Football's Matt Leinart to Be a Father

People Magazine ^ | 8/29/06 | various

[seanmerc]

You make some interesting points.

I agree with your first paragraph, but before you cast criticism, remember that it was Jesus who turned to the adulterous woman and told her to sin no more. It wasn't another sinful person. Jesus, as the sinless, spotless Son of God, had every right to tell her not to sin any more. Did he expect that she would never sin again? Of course not. He knew better. He knew that she, as a human being, would sin again. He rebuked those who sought to stone her for her sin, because they were every bit as sinful as she was. He then forgave and restored her. As I said before, I trust the Lord to be righteous and just in His judgements. Human beings, by nature, are not righteous and just.

It's not a matter of discernment or lack thereof, in this case. Again, I do not condone or support having children outside of marriage (or premarital/extramarital sex, for that matter, whether it leads to children or not). Can we learn from another's sins or mistakes? Of course we can. That doesn't mean we need to pillory an innocent child in the public square for something that he or she had nothing to do with. By repeatedly calling this child a "bastard", people are using the same tactic that the Pharisees did in John 8:41. They told Jesus that THEY were not born of fornication--in effect, they were calling him a "bastard."

You're right, we are called to be salt and light. The way for us to be salt and light is to live exemplary lives. If I err, I will err on the side of grace and mercy. If I ever got the chance to talk to Matt or Brynn, I would point them to Jesus and make them aware of their need for Him. I don't feel the need to excoriate them here--that smacks of judgementalism, gossip and hypocrisy to me. I don't think I'd want my failings and mistakes dissected on the Internet...would you?

Thanks for listening!

[seanmerc]

True Christians aren't self-righteous. They are humbled by the depth and breadth of God's grace and mercy, which is only available through the cross of Christ.

Going to a Christian church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a Quarter Pounder. As Jesus Himself said, you must be born again.

[Cagey]

Over the years I've run into a handful of people who get on that forty-five foot tall horse and add blame to the child. They seem to relish using the "bastard" term to describe them. Early on it bothered me but I soon realized that those people are exactly the type that inspired Dana Carvey's Church Lady character.

So now, as I read some of those same types on this thread I can only envision them doing a Superior Dance right after they finish typing.

I happen to have a "bastard" child.

Maybe you and I should start a "bastard" child parents club. We could even invite some Church Ladies to perform their little dance for amusement purposes at meetings. I kinda like rockin' church organ music.

[stop_fascism]

If she were pregnant by Matt Smith instead of Matt Leinart, next stop would be planned parenthood.

[rockthecasbah]

Leinart's strength as QB is his intelligence and an innate ability to read a defense. His deficit is that he can't sling a pass bullet fast like some passers and his long passes float in the air a little too long. That said, he is in a better class than Marijuanavich...

[wouldntbprudent]

Ah, Heath Shuler, forever associated in my mind with turf toe. Among other things.

Well, I'd be glad to hear Leaf is making something positive out of his experience. I always thought it was a shame that, even after a rocky start, he couldn't get his football act together. Kerry Collins and others had some rough years adjusting, but eventually did so, more or less.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

[xsmommy]

excellent points.

[alysaurus]

i saw brynn in june at a community event and she looked stunning. when my mom called me with the news i didn't believe it because there was no way she looked even *slightly* pregnant in june. so she hasn't been getting fat for the past 5 months. in regards to periods, see the above post from a female athlete.

it's pretty easy to make fun of someone if you don't know what a tremendous person they are. too bad you don't have the good fortune to know brynn.

[alysaurus]

read your story again. her dad discussed the details with our local paper- the ventura county star- because brynn is a star in our community for her talent on the court and graciousness off it. maybe fox sports picked it up, but stan certainly didn't go to them.

[r9etb]

[r9etb]

ROTFLMAO!!!! Hello, troll.