Things I Think…
1. We’re real close to the point in the public exposure of sexual abuse that an accusation is sufficient proof of guilt. That will simply open the door to different kinds of abuse and tragedy…
2. I’m actually a little bit to the right on the subject of gun control…but the passion that this country has for guns is both amazing and disconcerting.
If we attacked some of the issues that create gun violence with the same vigor we might not have anything else to fight about…
3. Look…I dislike this President more than most, but harping on his (im)morality isn’t going to sway anybody…it simply distracts from anything resembling a substantive discussion of the real issues. Raw power rarely attracts choir boys…
4. This is Holy Week…does that make a difference in anything you’ll do this week?
5. Say what you will about Larry Norman…but at least he tried to save us from the definition of banality that is “Christian” radio…
6. I’ve written a bit here about how important it is for denominations to have specific identities and shared beliefs. Without them, the group splits into innumerable sub identities and loses any real traction for growth. I think this is happening in our country…and it’s dangerous to us all.
7. Spewing invective on social media is not a legitimate or effective form of debate…
8. “He must increase, I must decrease” is a good rule of thumb for everything…
9. Being “gathered to my people” is my preferred way to describe death…
10. The marching kids did my heart good…yes, they’re young and yes, they still have much to learn…but they care. That covers a multitude of sins and may result in positive change someday…
10. The marching kids did my heart good…yes, they’re young and yes, they still have much to learn…but they care. That covers a multitude of sins and may result in positive change someday…
The “Marching Kids” are God’s answer to all the “thoughts & prayers”.
Step aside, all who would resist them, your time is past…
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’.
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.
I like protests – for any cause from any political position. I don’t look at it as a split in our society, I think it shows that our society is alive and well.
MLD,
I agree.
What I’m talking about are shared ideals about what it means to be an “American”…
#3 Michael
We’ve had a hard time defining that for a little over 200 years…
We use to share the common ideal that you can disagree with your government and your neighbor and not get thrown in jail like many countries.
To me the biggest erosion of American ideals is that if you express the “wrong” political / social or comedic view on social media, you need to fear that you will lose your job.
1 – that is the basis on which gossip has always done its evil damage to the innocent
2 – does this stem from our basic belief in black hats and white hats? That pioneer sense that each of us has a right to fight for the … ahem … right?
3 – amen… Big egos going forth to conquer… our politicians, on the other hand, are a sorry bunch of pretenders … IMNSHO
4 – how big a difference?
5 – i wonder how long there’d be Christian radio, if they focused on the Bible and the fact that it is appointed unto man once to die and after that, judgement!? Heaven or hell? We like to say that you only live once… Some of us would respond, “thank God.”
6 – amen … It opens us up to tribal wars and a strong man dictator… immaturity… God warns us even as He instructs us, to get understanding along with wisdom
7 – yep ! ! !
8 – yep ?
9 – yep, but we don’t “die” our soul leaves our mortal flesh (awaiting its glorified body (that clarification is for MLD))
10 – they’ll very soon be voting, i pray they’ll be presented with something worth voting for and the discernment needed to recognjze it
Appreciate the easy thoughts to think on today. ?
Duane,
True…but has there ever been an unspoken assumption of some shared values?
I haven’t thought that much about these things until the last few years…so I may just be expelling wind…
#7 Michael
I’ll speak as an historian, rather than a “hopeful citizen”. During and after the Revolution, if you were a Loyalist, your choice was to leave. If you were black, except for extremely rare instances, no shared values could be had. Then if you were from the South or the North, the gap was not bridged until the 1890s and then at the expense of others. If your were an immigrant, it took two to three generations. During the Depression the divisions were deep and profound. The 50s were the closest to shared values… if you were white. Even than consensus crashed on the rocks in the 60s.
The best I can say, is that America is an “ideal”. When we keep that “ideal” alive and vibrant, we are at our best. When we abandon it for nativism, wealth, homogeneity, etc., we are at our worst.
#5
On NPR over the weekend (thanks Duane), the author of the new Larry Norman book said Larry spawned (not on purpose!) the $1 billion CCM industry. He also said if he were observing evangelicals and CCM today, he’d say they’ve gone from bad to worse compared to when Larry’s music was in its heyday.
em, if we don’t die then some bible person is a liar – the one who said “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” – Paul must not have had your insight.
Death is not a good thing.
MLD, sometimes you don’t make sense…. In the context of a redeemed soul, death has been conquered… on the other hand we are told that God takes NO pleasure in the death of the wicked… No, of course death is not a good thing…. However, whether you like it or not, right now your mortal flesh is on a rendezvous with death… Your soul isn’t, however. ?
So all of Jesus did not die on the cross?
#9 Bob
You’re welcome… here the broadcast link for anyone who is interested:
https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/2018/03/25/596880353/all-things-considered-for-march-25-2018
MLD, there’s a victory song that some sing during this season: “Death could not hold its prey, he tore the bars away – Jesus my Lord….”
The soul that sins dies… Jesus never sinned… We, you and i that is are not going to get into a theological discussion here, sorry…
God keep
It is depressing when i post a comment at noon and no one else has anything to say for the rest of the day…
I know i’m not profound, so i must be stunningky dunb leaving all speechless. ? ?
Evidently, my thoughts weren’t real compelling…
Michael,
You had a lot of provocative thoughts, but I had an unusually busy Monday, so could only follow the conversation.
I won’t comment on the gun and immorality thoughts because I know where that would lead (i.e., to nothing edifying). However, I would like to comment on the following two thoughts:
4. This is Holy Week…does that make a difference in anything you’ll do this week?
This is my favorite week. Mostly because its all about the last week of Jesus’ life, from Palm Sunday through the crucifixion. It’s a busy week for many pastors. Here in the Midwest, the average Lutheran congregation, such as mine, will have 5 services in 4 days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, Easter Sunrise Matins, and Easter Divine Services. 5 different sermons in 4 days. I call that endurance preaching!
It stimulates a lot of reading and writing for me and provides an opportunity to dwell in the house of the Lord a lot to hear His word, pray and worship corporately.
8. “He must increase, I must decrease” is a good rule of thumb for everything…
This was a great rule of thumb that John the Baptist gave. It’s counter to everything in our nature, which wants to increase – increase in holiness, in knowledge, in wisdom, in “you name it.” But, but, but, that’s not how God works. Only by being emptied of our own greatness, etc., can Christ fill us with His Word and Spirit, which is there the real “increase” is.
Mary sang: “he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
And Paul: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I think this is why God chose a lot of flawed, humble and/or poor people to work through in the Bible. They seem to be more receptive to ways of the kingdom of God.
Thank you, Jean.
Holy Week is the only time this life makes sense to me…
“Evidently, my thoughts weren’t real compelling…”
Not even Babe Ruth could hit it out of the park every time he stepped to the plate 😉
I was privileged to join the marchers last Saturday and share your optimism regarding this movement. Will have more to say when I return from points east.
#20 filbertz
Good for you! Looking forward to your report…
I think back to what my children were concerned with when in school (they’re in their 50s now) … Gun control was the furthest thing from their minds…
But young people do identify with their own generation, for the most part… It is to be expected that shooters entering their halls and killing is a grim and frightening reality to all of them…. Demonstrate if you will. It is certainly worth expressing outrage.
That said, the spreading phenomena of, “I’ll feel better or I’ll fix things if I kill” is a deeper and more pressing issue, IMV.
What makes the berzerk shooters that we’re seeing now is what the more mature adults among us adults jolly well need to search out answers to and do so ASAP!