Man Robs Bank To Escape Wife
The Associated Press reports:
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 70-year-old man accused of robbing a bank in Kansas told investigators he would rather be imprisoned than live with his wife.
Court documents say Lawrence John Ripple gave a note to a bank teller in Kansas City on Friday, demanding cash and warning he had a gun. Ripple took the money and went to sit in the lobby where he told a guard he was the “guy he was looking for.”
Officers arrived quickly. An FBI agent wrote in the affidavit that Ripple had earlier been arguing with his wife. He told investigators he wrote the note in front of his wife, telling her he would “rather be in jail than at home.”
Just in case you thought Solomon was exaggerating when he wrote about how difficult it is to live with a contentious spouse, consider Lawrence John Ripple, whose wife made jail sound better than home.
The following principals apply equally to both husband and wife: Instead of taking issue with how your spouse does things, try to be supportive. Instead of insisting on your way, prefer to please your spouse. Instead of fighting over who's right, swallow your pride. Make your home a place your spouse longs to be by avoiding a contentious spirit.
“It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic (or in a prison cell) than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home” (Proverbs 25:24, NLT).
God's Vote Is Always The Majority
Isaac Asimov shares the following story about dissension and majority rule:
Rabbi Feldman had been having trouble with his congregation. It seemed they could agree upon nothing, and controversy filled the air ...
The president of the congregation said, "Rabbi, this cannot be allowed to continue. Come, there must be a conference, and we must settle all areas of dispute once and for all."
"Agreed," said the rabbi.
At the appointed time, therefore, the rabbi, the president and 10 elders met in the conference room of the synagogue, sitting about a magnificent mahogany table. One by one the issues were dealt with and on each issue, it became more and more apparent that the rabbi was a lonely voice in the wilderness.
The president said, "Come, Rabbi, enough of this. Let us vote and allow the majority to rule." He passed out slips of paper, and each man made his mark. ... "You may examine them, Rabbi. It is 11 to one against you. We have a majority." ...
"So," he said, "you now think because of the vote that you are right and I am wrong. Well, that is not so. I ... call upon the Holy One of Israel to give us a sign that I am right and you are wrong."
And as he said so, there came a frightful crack of thunder and brilliant flash of lightning that struck the mahogany table and cracked it in two ... and the elders were hurled to the floor.
Through the carnage, the rabbi remained erect and untouched, his eyes flashing and a grim smile on his face.
Slowly, the president lifted himself above what was left of the table. His hair was singed, his glasses were hanging from one ear, his clothing was in disarray.
He said, "All right, 11 to two. We still have the majority."
Isaac Asimov (1920 – 1992) was a scientist and one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. He was best known for his science fiction works
Funny how we want what we want, regardless of what God says. But in the end, whether in matters of contention, or any other thing, God's vote is the only vote that counts!
"Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge" (Romans 3:4).
Illustration Exchange
Super Bowl 47 Pits Brother Against Brother
2013's Super Bowl 47 pitted not only two competitive teams against one another, but two competitive brothers, as well. Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, saw his team go down in defeat to the World Champion Baltimore Ravens, coached by none other than his brother, John Harbaugh.
"It was a great joy," John would say of competing against his brother. "It was also the most difficult thing in the world to understand that he is over there. … I just love him, obviously … I am hurting for him."
Does church ever feel like a world championship competition to you? Brother taking a stand against brother over clashes of conviction, preference, or protocol?
Disagreements in church are inevitable, but it needn't get ugly. When you find yourself in contention with another brother, remember to play fair, be respectful, and never forget that it's "your brother over there" . . . whom you should love!
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).