Hi there...Here is a small, but mighty espresso machine that's being custom built at our service shop. It's an "ol' skooler" and being that it's on a compact frame... It travels easier! Take a look at the espresso we pulled this morning. Crema...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Dose of Reality: "What?! You turned the other cheek and he hit you again!?" she shouted
"Turn the other cheek..."
(Hmm...I wonder if "Ralphie's" walks to school would have gotten better if he'd never decided to stand up to the bully in "A Christmas Story".)
This is a no-brainer, but sometimes people say the above comment without real direction; like they're spreading great advice. When I was in 3rd grade I remember we had a normal class of kids
and a few that were rough. I recall it like it was yesterday. My 3rd grade teacher told us about turning the other cheek like Jesus did. Then she said, "If someone hits you, instead of fighting back turn the other cheek." Long story short, recess started and the geeky kid gets hit by the bully and what does he do? He readily says, "Hey, I turn the other cheek." He said it with such nobility and then GOT PUNCHED AGAIN! Recess ended and class came back into attendance. The kid that got smacked told the teacher he got hit. He said, "I turned the other cheek and he hit me again." (Right where he left himself open...)
"What?! You turned the other cheek and he hit you again!?" she shouted.
"Yes, that's what happened...he hit me again."
At this point I thought, ya know, physically turning the other cheek might not be what was meant for everything. At the same time, I could not stop thinking how both of them were surprised like it was something so unpredictable, "Wow, where did that come from?!" Now as I find myself a parent I re-read that portion in the Bible and got further explanation of this scripture. A person who is slapping someone on the right cheek would be using the back of his own right hand. The thuggish person described here is insulting someone (a.k.a. back-handed offense).
So what's my point? Like in the past, we have a problem with bullies (we've
seen the crazy videos of teens beating someone on a bus, such as the graphic one seen here.) As we all know, Christ came to offer salvation and compassion, but by-standing, pacifying...I just don't see that wisdom from our values. It is why it's good that we teach our kids self defense when a bully isn't interested in "talking it out." But then again, when are they?
Here is a take from A Faith-Based Response to Adolescent Bullying:
[Still more Christian parents, quoting Jesus, tell their children to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39) when bullied. What’s remarkable is that when Jesus was slapped on the face by the guard of the High Priest, He did not turn his face so the guard could slap him again. Instead Jesus responded, "If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (John 18:19-23) Jesus not only defended himself with words, He confronted the bully and demanded an answer for his unjust treatment.]
____________________________
Let's not forget when Christ went to his Father's temple & saw it converted to a temple-o-swap meet. He got pretty heated...so heated he threw over tables and cleared out the place (Mark 11:15). Christ taught compassion, but compassion also compels moral order. (First aiding the kid that is being kicked on the floor. Not initially asking the kicker if there is something wrong with his "self-esteem.")
I am not trying to say that we should start kickin' tail when people cut us off on the road or flip us the bird. However, it's important to have the common sense to know when you need to defend yourself. For example, if you're getting pummeled in the head, defend yourself for crying out load. Likewise we should not allow others to be humiliated or slammed to the ground. (Not my problem, not my cheek.) There has been so much talk
about "love, love, love" that I think we forget the courageous faith of action. It's what helps stop terrible instances from continuing. As a young kid, I was happy to see "Ralphie" stand up for himself and glad when my Father taught me martial arts. It was a real lesson…
(Hmm...I wonder if "Ralphie's" walks to school would have gotten better if he'd never decided to stand up to the bully in "A Christmas Story".)
This is a no-brainer, but sometimes people say the above comment without real direction; like they're spreading great advice. When I was in 3rd grade I remember we had a normal class of kids
and a few that were rough. I recall it like it was yesterday. My 3rd grade teacher told us about turning the other cheek like Jesus did. Then she said, "If someone hits you, instead of fighting back turn the other cheek." Long story short, recess started and the geeky kid gets hit by the bully and what does he do? He readily says, "Hey, I turn the other cheek." He said it with such nobility and then GOT PUNCHED AGAIN! Recess ended and class came back into attendance. The kid that got smacked told the teacher he got hit. He said, "I turned the other cheek and he hit me again." (Right where he left himself open...)"What?! You turned the other cheek and he hit you again!?" she shouted.
"Yes, that's what happened...he hit me again."
At this point I thought, ya know, physically turning the other cheek might not be what was meant for everything. At the same time, I could not stop thinking how both of them were surprised like it was something so unpredictable, "Wow, where did that come from?!" Now as I find myself a parent I re-read that portion in the Bible and got further explanation of this scripture. A person who is slapping someone on the right cheek would be using the back of his own right hand. The thuggish person described here is insulting someone (a.k.a. back-handed offense).
So what's my point? Like in the past, we have a problem with bullies (we've
seen the crazy videos of teens beating someone on a bus, such as the graphic one seen here.) As we all know, Christ came to offer salvation and compassion, but by-standing, pacifying...I just don't see that wisdom from our values. It is why it's good that we teach our kids self defense when a bully isn't interested in "talking it out." But then again, when are they?Here is a take from A Faith-Based Response to Adolescent Bullying:
[Still more Christian parents, quoting Jesus, tell their children to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39) when bullied. What’s remarkable is that when Jesus was slapped on the face by the guard of the High Priest, He did not turn his face so the guard could slap him again. Instead Jesus responded, "If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (John 18:19-23) Jesus not only defended himself with words, He confronted the bully and demanded an answer for his unjust treatment.]
____________________________
Let's not forget when Christ went to his Father's temple & saw it converted to a temple-o-swap meet. He got pretty heated...so heated he threw over tables and cleared out the place (Mark 11:15). Christ taught compassion, but compassion also compels moral order. (First aiding the kid that is being kicked on the floor. Not initially asking the kicker if there is something wrong with his "self-esteem.")
I am not trying to say that we should start kickin' tail when people cut us off on the road or flip us the bird. However, it's important to have the common sense to know when you need to defend yourself. For example, if you're getting pummeled in the head, defend yourself for crying out load. Likewise we should not allow others to be humiliated or slammed to the ground. (Not my problem, not my cheek.) There has been so much talk
about "love, love, love" that I think we forget the courageous faith of action. It's what helps stop terrible instances from continuing. As a young kid, I was happy to see "Ralphie" stand up for himself and glad when my Father taught me martial arts. It was a real lesson…
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