Category: Influence

The wife of a slain Tennessee pastor confessed to killing him and has been charged with first-degree murder, officials said today, after she was questioned overnight by state, federal and local officials.

The woman, Mary Winkler, is in the process of being extradited from Alabama, where she was found Thursday night, and will probably return to Tennessee this weekend, said Roger Rickman, a police investigator in Selmer, Tenn., where the Winkler family lives.

The charge of first degree murder, indicates that she planned the killing in advance, authorities said. “First degree is premeditated,” Officer Rickman said.

Continue reading “Gospel Preacher Killed” →

Terrell Owens may not be the only NFL star wide receiver dealing with summer problems.

In an interview scheduled to air Tuesday on HBO’s “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel,” Randy Moss, the former Vikings and now Raiders wideout, strongly implies he still smokes marijuana, a drug prohibited by the NFL.

After Moss says he has used marijuana since entering the NFL, but has not let it “take control over me,”Gumbel asks him if he smoked pot during the offseason.

“I might. I might have fun,” Moss says with a sheepish grin on his face. “And, you know – and hopefully that I won’t get into any trouble by the NFL by saying that, you know, I have had fun throughout my years and, you know, predominantly in the offseason.

“But, you know, I don’t want any kids, you know, watching this taking a lesson from me as far as, ‘Well, Randy Moss used it. So, I’m going to use it.’ . . . Like I say, that – that I have used – and in the past. And every blue moon or every once in a while I might.”

(AP)

Analysis:

For many years it has been that “role models” such as athletes and entertainers have used drugs. Though performance enhancing drugs such as steroids are presently the focus of testing and sanctions, the use of recreational drugs is also very prevalent, and perhaps are more damaging to society as we consider the broader impact of such influences upon our young people.

While Moss wishes that young people would not look to him as an example, the fact is that they do. It is a shame that there are so few good and righteous public figures for young people to admire and emulate.

The lesson for Christians is to note that our shortcomings not only impact our spiritual welfare, but also can have a negative impact on those we wish to influence. As Christians we are to, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16).

Young people, don’t look to the world for your example, look to the elders, and mature and righteous Christians, both men and women, who serve as examples to you of holiness before our God.