Today in Paul Asay’s blog, Body Parts, John Ziegler, founder and pastor of the First Church of Tiger Woods, announced he was shutting the church down in light of Woods’ apparent personal failings.
“Tiger is clearly no longer deserving of being seen as a role model or a hero and he has needlessly squandered his unique potential to be a positive force in our country and in the world,” Ziegler said, according to the AFP which also noted that Ziegler was breaking one of the church’s own commandments: “Thou shalt pay no attention to Tiger’s apparent flaws.”Public popularity does not change human nature . . . from the pauper to the preacher, the politician to the sports figure, sin is inherent. Power Corrupts! It is possible, having climbed the ladder of success, to be distracted by what’s on the ground below. Just one tiny slip and you plumett. Regarding Tiger’s slippage / downfall, my own feelings said to me: “Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall”.
"Tiger Did What?!?!?!?"
Jesus message to His followers was and still is ’cease’ from condemning and judging; considering your own self lest you be judged for the same thing! Rather…forgive.
It’s in the Gospels of the Bible!
Let’s not point the finger!
Rather, pray for the family and the man to be restored. And stop watching the channels that thrive on and promote the glee of the paparazzi …
To download an audio copy of my book: Excuse me, Your Unforgiveness is Showing, go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/gretasheppard .
Shine on . . .
Greta Sheppard (rev)
gretasheppard@shaw.ca
gretasheppard@shaw.ca
Great post, Greta! You're so right: we shouldn't let a person's revealed weaknesses be a reason to shun them, or deride them, or make us blind to all the things about them that are good and worthy. You said it!
Yep, Sounds good to me… Give what you want… Makes me think of "Forgive my transgression as I forgive…" Good stuff Greta.
Good point about not watching the muckraking programs on TV. Instead, Paul taught, "Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things." Php 4:8
And I agree that we should pray. I think the church really blew it with Mel Gibson. When he came out with "The Passion of the Christ" we should have known that the devil would go after him. We should have been praying fervently for him and his family. Much heartbreak might have been avoided.
Once again our "celebrity" focused culture has been dealt another disappointment with Tiger's personal problems. It seems there is such a compulsion to pin our hopes on someone who can get it "right" – wealthy, talented, media icon, etc. but once again, we discover that all people are inherently the same. Apart from the transformation of Christ in us, no amount of power, possessions or attention will compensate, in fact if may only exaggerate our human condition. Tiger's confusion only echoes our own. We dare not judge, but call on Jesus Christ for forgiveness and reconciliation. Let's be very cautious of the promises of temporary "success" placebos.
So…..”another one bites the dust”! Why are we always so shocked & dismayed?
After all, don’t WE “bite it” everyday?
We seem to have our little invisible “measuring tape”, and with it we judge the gravity of another’s shortcomings. Is cheating worse than pride?
We forget so easily that Adam & Eve represents each one of US….tempted in one way or another, and at times we too bite that apple,( or pear or grape whatever our weakness is).
It’s just that for most of us, we are not rich & famous & we don’t have our dirty little underwear plastered all over the news media!
Beware lest we bite the “fruit of judgment”.
Michelle
PS…..
LOVE your look Greta!!! It’s soooo “vous”!