Matthew 18 Principle--Can It Work?

AHHHH! Was ANYONE gonna break it to me that I spelled Matthew wrong?

Matthew 18:15-17 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
A Brother Who Sins Against You 15"If your brother sins against you,[a] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

This is one of those days I'm thankful my computer locked up on me and I couldn't post my rant. Because it wouldn't fall completely in line with the principle I try my hardest to use when faced with difficult people. And this has cropped up lately, something very ugly and vicious has happened between our family and another church family I love dearly that has left us astounded. And I have no right to go into detail on here, so I won't. I will say this:

Parents, be concerned if you are not able to speak with other children if they are misbehaving (in a responsible way of course) or to their parents if need be. If they cast away the bad behavior and focus on defensive rhetoric, then you are sunk--they won't hear you. The days of parents disciplining their children, guiding them to apologize when wrong, are over. Now it is often seen as an attack on them, thus resulting in an attack on you. I think this gives our children permission to continue going out and hurting others--Mom and Dad don't care--they'll make calls and they'll defend me at all costs. Be. Afraid. But maybe if enough of us stand by the biblical principles, it can overcome.

*sorry another few pictures were just finished up, have to show them off ONE more time! Prayers for her senior year would be great--it still astounds me how cruel teenagers are to each other and how deep the impact on the targets.