speaker 1But , ray , when you were walking toward that light , I thought we'd not .
Speaker 3We thought we'd change the light .
Speaker 1No , no , we're not done with the light . When you were walking toward that light , like what was going on , it was like right , right , right , right right right right , that's just what's happening in his brain at all times Right , right , right , right , right , right .
Speaker 3You're mocking the way New Zealanders answer the phone and talk on the phone . What were you thinking ? I was thinking to myself there's some lights there , A message , A message from ? No , I don't know where it was . I was just thinking deeply about something like I'm going home now , yeah , exactly , I want to eat some cereal and I want to eat home , so you lay with me in the water .
Speaker 4I mean full confession . As I walked towards those lights myself , I saw them and I went wow , those are unusual lights . But I paused .
Speaker 1Like the same person we do , Like a normal person would .
Speaker 4And I looked at it and I go oh , I almost ran into that , good thing . I'm in the moment thinking through ramifications . I would just continue on blindlessly like three blind Mice .
Speaker 1Yeah , Ray's never in the moment .
Speaker 3Remember what my dad said to me when I was about nine or 10 ? Remember that he said you don't think . He says , you don't think you know what that did to a nine or 10 year old .
Speaker 1Kept you from ever thinking again .
Speaker 3No , yeah , didn't do anything because I don't think .
Speaker 1Just carried on . That's true . Yeah , Ray , you're just going to be like this forever . I mean Our friend Eric , Eric and his wife Charity , we're here Shout out to you guys . We had such a great time with you here at the ministry . Thanks for visiting . But yeah , oh , the lunch they tested me . Yeah , he tested you and he didn't , Because he had sent me a message before and said can you ever get Ray to not say amen after you say forever Amen ? I tried there again . It didn't work .
Speaker 3So he tried it and failed . It can't happen .
Speaker 1All right , friends . Here's a comment for you , my dear brethren and Christ . I've only been saved for a little over a year and Living Waters both the podcast and YouTube videos have helped me in my walk with Christ in so many ways . The podcast is so good . The perfect amount of humor makes it lighthearted , even when discussing serious topics . I absolutely love it . I always feel energized and lightened and refreshed after listening . I pray that your youth , for will be able to continue making episodes for many years to come . Thank you all for everything you've done and easy , even though you may annoy your co-host the whole time . Oh no , it just left no . Praise the Lord .
Speaker 3I'm so depressed .
Speaker 1Oscar , you didn't set it on .
Speaker 3whatever you call it , it's not my job , it's your computer . It's your fall . It automatically disappeared by itself .
Speaker 1I thought it was a permanent function .
Speaker 3This is obvious , a miracle .
Speaker 1Yeah and easy , even though you may annoy your co-host the whole time , never stop . It's so funny and I know deep down all three of them love it . Yes , even Oscar . Again , thank you and I can't wait for the next episode . Your brother in Christ , jack Edmiston . Thank you , jack . Thank you , jack . Did you take care of it , oscar ?
Speaker 4Thank you , jack , merci beaucoup , jack .
Speaker 1Thank you , brother , that means a lot , very encouraging .
Speaker 3He must feel good . His name was mentioned five times in 11 seconds Because it's the one we can say correctly .
Speaker 4That's actually a cool name Jack Jack Jack . It is a Jack . I do like the name Jack Jack Jack , Jack , jack , jack , jack , jack Jack .
Speaker 1Jack , jack , jack , I'm sorry .
Speaker 3Here you go .
Speaker 1Jack , yeah , jack Hips , we apologize . All right , friends , this podcast is brought to you by Comfort . Is Jesus devotional ? The devotional that I , your humble Arab host , inspired ? Was it my fault , ray ? Yes , yeah , because Ray , I couldn't just do 365 . He needed to do 730 . Morning and evening .
Speaker 3That's 730 readings , yeah .
Speaker 1Yeah , I can't believe you actually finished that . It was a mountain . Seriously , I don't know if you've worked on it .
Speaker 3It wasn't a stranger . It was a stranger's thing is when I wrote four books at the same time and all the editors came back and it really stressed me . One of the books is about overcoming stress . It was just that it may be not one to ever write a book again .
Speaker 1It was a dumb thing to do . Unreal Ray , Are you writing a book about it ? Ray , are you writing a book ? I ?
Speaker 3decided to yeah .
Speaker 1Right , and I think it was on the podcast . You said you weren't ever going to and I told people you would .
Speaker 2We both said we both stopped him in his class , so I couldn't make you liars , I had to do what I said .
Speaker 1You did it to serve us .
Speaker 3Thank you , that's a humble heart .
Speaker 1All right , friends . Don't forget the Living Waters mug and the evidence study Bible all at livingwaterscom . All right . Today , friends , we are dealing with how to honor God through good etiquette .
Speaker 2There's none good , not one etiquette sounds like .
Speaker 3What mark would do with a kit ? You can't eat a cat I love cats .
Speaker 4You can't eat a whole really love cats .
Speaker 1Mark , one day you will eat a whole one , I know you will but you see that mean word of the .
Speaker 4The guy had invited people over to his house for a barbecue , and then you range the chicken all the way as you said that .
Speaker 1You said that's disgusting so funny . That was brilliant , actually . Yeah , why can't we cats ? We don't know .
Speaker 3No , no , no to all the lady listens . I'm really sorry the subject came up .
Speaker 1Cats are really nice you're holding back from zayn right feigning a whole one . Alright , friends , yeah , look guys
. Uh , we did our previous uh podcast episode on what it means to be a godly gentleman and I talked in that about how there's obviously some crossover . We're talking about etiquette . Of course there's etiquette involved in being godly gentleman , but I want to hone in , I want to get practical . Maybe some of you are saying , uh , come on guys , you guys deep deal a lot of deep stuff with etiquette . This is deep because , again , everything ties into our representation of christian you define etiquette before we go any further .
Speaker 3You probably had it sitting there really to be defined , but I think it's a kit .
Speaker 1yeah , um , here is the definition of etiquette from uh , the british school of excellence you have to go to the british when you're talking about excellence right , really good show of chimp . Etiquette is important because it establishes a set of social norms and expectations that help individuals interact with each other in a respectful , considerate and appropriate manner . Etiquette provides a framework for courteous and respectful behavior , which can help prevent misunderstandings , conflicts and social awkwardness . It also creates a sense of decorum and professionalism in social and professional settings . Having good etiquette shows respect for others and their cultures , values and beliefs . By being mindful of other feelings , beliefs and expectations , we can create more positive and harmonious relationships in other words , heavy-mouth open when you eat .
Speaker 3Yeah , don't be a buffoon .
Speaker 2Yeah uh , real quick . Laura called . She wants to know what . What happened to the front door rug ?
Speaker 1oh , you're wearing it alright , let's not get into what you wear . What did our pastor say , mark to oscar , when he came by here ?
Speaker 4what are you ?
Speaker 1wearing and where ? Where are the rest of your pants ?
Speaker 2because of oscar's waiters but in all due respect , he looks like he a mannequin from men's warehouse .
Speaker 1Yeah uh , anyway , france . Etiquette is important because it it relates to our witness . You know , there's so many people in our culture today that are negligent of this sort of thing . I mean especially young people today . Man , we need to , we need to step out of ourselves and we need to recognize that it's more than just about us . And look , we all practice some form of etiquette , good or bad , it's a part of all of our lives and I think most of us will realize when we think about it that we , we do incorporate more etiquette than we realize we're incorporating because we just don't realize oh , that's that's etiquette , that's , that's a respectful norm within a culture that helps to enhance relationships , helps to convey respect and helps to , you know , allow there to be really the basis for , I think , healthy interactions good , yeah , you know , something that you brought up in a podcast or two ago is the reality of context in culture , and I love the definition you used .
Speaker 3Pays attention to that reality context and culture , because etiquette is going to change based on the cultural settings that you're in , my grandma so is it okay , in a certain context , to your own with your mouth , not cover your mouth when you're on or eat with your mouth ?
Speaker 1well , already certain things . Well , let me say this sorry then we'll get back to us . But , ray you and I've joked about this a lot , you remember ben her there's their yeah , yeah , the belch , like you know that and that I knew you bring that up yeah , and I brought that , had to get that up on chaste . But you know , uh , we talked about how . You know , that was like a son , he's like going to ben her , like , come on , you know , you know , I don't know and it shows that that is genuine . There are some of the holy I don't think I you know , I don't think they do that in lebanon , but I know it's not conveyed the way it is here when someone does that at a dinner table and you know , in different cultures , but there are , there are things like that when one culture defensive and another may not be .
Speaker 2I'll give you a prime example uh and I remember this from a from a human geography class soup is a prime example . Why do I say that it would be considered rude here in the united states if you picked up a bull soup and held it up to your face and started eating it . People like , what are you doing ? But you do that . I'm but in , but in . But in asian cultures it's considered disrespectful to see food go into your mouth , and so they take the ball and they hold it up to their mouths .
Speaker 1So that you can't see food go into their mouth , okay so it's also practical no , I've seen that is that why , like it was sometimes with rice , I'll see agents will hold it to their mouth and like it's in asian cultures .
Speaker 3Hang on , ask gail , he's on the camera oh yeah , come demonstrate for us .
Speaker 2Yeah , thumbs up , yeah so this is what I mean by we need to be culturally sensitive . Yeah , in the context we're in and I think , in the in , in the spirit of paul saying be all things to all people . We need to be self aware enough to understand the cultural context that we're in and then respect the cultural precedence in the moment . Another prime example would be taking your shoes off in someone's house . To some people , that's nothing , to other people that's a big and important thing and it would be an honorable thing for you to do , to respect the threshold of culture when you're in that moment . It's a good way to the lord .
Speaker 4I was in uh is it india or uganda , I don't remember which , but I had crossed my legs and I'd shown , as I was sitting there , and I showed the bottom of my shoe no , and one of the persons came up to me and said hey , you cannot show the bottom of your shoe , it's very disrespectful . Yeah , and while you're at it , pick your bible up off the ground , because it's very disrespectful to have your bible my grandma was like that , very true you should leave your grandma on the ground I
Speaker 1find it and I can't get up , you know especially here , I think , in america , even within the church . I mean , there are some things that I think are good to think about . You know , I remember years ago the guy that I worked with when my family had a gas station and I had my bible and I had put it on the ground , uh , or on the no , it was on the seat of a chair , in fact and he comes and he picks it up he was a muslim guy and he goes . You don't ever do that . This is like something sacred . You don't put it on a seat where people sit , you know kind of thing , and so , yeah , you have all kinds of things like that in the arab culture . Yeah , showing your showing your shoe to someone or turning your back is like major taboo I couldn't imagine .
Speaker 4So anyways as he says I mean , where were we ? We're in a place where I think it was africa again , where picking your nose is very normal yeah , and I'm like did you even have to talk about that ? Sorry to bring that out like that , but um why ?
Speaker 2did you pick that one ?
Speaker 4no , no , no it's um I I was sent home from a church that I was uh , my nose is gonna cheat , I'm not kidding . Well it's , ah , it's your mouth , just let it go . I I was sent home because I was not clean shaven at a church and the pastor wanted the guys to be completely clean shaven . Yeah , it's also the same church where a pastor went up to me when I was there and he said uh , take off your hat . You will not wear a hat inside the church service .
Speaker 2I read this book by this missionary who's a graduate of a seminary locally here that the that we would highly respect in the steam . Uh , he ended up going to india and when he got there , he to plant a church . He put his suit on , he custom built a pulpit for himself , he got on stage and he started preaching and and he noticed that people that there was a conflict , and what he discovered was , by putting the suit on , by standing , like in that cultural context , it was rude and disrespectful , and so he discovered that the way for him to reach this audience is to take the suit off and this might sound odd but to sit on the ground with them to teach , because wise teachers in india sit on the ground . Wow , and so they , they perceived him as as having greater wisdom if he sat humbly to teach from god's word rather than standing behind a pulpit . I here's why it's important . Some people like how could you never sit when you're ? But listen ? Cultural context is important and the beautiful thing about the gospel is that , while it never changes , no matter what the time , no matter what the culture , no matter what the people or the place , it does in a way incarnate itself into our reality , god does that for us and we ought to be charitable in that way .
Speaker 3Sorry , you go first , I know , no , I'm more humble , go Age
before . Okay , I preached in Connecticut and I preached in Hawaii . Totally different contexts , yeah , and behind a pulpit . In Hawaii you can wear shorts and a colorful shirt . In Connecticut you wear a suit . No , and because you want to be all things to me . But I learned something that was about 14 years old that I've never forgotten , so I better not forget now . It was a program , this really well-to-do English woman , and she was talking about etiquette and I'd never heard of the word before and I was fascinated . So I watched it . And she talked about laying knives and forks out on a table . She talked about dressing up for a meal , what you should wear , and the thing I learned was that you dress , that what , how you dress is a sign of respect for the person who's hosting you . That's good . So if I was going to be invited to to have Daimler the King of England , I wouldn't go on my pajamas , yeah .
Speaker 1But you would go in your shorts ?
Speaker 2No , I wouldn't , Seriously , I would get .
Speaker 3I would go . I'd say easy , could you come and help me pick out a suit and tie it and everything that matches ? That you think is is classy , because I'm dressing for the occasion and I know that if someone comes here for a job interview and they're not wearing a suit immediately you think they don't . They don't really care .
Speaker 1No , no , yeah , it's interesting . You know , even when you watch a timepiece sort of shows or movies , like back in the day , in the early 1800 , early 1900s even when they were they would people go to dinner . They would dress up , even in their own home , they would put on like tuxedo looking things . You know it's like what are you doing ? You're just going to have dinner in your house , but it was , you know , a sign of like this is a significant occasion , you know . So you know one of the things that has grieved me over the years . I'm from Lebanon and so I think I have built into me cultural sensitivity because I came from another culture , I came to this culture and so I'm able to notice differences in certain things and growing up and hearing my family say , oh , that's offensive or what have you . But I've honestly always found it a challenge to travel with a group of Americans to other countries and they're loud . Well , yeah , they're loud . Remember , I mean honestly , when we were , we did our Europe season . Yeah , I kept having to tell our team guys , calm down . I remember that , Remember we would be on the trains and these more refined Europeans . They would just all be looking at us , and then they'd look at each other knowingly , even though they didn't know each other like Americans .
Speaker 3Just because we were playing tennis in the carriage .
Speaker 1But yeah , we , just like we have this added , we have , I think , this sometimes unfortunate arrogance as Americans , like we own the world and we walk around loud and doing and not being sensitive to others around us , you know and so . So I think what bothers me more than anything is not cultural faux pas , it's not people that that , you know , maybe don't understand etiquette , it's those who have the I don't care attitude , and especially Christians .
Speaker 3I don't really care about that .
Speaker 2Yeah , so , so , yeah , I mean that we , we have to give an example of something you've you've witnessed , other than that one like here in the States , where somebody who's got that sort of insensitivity to to cultural precedence .
Speaker 1Yeah , I mean , I think more than anything it's it's just that attitude that I mentioned of not caring enough to want to learn , not caring enough to to want to even conform like oh no , I don't know about that , that's . I don't like that , I don't , you know . You know like you go to some countries and if a woman doesn't have something covering your hair , even like not necessarily Muslim countries , but in India , if women dress a certain way or if they show their legs or whatever , that's offensive , and you get some ladies that are just like I don't care , you know , this is I'm no one's going to tell me what to do that kind of attitude and it's like hey , Paul became all things to all men . This would be a good context where we can look at that and say , hey , for the sake of the gospel , yeah .
Speaker 3I've watched you wearing your veil over the season . That's just so beautiful .
Speaker 1Thanks for unveiling that Right . So yeah , so it's important . So here here are some things that I want to look at , some different etiquette stuff that I found online that I think I think is interesting .
Speaker 2Use proper greetings , yo what's up , yo , what's up , what is it , what is it ? What is ?
Speaker 1it . Yeah , it is what it is . Yo yo , Okay , always greet people with a smile and a hello . If you're not sure what to say , a simple hello how are you ? We'll suffice . When meeting someone for the first time , it's also important to introduce yourself and make eye contact with shaking hands . While shaking hands Ray , you said something about this when it came to giving out tracts you noticed there was some time when someone wouldn't take it , and then you realized you forgot to greet them .
Speaker 3That was Arnold Schwarzenegger . I was at Arnold , I became starstruck and I just went to give him a track and he said no . And I should have said , arnold , I really like your movies , but that would have been a lie , because I'd never seen any of his movies . So I didn't have anything to say yeah , but that's really important If you , before you give someone a track , say good morning , and if it's afternoon you could say
good afternoon .
Speaker 1Good afternoon , yes , and well , how about good night ?
Speaker 3Good night . But yeah , sir , if you can , if you can , if you can greet someone , it breaks down a barrier in a split second . Yeah , and it's got to be a warm . It's like good morning , not like that , it's good morning .
Speaker 1It's amazing how a warm greeting like that I like to do it you can make a difference . Top of the morning to you . Cheer me out .
Speaker 4Is it proper , though , to say how are you , when you aren't hanging around to see how they're doing ?
Speaker 1Well , the question is do you care , right , like , and that has become a form of a greeting , and I think we need to be careful too with what words .
Speaker 3But it doesn't mean what it says . How are you ? Well , I went to the dentist this morning and I drilled , they didn't raise the word .
Speaker 2Actually , I have a good example of one that I learned . Let me see how you would respond . You , you're walking into a door , not the way . Ray would walk into a door .
Speaker 1I noticed that Ray was trying to interrupt you to tell that joke Cool .
Speaker 4Yeah , you called him up before you said it , not the way Ray would walk into a door .
Speaker 2You're walking through a doorway , a doorway . Yeah , be literal with Ray , please , and you open the door and then you notice someone coming right behind you and so you stop and you let them in and they say , thank you . Your response If I pause and let someone go ahead of me , yeah , so you open the door for them . They walk through and they say thank you . What do you say ?
Speaker 3Just make sure you read your Bible .
Speaker 4See winnerscom .
Speaker 1Yeah , brian , brian , yeah , you're welcome what ?
Speaker 2should I say no ? I mean just , you're not . Well , you would say you're welcome .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah .
Speaker 2So are sure no problem , or of course , or there you go , OK . So I would say , of course Of course is nice , yep .
Speaker 1It really is . It's very nice .
Speaker 2So when I was , I worked with the team in Europe and they explained to me . When we say that over there , it sounds like when they say thank you , you're saying yep , you should be thankful for me , like yeah .
Speaker 4Of course what .
Speaker 2You're saying yep , of course , like of course you should be thankful to me . So to them it sounds really rude . The right way to respond for them is you're welcome , wow .
Speaker 3Wow , To me I find I love your welcome , but of course seems even warmer to me .
Speaker 1I agree , of course . Yeah , absolutely yeah , anything that expresses , you know , an emphatic type of you know .
Speaker 3So what's off ? What is , of course , saying Like this is the right thing , I'm doing it yeah .
Speaker 1Like absolute , like yeah , of course , yeah . Define what's been happening . It's a good book title . Naturally , yes , you know saying please and thank you . That may sound so simple , but please , please . But you know people my , in fact Rachel makes fun of me sometimes because we'll be texting and I'll say I'll say thank you to her . You know , in my text or something , she'll respond thank you . I'm like what ? I'm being polite , you know , I don't know . Even in my emails , you guys may notice , I usually end with thank you and sometimes it may be like , why is there a thank you there ? But I just sense like we have to demonstrate to people that we're grateful and I think it shows that we're not taking things for granted , even to those who may even report to us . You know , it's just , it's a sign of showing that you know we want to be servants , you know .
Speaker 3Humility .
Speaker 1Wow , you've never said thank you to me . You're welcome , of course . Of course , what , mark ?
When I was a server working in the restaurant business , nobody wanted to work on Sundays because Christians were the worst tippers . That is awful , it is . It's really it's a bad reputation and it's a true reputation . I think it was Gandhi who said I like your Christ , but not your Christianity . Like we need to reflect Christ properly . Yeah , right , I mean whatever you do do , all to the glory of God . Somebody said we carry the reputation of Jesus with us and our behavior affects the way others see him . Yeah , right , and so when people look at us , when they see us , they really should see a mirrored reflection of Christ . They should see the character of Jesus . Amen , paul , who traveled across many cultures and sharing the gospel and preaching Christ crucified , he said I've become all things to all men so that I may by all means save some . Yeah , we need to be careful on how we convey Christ to a lost and dying world . Yeah , that's good .
Speaker 1Amen , mark , I love that , yeah , and you know . On that note , when it comes to etiquette and restaurants for Christians , look , and I'm talking about you know you're sitting down at a sit down restaurant . That's not necessarily there's a jar at a counter where someone you know ring you and press two buttons to check you out with a cookie , but but you know you're at a restaurant , you spend a lot of time there and I know sometimes the service may not be the best , but remember , you represent Christ . That person may just be on auto mode and they , they don't do what's right , but but you represent Christ and on so many , on so many levels . It's important that we're careful with that , especially if you're you're leaving a track which , hopefully , if you listen to this podcast and follow our ministry , hopefully you're doing that and so . So think about that and don't don't let the moment of frustration because I've been there , I've trust me , I've wanted a stiffer waiter or waitress , but you have to think bigger . You got to think eternally . Imagine that person somehow discovers you're a Christian or or recognize you and knew you or someone in that restaurant they worked with new you or whatever and they recognize you're a Christian . Imagine how much that would embitter them , especially when they when they make noises from their throat on a podcast .
Speaker 2I , I , I love your passion and speaking about that , I think , one most certainly your witness , and then two , you just don't like . I think , if we're really being honest in those moments , we're being reader to , suspectful to somebody because we're not getting what we want . In the moment we have a high view of ourselves , yeah Right , like we think we're at the center of the universe , I'm the most important thing in the world right now . I don't think I've shared this on this podcast , but my little sister who passed away from suicide struggled with anxiety . I mean , she had full blown anxiety attacks where it would leave her , you know , in the fetal position sweating and she couldn't do anything , she didn't get up anything at all and at one point she learned that , you know , depression and anxiety causes her to isolate herself and so she wanted to get a job and a place where she'd be in public so that she can enjoy the interaction with other people . And sometimes she would come home from work and she was so excited about you know how she worked at Disneyland , so she was so excited oh , you know , I was doing this and this little kid was so excited , and blah , blah , blah . But then other times she would leave work just bawling and crying because someone was disrespectful or rude or just didn't recognize her image bearing qualities in the moment . Yeah , and I bring this up to say that one time I was actually on my way to the office and I was , you know , running kind of late for something and I stopped for a cup of coffee , because there's always time for coffee and time to put creamer in it too , by the way . But you know , I get to the coffee shop and it's just taking forever to get my coffee and that was good . And I start to get frustrated . I'm like how , you know what ? is going on and I'm like starting to be like man . Should I just walk out , like should I ask for my money back ? You know , like what ? Like what am I going to do about this situation ? You know , in the back of my mind , I don't . I'm not thinking this consciously , but subconsciously I'm like how dare they disrespect me in my time , in my expectation , my standard . I paid for service . That's what's going around in my sinful head . And I look over and I see the barista and she is like holding back shivers like on the verge of tears . And it reminded me of my sister and I thought to myself in that moment . I have no idea what this girl's day is like . She could have woken up this morning and contemplated taking her own life . It could have taken every ounce of her being to get out of bed and to get to work this morning .
Speaker 3So what did you do ?
Speaker 2And I'm gonna be rude about a cup of coffee
. I cracked a joke and I made her smile and I told her hey , you know , she kind of like was like oh sorry , hey , it's cool , take your time . You know I've handed her a track before . This is a coffee shop that I regularly go to , so I had handed her a track before . But it's kind of a reverse witness because I could have handed her that track and then six months later been rude . But now here I am , I handed her that track and now I'm showing her grace . I'm recognizing her image bearing qualities . I'm also recognizing that I'm not the most important thing in that moment .
Speaker 4You're her servant .
Speaker 2That's right that God maybe has me in this moment , not for me to be impatient , but to show grace and compassion to somebody else and I'm like , oh , I'm sorry , man .
Speaker 1You know what comes to mind , Oscar , as you say that , and conviction is the word small , don't be small , Don't be a small person .
Speaker 4So good .
Speaker 1Because that's really what it is . It's like we're making something out of nothing . In the grand scheme of life , we're casting aside the value of a human soul because we don't like how we were treated .
Speaker 4There's no greater moment than that moment . Be faithful to small things . You know what kind of a servant you are when somebody treats you like one . Somebody's once said If we come in contact with everybody around us and we think that we are their servant . This is why I'm there . You know , I was a janitor for three and a half years , cleaning toilets left and right . I was a bus boy , I was a dishwasher for a year at a restaurant and it worked inside of me the desire to wanna clean . We were at a church last night and I found myself going inside the restroom and scrubbing the floor around the toilets and picking up the trash and just trying to have the right mindset of I'm here to serve , I'm not here to get . That is the life of the Christian .
Speaker 1Well , and that reflects the heart of our Savior . When Jesus said I did not come to be served , but to serve . And you know we can overlook , like okay , where do we see Jesus ? Waiting on tables or not ? Obviously we saw him wash feet and things like that . But what do you mean ? How did he ? He gave his life right . Like I've talked about that before , when the standard is death , anything beneath it is given like you're willing to die for someone and man , it's convicting . That's often not my attitude , so I hope we recognize that in our etiquette , in the way that we behave . In a culture that understands this is caring , respectful and thoughtful conduct . That's good . So there's a lot of other things you know . Be mindful of your language , what words you use at a given time . Sensitivity with humor Is this a time to crack jokes , you know ? Is this a time to be light about something , when someone is really in pain or whatever ? You know singing songs to a heavy heart . Scripture speaks about that . You know respecting personal space .
Speaker 4It's funny , different cultures .
Speaker 1Remember , was it in India , where they'll get really close to you or an age sometimes they'll just like . I remember in India they would . I was sitting in a van and people were coming . They were coming right up to the window and just staring me in the eye . I'm like whoa , you know again , maybe that's fine , they're culturally , but obviously there are other cultures where people want their space and so you got to think about that how closely are you .
Speaker 3New Zealand is about an 18 inch space that you need . If someone's like 14 inch . That's just freaking me out .
Speaker 1I noticed that , yeah , new Zealand . Yeah , they do that . We touched on this already dressing appropriately , being thoughtful on that . You know it will show up to a wedding and shorts and flip flops .
Speaker 3Especially if you're the bride .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , yeah , Unless it's a Hawaiian wedding or unless they tell you this is a dress code you know , put your phone away . Void using your phone or other electronic devices when in the presence of others , especially during a conversation or meeting , Don't you even say that , Ray comfort . Yeah , Practice good communication . Be clear and concise when communicating with others . Avoid using slang or jargon that may be unfamiliar to the other person . What up ? What up , Bra ?
Speaker 3Proverbs 16 , 24 , which you'll know , Pleasant words are like a honeycomb sweetness to the soul and health to the bones oh , it's so good .
Speaker 1And then this one . I don't personally care about this one at all , but be punctual , I know because you were unpunctual today .
Speaker 2Yeah , right , you did . You said give me a second , just a second . And how long was it , guys ?
Speaker 3It was about nine seconds .
Speaker 2It was more than one second for sure , you had us left waiting .
Speaker 1Yeah , these guys , you guys have been trying to bust me being late for years .
Speaker 3Is he kind of just staying ?
Speaker 1the thought no , you don't , you do . Yeah , okay , don't tell the world . So you know all these are man , they're good things .
Speaker 3We're gonna get you to go to an appointment . That's very , very important . Just , you get a leave . We're gonna take the tires off your car .
Speaker 1Look , I have . And film it film the frustration you were trying to hold the door when I was trying to come in .
Speaker 3I wasn't trying to hold the door . I was holding the door . Yeah , I didn't do much , did it no it was like a fleet trying to hold back an elephant .
Speaker 2You're filming in San Diego at Comic Con , you know it's like 10 blocks of just crowdedness and parking and et cetera , et cetera , on and on , and it's like a hassle to get to where we're filming . And I was filming before EZ . So I'm sitting there in the middle of an interview and I kind of was watching the time because I knew what time he needed to be there . Let's say it was 10 o'clock and I see him at like 9.59 round the corner all With like staring at his wad , pointing and smiling .
Speaker 1He like made it on time , always , always , yeah , no , look , obviously all of us . At some point it's gonna happen , you're gonna be late , it's out of your control or you didn't plan right , or whatever . The thing that bothers me is people that don't care again , and it's just , it's a rudeness . I mean , there's sometimes people that will show up to something 10 , 15 , 20 minutes late .
Speaker 3They won't even say I'm sorry , they won't even we had someone show up for a meal that Sue cooked many years ago and Aaron 40 minutes late , and they didn't even mention it . Yeah , it's like . It's like what , huh ?
Speaker 4He's a relative that we'd invite over to our house many , many times for you know , for a dinner and to hang out , and I would call him , he'd be on his way to my house . So he says , and then he just never show up oh wow , and it was just so bothersome .
Speaker 2Here's what's . Here's what the rub is , though . Here is that this is a cultural thing , because there are some cultures that are not punctual .
Speaker 1That's true .
Speaker 2Yeah , like Mexican culture is like if you're coming around for dinner and they're , you know you'll be , you'll notice like I have a Hispanic family and when they're like , oh , come over for dinner , that's all they say Come over for dinner , my wife . Not being Hispanic is like what time you know ? And so they're like , oh , I don't know six , but to them they're just throwing out of time . Because you ask , because they're just throwing out a dinner time , right ? So there's , this is a cultural thing . There are certain cultures that are not punctual .
Speaker 1Yeah , and it's understood within that culture . So you know for certain , when they say six , they're meaning around , that's . You know . Maybe you come , show up early five , you come at six thirty , but but again you go by what's understood now . Now , honestly , that would probably bleed the hardest thing for me . No , just in a culture , I just can't even fathom it , you know , and I have to , I have to try to lighten up .
Speaker 4I don't know how , but I'm totally okay with that . I mean , I like that as well . It's like we're not you're not coming over for the meal .
Speaker 3I don't look at it like that .
Speaker 4You're coming over for the fellowship , I'm with you , so it's right around that time . And if they show up early , help me make the food .
Speaker 2Yeah , right , I mean that's the idea why I never show up early .
Speaker 4Yeah , so yeah it's . I believe he had as a total culture thing , and I like the more lax .
Speaker 3And also hurry up because easy wants to finish on .
Speaker 1You know , here are a few other things . This is from Eaters Digest . Wait to eat until everyone is seated and served hate that food's not cold . Yeah , now , here's the thing , though let's go , no listen . I can't stand cold food here's . I agree , but here's the thing , though you guys have to understand that there are some people that get radically offended by that .
Speaker 4Of course , if you don't hang out with them . Yeah .
Speaker 3If you you know meal serve and didn't you just say a couple minutes ago it's not about the food , that's all about the food . At Thanksgiving time .
Speaker 4This is my wife is known for this . I just want to cut off easy , but my wife is known for this . At Thanksgiving , everybody served the food . She says let's just pause for a moment . Everybody go around and say what they're thinking before , and by the time it gets to me , I say I'm thankful for microwaves .
Speaker 1Yes , yeah , she makes you pause . No , I think too , let me say on this , on this note , it's important to be sensitive in terms of etiquette , of like making sure people get to eat Sooner than later , because sometimes that can happen . People talk on and on and on and like , and people are waiting to eat . The food's getting cold .
Speaker 4Hurry up .
Speaker 1Hey , I'm thinking about my lunch right now . Yeah , so we have to , we , we do have to think that , but that is something to be sensitive about because it tells people I don't care about you , I just care about my food . Here I go , you know . But now there are sometimes where they say , hey , please go ahead , and you're hoping sometimes They'll say go and start , don't wait for us , like , okay , thanks , but you got to be sensitive .
I cannot stand eating cold food . I need it to be like piping hot .
Speaker 1Yeah , I'm the same way . I need my food scorching hot . I'd rather cool it down myself .
Speaker 2I'm about to call out my pastor because this one time we all went to dinner and he was like treating us to say thank you for what we do for the church , and we're all sitting there hanging out and fellow shipping for like 30 minutes . The food comes and it's steamy and warm and it looks so good and he's like . I just wanted to share a quick word from summer 19 . Yes , and he went on this beautiful devotional for like 20 minutes and I was like mad at him and convicted , because all I could think about was how cold my food was gonna be when it was done yeah , and their god is their belly . Is that the first ? No , trust me , I needed to repent .
Speaker 1Yeah , this is a good one . Don't send one word emails , so I think this is better put this way , right ? What do you mean ? Hey , that's how I live my life Shut up , yeah that's two words . Yep is pretty much raised . Responses no , but I think I think this is important to think about , in that If someone sends you like a very heartfelt email , that's Whatever they're trying to encourage you or whatever . Or if it's a serious email where they're airing agree events , be careful with . Okay , got it , or , or , or whatever . Or yep , we'll do it . No , seriously , I mean that that's that requires something that's proportional , not that you have to match exactly how long they're , but but something that elaborates a little more . What are you laughing ?
Speaker 3at . I'm moving to texting .
Speaker 1Well yeah , texting and emailing Well okay , you know , texting is a little different because I I did a go , got a whatever or something .
Speaker 3This morning was just two words .
Speaker 1Yeah , but I'm just saying like , when it's something I'm more focused . You know , someone is parent . What are you laughing at ?
Speaker 4more expensive reminds me of something happened to my son , noah . He had a friend who whose Parents were going through a divorce and they were moving , and he went on and on and on in this huge , long text and how much he is going to miss Noah and everything . And then Noah's response was Take care . No joke with him today about this really long .
Speaker 1Just like , take care of the habit dude . Well , noah , I'll have a talk with you about this later . Noah , don't have loud phone conversations and public .
Speaker 2Oh , please , people , Please people on the elevator .
Speaker 1The elevator trains plane the gym oh please stop it , but it's as if , though , nobody's else is around or exists , and they're . Have you tried ?
Speaker 4talking back just like right next to them on your phone . Nobody there and just being louder than them . I need to two people and we should do that next time we travel . Just go on the other side , because there's always that person that exists . Yeah , and talking to your phone , we'll be talking with each other .
Speaker 1Yeah or no . Just two people get on either side of that person and both pretend like they're having a conversation on the phone . That person see how they feel . Yeah , uh , take out your AirPods when talking with others . Yeah , seriously , these days , I agree , I don't know everyone's . It's like you don't know if someone has got the thing on where they could hear you or not , or that's messed up . It's your ring , your pots right now . That's true . Don't bring a surprise . Plus one . Don't do that , someone did that , or Matthias in summer's wedding . Well , you don't RSVP for another person and then , you just bring someone else to be clear I brought eight people .
Speaker 2Yeah , I knew it , I knew it .
Speaker 1I knew that you did that . Bring a gift for the host . Oh , that's a good one whenever you go to someone's house . They invite you over . Take some flowers . Yeah , take a box of chocolate .
Speaker 4You can't eat flowers . Take some food . A rare bottle of wine from 1833 , Um acknowledge gifts with a thank you .
Speaker 1No , or tax . This is big too , you know , when people don't show gratitude or thanksgiving For others that are giving them gifts . I've got one , okay .
Speaker 4RSVP to weddings . Yeah , don't people hold to RSVP when they've asked you to RSVP . It is so hard for the uh , the upcoming bride and groom , when they're all there's only three people coming to the wedding and then 10,000 people show up yeah , yeah , be sensitive to that , especially dates by when RSVP oh , I hate dates .
Speaker 1Anyhow , friends , etiquette for the glory of god , and that's the whole point . Right , we want to glorify the lord , we want to honor the lord . So if you're listening to this podcast and your attitude has been , I don't care , it doesn't matter what people want , how they want me to address , what they want me to . Again , ask yourself Do you care about the testimony of the gospel ? Do you care to be , uh , a bright and shining light for the lord ? Then you're gonna take time to examine these things . And also , when you've built relationships or you know people , you you learn what is offensive to them and what's not , and you try to adapt . And then , if it's certain , you know cultural groups that you know about our countries are going to learn about them and Determined to be sensitive in that regard . Again , we are ambassadors for Christ . We represent him in and through all that . We do . Amen . Well , there you have it , friends . Thank you so much for being with us here today . Don't forget my comfort is Jesus devotional . Living Waters podcast mug . And they have an study bible all living waterscom remember podcast at living waterscom with all your thoughts . And LivingWATHScom . Livingwaters podcast at livingwaterscom . Give us those ratings , comments and subscribe . That helps the ranking and gets more people to hear the podcast . Thank you for joining us , friends . We'll see you here next time on the Living Waters podcast . The ultimate cure for insomnia .
Speaker 3I could put me to sleep , you know , I know , that's why I do it .