October 2014
Forgiveness in Rwanda
Pastor Appreciation
Page 5
Page 8
By Seth Halpern Editor (Ed Note: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which I learned after writing the article below) Usually the front page news is not reserved for sports stories (California Chrome being the exception). We’ll see headlines when the San Francisco Giants or 49’ers win the championship. Unfortunately, this is not that kind of “feel good” story. When the sports stories make the front page, It is the all too common dark stories of our sports heroes. In recent years, it has mostly been about the use of illegal substances used to give an unfair advantage. The most recent “odor”
stinking up the sports world is one of domestic violence. Domestic violence has been a problem in our society for decades. Who knows how long the problem has been going on, but in recent years statistics have been recorded, shelters provided and arrests have been made. So, maybe this is nothing new, but what is becoming more and more exposed is the violence by so called “heroes” of the NFL. America is a sports nation. While the rest of the world has a love affair with soccer, ours is with football. Sunday afternoon living room tailgate parties help to make the football season a time of jubilation for many (even faith-filled households). Most pastors expect lighter attendance when the 49’ers or Raiders play an early game. Those that know me know that I am
In The News
God at Work in Y-S
Page 14
Page 17
not much of a football fan. I don’t feel that the entertainment value justifies the concussions and other significant injuries causing bodily damage either instantly or in years to come (same applies to boxing, MMA, UFC, etc.) That said, there is nothing wrong with healthy sports activity which brings with it exercise and teamwork ethics. What IS wrong, though, is when our “heroes” on the field turn out to be vicious criminals off the field, while the league turns its head. In the past month the following NFL players were arrested for domestic violence: Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens punched his fiancé on a casino elevator, knocking her unconscious. Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson was accused of whipping his 4-year-
old son with a tree branch.(Ed. Note: Pictures show he went beyond the biblical principle of “spare the rod and spoil the child”) He was ultimately arrested and indicted by a grand jury on charges of reckless or negligent injury. Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers was arrested for domestic abuse. Arizona Cardinals backup running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested in connection with domestic abuse allegations, (I realize that there are also a lot of upstanding men in the NFL, and many who are serving the Lord) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been taking a lot of heat for his “slap CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
A Woman’s Friend Banquet October 18th - Page 11 The Ambassador
1