I tend to get in trouble for talking sports a lot.  Let me admit that it's a very easy trap to fall into while talking or writing.  Sports is such a huge part of my growing up as well as present day life that it becomes second nature.  So let me try to promise we can move along from athletic related themes...after tonight.  Please just allow me one more short thought that is tied to the big story of the last few days.  Actually, this story goes far beyond football.  It is a story that brings out deep emotion due to its nature. 

Penn State fired its long time football coach this evening.  Joe Paterno coached at one school for over sixty years as an assistant then as head coach.  He is the paragon of virtue in many respects.  His records will never be broken.  He graduated students beyond their playing days.  He was a walking statue to all that can be good in college athletics.  No one could say much bad about Paterno other than his stubborn desire to continue coaching even at the age of 85.  His assistant coaches remained loyal to him throughout the years. It may well be that his loyalty to them is what would lead to his downfall. 

A former assistant is accused of horrific crimes against young boys over the last decade or so.  The crimes are so awful that one cannot even put them into words.  Paterno would fail in not reporting whatever he knew to the legal authorities.  No one knows all of the reasons why this failure occurred.  Both the college and the coach are not saying much in public.  Odds are good that nothing can be said now with all of the legal troubles lying ahead of everyone involved.  Lots of very good people are suffering from the mistake of not doing enough to protect children at risk.  Even the very best of people can fall short though every intention is good. 

We can learn that doing the right thing may come with a cost but failure to do right has a greater cost.  We again learn that a lifetime of good decisions can be set adrift with even a single poor choice.  Age may come into play as doing what is moral and good has no age limits.  Never forget the idea that children matter much to God.  Our world is doing far too much damage to the most innocent among us.  If we cannot protect these souls then where will we ever find any humanity?  Jesus does indeed love the little children.  What are we doing to express that love to them? 

Bro. Trey