Apologies No Longer Accepted

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stock-photo-apology-word-cloud-331397930

When i was a kid, if you accidentally ran into someone you apologized and everyone went on about their business. If you wronged someone and realized the error of your ways, you apologized and asked forgiveness. Most often, the apology was accepted and everyone forgave and forgot for the most part. I am so curious as to when it became taboo and out of date to apologize for incidents!

Several years ago when my child was in elementary school, there was a new vice principal who was young and inexperienced. As an educator myself, you always learn to choose which battles you want to endure. I always taught manners and set the tone for kids to work things out. My inner Andy Griffith was always at work in my classroom. So when an incident happened when several kids were in a crowded line and a few bumped into one another, my child was written up for pushing. After the kids were questioned, the kids agreed it was crowded and it was probably an accident. The new vice principal still wanted to exert some authority and write kids up. I asked, “wouldn’t a simple apology suffice since they all agreed it was crowded and an accident?” His reply was an adamant NO! School policy can’t be bent for anyone was his mentality. I thought what a terrible example he was setting. There was no kindness here and no willingness to forgive. This world needs some love. Maybe this is why there are so many lawsuits and hate crimes. The pay it forward movement should start with second chances on simple accidental happenings.

If the tables were turned, and an employee was responsible for some act against a student, then everyone is just supposed to accept the apology of the school or the teacher. They want to avoid any reprimand and above all any publicity. The good old double standard. Let me do what i want but don’t do what I’ve done to you.

Now don’t get me wrong, i believe there should be consequences for actions, when they are serious. But simple things can be overlooked and not every molehill needs to be made into a mountain. There is a bigger picture where love overrides the need to publicly punish someone for simply taking up for themselves or accidentally bumping into someone. Where has common sense gone? Even police officers make judgment calls when they pull someone over. They can write a ticket or they can give a warning and show kindness. Not everything is black and white.

Dear educators, parents, and anyone that has ever made a mistake;

Please learn to exercise kindness and forgiveness. We all make mistakes. Wouldn’t you want someone to be kind to you when you are sorry for a mishap you made? The old adage do unto others can still be used today. There is no expiration date on manners and love.

After all, aren’t you glad God doesn’t nitpick about your every short coming! To be Christlike means to strive to be like Him. We know we can never be perfect but we need to try. Sometimes a second chance is all someone needs.

Sincerely,

One who still accepts apologies

NIV
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

Have a blessed day!

What Death Can Touch

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‘Tis a Fearful Thingtombstone

‘Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.

A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –to be,


And oh, to lose. A thing for fools, this,

And a holy thing, a holy thing
to love.

For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.

To remember this brings painful joy.

‘Tis a human thing, to love,
a holy thing;

to love what death has touched.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

 

Drive Through History With Christmas Journey

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It’s that time of year where all the pretty lights and decorations drip from houses, stores, and even racetracks. Children are bright eyed and amazed at the sights. Passerby’s ogle the magnificence of it all. We sometimes forget the real reason for the season. It’s very simple actually and it’s only two words. Jesus Christ.

Our Lord and Savior’s birth is the reason for the celebration. No gifts any person could give would ever compare to the free gift of salvation He has offered to all of mankind. His birth is only the beginning. You must find out the rest of His plight. Just because He was born doesn’t make us all heaven bound. You must understand and accept this gracious gift that no one could ever match and we certainly do not deserve.

A wonderful experience without the glittery lights and glamorous displays of fictitious characters was offered within the community of Piney Flats tonight. Piney Flats First Baptist Church offered a free drive through experience of the life of Christ. It is called “The Journey”. The members of the church, young and old, weathered the cold and wind to give people a glimpse into the life of Christ. With real animals and scripture from the Bible, the display was wonderful and far different from the typical Christmas experience.

If you are in the Piney Flats area tomorrow night, weather permitting, stop by and take in this treat from 6-9 in their parking lot. You can’t miss it when driving through on 11-E. Bring the family and be prepared to interact with the characters. You will be given coins to pay your taxes in Bethlehem and you will receive a wooden cross necklace. If you only know of the birth of Jesus, you are missing out. There is so much more.

  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.
Dig a little deeper and find the truth for yourself. The benefits are out of this world!
Merry Christmas and God bless you as you increase your knowledge in Christ.

Christmas

~ ballparkhopper ~ Leave a comment

nativity

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through the land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,

The reason for Christmas-no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is a just a “Holiday”.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it.

An I-phone, an X-Box, a PlayStation, a digital fishing rod,

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa,

In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down,

At Lowe’s the word Christmas-was no where to be found.

At K-mart and Staples, and Penney’s and Sears,

You won’t hear the word Christmas, it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, and Di-ver-si-ty,

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter,

To eliminate Jesus in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our case,

It became taboo to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded,

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate “Winter Break” under your holiday tree,

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say,

Shout “MERRY CHRISTMAS”, not happy holiday.

***Watch closely some of the stores mentioned above that made decisions to eliminate Christ and their recent troubles in the past few years. Many are bankrupt and closing their doors. Many have had controversial media and lawsuits because of their worldly choices. Merry Christmas everyone! God will not be mocked.

Galatians 6:7 King James Version (KJV)

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.