Held to a Higher Level

Even if you aren't a football fan, you may have heard about Ben Roethlisberger's recent suspension for six games following an incident in Georgia involving a 20 year old girl. Although he hasn't been convicted (I don't even think charges have been filed) the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell is punishing Roethlisberger for his behavior and lack of good judgment. Sadly this isn't the first time Roethlisberger has been in trouble for something like this...back in 2008 a woman accused him of rape.

If you are not familiar with the story please...go here or here to learn more about it.

Some argue this is too harsh a punishment because he hasn't been convicted of anything. Others argue if Michael Vick got suspended for a year over dogs how come Roethlisberger isn't getting the same punishment? I for one think that six games with the possibility of it being dropped to four seems like more of a slap on the wrist. I realize that this will cost him approximately $2.8 million for something that may or may not have happened but the pattern is there and he used poor judgment. I think he is to an extent using his popularity and name to get away with things that others couldn't get away with. Did he sexually assault a 20 year old young woman? I don't know but it doesn't sound good for him. Did he make a stupid decision putting himself alone with a drunk 20 year old young woman? yes. Does it bring a question? yes. Does he deserve to be punished for marring the young woman's reputation, his reputation, and his team's reputation in question? yes he does.

With people like Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, and Ben Roethlisberger in the news for various mistakes. So what do you think should celebrities be held to a higher standard?

Glad I'm NOT a Celebrity...

Recently a number of celebrities have been in the news for not so pleasant things. And people have been pretty hard on them.

Tiger Woods...he fell...because he is human. We are hurt because we elevated him to a level similar to God. He could do no wrong. He was the go to man for how to do things. I admit as the news came out I was shocked but then I stopped. Because the reality is he is human. And he made mistakes...in his case multiple mistakes. He is the one who will have to live with those. And there are many consequences that he probably didn't think of when he was in the moment. But he is still human and if he is sorry and asks for forgiveness he should be forgiven. It may take time and we will not forget. (well until the next celebrity does something stupid)

Chris Henry...he and his fiance got into a domestic dispute and in a freak accident he got seriously hurt and died. His family and friends are hurt by the loss. But the circumstances of his death were not pretty. So will we focus on the sorrow his family and friends are feeling or will we focus on the circumstances. He was a 26 year old young man who had a life and a career ahead of him. There is a grief in the loss.

Famous people are not really any different than the rest of us. But they have their lives good and bad paraded in front of them, their family, their friends, and all the rest of us. I suggest we give them a break. They are human. The only perfect person...sits at the right hand of God.

Pray for their families.