Champs and Chumps

Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 16:19

From the Broadway play A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum comes a delightful song titled Comedy Tonight. In the song are phrases such as “something familiar—something peculiar” and “something appealing—something appalling.” As a follow-up to those words, each day we read or hear about people distinguishing themselves in a positive fashion or on the other hand, some jerks upsetting the tranquility of the community by doing something dumb and outrageous. Frankly, I wish we had more stories about the champions in our world and less about the chumps.

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During the holidays we heard about good Samaritans who went into various stores to pay off the “lay away” bills for strangers. We also became aware of others who placed valuable coins in the Salvation Army red kettles. These in my mind were just some of the champs in our world.

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Comments

Thought you had some good points and made sense until you got to the end. Why on earth is everyone so intent on bashing Tim Tebow. The example didn't even go with the rest of the article in my opinion. We idolize and hold in high regard athletes, rock stars and actors who have the morals of alley cats, but a guy who wishes to thank God for his abilities and live his beliefs is ridiculed at every turn. I don't think he is thanking God for providing a touchdown, that is a condesceding assumption on your part. I think he is thanking God for his teammates and his ability to play and produce. Why would that be any different than thanking God for rain. I am not assuming that by praying for rain I am depriving someone else of rain, just that I am thankful to God for providing rain. We would all do well to remember that we are not the center of the universe and I, for one, would much rather see someone live openly as a Christian, than flount their filty language and lifestyle. The Chump is the one who thinks they can go it alone. Doesn't work in Quality, doesn't work in life.

Penny - thanks for writing. No one is "bashing Tim Tebow" criticizing him for thanking God "for his abilities". My humor evidently escaped you when I conjectured that the Almighty was probably paying more attention to Notre Dame sports than any other team. And frankly what with all the items on the Creator's agenda it seems unfair to burden Him with thanks for completed passes - a 50 yard field goal - a three point buzzer beater - a home run - and a whole series of inconsequential sport activities. I think there are more important issues to pray for and give thanks for such as the recovery of a sick child - the peaceful passing of a loved one - the cure for a disease. These are the things that really matter. The whole concept of athletes thanking the Almighty for their winning is fine with me and many people respect sports figures and others who have the Lord in their life and obviously Tebow's actions have garnered reaction from people who agree and those who don't. I suspect The Almighty has a good sense of humor and thus He understood my remarks. And keep in mind that on the other side of the field, there is a team and some players blaming the Lord for their defeat. So let's lighten up! Bill

Usually I agree with most of what you write.  Your article was spot-on until you chose final example for chumps, then you became a chump in my opinion.  Being thankful is a good quality. 

Mark - as Peter Paul once said: "Sometimes I feel like a nut - sometimes I don't". I relish in being a nut most of the time. It keeps me young and vibrant! But if it means being labeled a chump - so be it. Thanks for writing. Bill

Submitted by Rajohnson on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 09:10

Champs:  those that recognize good hearted, tongue-in-cheek humor

Rajohnson - thanks for your support! Sometimes it pays to have a sense of humor in an otherwise mixed up world. We need more humor and fewer people who always feel that they are being offended or disrespected by someone's innocent "good hearted, tongue-in-cheek" remarks. Thanks for being a Champ in my camp! Bill

In San Francisco at the holidays Glide Memorial Church gives away food gift bags generally at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Many CHUMPS join the line only to take the gift around the corner or down a block or so and spread it out on the sidewalk for sale.  I have not seen any arrested for this so I assume it is because it is a gift so they can leagally do that.

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