Nobody believes me when I tell them I am really a shy guy. It is the truth. I can easily be a loner because sometimes I find relationships awkward.
Speaking in front of people has become more from habit. Perhaps some intuitive skills I have allow me to read an audience and change deliveries of material (HIV) that I have been doing for years. This morning was my opening for the year. It is always tough because I always feel unprepared and jittery. However, always after the first 30 seconds or so I always slide into “character”. That shy guy that I know personally becomes informative, passionate, and usually funny. Yes...I make HIV funny. But verbally I always convey how grave and serious the condition can be. If I can get HIV...then it is opportunistic for everyone. Education is the best way to reduce transmission.
I also try to drive home an abstinence message. That there are moral choices and the youth of today are being fed garbage that corrupt their choices. I use their music against them. There is a particular song by an artist names “Shaggy”. In this song he talks about having sex with the neighbor next door on the bathroom floor and his girlfriend caught him and he says it wasn't him having sex. In the song he is talking to his friend. The song has a really rhythmic beat. But...the message is wrong.
It is OK to have sex. Sex is cheap and ultimately doesn't mean anything. It is OK to cheat on a partner. If you get caught..the solution...lie about it.
This song used to play on the radio every ten minutes. 2 years ago..I spoke in a grade school and the Principal confessed that the night before they had a school dance. The song played six times..and she never listened to the words.
I have to share. I am far from legalistic. I am not going to tell someone what they can or cannot do. I will however challenge them to think about what they are doing and perhaps what they are polluting their minds.
Today went so well I was invited to come back and speak 2 more times on Thursday. World Aids Day. Plus they booked me for more Senior Students in February. The Lord is indeed opening up this ministry.
Well. Sue just informed me that Justin ate 10 cheese sticks. He is not in good standings right now. Sigh. Well at least I can hear quite a bit of laughing coming from the kitchen. Ouch! Sue just sreamed. Someone is dead. I love being married.