1 Oct, 2007

Teacher, student trade blows after spat

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.—A teacher and a 14-year-old student were arrested after trading blows during an argument over taking out trash at the desert's Riverside County Community School.

Teacher Thomas Silva, 61, was arrested and booked for investigation of willful cruelty to a child, while the teenager was arrested for battery on a school employee, Sgt. Mitch Spike said Thursday. Both were released.

"Neither one of their actions were justified," the sergeant said.

Silva, who wasn't available for comment, has worked for the Riverside County Office of Education since 1979, spokesman Rick Peoples said, adding he was unable to discuss the incident because it was a personnel matter.

Silva asked the student to throw out the trash and the teen refused, Spike said. They argued and the student shoved Silva, who then slapped the student, the sergeant said.

The student then slapped the teacher and the teacher punched the student at least three times in the head, Spike said.

No medical attention was needed.

Peoples said the school serves about 40 students, who are in the seventh through 12 grades. The students include those who have been expelled from other schools, are on probation or have other problems.

photo (not actual) courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 9/14/07

This means trouble!

Conflict in relationships is common...now what do we do?

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NLT)

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the relationship between conflict in our relationships?

You may not have had a fight or even a disagreement with one of your teachers at school this year, but if you are a living, breathing, human being, you have had some kind of conflict with someone recently.

Unresolved conflict just means trouble and more trouble.

Perhaps you've been fighting with your parents for weeks, or quarreling with your siblings, holding a grudge against someone, or you're not on speaking terms with ____________?

Bitterness will paint our lives with jealousy, anger and even immorality. It will keep us from experiencing the joy of Christ.

But when we're in right relationship with God, the Holy Spirit controls our attitudes and His power can bring healing to the hurt that causes bitterness in our relationships. There's no guarantee that the other person will respond in the right way, but when we do our part in apologizing, forgiving, and loving unconditionally, we will experience the joy in our relationship with Christ again!

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Confess to God any grudge you have been holding toward someone. Thank Him for forgiving you. Ask Jesus to give you strength, patience and love to resolve your conflict. Let His Spirit fill you with joy!
  • Whenever you see family members and friends this week (and teachers and other students), thank God for those relationships and ask Him to help you see them and love them the way He does.

How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?

Let Jesus help you identify one relationship in your life that is loaded with conflict. Pray for this person every day until God gives you the right time and a Godly attitude to go to this person and do your part in resolving the conflict.
Comments

Ornament

The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.