Well, it’s official. The head buffaloes at Penn State covered up the decades of sexual abuse of underage boys. In my work as a consultant to organizations over the last 20+ years the #1 problem is leadership failing to discover and/or act openly and honorably with problems. Sweeping it under the rug never ever works.
The mark of a great organization, including any ecclesia (“church”), is: 1) how fast the worst news travels from the very bottom to the very top, 2) then dealt with in consensus fashion in a rigorous, honorable way with open communication for the best decisions, and finally 3) is implemented with accountability from very top to very bottom.
But…what role do we as Christians play, if any, in the satanic Sandusky saga ?
Why do you suppose they covered it up? The official report states to protect the repudiation of the football program and the school.
But why?
Money. It’s always the money. As they say, follow the money and you’ll find the reason. And the perpetrators.
Collegiate sports feeds billions of dollars of business annually. It feeds the professional games. It feeds the Olympics. It feeds the competition against loving your enemy. It feeds distraction away from the clear clarion c
all to evangelism and discipleship of the commands in Matthew 5-7, Christ’s kingdom manifesto. It creates idol worship as heroes. It ruins Christians and their walk. It elevates a Florida State taunting, blood stained Tim Tebow to God-like status, and causes him to stumble in actually being like the real un-American Jesus.
Bill Gothard was right in at least one thing. He stated over and over that children tend to excess what their parents (and grandparents) allow in moderation. I’ve seen many, many young Christians down a demonic trail of sports foolishness. To make a stand will estrange you from your own family and kids. It’s happened to me – a lot.
What to do practically? My personal revolution began in 1988. While watching the NBA playoffs and Michael Jordan, I was sexually aroused by a beer commercial just as the game began. In a dramatic Holy Spirit moment, He helped me get off the couch and turn off the set. Never seen another game, and quit watching TV then.
I took the 20+ hours per week than most Christians spend on media like TV, web, Facebook, and turned it to the clear commands of our Lord and Savior and His kingdom. That’s 1,000 hours a year dedicated clearly to gold, silver, and precious stones vs. wood, hay, and straw. Almost 25,000 hours so far…
Refuse to feed the demonic system. Tell Satan no way you’ll contribute in any way to sports that, in addition to many other evils, compromises boys sexual, mental, and physical life. All because of money. Ego. Pride. The flesh. The world and it’s “fans” (fanatics) loves sports, and all its idolatry. God help us all to obey.
I’ve repented of my part in the earlier days before that obedient day in front of the TV in 1988.
Your might say you bear zero responsibility in the Sandusky mess. Ever watch Paterno and his “lions?” Did Tebow, and other Christian’s trapped in sports at any level ever get inspiration from Joe, his team’s and all the bowl game nonsense and frivolity?
Never? Ever? Come on now.
No participation, leads to no advertising, leads to no market, leads to no money. The a-musement goes away. Be a revolution of one and “muse” on the things of our Lord…others will follow your lead like they did when Paul went to jail for the truth. And watch God change our world.
Jesus taught over and over about money, for one can’t serve God and mammon.
Mark 9:42-48 (NASB) “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble (Greek word = skandalizo), cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire…”
Did you catch the Greek word also used in this title: THE ROLE CHRISTIANS PLAY IN THE JERRY SANDUSKY – PENN STATE SEX SCANDAL (SKANDALIZO) [FRIDAY FIRE 89]
(See a host of posts here: www.walkworthy.org/sports-christians/ and www.walkworthy.org/stumbling )
“Dearest Lord, we pray for Jerry Sandusky, his wife, his family, Joe Paterno’s family. And Tim Tebow and others trapped and thinking they do Your will. Help us Jesus to walk the real walk, to do the tough things…to be holy in all our behavior. Open our eyes. Time is very very short. If we love the world and things of the world, Your Word states the love of the Father is not in us.”
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: FRIDAY FIRE – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Pam Frazier says
Marc, I think you are totally off base here. What is tis holier than thou attitude?? Now that you have just publicly boasted about all your works they have turned into wood, hay and stubble and will burn! There is absolutely nothing sinful or wrong in watching sports. Not everyone makes idols of these people, just enjoy watching a game! Rather ridiculous post!!
admin says
Ah, Pam…you’ve been captured, dear sister, by a great scheme of the evil one in our opinion! It goes like this, “Oh,it’s not so bad.” Most American Christians are so conformed to the world they have absolutely no clue what the Lord and Master considers holiness…a requirement to escape the lake of fire and enter heaven. Be holy in all our behavior is a command. Tell me please, how are these “games” any hint or shadow of holy behavior. The “games” came from the pagans, Olympics from Mt. Olympus and the worship of the gods. The early church was persecuted for it’s refusal to participate. What does that say about us now? See this post and the free download on the claim that it’s just a “game.” http://www.walkworthy.org/?p=3064 And this post of what true holiness is to God… http://www.walkworthy.org/holy Lastly, if it had been your tender son who had been molested and defiled by the Penn State system and it’s failed leaders, would it still be just a “game?” thx again for your comment dear sister.
brother marc
Tim Nixon says
Have to admit, I still watch sports and my kids still play them. But in my studies of the ancient church, I have found that they took a stand against the world’s entertainment, including sports. I am still wrestling with all of this. I want to be a disciple who has laid down everything for the sake of the cross.
Now here’s where I am going to be completely vulnerable and honest. We have been seeking true ekklesia and koinonia for over 2 years now, and we can’t find it, so I continue to fill that void with sports and other worldly things. To say that sounds so wicked, and we have given up a lot over the last 2 years, but this journey is so hard and lonely right now that I am having a hard time laying it down. I love Father, Christ and Spirit, I just don’t understand why He awakened us to see we were living a lie, yet He hasn’t given us church to live life with.
So I am a work still in progress, and I need to wholly surrender. I also need prayer for strength in this area.
admin says
Brother Tim…
You’re a breath of fresh air and candor. God will deliver us from these snares for He loves us to come out from among them. Amen to your struggle to find a real church that cares and supports YOU as you did them for years. The “why” question is a dangerous one to ask! Come see us here in Florida for a spell and let us love on you and your family…:)
marc