Uh Oh! Just when we thought the last paragraph was being written, Paul hits us with Chapter 5 and 6. He is not happy….Looks like the word of the day is ‘scandal’.
He is raising the tone of his voice to remind the newest parishioners of how they are acting, violating laws, and worst of all, not even caring. He demands to know why no one is handling the disgraceful goings-on within his church. It’s an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ position the church leaders seem to be taking and Paul says no way….deal with it.
Let’s set aside 57AD and look at the situation today….Suppose you know a trusted family member, friend, or fellow parishioner is ‘walking on the wild side’ a little too much. Mmmmmmmm, you don’t want this to continue, you know they have more brains than they seem to show, and yet, what do you say? Remember how we talked about the scary side of addressing problems as serious as this? Well, imagine it is your board member, your associate pastor, your treasurer, or your best friend you sit by each service. Oh my….addressing these kinds of problems can be a life changing action for all involved. Still, it’s got to be done.
Mmmmmm again, guess being a follower of Christ isn’t really a piece of cake after all, is it? One cannot negotiate their way out of messing up. By the same token, one doesn’t need to be banished because they did mess up. It has to be somewhere in between. My opinion is that sometimes a ‘time out’ is in order, for all those involved. It’s kind of like counting to 10, only longer.
Taking the proper approach can be a bit touchy….that’s why I, personally, have to go for the time out, if I’m to be the ‘parent’. Maybe there are others who feel the same way about the ongoing problems, so discussing in a group….(the proper way) can be good. Remember, if you/your church have let this go on for a while, you should probably feel a little guilt yourself!
So Paul goes on to remind us that he is with those who have to begin the ‘redo’. God should be right in there, in the middle of the discussions, helping both sides to understand the necessity of acceptable behavior.
Please note: I’m sure this doesn’t apply to many, but maybe, just maybe, a few of us have been on the wrong side of this conversation certain times in our lives….just say’in…
In Chapter 6, Paul reminds us that while we might have to be a judge, we will also be judged, and it is good to be talked to by those who seek the Christian framework in their lives.
So we’ll leave this story for today with the following thoughts….we are all human…we have that wonderful spark of God within, we become more educated with more study, but we are still human….and for that reason, we will always, I said, always enjoy human things. That’s how we are designed… Our ‘free will’ is part of the package, however Christ’s teachings are the pre-arranged part of the same package, if we would only open our hearts and eyes. God owns all of you..and you..and you…and you. What a deal!
Yesterday we (I mean I) discussed the downturn in the new church in Corinth…One can just visualize Paul, realizing the seriousness of the situation, sitting down to write a response few pastors would want to write.
These problems were not new in the daily life of Corinthians, however, in the Christian church, just a babe, it was just awful. Even today, as we look at some of our own local churches/parishes. we find the same problems. It isn’t out-and-out fighting, it is done in a quieter form……that being ‘sitting in judgement’ fighting.
So Paul begins…..’You are all picking sides’, he writes….all jockeying for a position that really doesn’t exist. Splitting into factions doesn’t help anyone, in 57AD or now….It is not for us to judge and philosophy…..Jesus wasn’t a ‘show off’.
In the Message Bible….I love what it says….”Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women(my goodness “women”) that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “some bodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have a saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” (very cool)
Boy, oh boy, Paul is making it clear…..he was right then and he is right today….Do you see similar signs in your church? Do you see and hear those who tout a philosophy that always seems to make the other guy/congregation look inferior? Sorry to say I do…
The problem we all have in facing this tension in the church, is that we don’t want to come off as one of those ‘know-it-alls’ Paul mentions. We are not the judge and jury…..we leave that to God, however, there are ‘living laws’ that we must learn to abide by if we are to continue the Christian path.
Maybe as we continue to read this wonderful example of daily life in the early church, we can also contemplate how we solve the same kind of problems now occurring in some of our congregations today.
Do we go to the pastor, do we plead in front of the church board, do we have a pastor/parish committee, do we come together in Christian discussions, hoping not to hurt, but to help? Do we stay…..or do we go? It’s tough….very tough…If it wasn’t, congregations would be addressing and solving, instead of moving on, in hopes of finding a quiet, stable, loving atmosphere, at a new address down the street.
Paul is doing pretty well so far….actually his letters proved to be real winners…..cause we are still here, this evening, discussing the early church.
Well…..in case you’ve jumped ahead and actually turned to lst Corinthians, (even if you have’nt) there is a lot go’in on. Yesterday we got a taste of what Corinth was like…..in 57 AD.Today it matches any large city, almost anywhere in the world. Truth be known, many small towns have come to share the same kind of reputation, as Corinth,too. This is stated to kind of set everyone straight, in case they thought their burg was the perfect.
But, I digress…..
One would like to think that as soon as they were “Christianized”, all was well, that they become impeccable human beings. I wish…we wish, but it just ain’t so……
Now here is Paul, miles away, getting Fedex deliveries everyday from his church friends, giving him the worst news possible. His flock, his group, his parishioners, had truly begun to ‘backslide’ my friends, ‘backslide’, and what do you think Paul was thinking? To say the least, he was not a happy pastor.
So begins the saga of 1st Corinthians…..and those brothers and sisters in 57AD… are just like you and I….They were brought together to learn about God, to accept Christ, and not only be schooled in Christianity, but to ‘live’ in Christianity.
Seemed like everything was going well when he moved on….this new church seemed to be stable, attendees seemed well versed, and even better, they were committed. There was, however, a crack in the armor. Budgets were off, pledges were not coming in, and there was talk of going back to some idol worship.
The ‘in-fighting’ was an embarrassment…There were lots of new churches and instead of continuing to work together, they started being a little on the selfish side…..Salvation and holiness moved to go on the backburner, as the illuminating speeches of Paul, heard just months ago, languished in file drawers of church offices all over town.
What will Paul do….how will he bring his new followrs back into the fold…what methods will he use….will he be critical, indignant,or keep his cool and be a gentleman…..or all of the above?
We’re beginning a study of 1st Corinthians and my, my. Corinth, population 400,000, was situated on the isthmus of Greece. It was on the principal trade route of the Empire, and thru its harbors flowed the commerce of the world…and that’s a quote!
But here’s more……another quote…..”A renowned and voluptuous city, where the vices of the East and West met”.
My, my, boys and girls…..what is goin’ on?
Paul sure had his hands full, and probably had a stack of paper, to write about the solutions for this party town….in 57 AD
My hubby and I were talking about morals, ethics, and general living when he remarked about Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code…We Googled it and here it is…..for you to ponder
GENE AUTRY’S COWBOY CODE
1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.
2. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.
3. He must always tell the truth.
4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly, and animals.
5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.
6. He must help people in distress.
7. He must be a good worker.
8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action, and personal habits.
9. He must respect women, parents, and his nation’s laws.
10. The Cowboy is a patriot.
As we come together in this 21st Century….it would seem that Gene Autry’s words, from the 40’s, are a little outdated…..But the truth be known….they are so very necessary in today’s world of self. Check out your code of ethics this week….see how yours stack up!
I’ve been on a jury at least 4 times in my life….starting in Indianapolis, Ind when I was in my mid twenties….I’ll never forget what it was like and how I felt. A guy was on trial for burglary and attempted murder of a store owner. The owner had survived and was healing in the local hospital. The defendant had a long list of people who came forth to say he was nowhere near the scene….they included friends and family and former girlfriends and current girlfriends, etc. All of these people made statements under oath that were full of holes and none could keep their stories straight to even coincide with others. Still they needed to be heard. The defendant was found upstairs hiding in a closet, above the store, with the gun. The injured storekeeper was to testify, but suddenly the case finished and he was not there. A jury only can use the information it is given…..and so the judgement was guilty considering all the other information provided sans the poor man who was shot. (later, after we were excused, we found that the storekeeper had taken a turn for the worse, and was not allowed to come to court)….However, we did our job, and based upon what we heard and discussed he was found guilty. He did yell and scream and threaten us, but he was hauled off to prison anyhow.
I tell you this story, not because it was totally exciting or because everyone got a star, but because we were asked to be part of a jury in a democratic society that says you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We all know that it doesn’t work perfectly….but being a juror does make it work compared to courts in other countries. Think of the girl who disappeared in the islands….think of the two going to court for murder in Italy…. then think of our jury system. Yes, it is tedious. Yes it takes away a few days from our wonderful jobs. Yes, we’d sometimes rather be doing something else, BUT THAT IS ALL BESIDE THE POINT!!
A juror is part of freedom…..a juror is an honorable way of being free. A juror is part of a fair and unbiased search for the right for people who have been wronged….on either side of the table in front of the judge. I am appalled at the excuses and statements I hear from those who receive the call for jury duty. (We’ll talk excuses later) Why do people creep away and hide with all kinds of excuses, when they look in the mirror every day and acclaim what fine upstanding citizens they are. They are the first to discuss right and wrong, politically miss-managed funds and departments, the lack of morals or being honorable in daily business people they deal with, and the way the ‘world is going’ because of unscrupulous people. BUT….when the call comes……they almost become the people they are asked to be a jury for. They are too old, they can’t get the bus, they work nights, they have a cold, they dislike anyone of color, they have a family member who influences them, and on and on. What a pity…….
And the courts have to listen to this every day….the courts, the servants whose job it is to give anyone a fair trial….continually have to endure these types every day. When did ‘responsible’ become such a dirty word? When did ‘slinking’ out the door after lying to the judge become such an honorable thing to do? I am appalled and amazed at the statements I have heard when some says they received a call for jury.
The courts have always treated us graciously….In California it is one day or one trial. You don’t even have to go to the court house unless your group number is called, and you can stay at home and check, every morning and evening. There are nice rooms to wait in, there are TVs and books and games, and food. You are given at least an hour and maybe two for lunch and have breaks. One is treated with great respect as a possible juror, not to mention in the court room. The judge is gracious, he/she explains fully the trial time and dates and length. Valid excuses are readily accepted and there is always a ‘thank you’.
When in court, you are the ‘chosen’…you are there to listen, to reason, to understand, to take notes, to ask questions of the judge, and to deliberate as a unit of fairness. There is no one more ‘looked up to’ than you, the jury.And still prospective jurors scoff .
Now we’ll discuss excuses……real ones……and some we have no control over….1. My job gives me a rough time…..what a shame, but true. Employers need to be fined for messing with their employees when it comes to jury duty. Pay is full, for as long as it takes, period.
2. The state doesn’t pay enough for me to leave work…..true…and that needs to be addressed….maybe by combining work and state payments.
3. No one else can do the job but me……I wish, but it ain’t true. I once sat by a fellow juror who mathematically helped plans fly full of baggage, people, and fuel, each and every flight. Someone did his job, when he was gone…(and I thought that was dang important)
4. I have a problem with people of color……GET OVER IT! and learn that right is right and wrong is wrong regardless of color. You might learn a lot from our fellow jurors on that!
Now school finals, and working each and every night can be valid, but don’t plan your vacation during your jury duty…..just to get out of it. AND, if you do have valid reasons, they court will be more than happy to give you another date that works for you!
So, in closing this soapbox one-sided discussion, I repeat, with all honesty. I have never felt more proud than to serve as a juror….to give the guy who is in the right, a reward for being right, and to serve a dose of “guilty’ to the person who wronged him. Maybe it doesn’t make everything perfect again, but it is the way Americans try to do what is right, each and every day, in court rooms all over this land.
been looking at Greece and Syria, not to mention Africa, Mexico, and Iran. I apoligize for those who do not try to do unto others as they want others to do unto them. If I keep trying with my own neighbor, maybe it will spread to Greece and Syria
I’m old….wait a minute, I’m older I’ve been around the block, (so they say), but not around ALL the blocks! I admit that gives me a limited amount of knowledge concerning some topics, so I’ll muddle thru this one.
I became aware of presidents about the time of Eisenhower. I was old enough to know about elections and remember being awakened by my parents saying he had won. At that time, if it was okay with them, it was okay with me.
Down the road, however, I’ve become more aware of those who choose to politic….They are not better than I am, their skin is just thicker. They may or may not be purer than I am, but I do believe I am a lot smarter about realizing the outcome of that answer, in certain fields of endeavor. I speak to this because it seems sexual error is the only area most people are interested in……Foreign policy, nah, taxing the hell out of everyone, nah, following laws that are already on the books, nah, firing inept people within the ZIPs in Washington, nah, checking on whether the troops have enough to keep them safe, nah. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
It’s the sex…..the who did what to whom, and when and where they did it! Tonight, when you put on your jams, think back over the list of politicians, from mayors to Presidents, who have realized after the fact, that men cannot make good decisions with their pants down…..even someone elses…..
Now I’m not saying that taking advantage of a person is acceptable. Selected abuse is abundant and should not be tolerated, period…regardless of age or sex. But this game of politics is rife with checking out those who seem to fall from the grace of another,( who has been, or is doing much of the same thing.)
So here is my plea……if we are going to acknowledge what Ms. Bialek said, let us I not stop with Herman Cain…….I’m sure there are many men who have made sexual advances to her in her lifetime……So lets, for the sake of the list, start in the 1990’s somewhere. If it is good to remind us of Herman, please remind us of others who have done you wrong, or attempted to. I feel it’s the only fair way to handle this……Otherwise, it would suggest that you are selecting Herman, and I don’t like that. I don’t like that at all.
Incidentally, that goes for all the OTHER girls and boys who want to play the game of politics…..name one, name them all.)
I sell stuff…….I sell my stuff and other people’s stuff. I’ve been doing it for over 25 years, more some years than others. I’m hardly selling stuff now cause I’m having a hard time finding new stuff to sell. Following me so far…..
In the business of buying and selling (I sell new stuff and antique stuff) morals and ethics are always at the forefront. Why? Because most of the time it is just YOU making the moral and ethical decision.
I’ll just stick to one corner of buying and selling stuff and that is the area of buying today……I am ask how much things are worth all the time. Sometimes it is just for fun, sometimes it is to compare with others they’ve contacted, sometimes it gives the person an idea of what to sell it for, and sometimes it is to see if I am going to cheat them, either now, or later on.
I’ve been with me for many years now, and I’ve come to decisions based this relationship. I look at me every morning, I live with me 24/7 and I represent me in everything I do, including the good and bad.
So my rules of morals and ethics have become pretty simple.
I try to give the best guess (cause that’s what they all are) as to what an item is worth. I explain that if you want to wait a year to sell it, you can probably get this amount. If you want to insure it, you should go for this amount, if you want to sell it in a week or two, this will probably the amount, and if you want to sell it to another who will again sell it, you should be in this ballpark.
I also feel that in the world of buying and selling, one would always want to be honest enough that the person would have enough respect to call again when they want to do business. Not because I have the most money, not because I am the sweetest you’ve ever met, and not because I can sell pans with no handles at estate sales over and over again. It’s because I am fair, and have morals and ethics I abide by.
Bartering is a part of my life as a buyer and seller. Biggest rule is never to piss off the potential buyer or seller with stupid remarks.(especially when it’s me)….like “It’s not worth that and you know it…I’ll give you this amount”…….or “My wife doesn’t know how to do this bartering stuff so I’ll give you….” or one of my favorites……”all I have is $5.50″ (and you are asking $17.00 )and his/her billfold is open in front of me, bulging with twenties…on and on…..
How do we solve this …..we use our inside voice and our morals and ethics and we say, “what is your best price today?”, ….or……”I’d live to give this a new home and I can offer….” AND THEN, if you are turned down, smile and move on……(and maybe come back the next day)
The use of improper morals and ethics have made and broken many a person. Once you’ve lost your good reputation, how long do you think it will take to get it back…….And the answer is……for me, in my business of watching over other people’s stuff……NEVER! later
WSJ is the ‘local paper’ for world business. Its inside scoop opens up eyes and investigations to business world-wide. It offers up, however, some strange pieces of information in the Legal Notices section…..and if one begins to read this section, just once in a while, it becomes a riveting piece of news, not just a notice.
It begins by saying “The US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) Washington,D.C gives notice that the following properties were seized for various federal forfeiture violations, which are mentioned below.
It goes on, saying “You may contest the seizure in US District Court by filing a claim of ownership, no later than 30 days after the date of the final publication of the notice of seizure, etc. etc……
The notice further states explanations of the items discussed, such as CSA = The Controlled Substances Act, Title 21 U.S.C, Section 881 or MLC = Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, Title 18, U.S.C. Section 981(a)(1)(A), and so on. These definitions alone are alarming, however , the listings by state are beyond words, when it comes to us the ” nice guys”.
Examples are not exact….numbers are mixed up and cases are changed around, however, it is the content that brings me to today’s writing.
And so it goes…..
Texas…..$46,770 currency, CSA, 7-27-11 John Doe, 1129 smith st. along with$23,000 currency, CSA and a 2007 Chev Tahoe
Washington….$56,596, CSA 7/20/11 found in the following locations, kitchen cabinet next to narcotics, office closet on floor inside a shoe, computer bag in office closet, left pants pocket of……
Florida……$38,254 SUA 9-1-11 Sarasota, Miscellaneous silver and gold bars belonging to…… including 2 US Academy 100 oz silver bars, … and …..; 2 US Ohio Precious Metals 100 oz silver bars, US Engelhard 100 oz silver bar, no……1 oz vienna philharmonic silver, 150 euros, , etc, etc.
Illinois……CSA 12 gauge shotgun, s/n……
South Carolina…..$144,861 SUA 7/19/11
Oregon……jewelry seized from……square wheat 10 kt white gold neck chain with a diamond and 10 kt white gold cross pendant, mens stainless steel Rolex Date Just watch………and so on and so on
I didn’t list all the money, cars, bank accounts, jewelry,and guns discussed today…….These samples came from a full page……in VERY VERY SMALL PRINT I might add, and should be a wake-up notice to each and every reader.
Maybe it is time to read the Legal Notices again……in the WSJ. Maybe it is time we thank the FBI, the DEA, ICE, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard as they keep watch 24/7 over our neighborhoods, communities, & states;our land, and its borders. Maybe it’s time we see that these men and women have the equipment,the money, and the backing to do their job, instead of having their hands tied by politicians who can’t find their way out of a paper bag unless a TV reporter is around.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen for watching over me and mine. I salute you and yours and thank you for your dedication. later
seriouslyscorpio 