I am shooting off fireworks. (Different kind than blog fireworks) and I’m so excited. Like a kid. Have no idea why, but can hardly wait for it to get dark enough.
This past week, in the town I’m working, I went to a mid-week gathering at a small church downtown.
There was only a few folks there, most in their 20-30s. It ended up not being a “service” but rather a discussion about capital punishment and our response to it as Christians. I’m trying to process my thoughts/feelings about the whole thing.
It was interesting to be part of the conversation, and people were respectful, thoughtful and calm whilst speaking and listening. Each of them talked about scripture and it was clear that they were making application in their “real lives” to the things they read in the Bible.
I remember thinking at one point that with young folks like this, I’m not worried about the future of the Church. But, now I’m wondering if this new generation doesn’t just find Christianity an intellectual exercise rather than a spiritual one. I wonder how much influence social media has in their communication styles and experiences.
If everything can be talked over, debated, googled and intellectualize do, what will Christianity look like down the road?
I know it was a very limited snapshot of the life of this particular church, and for all I know, they have many other forums for arts, study, worship etc. but I went away, thinking in ways about the death penalty that I hadn’t before, but still feeling like sitting around sharing opinions lacked something.
Rambling now….
one of the most interesting things about history is the convergence factor – how much the flow has been dependent on it… i have a mental picture of a chess match going on, the devil makes his move – God smiles… there must be a word in chess language for you’re gonna lose, no matter what you do… lol
âI am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.â âJohn Adams
no mortors for me tonight as the police will actively ticket those with illegal fireworks–due mainly to drought conditions in the foothills around town. Oh well, I’ll save them for new years. Meantime, lots of yardwork to keep me busy. Cafe is closed for the balance of the weekend, so I’ll be in cruise mode. Beer in the forecast. đ
I just looked at the website of that church and one of their “core values” was “intelligence”. Looking at scripture and the Christian life with a brain. So, that makes the evening make a bit more sense I think.
I think if I lived in the area, I might hang out there more and see what else they are up to in their community. They definitely seem to put thought into what they are doing, and they don’t seem to be afraid to let everyone have a voice and opinion.
Not sure how many folks on the other side of thirty they have attending, but seems they do some good stuff.
I think what I found interesting is no one was “pro” death penalty. I found myself thinking that they were all talking in the rhelm of theory and not reality.
Need to go back and see what else happens on weds nights I guess.
The whole topic arose because of some SCOTUS ruling. But also because of the recent Charelston shooting.
It occurred to me that it could have been that little group. I walked in there as an unknown person to a service in the same way the shooter did, but without the evil intent. Both with Churches with open doors.
It was interesting to think of the event in that way.
It’ll be pretty crazy over here too. I watched the crew at Knott’s setting up their show for tonight, you might be able to see it from your place. We’re going to have a few people over and play some cards and eat before the street turns into a war zone.
funny memory jog… living in Kansas where the fireflies fly (lots of them)… now i’m not making this up… we had a big open back yard and could see the country club fireworks from our patio… good show, but better was watching the fireflies try to compete, glowing their little bottoms off and dropping (exhausted, i guess) to the grass like ……. flies
Today I learned that there exists quite a few more verses to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee, written by Abolitionist A. G. Duncan, 1843:
8
My country, ’tis of thee,
Stronghold of slavery, of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Where men manâs rights deride,
From every mountainside thy deeds shall ring!
9
My native country, thee,
Where all men are born free, if whiteâs their skin;
I love thy hills and dales,
Thy mounts and pleasant vales;
But hate thy negro sales, as foulest sin.
10
Let wailing swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees the black manâs wrong;
Let every tongue awake;
Let bond and free partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
11
Our fatherâs God! to thee,
Author of Liberty, to thee we sing;
Soon may our land be bright,
With holy freedomâs right,
Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
12
It comes, the joyful day,
When tyrannyâs proud sway, stern as the grave,
Shall to the ground be hurlâd,
And freedomâs flag, unfurlâd,
Shall wave throughout the world, Oâer every slave.
13
Trump of glad jubilee!
Echo oâer land and sea freedom for all.
Let the glad tidings fly,
And every tribe reply,
âGlory to God on high,â at Slaveryâs fall.
I hate the fireworks.
Worried all evening about fires and half the night because my cat freaked out when someone threw one near her.
Waited up till 2 this morning for her to come home.
Two of my kitties preferred to stay out with the loud booms, although there was much less of it this year than in previous years. And this morning, the two wanderers showed up for breakfast and met their other two pals for a meal. So, they all survived, none ran off, and only one seemed really disturbed by the noises in our neighborhood.
Yesterday was a day to appreciate that in the United States there isn’t a “right to be forgotten” like there is in Europe, thanks to the First Amendment. So remembering what people have said on the internet, even stuff they may have wish they’d never said, is one of the liberties we enjoy in the United States (and since this is the internet somebody might say with Bane “for now”). đ
Once again the G-man has used slight of hand (perhaps better the slight of words) @# 23. Those are not verses written in the original “âMy Country âTis of Thee,” by Samuel Francis Smith. in 1831.
The lyrics are added as a bastardized version by A. G. Duncan, 1843. Every word may be true, but it is not part of the original composition or intent.
Well, I pretty much ignored the 4th of July this year. Usually, I wander all around town and enjoy the illegal fire works and get a kick out of the people BBQ’ing in their front yards but my heart wasn’t in it this year. I didn’t feel like wishing the USA “happy birthday” this year. Maybe next year.
Had a great 4th. Lit of fireworks in the street and watched all the big fireworks in the neighborhood.
We are amazingly blessed to live in the country and I’m happy to celebrate it, even when I disagree with the way things are going.
America is great – Americans sometimes, not so much.
Our founding documents as originally laid out allow the will of the people to be expressed. Hey, if we really did not want to have same sex marriage we could have prevented it. But, you know what? those who wanted it worked harder and smarter to work the issue than those of us who did not want it.
So, you win some and you lose some – that is what makes America great, and I say that as one who has seemed to have lost many more in the past 20 yrs than I have won.
as one who feels that segregation’s evils were more damaging than slavery – more folk participated as victims and victimizers – i wonder now and then if all today’s hand wringing over the slavery issue isn’t partly caused by guilt over what some folks alive today silently sanctioned? some folk are tired of the other N word – the German one … i’m tired of digging in the dust bin of history to pull out a sin long since confessed – rectified with a great deal of bloodshed a century and a half ago
Yes, from every mountainside, let Freedom ring… God crown our good with brotherhood… now
MLD, reading #30, i thot, well those gay folk have more money to finance their efforts…. but then i thot of all our over compensated preachers – did they ever consider downsizing their lifestyles? put THEIR money where their mouths were? talk is so cheap…
as is commenting on Michael’s blog, i guess… sigh
How can you say the gays have more money? – at best they are 10% of the population. The 90% didn’t care enough to put up — so they CHOSE to shut up.
You can’t place this at the feet of pastors who in this country 90% are probably underpaid. Homosexuality is not a religious issue – it is a natural law issue and should be opposed by a right thinking people (right = correct) – but we have chjosen to roll with it.
ahh the glittering generalities got me again…
i was referring to the other pastors (the 10% according to your figure), the ones that get all the face time in the media… those folks are most definitely living very well from everything that i’ve seen – dunno, tho, do i?
as for the gay community (10% according to your calculation), in the PNW a large portion of their ranks are very prosperous and influential – i suspect this is true in Washington DC and some other areas also – dunno, tho, do i?
us 90% didn’t care? i’m sure that figure breaks down into several categories, but didn’t want to make a fuss? that’s probably true…
My seven cats were all accounted for except for “Thor.”
He spent the night out somewhere and didn’t show up until the next evening for dinner.
My 4 dogs were not to agitated by the fireworks for some reason, even though it was out of control outside.
I think that everyone of the animals saw me just sitting in my easy chair relaxing with my laptop as usual and figured all was well with the world because dad is not doing anything unusual.
In case anyone gets the wrong idea, I live on a very large property where there is plenty of room for all of us, including Susie Chicken in the back yard đ
It’s all yours today…
No fireworks today.
Nope.
Too old, too tired, too hot, too dry.
I’m keeping my powder dry for next week. đ
When I was young the 4th was a big deal and
I’d have lots of plans. Now I’m with Michael, I just want relax, visit & share some yummy food.
And check the blogs!
Ours is one of the few cities in the area that still allows fireworks. The neighbors put on a better show that Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland!
Happy Independence day ..you ungrateful colonials… Smile…
I am shooting off fireworks. (Different kind than blog fireworks) and I’m so excited. Like a kid. Have no idea why, but can hardly wait for it to get dark enough.
Happy Independence Day!
This past week, in the town I’m working, I went to a mid-week gathering at a small church downtown.
There was only a few folks there, most in their 20-30s. It ended up not being a “service” but rather a discussion about capital punishment and our response to it as Christians. I’m trying to process my thoughts/feelings about the whole thing.
It was interesting to be part of the conversation, and people were respectful, thoughtful and calm whilst speaking and listening. Each of them talked about scripture and it was clear that they were making application in their “real lives” to the things they read in the Bible.
I remember thinking at one point that with young folks like this, I’m not worried about the future of the Church. But, now I’m wondering if this new generation doesn’t just find Christianity an intellectual exercise rather than a spiritual one. I wonder how much influence social media has in their communication styles and experiences.
If everything can be talked over, debated, googled and intellectualize do, what will Christianity look like down the road?
I know it was a very limited snapshot of the life of this particular church, and for all I know, they have many other forums for arts, study, worship etc. but I went away, thinking in ways about the death penalty that I hadn’t before, but still feeling like sitting around sharing opinions lacked something.
Rambling now….
good ramble, London
one of the most interesting things about history is the convergence factor – how much the flow has been dependent on it… i have a mental picture of a chess match going on, the devil makes his move – God smiles… there must be a word in chess language for you’re gonna lose, no matter what you do… lol
#11 was my ramble…
FWIW-the death penalty is 100% justified with enough evidence … trouble is we seldom have enough evidence
Young people at my church are not at all reduced to Christianity as academic exchange.. far from it.
I too appreciated the ramble
âI am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.â âJohn Adams
good quote, SJ, guess the esteemed John Adams didn’t think too highly of the British?
but i am remembering Xenia today as she blesses the nation with fasting and prayer
no mortors for me tonight as the police will actively ticket those with illegal fireworks–due mainly to drought conditions in the foothills around town. Oh well, I’ll save them for new years. Meantime, lots of yardwork to keep me busy. Cafe is closed for the balance of the weekend, so I’ll be in cruise mode. Beer in the forecast. đ
I just looked at the website of that church and one of their “core values” was “intelligence”. Looking at scripture and the Christian life with a brain. So, that makes the evening make a bit more sense I think.
I think if I lived in the area, I might hang out there more and see what else they are up to in their community. They definitely seem to put thought into what they are doing, and they don’t seem to be afraid to let everyone have a voice and opinion.
Not sure how many folks on the other side of thirty they have attending, but seems they do some good stuff.
I think what I found interesting is no one was “pro” death penalty. I found myself thinking that they were all talking in the rhelm of theory and not reality.
Need to go back and see what else happens on weds nights I guess.
BD, yes, I know they don’t.
The whole topic arose because of some SCOTUS ruling. But also because of the recent Charelston shooting.
It occurred to me that it could have been that little group. I walked in there as an unknown person to a service in the same way the shooter did, but without the evil intent. Both with Churches with open doors.
It was interesting to think of the event in that way.
E,
It’ll be pretty crazy over here too. I watched the crew at Knott’s setting up their show for tonight, you might be able to see it from your place. We’re going to have a few people over and play some cards and eat before the street turns into a war zone.
I live on a golf course (not a member) and they put on a large 15 min show. I don’t have to go anywhere for a front row seat.
funny memory jog… living in Kansas where the fireflies fly (lots of them)… now i’m not making this up… we had a big open back yard and could see the country club fireworks from our patio… good show, but better was watching the fireflies try to compete, glowing their little bottoms off and dropping (exhausted, i guess) to the grass like ……. flies
Anaheim CA had their first 4th where people were allowed to buy fireworks and use them.
They celebrated by having the world’s largest fireworks stand.
Costa Mesa CA was a war zone with flying mortars all over. Loud quarter sticks of flying tnt.
All illegal.
The city said it would not tolerate them and that there would be a $1000.00 fine if caught.
The city spent $9000.00 on post cards that were sent to residents informing them of the no tolerance policy and the fine…
Didn’t work.
The money would have been better spent on a few more police out in the field.
To clarify, Costa Mesa has always allowed the fireworks stands with the safe kind of fireworks.
Today I learned that there exists quite a few more verses to “My Country ‘Tis of Thee, written by Abolitionist A. G. Duncan, 1843:
8
My country, ’tis of thee,
Stronghold of slavery, of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Where men manâs rights deride,
From every mountainside thy deeds shall ring!
9
My native country, thee,
Where all men are born free, if whiteâs their skin;
I love thy hills and dales,
Thy mounts and pleasant vales;
But hate thy negro sales, as foulest sin.
10
Let wailing swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees the black manâs wrong;
Let every tongue awake;
Let bond and free partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
11
Our fatherâs God! to thee,
Author of Liberty, to thee we sing;
Soon may our land be bright,
With holy freedomâs right,
Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
12
It comes, the joyful day,
When tyrannyâs proud sway, stern as the grave,
Shall to the ground be hurlâd,
And freedomâs flag, unfurlâd,
Shall wave throughout the world, Oâer every slave.
13
Trump of glad jubilee!
Echo oâer land and sea freedom for all.
Let the glad tidings fly,
And every tribe reply,
âGlory to God on high,â at Slaveryâs fall.
I hate the fireworks.
Worried all evening about fires and half the night because my cat freaked out when someone threw one near her.
Waited up till 2 this morning for her to come home.
Two of my kitties preferred to stay out with the loud booms, although there was much less of it this year than in previous years. And this morning, the two wanderers showed up for breakfast and met their other two pals for a meal. So, they all survived, none ran off, and only one seemed really disturbed by the noises in our neighborhood.
Yesterday was a day to appreciate that in the United States there isn’t a “right to be forgotten” like there is in Europe, thanks to the First Amendment. So remembering what people have said on the internet, even stuff they may have wish they’d never said, is one of the liberties we enjoy in the United States (and since this is the internet somebody might say with Bane “for now”). đ
Once again the G-man has used slight of hand (perhaps better the slight of words) @# 23. Those are not verses written in the original “âMy Country âTis of Thee,” by Samuel Francis Smith. in 1831.
The lyrics are added as a bastardized version by A. G. Duncan, 1843. Every word may be true, but it is not part of the original composition or intent.
Well, I pretty much ignored the 4th of July this year. Usually, I wander all around town and enjoy the illegal fire works and get a kick out of the people BBQ’ing in their front yards but my heart wasn’t in it this year. I didn’t feel like wishing the USA “happy birthday” this year. Maybe next year.
Had a great 4th. Lit of fireworks in the street and watched all the big fireworks in the neighborhood.
We are amazingly blessed to live in the country and I’m happy to celebrate it, even when I disagree with the way things are going.
America is great – Americans sometimes, not so much.
Our founding documents as originally laid out allow the will of the people to be expressed. Hey, if we really did not want to have same sex marriage we could have prevented it. But, you know what? those who wanted it worked harder and smarter to work the issue than those of us who did not want it.
So, you win some and you lose some – that is what makes America great, and I say that as one who has seemed to have lost many more in the past 20 yrs than I have won.
The alternative?? violent bloody coups.
as one who feels that segregation’s evils were more damaging than slavery – more folk participated as victims and victimizers – i wonder now and then if all today’s hand wringing over the slavery issue isn’t partly caused by guilt over what some folks alive today silently sanctioned? some folk are tired of the other N word – the German one … i’m tired of digging in the dust bin of history to pull out a sin long since confessed – rectified with a great deal of bloodshed a century and a half ago
Yes, from every mountainside, let Freedom ring… God crown our good with brotherhood… now
MLD, reading #30, i thot, well those gay folk have more money to finance their efforts…. but then i thot of all our over compensated preachers – did they ever consider downsizing their lifestyles? put THEIR money where their mouths were? talk is so cheap…
as is commenting on Michael’s blog, i guess… sigh
How can you say the gays have more money? – at best they are 10% of the population. The 90% didn’t care enough to put up — so they CHOSE to shut up.
You can’t place this at the feet of pastors who in this country 90% are probably underpaid. Homosexuality is not a religious issue – it is a natural law issue and should be opposed by a right thinking people (right = correct) – but we have chjosen to roll with it.
ahh the glittering generalities got me again…
i was referring to the other pastors (the 10% according to your figure), the ones that get all the face time in the media… those folks are most definitely living very well from everything that i’ve seen – dunno, tho, do i?
as for the gay community (10% according to your calculation), in the PNW a large portion of their ranks are very prosperous and influential – i suspect this is true in Washington DC and some other areas also – dunno, tho, do i?
us 90% didn’t care? i’m sure that figure breaks down into several categories, but didn’t want to make a fuss? that’s probably true…
So sorry about your kitty Michael.
My seven cats were all accounted for except for “Thor.”
He spent the night out somewhere and didn’t show up until the next evening for dinner.
My 4 dogs were not to agitated by the fireworks for some reason, even though it was out of control outside.
I think that everyone of the animals saw me just sitting in my easy chair relaxing with my laptop as usual and figured all was well with the world because dad is not doing anything unusual.
In case anyone gets the wrong idea, I live on a very large property where there is plenty of room for all of us, including Susie Chicken in the back yard đ