Do you remember when Sunday meant NFL football? Now with Monday, Thursday,
and an occasional Saturday, we see that it really is entertainment, as the E in
ESPN, Entertainment stands for. And football, best described as 5 seconds of
action, followed by 40 seconds of rest, is on trial again. And in yesterday’s
news, too much of it shows the kingdom of the NFL has no morals-at all. And may
be ignorant in affairs of the legal system. Ray Rice was in the news again, for
the same thing-spousal abuse. Seems a new film from TMZ, how did they mange to
get it and not the investigators at the NFL is another story, but Ray was let go
by the Ravens, and banned from the NFL indefinitely-all without a trial. Was he
not already convicted and sentenced of that crime? In US Jurisprudence, it is
called double indemnity, you cannot be tried twice for the same crime, and Ray
was tried once, suspended, fined, and he was trying to get on with his wife and
life. A two game suspension handed down by NFL Commissioner Goodell had drawn
some heat from the press, and he even admitted Ray’s sentence should be harsher,
but it wasn’t, and get over it. Now....in a chance to vindicate himself, he has
become Chairman Goodell, and administered a crushing blow to the Rice family.
And just to show how tough he really is. And some are taking him to task, and I
hope they do. Coach Harbaugh told the press they were there to help Ray, as was
many of his team mates, yet some moral geldings went for his blood on Twitter.
But this was just the main headline yesterday, as Pro sports have some real
problems...Commissioner-you are on trial now.
Did you know the NFL does not pay taxes? It is a trade organization, and
although representing billions of dollars, it itself takes in over $250 million
per year, it pays no taxes. So maybe it is time to give back unto Caesar, and
here’s the rest of the news. The NFL Players Association is meeting to decide
if their drug policy is too tough. Cannot have too many suspended for drug
abuse, it effects the team, and they will revise sentencing. If only you were
just a junkie Ray, they would have pity on you. But the main story, which is
even more troubling than that or Ray’s double jeopardy lynching, was the fact
Penn State was removed from any infraction violations from their earlier
pedophile sentencing. They had their sentence cut in half, Mom’s remember this
when Penn State comes recruiting. From University officials, to legendary Joe
Paterno, to various coaches who turned away in the face of pedophilia, they got
away with it. Seems it cost Penn State about $400 million per year, big money
to not be on TV or in Bowls-so let’s forget the child rape charges, let’s play
ball! And not one person is upset. Maybe not an NFL issue, but remember them
praising Michael Sam for being the first openly gay drafted, now cut by the
Rams, and on the Dallas practice squad. Next time Jerry Jones asks “how ‘bout
those Cowboys?” it has a whole new meaning. And all done for the good of the
game. So to recap, we have the NFL Commissioner trying to vindicate himself
professionally by trying Ray Rice twice because his punishment wasn’t enough,
too many drugs in the league are causing too many big names to be suspended, and
pedophilia is OK’ed by the NCAA, where 99% of all NFL players come from. And in
all this, Michael Sam realizes he just wasn’t good enough to make the team, no
cries of foul, no homophobic rumors. He may be more of a man than the
commisioner. He will get better, as Coach Fisher noted, and play somewhere in
the NFL. Mothers, don’t let you sons grow up to be Cowboys. So just where does
the NFL spend all its hard earned money? Are you ready for some football? Or
does the N in NFL stand for “nothing?” Social media will come to their
rescue....what Ray needs is a good lawyer, and to be forgiven. To be ministered
to, rather than open up old wounds. Roger Goodell, you are not a man of
character. You should resign. For the good of the league, just like you said
about Ray. And drugs, and all the other sins of the league. I only hope the
press treats you as nicely as they did yesterday’s news. By the way, in other
news, the Chargers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Monday night. The
more things change, the more they stay the same. The excuses already flying.
And no I don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account to be reached on. I don’t
hide there.
Now I am not condoning Ray’s actions, only the fact he was found guilty,
accepted his fate, and I hope was trying to rehabilitate his marriage. Moving
on. Let the healing begin, but yesterday that healing was interrupted. But
maybe the real question, the real investigations should be the NFL. The police
had the elevator tape the same day, why did it only appear yesterday, and then
on a gossip TV show? What’s up Rog? Sin will always be sin, and I am reminded
of another public lynching in scripture. It seems a woman was caught in
adultery, and threatened with stoning. I could be wrong, but doesn’t adultery
take two? Where was the man, and why wasn’t he threatened with stoning? Yet we
see Jesus intervening, not condoning, but not condemning either. And today his
famous writing in the dirt that caused the crowd to disperse is debated among
church historians. But the Bible never tells us what the wrote. But it does
tell us he came to forgive sinners. And such an audience he had that day. Sin
is between us and God, not between man and man, although we can sin against each
other. And Jesus was merciful to the accusers, as the accuser would suffer the
same punishment as the guilty if they were found innocent. Maybe that is why
they disbursed so quickly. Let’s get stoned meant something different 2000
years ago. And Jesus gave them a way out, and offers us that same deal today.
“Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.” Showing that no matter the sin,
no matter how great, that forgiveness is greater. Where there is sin, grace
abounds even more. You still pay a price for your actions, but you are forgiven
by Jesus, you still have to pay for your crimes here on earth. Remember that
chance meeting next time you are accused, or accuse. Drop you stones, learn to
forgive. Jesus hated the sin, but loved the sinner. He died to reinstate us,
to make us into productive people. So we can worship God, and trust him rather
than our emotions. To trust God for forgiveness, rather than face the death
sentence sin had levied on us. For we have all fallen short of the glory of
God, even the NFL players. And Roger Goodell also. Time to fess up, ask Jesus
to forgive. The true lesson that day wasn’t what to do with the sin, but what
to do with the sinner. Sin cost Paterno his legacy, Jerry Sandusky is in jail
for life, and Ray is banned from the NFL. Yet the judge and jury, the NFL go on
today business as usual. Penn State begins recruiting again today. I’m just
glad Sandusky isn’t out trolling for kids anymore.
Forgiveness separates us from sin. It reunites us with God. It changes
our hearts, our ways, and our attitudes. It cleanses us when we are forgiven,
and cleanses us when we forgive others. Says so right there in the Lord’s
Prayer. As we forgive those who trespass against us. The Rices are trying to
overcome their past sins. So are we, we don’t need the press or our friends
flaunting our sins in front of us, or to the world. Satan is the accuser, Jesus
forgives. Show your true colors by forgiving, and if the accuser knocks on your
door, when you answer to run to Jesus. “It’s for you Lord.” You cannot do it
yourself, it takes a loving God. Football is big business, but it should never
become bigger than the gospel. Nor should you. Jesus forgives, are you
forgiven? Are you forgiving? On earth as it is in heaven. No instant replay
in heaven. Now that’s forgiveness. Put down the stones Mr. Goodell, and let
the healing begin.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com