Dearest Debaters,
My recent Bible Studies have impressed me with the power of Christ's love in His communication, and I wanted to write to all of you about what I've been learning.

In the Bible, Christ is confronted with one challenge in godly communication after another. What a testimony to self control and loving communication! Think about it, time after time Christ was put in one situation after another where He could've flaunted His knowledge, His perfection, His power, His Being God!!! Yet, He continually exercised love in His communication with others. Think about it...

When Christ spoke with the Pharisees, they asked Him taunting, almost annoying, questions... TRYING to back Him into a corner. Yet, the scripture indicates that our Lord did not reply with impatience and annoyance, but with love, kindness, and patience, answering with wisdom and discernment. Most people would want to reply to their questions with irritation or sarcasm, but Christ replied patiently, wisely and in love.

When Christ spoke to social outcasts, tax collectors, lepers, and those known for public sin, He did not stand in ridicule and judgement, but spoke words of love, guidance, and forgiveness.

When Christ was on trial before Pontius Pilate, He stood silent in a moment when most of us would be tempted to outburst.

Christ always communicated demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self Control.

In debate and daily life, we all face challenges in communication, moments when we want to respond in unkindness. But God calls us to always communicate with love.

I want you to consider the following:
During debate rounds do you...
When you write e-mails to Kristina, your friends, your family, and others do you....
When you ask Points of Information do you...
During the week do you...
In the hall between rounds do you....
Do you use body language to...

communicate HONESTLY?
communicate to UPLIFT and ENCOURAGE?
strive to LEARN?
guard the REPUTATION and INTEGRITY of your friends?
listen PATIENTLY?
practice SELF CONTROL?
communicate with LOVE and KINDNESS?
reply with HUMILITY and MODESTY?

Remember Christ hears everything you say, sees everything you write, knows your every thought. If you would be uncomfortable saying or writing it to Him, don't write or say it to others.

When you speak, write, or communicate in other ways, it is my prayer that we will all make it our goal to use the tools of communication (written, spoken, heard, or silent) to glorify God, that we might help one another and encourage one another, and that our communication would not be used to hurt anyone.

Next time you start to send an e-mail from the debate website, reply to a POI in a round, run a case, criticize another, evaluate a speech, visit in the hall, etc.... ask yourself how Christ would handle the situation. Make it your goal to follow Him as your perfect communication's role model, the One and Only who never communicated to hurt anyone else, but always out of Love and Kindness toward others.

Love you all!!!
-Kristina