Month: March 2011

Lying: hurts a reputation

There is a lot of mixed reactions today regarding this (the latest) sports news store in Central Ohio: Ohio State suspends Jim Trestle two games for NCAA violation.

The news in a nutshell is that coach Jim Trestle was holding key information sent to him via email reporting to him directly and specifically on certain players that were violating NCAA violations. The coach was partly not reporting this information to his superiors or the NCAA because he was trying to protect his players but the situation is also messier. The players were involved with a convicted criminal. The situation is also messy because while coach Trestle had a responsibility to do something (possibly tell a compliance lawyer or the University president or Big Ten commissioner)- which he did not, while in September 2010 Tressel signed a compliance form with both Ohio State University and the NCAA saying that he had no knowledge of any possible violations.

Then all of the questions and “extra scrutiny” on Jim Trestle and the Buckeyes since there was :

  1. NCAA violations by these six players to begin with, why didn’t Tressel say anything before? Did he lie in Sept?
  2. These players are missing four games, why is Jim only missing 2? Why is there have such a small penalty placed on him from OSU?
  3. In light of other recent controversies at OSU, many local sports media personalities and fans are getting sick and tired of hearing about the negative news. They once were proud to be called OSU alum but now they are upset. Are they taking this too far?
  4. Jim Tressel has been known for being an honest, good religious man. He has taught boys to be men. He is outspoken about his faith and integrity. Although he is still a man who occasional makes a mistake. This is one of them, maybe too big of a mistake? He lost a lot of respect of many…
  5. Questioning of motives, was Tressel, in protecting his players, looking to win football games? Isn’t that what most coaches are looking to do?

Yes, Jim Tressel made a mistake. But if I was in his shoes, I am not sure how I would have handled the information. I am not sure who I would have told. I too was upset in Tressel when I fully understood the situation, but I think that there is a lot of “extra scrutiny” on Tressel that is a little over-the-top, too much. I wonder, if I was in his situation what would I have done? Yeah it is important to be full of integrity and tell someone, like a lawyer about the emails, but I can understand him questioning the source and validity of the emails. I can also understand that he wanted to protect his players and win football games. The one fact that bothers me most, is that Tressel, in essence, lied by signing compliance forms back in September.

The Bible speaks about lying. While I do not think you will find any human being who has never told a lie, it is clear that we should strive not to lie:

John 8:44,45 says that Satan is a liar and the father of lies.

1Peter 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Proverbs 26:18,19 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says,“I was only joking!”

Lying hurts a man’s reputation and hurts his faith witness. Jim Tressel has weakend his reputation because of this incident. I think that lie is what really hurts a lot of people the most in this entire mess. He was known for his integrity up until this point. Now both the Christian and secular audiences take notice of this lie. It hurts.

Suggested by the author:

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Lying: hurts a reputation – Columbus Biblical living | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/biblical-living-in-columbus/lying-hurts-a-reputation#ixzz1GGhF6V7G

Helping the needy

Several central Ohio churches and religious groups teach English as a second language, seeing it as a way to minister to immigrants, who often feel isolated in their new country.

This is a great ministry helping people put who are in need, who are struggling to make it through the day becuase they struggle just to communicate daily with the English-speaking world around them. The Bible speaks to the idea of helping struggling people, especailly the needy and poor.

Dt. 27:19 says ‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Not only does the Scriptures warn against people who do not serve justice to widows and orphans (those in need), in fact the Bible commands proactive behavior:
Dt 26:12 says “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.”
Who are you helping and showing the love of God to? How are you helping the needy?
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update, LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Helping the needy – Columbus Biblical living | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/biblical-living-in-columbus/helping-the-needy#ixzz1GGh3MTTE

Good thought for the day

My “dad” at work (not related to me in real life) told me something that stuck with me tonight as I was leaving work. He had stuck around and helped some of the last people who were still finishing up their work. I passed him by since I had been told to leave and clock out. I said to him, “dad, you are a nice guy for sticking around and helping.” He said, “Hey. It is all about who we are.”

What stuck out about this most was his actions. His actions spoke louder than the words. He was a good guy. He was doing the right thing and helping out, even if he did not have to stick around and help.