Gerald Simon, Fire Chief of Oakland California says his department was prepared for problems if the Oakland Raiders had won Superbowl 37. The department was surprised at the community’s response after the team’s lopsided defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Following the big game, angry crowds set cars on fire, burned a fast food restaurant, tossed bus stop benches into the street, threw rocks and bottles at passing cars and blocked parts of a main street in eastern Oakland. Police in riot gear fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the crowds they estimated to more than 400 young adults. By 11 PM that evening, police had arrested 35 people for vandalism and drunk and disorderly behavior. Three firemen suffered minor injuries when hit by thrown objects as the scene turned ugly.

Many fans said they hoped the streets would remain calm, although they acknowledged the possibility of trouble after the game. As the score grew more lopsided, many people left the game and tried to forget the experience. Most fans said they felt despondent and bitter at the Raider’s poor showing in the game. A rowdy crowd gathered along one street, and the situation quickly got out of control.

At a press conference, Chief Simon said, “It’s disappointing because this is Oakland’s chance to be on the world stage. There are a lot of kids out there just blowing off steam.”

—www.bayarea.com, Vandals go on rampage in streets of Oakland, January 27, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

In her book, "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge?", Rhonda Rhea writes, "Isn't it amazing how hard our children sometimes work to impress us? "Watch me, Mom! I can do a flip off the top bunk!"...Sadly, there really are emergency situations in scores of homes across our country. These are emergencies that have nothing to do with bunk beds or bikes. They stem from parents who are setting poor examples for their children—or no examples at all. ...Parents need to be able to shout a big "watch me!" right back at their children."

Ten years ago, Vice President Dan Quayle triggered a furor in Hollywood when he criticized the television sitcom, Murphy Brown for “mocking the importance of Fathers, by bearing a child alone and calling it just another ‘Lifestyle choice.’” Today, the former Vice President says he has found a sitcom star whose family values he appreciates. The program is MTV’s “The Osbournes,” which focuses on the bizarre home life of former heavy metal rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, his wife, and children.

Quayle says though the program must bleep offensive words, it has some family values, including two loving parents. He went on say, “You have to get beyond the sort of dysfunctional aspect. I think there are some very good lessons there that are being transmitted, of not doing drugs, of not doing alcohol. In a weird way, Ozzy is a great anti-drug promotion. Look at him and how fried his brains are from taking drugs all those years and everyone will say, ‘I don’t want to be like that.’”

The former VP extended his disapproval to other celebrities, describing several performers as happily married, good parents in their private lives, while glorifying out-of-wedlock sex and unwed pregnancy in their on-screen roles.

—Associated Press, May 10, 2000, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

The best thing parents can offer their children is a consistent, loving example in every aspect of life. It is much wiser to teach by example, than by adopting a “Do as I say, not as I do.” attitude.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Rob Archey strives to be a positive role model in everything he does. He served as a police officer in Baltimore and western Pennsylvania for seventeen years, and now pastors a church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In addition to those roles, Archey has been a “superhero” for five years. He often puts on a mask and cowboy hat, assuming the identity of the Lone Ranger based on the character from the television series, which aired from 1949-57.

Archey includes his family in his presentations at festivals and outdoor shows around the country. His program includes music, storytelling, gun spinning, blank shooting, and bullwhip cracking. The Lone Ranger brought truth and justice to the 1880s frontier west. Using the Lone Ranger's Code of the West as his base, Archey teaches about citizenship. He links the Code to citizenship in the Kingdom of God and the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ.

The idea for the Lone Ranger came to Archey after he answered a domestic dispute call in 1998. A single mother was having trouble with her 12-year-old son. Archey says, "It struck me that our kids are in desperate need of positive role models." He designed his presentation to reach youth like that young man. Archey tells young people to look close to home for role model. He emphasizes that popular culture heroes in the media cannot really help kids where they live. Archey says youth need positive role models, and they need real heroes to look up to.

—http://www.ag.org, Assemblies of God pastor doubles as Lone Ranger, April 5, 2004. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Titus 2:7 (NIV) “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.”

Many believers in Colorado where excited when the Denver Broncos selected quarterback Tim Tebow during the first round of 2010 NFL draft. Most of these people were excited by the pick not so much for what Tebow brings to the team, but rather by what his life represents. Tebow is an all-American, Heisman Trophy and championship winning football player, as well as the homeschooled son of Christian missionaries. He is well known for wearing Bible verse citations on his game day eye black, and for a Super Bowl advertisement he starred in.

Founder of the Promise Keepers organization, Bill McCartney described Tebow as a lightning rod, whose life transcends football. While attending the University of Florida, Tebow and his friends helped raise money for orphans, pediatric patients, and the homeless through a campus charity. Tebow has now founded an organization to raise money for these and other causes, which lead people to expect he will have a huge impact on Colorado in the years to come. The current President of the Promise Keepers organization Raleigh Washington said Tebow is a model for young people and all believers. Washington said,” Evangelical Christians are excited about Tim Tebow because he has proven himself to be a man who not only professes Jesus to be the lord of his life, but he models that on and off the football field. That’s absolutely refreshing.”
Colorado evangelicals singing praises of Bronco’s Tebow,

--http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100424/SPORTS/100429722/1002; April 24, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Titus 2:7 (CEV) Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach.

In His book Blue Like Jazz Author Donald Miller writes, "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.”

--Blue Like Jazz, page ix Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Shawn Beaty

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (MSG) “But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a Christian still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track. (10) For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn't there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused—maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong. (11) Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him—because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin! (12) When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these ‘weak ones.’ (13) So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters.”

On November 21, 2016, Adam Ondra, a world-champion climber summated the difficult Dawn Wall in Yosemite National Park in eight days. Almost two years earlier, two friends, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, spent 19 days in their successful attempt to be the first people to ever free climb this section of El Capitan.

While no one questions Ondra’s designation as one of the greatest rock climbers in the world, he had the benefit of following in the footsteps (literally) of Caldwell and Jorgeson. The duo spent over 7 years preparing for their climb, at times memorizing exact handholds and foot placements along the route. The extensive work they did in leading the way meant that Ondra needed only one month to prepare for his own attempt. “What Tommy and Kevin did was even much more impressive than what I did,” says Ondra. “I arrived with all the information, they told me the data, and all I had to do was climb.” —Jim L. Wilson & Eric Mann

Philippians 3:17 (HCSB)“Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.”

Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a spokesperson for Vicis football helmets. He has even invested in the company. In a magazine picture in an article about the safety of football helmets, the photographer captured Rodgers wearing a competitor’s helmet.

It is important to live what we preach. It is even more important for the Christian than the football player. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.

One Million Moms want Burger King to cancel a commercial for the new meatless burger. After trying the burger, the man used an explicative to describe the taste of the burger. The mom group says Burger King should have chosen to edit out the cuss word. Yes, it is a mild one, but they believe it is one that is extremely destructive and damaging to impressionable children. “

I agree. There is no need to fill our air waves with unsavory language, especially during times our children would be watching. It serves as a poor example of proper adult behavior. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.