The "Casino Needs 'Rules For Rules'" Story

Recent job I matted and framed for a customer.

It was an ordinary day. Reading the rules for the card game known as Casino.  My brother, Steve, gave me a call a short time ago asking if I could remember the name of the card game we used to play with our Nannan (Grandmother) years ago.  We would sit around the card table and laugh until the tears would stream down our cheeks or Nannan would begin to curse.  Now that was funny!  Seems that Steve wants to play the game with his three grandkids and have the same experience with them.  Tried to explain that he was the grown-up now and not one of the kids, but it didn't seem to bother him.  We talked and talked and finally I somehow pulled the name "Casino" from the depths of my inner mind.  Well, we hung up and I began my search to see if I was right.  Yep, while reading the rules it all came back to me along with the smiles and memories of my vision of my Nannan sitting across from us slapping a card down on the table and claiming she had won.  Check out the online rules for Casino and give it a try.  I'm sure the next time I get together with my brother I will be talked into a game of Casino.  And, I'm sure by then he will have changed the rules so they are in his favor.  But, rules are exactly that, rules!  They can be adhered to or they can be broken.  Its all part of life, isn't it?  Did you know there are rules for rules?  I know ... since I recently framed a large poster that was titled "Rules for Rules."  Across the top was the statement: He who would dispense God's discipline, must with equal fervor do His justice, Love mercy and evince His Wisdom.  Exactly what does that mean?  Well, the rules for making rules are these:
  
(1) Few - Every rule must have a specific function, a recognized and attainable purpose, and fill a compelling need.
(2) Firm - Every rule, once established, must be consistently and firmly enforced, but not stridently or intractably so, and punishment must be proportionate to the behavior, swift and certain.
(3) Fair - Each rule must be reasonable, have a solid and valid purpose, show proper understanding of normal human behavior, be enforced without malice or vendetta, and its application be even handed, with commensurate and consistent punishment.
(4) Announced and understood - All rules must be plainly published prior to effective date, adequately explained, and contain no surprise sanctions.
(5) Subject to review and change - Rules to be purposeful, relevant, and effective, must provide for adapting their requirements and prohibitions to changing goals, and unusual or unanticipated circumstances.

Rules to be effective must earn and command respect.  Rules for Rules are equally applicable to the home, the school, the Church, and civil authority.  The result is more important than the rule!

OK, now I get it!  I must make a large poster of these Rules for Rules to take along with me when I visit my brother so when he insists I play Casino, I'll be able to present him with the Rules for Rules before we begin.  Only way I will every be able to beat him.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.