Jan 26, Papa Joe
I've debated discussing my thoughts about Joe Paterno. Due to all the things I've heard from the media, read on facebook, listened to on radio and heard from personal friends I couldn't take it anymore. Before I start please know I have zero faith in the media. We hear one side of the story and its usually the opinion of the person reporting. Who knows what the truth is anymore. So in saying that, hear are my thoughts on Joe Paterno:
* I've always been a Coach Paterno fan. He has never messed up morally. Always been an awesome hero for kids and won A LOT of football games.
* Joe never bought into the idea of running to the next coaching opportunity. He started as an assistant at Penn State and once he became head coach he never left. That is not heard of anymore.
* Regardless of how bad Penn State beat their opponent or were beaten Joe was always respectful and courteous. My opinion, Joe seemed to be everything you would want in a coach as a player and parent.
* Did Joe screw up 10 years ago by not taking the alleged allegations of one of his coaches further? We will never know because we never heard all of Joe's side. He was thrown under the bus before, tried and found guilty before he had a chance.
* I'm not taking up for Joe, I just don't know the truth of the matter. Every time I watch Sports Center the story changes.
* If I was the parent of one of the young boys would I have wanted more done? OF COURSE!
* I'm not taking sides. I'm just saying both sides haven't been shared.
Some questions I have to ask about this entire matter:
* Could Joe have done more? I''m not sure. I wish he hadn't died of a broken heart so soon after being fired so we could have found out.
* Does one mistake define the person we are? I sure hope not. I've made so many mistakes that if someone began pulling them out of my closest I would be through as a Pastor.
* Should we hang someone when we ourselves deserve to be hung? I have to turn to the words of Christ on that one.
Matthew 7:1-5
1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
I have a full time job worrying about Dean Herman much less hanging someone else out to dry. I hurt for everyone involved ion this awful scandal, especially the young victims. But NONE of us have the right to crucify someone, unless we're perfect ourselves that is.
Finish by saying I know what some of you are saying and thinking. But Dean you know Joe should have.........
Yes, things probably should have been handled differently. Yes, coaches probably should have been fired. Yes, and the list could go on. All I'm saying is before we crucify someone we should take a long look in the mirror and ask if the person we're looking at has ever royally screwed up and deserve the exact same things being said about Joe Paterno.
Some other thoughts:
* Sunday is finished and I can't wait.
* Bring a friend and remind them they have to walk a good ways.
* Need some help from all those who have bought into our vision. There are some seats open in the first service and none in second. Would you think about coming to first service? Really help open up seats for guests during second.
* I have lost 8 pounds. Good news but A LOT to go.
* Have an awesome weekend and do something radical for Jesus.
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