Are you a complainer?
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By GARY ANDREWS
Editor and Publisher
Have you ever talked with someone and asked them, “How are you doing?” and when they reply they give you ever sick symptom they have had for the last three years? Along the same scenario, when you talk with someone about their job or something going on in their life, their attitude is so crummy that anything they say is a negative.
There are people in the world like this. It seems the more misery they are in the more they like it and this seems to be their way of pulling someone else down to their level of thinking. As you and I very well know, anyone that is miserable cannot be happy. All they want to do is complain and can never see the positive in any action.
I remember a story told by my pastor several years ago. He talked about a married couple and it seemed that the husband was always complaining. He could never find anything to compliment his wife, family, or friends on and always looked for the worse in every situation. He was definitely a pessimist and always saw the glass of water half empty instead of being half full.
One morning his wife tried everything she knew to make him happy. She cooked a tremendous breakfast and fried, scrambled, and poached his eggs to keep him happy. Upon receiving his breakfast he stared at her in disbelief as if something was wrong. She asked him what the problem was and he stated, “you fried the wrong egg!”
Believe it or not there are people like this. It doesn’t matter how good things are going for them, they are going to find something wrong.
The Bible is very clear and tells us we are not to complain or grumble. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...”
There are always going to be complaining and grumbling taking place in this sinful world. The good thing about this is that you and I don’t have to be a part of it!
Prayer: Father thank you for every day of life I have. Lead me and guide me that I may please you and not be a stumbling block to someone else. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday - 1 Peter 4:7-11; Monday - Genesis 37:3; Tuesday - 1 John 1:5-10; Wednesday - Galatians 5:22-25; Thursday - Exodus 17:1-7; Friday - Job 1:20-22; Saturday - James 4:1-12.)
Dear Editor,
The decision by the present school board not to renew the teaching and coaching contract of Mr. Archie Carlyle was a planned and calculated act of politics. This kind of thing has been happening for years.
They didn’t follow policies or procedures in this matter. The state’s report on the district asked the board to stop interfering in this kind of situation, but it seems they didn’t get the memo.
My mother always put her 11 children first in making decisions for their futures. It is clear this board did not do that.
Mr. Carlyle’s only crime was putting his students first. I feel like Jesus, when he told the people at the well, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
I and the 800 people who have signed the petition calling for Carlyle’s return can find no fault in his dedication to our community. We are being laughed at across the state, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Our community is losing faith in our ability to work in a productive and successful district. The Yazoo Herald’s sports editor called it a “travesty.” I ask the question, where are all those Christian folks, his co-workers, his pastor and his fellow church members?
Where are the athletes, past and present, and most of all where are the parents? He has mothered and fathered when you were unable to make it to a game or on the road, giving your children heart-to-heart talks of motivation and encouragement both in the halls of our schools and on the streets of this community. Now he deserves your support in this critical matter.
This affects us all, black and white, because the future of our community is at stake. I am asking everyone to show as much concern about this matter as they do during election time.
Mr. Clifton Jones, I sat on the school board when you and your wife in a 3 to 2 vote were denied what you rightfully deserved. When you first ran for alderman you were the only politician I ever spent an entire day with, walking the streets because I believed in you. When I ran for mayor as an independent, I endorsed McArthur Straughter in the primary. Many people thought I was crazy, but I was exercising my rights.
Mr. Aubry Brent Jr., I followed you from Vicksburg to Belzoni and saw people commit perjury to defeat you. When citizens support a candidate, they want something in return. As a citizen with the 800 petitioners, we are calling in our wager. Just get the record of the board of that decision, which is public record. Check the timeline of the action, and you will be amazed. Next month you will appoint or reappoint a board member, but before you do we deserve answers.
If you find me wrong I will come back and sit before you and the school board and give a public apology. Everyone deserves their day in court, and Mr. Carlyle certainly does.
What you do or don’t do will determine the caliber of teachers and coaches willing to come into our community and work with our children.
Johnny Staples
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