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Jerry Foote's avatar

I was watching on my Philco black and white TV. I did not really care who won the game, and I did not call to protest. Neither did I watch Heidi.

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Jeff Johnson's avatar

I was 13 when this oh-so-memorable calamity occurred, and even at my young age, I was totally baffled that we didn't get to see the end of the game, obviously not having a clue what would actually happen. In the annals of television history, this is one of the all-timers that will never be forgotten.

But to your lesson point, strict adherence to the "rules" is a major reason that so many people have given up on the church. As you say, understanding how those rules should be applied requires not only wisdom and discernment, but also the grace bestowed by our Lord Jesus to each one of us. Having grown up in a denomination of strict rules adherence, I'm now blessed to be part of a church where grace and understanding are preeminent.

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Ian McKerracher's avatar

(from the article) “Rules create order, but rigid adherence to them without wisdom can lead to chaos.”

No truer statement can be found. Most Christians who rely on rules, whether based on scripture or not, are not listening to the Holy Spirit Who will give it all clarity if asked.

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Rightful Freedom's avatar

" The incident became known simply as 'The Heidi Game'. Or the Heidi Bowl, as I recall.

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." One of the most important verses in the Bible, IMO.

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Antonia's avatar

I don't know .. With the limited channels of the day, it was important to share the tv with everyone. I would argue it was wise to allow for children to watch their movie at an appropriate time, before bedtime.

Who knows when the football game would end... Maybe if this continued, iit would have led to football games being done faster. Now they last All Sunday...

Making football/sports games the most important thing on TV has not done any favors to our society.

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Jason A Clark's avatar

That's a valid point.

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Richard's avatar

Powerful challenge. Unfortunately reminds me as a parent of some of my areas of failures, times when I failed in my parenting. Still I am thankful most of my children recognize that I now acknowledge that which I did wrong and admit my "letter" leadership was my poor choices.

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Jonathan Zartman's avatar

This essay presents an absolutely crucial principle that even otherwise doctrinally sound churches ignore-to their loss. How I wish the elders of my reclusive, hide-bound little church could understand and apply the verses given in the application.

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