For this writing we define the word revolution in two ways that could be considered extreme:
1. a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
2. the overthrow of a government by those who are governed
On the one hand we could say that any individual can have a revolution, while even today we see it sweeping across nations. Thus my title: Revolution Anyone?
Regardless of whether it is one person or a nation, eventually the revolution itself will end and this question will be faced: What do we do now? What happens next determines the result of any type of revolution.
The results of any revolution will be no better than the type of person or people who will be in charge after the revolution is over. Case in point: The thirteen colonies had a revolution beginning in 1776. The Bolsheviks had a revolution beginning in 1917. Off the top of your head, were the results of those revolutions pretty much the same or radically different?
Though you may know more specifics about the American revolution and the results of it, a review of names of some men who came to the forefront after these revolution will help make my point. After 1776 we see men such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison & Monroe. After 1917 we see men such as Lenin, Trotsky, Molotov, Stalin & Beria.
While the names given above quickly help make my point, some would argue that very different circumstances between the two revolutions would account for the different results. That discussion could take awhile and would open hours of debate that I believe would be very informative - but it is not for this blog.
Suffice it to say that circumstances do not make policy or carry out any actions. Circumstances can have an effect; but people, not circumstances, do the ruling, the governing, the dictating, and the serving.
Having a governmental revolution is one thing - building a nation is another. Having a personal revolution is one thing - walking out a life that is worthy of the Lord (see Colossians 1:10) is indeed another. Revolutions can come relatively quickly - dealing with its results is often quite a long, drawn-out process.
I have little hope for any government whose leaders do not understand Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Perhaps it would help if more Christians would set an example. For those who understand this principle, we can at least get started and endeavor to make a difference.
So we are back to the same place. What type of people will be calling the shots (literally or figuratively) after the revolutionary dust has settled? What will their character and principles be like, what God will they honor?
In light of the upheavals we see across the world and even these United States, these become very important questions.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Would Someone Please Show Me Any Job They Created
From listening to our leaders in government, you would think that creating jobs is a national pastime - right up there with baseball. I would like to see any job that has been created. Can you send me a picture of one? Is it bigger than a breadbox? Do they come in different colors?
Now I realize that I am almost getting silly. But it is no more silly to me than a supposed intelligent person standing up and saying how many jobs we have created. I contend that no normal person would do such a thing. Someone might possibly consider it if they used someone else's money - well, like our government. If you had an extra $100,000, what would you say to someone who told you to take it and go create jobs with it? I hope you would not hire them. At best you might find something for someone to do and give them some money for doing it; but that is hardly creating a job.
The entrepreneurial spirit that made this country an economic powerhouse would take that money and produce goods and services that would meet needs, enhance the culture and neighborhood, and develop technology to do even more of this. You will need workers to do this; thus, the jobs wonderfully appear. But you did not sit down with your chalkboard and associates and declare "We've got to create some jobs!" That would definitely be getting the cart before the horse. Why is our government almost famous for doing this?
Now, if you were to get a big inheritance and decide to prove me wrong, would you be able to create a job that could sustain itself? In other words, would you have to keep pumping money into it so the person could keep doing the job you created? That would be insane - unless again you are using someone else's money. Any business person would know you will run up a tremendous debt and eventually go broke creating the jobs. Does $14 trillion dollars in debt ring a bell? Granted, that did not all come from people pretending to create jobs, but it did come from people that have this same kind of thinking.
I do not want someone creating a job for me. I want to take my God-given abilities and the skills I have learned and go out and produce. I want to be a blessing to others and demonstrate that "... Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." This is what our young people especially should be learning in school - where many of these skills should be developed.
Finally, I realize that all of us may need help from time to time. I am all for giving help. It is one thing to help someone, it is another for them to live off of you. If you are one of those that just enjoy giving and giving with no accountability, perhaps I should move in with you and enjoy your hospitality. No - we help people in order to get them to a place where they can do the same for others.
Once again, if you do happen to create any type of job, I would love to see it and know how it is working out.
Now I realize that I am almost getting silly. But it is no more silly to me than a supposed intelligent person standing up and saying how many jobs we have created. I contend that no normal person would do such a thing. Someone might possibly consider it if they used someone else's money - well, like our government. If you had an extra $100,000, what would you say to someone who told you to take it and go create jobs with it? I hope you would not hire them. At best you might find something for someone to do and give them some money for doing it; but that is hardly creating a job.
The entrepreneurial spirit that made this country an economic powerhouse would take that money and produce goods and services that would meet needs, enhance the culture and neighborhood, and develop technology to do even more of this. You will need workers to do this; thus, the jobs wonderfully appear. But you did not sit down with your chalkboard and associates and declare "We've got to create some jobs!" That would definitely be getting the cart before the horse. Why is our government almost famous for doing this?
Now, if you were to get a big inheritance and decide to prove me wrong, would you be able to create a job that could sustain itself? In other words, would you have to keep pumping money into it so the person could keep doing the job you created? That would be insane - unless again you are using someone else's money. Any business person would know you will run up a tremendous debt and eventually go broke creating the jobs. Does $14 trillion dollars in debt ring a bell? Granted, that did not all come from people pretending to create jobs, but it did come from people that have this same kind of thinking.
I do not want someone creating a job for me. I want to take my God-given abilities and the skills I have learned and go out and produce. I want to be a blessing to others and demonstrate that "... Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." This is what our young people especially should be learning in school - where many of these skills should be developed.
Finally, I realize that all of us may need help from time to time. I am all for giving help. It is one thing to help someone, it is another for them to live off of you. If you are one of those that just enjoy giving and giving with no accountability, perhaps I should move in with you and enjoy your hospitality. No - we help people in order to get them to a place where they can do the same for others.
Once again, if you do happen to create any type of job, I would love to see it and know how it is working out.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Did Jesus Bring a Social Gospel - Part II
In part I, we looked at how the social gospel movement began. In continuation we see this movement particularly was emphasized by some during the first half of the 20th century. Indeed if you Google "social gospel" you will see a lot of info in regards to the 20th century though many claim the movement essentially died out around 1930. Though the public use of the term seemed to diminish around this time, the concept and ideas behind it are still with us today.
I contend that it can basically be boiled down to the use of Christianity and its principles without the person of Christ Himself. It can be described as the use of programs designed to improve the economic and social positions of the recipients. It is promoted as something Christians ought to be involved in because Christians certainly want to help their fellow man.
One problem with this way of promoting "Christian" values is that is does nothing to change the people on the inside. Therefore the results are essentially external. You may temporarily improve some conditions but society (people) are not really being improved. While many may have good intentions, the system becomes the ultimate user. It uses good sounding phrases and causes, but because the standards that Christ laid down are essentially ignored, almost anyone or any group can join in - usually bringing their philosophy and demands with them.
Christian values from a Biblical view start on the inside and work their way outward. Once the "Christ in you" begins to shine forth on the outside coupled with skill and the ability to get things done, you can indeed do just that - get things done. In this way the gospel can dramatically impact society.
So don't get the cart before the horse or the program in front of the programmer. Without Jesus, we will not have the good sense to implement or adjust any program so that it accomplishes the desired goal - especially as complicated as the world has made things.
Before the gospel can change society it must change the individual person. If programs are just used to get "stuff" to the people, what happens when the "stuff" runs out? Have you seen the mob scenes around the world when people think they are going to lose their "stuff"?
The gospel will not only change you on the inside, it will help you develop the skills to get more than enough "stuff". But that is a message for another blog.
So to answer did Jesus bring a social gospel: Jesus brought the gospel to individuals. If individuals embrace that gospel, it will definitely impact them socially.
I contend that it can basically be boiled down to the use of Christianity and its principles without the person of Christ Himself. It can be described as the use of programs designed to improve the economic and social positions of the recipients. It is promoted as something Christians ought to be involved in because Christians certainly want to help their fellow man.
One problem with this way of promoting "Christian" values is that is does nothing to change the people on the inside. Therefore the results are essentially external. You may temporarily improve some conditions but society (people) are not really being improved. While many may have good intentions, the system becomes the ultimate user. It uses good sounding phrases and causes, but because the standards that Christ laid down are essentially ignored, almost anyone or any group can join in - usually bringing their philosophy and demands with them.
Christian values from a Biblical view start on the inside and work their way outward. Once the "Christ in you" begins to shine forth on the outside coupled with skill and the ability to get things done, you can indeed do just that - get things done. In this way the gospel can dramatically impact society.
So don't get the cart before the horse or the program in front of the programmer. Without Jesus, we will not have the good sense to implement or adjust any program so that it accomplishes the desired goal - especially as complicated as the world has made things.
Before the gospel can change society it must change the individual person. If programs are just used to get "stuff" to the people, what happens when the "stuff" runs out? Have you seen the mob scenes around the world when people think they are going to lose their "stuff"?
The gospel will not only change you on the inside, it will help you develop the skills to get more than enough "stuff". But that is a message for another blog.
So to answer did Jesus bring a social gospel: Jesus brought the gospel to individuals. If individuals embrace that gospel, it will definitely impact them socially.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Did Jesus Bring a Social Gospel - Part I
The term "social gospel" is one that pops up every few years depending on the political climate of the time. If you Google the term, you will find more information than you will ever want to read. Various dates are given for the start of the movement in America - the earliest usually being around 1870.
When the term comes up, many people associate it with words that have the same root such as society and socialism. For that reason, the "social gospel" will normally ignite anything from a calm discussion to a heated argument.
After the Civil War had ended, America faced the task of rebuilding in a lot of different ways: the South needed a reconstruction, freed slaves needed education and a place in society, the North desperately needed raw materials, and people's nerves and feelings were frayed from the war and many wondered if anything would be normal again.
Particularly, many churches and Christian organizations began to help with things like education, teaching people to read, child care, hospitals, helping the aged, ministering to women, etc. Couple that with people like Booker T. Washington and Washington Carver, whose efforts toward educating and training the black population (both naturally and spiritually) cannot be over emphasized. It seemed that the country was getting back on its feet as people, churches, and organizations were impacting society especially in the urban areas..
Because many churches and Christian organizations were on the forefront of doing and being involved in these activities, it seemed this type of thing came to be a norm of Christian activity. I suppose they would indeed have worn the "WWJD" bracelets if they had existed in those days.
From the Bible, we do not see Jesus Himself doing much of this activity. He ministered the gospel that would change the hearts of individuals. Once that takes place, the works of the kingdom of God begin to be done by those people whose hearts were changed by Jesus coming in. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 ~ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. It is interesting that He was talking to those whose Father was in heaven.
Jesus brought the gospel to individuals and each individual will make a decision about the gospel for him or herself. The people who make Jesus the Lord of their lives and embrace the gospel have the opportunity to impact society in a number of ways.
Part II coming soon.
When the term comes up, many people associate it with words that have the same root such as society and socialism. For that reason, the "social gospel" will normally ignite anything from a calm discussion to a heated argument.
After the Civil War had ended, America faced the task of rebuilding in a lot of different ways: the South needed a reconstruction, freed slaves needed education and a place in society, the North desperately needed raw materials, and people's nerves and feelings were frayed from the war and many wondered if anything would be normal again.
Particularly, many churches and Christian organizations began to help with things like education, teaching people to read, child care, hospitals, helping the aged, ministering to women, etc. Couple that with people like Booker T. Washington and Washington Carver, whose efforts toward educating and training the black population (both naturally and spiritually) cannot be over emphasized. It seemed that the country was getting back on its feet as people, churches, and organizations were impacting society especially in the urban areas..
Because many churches and Christian organizations were on the forefront of doing and being involved in these activities, it seemed this type of thing came to be a norm of Christian activity. I suppose they would indeed have worn the "WWJD" bracelets if they had existed in those days.
From the Bible, we do not see Jesus Himself doing much of this activity. He ministered the gospel that would change the hearts of individuals. Once that takes place, the works of the kingdom of God begin to be done by those people whose hearts were changed by Jesus coming in. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 ~ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. It is interesting that He was talking to those whose Father was in heaven.
Jesus brought the gospel to individuals and each individual will make a decision about the gospel for him or herself. The people who make Jesus the Lord of their lives and embrace the gospel have the opportunity to impact society in a number of ways.
Part II coming soon.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Who is going to run it?
Whether we are talking about the local PTO or examining the details of our federal government, the answer to one question will tell us a great deal about what we can expect from the organization we are studying. Who is going to run it? What skills do they have? What kind of character do they exhibit? How is their track record? Who are they accountable to and how? If it exists, somebody is going to call the shots.
A case in point is our federal government. For years there have been those who say the federal government should be running more and more of both the country and our daily lives. When the federal government obtained the power to tax individual citizens, a major shift occurred in America. Was there an evil intent – I have no clue. But now this taxation is run by the feds instead of the states. What kind of agenda is being promoted? Are high standards of ethics being exhibited? If the states had the power, they would need to be accountable as well. Know this – it is much easier to regulate states than to regulate this massive fed that has been created. Each requires diligent oversight. I could give you a list to boggle your mind of governmental agencies that have come about because of this type of thinking.
Here is an easy example to see – the federal government thought it could do a good job lending money. What was created – Fannie & Freddie. Can someone tell me why they still exist? When the economic crisis came, many said it was because capitalism and the free market failed. I say the free market did exactly what it was supposed to do. When the crooks, the inept, and the incompetent started making decisions, approving loans, and spending money – the system shut down. Thank God! The same thing will happen to you and me if we acted like that.
If your balance sheet showed say $100,000 in the red, would you just print more money if you had the power? Now our federal government has the ability to spend all this money and print it at the same time. Again I ask, what kind of people do you want running this thing?
Want another example? Now the feds want to run the insurance industry. Talk about a bureaucratic nightmare! Also, who wrote this 2300 page monstrosity that they had to pass so they could see what is in it? Who is anyone accountable to?
It is not just the federal government. Have you heard about all of these state officials with tremendous salaries and retirement packages? A number of these people have been named. My question is – did they set their own salary and retirement package? Don’t tell me some “board” set all this up. We need names if this foolishness is going to stop.
On the local level, a good scan of the budget is always helpful. The money that is spent on education is beyond belief – especially when you realize the money is going to the governmental school system. To say that it is going toward education might be a real stretch. Check on the people running the educational empire and the agenda of the National Education Association
In closing, I cannot tell you how many things that I and friends have dealt with lately that now require some type of license or permit. In doing some of your normal activities, do not be surprised one day if someone comes up and asks if you have a license or permit to do this activity. Will we read about your reaction in the paper or see your picture on the news?
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).
A case in point is our federal government. For years there have been those who say the federal government should be running more and more of both the country and our daily lives. When the federal government obtained the power to tax individual citizens, a major shift occurred in America. Was there an evil intent – I have no clue. But now this taxation is run by the feds instead of the states. What kind of agenda is being promoted? Are high standards of ethics being exhibited? If the states had the power, they would need to be accountable as well. Know this – it is much easier to regulate states than to regulate this massive fed that has been created. Each requires diligent oversight. I could give you a list to boggle your mind of governmental agencies that have come about because of this type of thinking.
Here is an easy example to see – the federal government thought it could do a good job lending money. What was created – Fannie & Freddie. Can someone tell me why they still exist? When the economic crisis came, many said it was because capitalism and the free market failed. I say the free market did exactly what it was supposed to do. When the crooks, the inept, and the incompetent started making decisions, approving loans, and spending money – the system shut down. Thank God! The same thing will happen to you and me if we acted like that.
If your balance sheet showed say $100,000 in the red, would you just print more money if you had the power? Now our federal government has the ability to spend all this money and print it at the same time. Again I ask, what kind of people do you want running this thing?
Want another example? Now the feds want to run the insurance industry. Talk about a bureaucratic nightmare! Also, who wrote this 2300 page monstrosity that they had to pass so they could see what is in it? Who is anyone accountable to?
It is not just the federal government. Have you heard about all of these state officials with tremendous salaries and retirement packages? A number of these people have been named. My question is – did they set their own salary and retirement package? Don’t tell me some “board” set all this up. We need names if this foolishness is going to stop.
On the local level, a good scan of the budget is always helpful. The money that is spent on education is beyond belief – especially when you realize the money is going to the governmental school system. To say that it is going toward education might be a real stretch. Check on the people running the educational empire and the agenda of the National Education Association
In closing, I cannot tell you how many things that I and friends have dealt with lately that now require some type of license or permit. In doing some of your normal activities, do not be surprised one day if someone comes up and asks if you have a license or permit to do this activity. Will we read about your reaction in the paper or see your picture on the news?
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).
Saturday, July 24, 2010
How to Cut Through the Governmental Gobbledygook
Are you like me? It only takes about 2 minutes of news about our government and my head is spinning from one thing after another: illegal immigration, the debt clock, uncontrolled spending, national healthcare, Fannie & Freddie, trying the terrorists in New York, who will we cap and trade next, Afghanistan & Iraq, the oil spill, closing Gitmo, who will define what a marriage is, Russian spies, I hope Iran does not get mad at us, I wonder what will be stimulated next, should we continue to help the Jews dodge those Hamas rockets, the 2300 page financial reform bill, who we gonna bail out next, how dare those Arizonians, on and on… Are we stuck in the muck? How did we acquire this massive quagmire?
You probably can add some more to the list and perhaps come up with catchy little rhymes that are better than mine. But how do you sift through all of this stuff and make any sense of it – much less try to come up with solutions. As a student and teacher of history, I endeavor to arm myself with facts and information from the founding of our government to the present. I desire to be able to talk intelligently about current issues and be able to defend my point of view. Honestly, it is an almost impossible task – with so many things that are at issue. Remember too that all we really know is what we have been told to some degree. Whatever the bill, whatever the legislation as it is written – some judge may rule against it, it may be stalled in committee, the President may or may not sign it, and perhaps it can be voted on again after they pass the bill the first time so they can see what is in it. Is your head spinning yet?
As I spent some time considering all of this, the simplicity of Biblical principles helped bring a lot of clarity quickly. The scriptures that have been so much a part of my history classes: Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).
Perhaps bringing these verses a little closer to home will help us realize how true they are: Righteousness will exalt your company, but sin will bring it to ruin. Righteousness will exalt your home, but sin will destroy its testimony. Righteousness will exalt you, but sin will be your disgrace.
Think about your company with a group of people who demonstrate honesty and integrity. They are loyal and they esteem others more highly than themselves. Now the boss is very comfortable letting these people use their talents and ambitions to produce for that company. Consider now the reverse: You have people with talent and ambition (they are smart!) but have no honesty or integrity. They are loyal only to themselves and esteem themselves higher than anyone else. With this scenario you will likely need a good lawyer. On the other side, choose which type of leader you would prefer.
Whether it is the nation or us as individuals, you know that all you need to do is sow a little sin into the mix and brace for trouble. Now I am not saying that standing for righteousness will always be the easiest thing to work out. I and certainly many of you have been in situations where the right thing to do is not as cut and dried as we would like it.
But first of all – does anybody care? Is anyone concerned about demonstrating any righteousness? If we will even take that first step, good results will be forthcoming. Perhaps we should not expect the world to jump on this bandwagon so quickly, but we should certainly expect it from Christians and the church. I personally would like to see more of it.
Yes we still should be able to talk intelligently and with common sense about our government and the situations that we face. Further, I believe if you begin comparing what is happening with the 2 scriptures mentioned above, you will indeed cut through the gobbledygook.
Remember to pray for our leaders each day. Below is an interesting quote from President James Garfield:
Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of the Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature….If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
You probably can add some more to the list and perhaps come up with catchy little rhymes that are better than mine. But how do you sift through all of this stuff and make any sense of it – much less try to come up with solutions. As a student and teacher of history, I endeavor to arm myself with facts and information from the founding of our government to the present. I desire to be able to talk intelligently about current issues and be able to defend my point of view. Honestly, it is an almost impossible task – with so many things that are at issue. Remember too that all we really know is what we have been told to some degree. Whatever the bill, whatever the legislation as it is written – some judge may rule against it, it may be stalled in committee, the President may or may not sign it, and perhaps it can be voted on again after they pass the bill the first time so they can see what is in it. Is your head spinning yet?
As I spent some time considering all of this, the simplicity of Biblical principles helped bring a lot of clarity quickly. The scriptures that have been so much a part of my history classes: Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2).
Perhaps bringing these verses a little closer to home will help us realize how true they are: Righteousness will exalt your company, but sin will bring it to ruin. Righteousness will exalt your home, but sin will destroy its testimony. Righteousness will exalt you, but sin will be your disgrace.
Think about your company with a group of people who demonstrate honesty and integrity. They are loyal and they esteem others more highly than themselves. Now the boss is very comfortable letting these people use their talents and ambitions to produce for that company. Consider now the reverse: You have people with talent and ambition (they are smart!) but have no honesty or integrity. They are loyal only to themselves and esteem themselves higher than anyone else. With this scenario you will likely need a good lawyer. On the other side, choose which type of leader you would prefer.
Whether it is the nation or us as individuals, you know that all you need to do is sow a little sin into the mix and brace for trouble. Now I am not saying that standing for righteousness will always be the easiest thing to work out. I and certainly many of you have been in situations where the right thing to do is not as cut and dried as we would like it.
But first of all – does anybody care? Is anyone concerned about demonstrating any righteousness? If we will even take that first step, good results will be forthcoming. Perhaps we should not expect the world to jump on this bandwagon so quickly, but we should certainly expect it from Christians and the church. I personally would like to see more of it.
Yes we still should be able to talk intelligently and with common sense about our government and the situations that we face. Further, I believe if you begin comparing what is happening with the 2 scriptures mentioned above, you will indeed cut through the gobbledygook.
Remember to pray for our leaders each day. Below is an interesting quote from President James Garfield:
Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of the Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature….If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
Monday, June 14, 2010
How is this for a graduation speech?
Good evening ladies and gentlemen:
A few weeks ago, I was informed by the school administration that I would likely be the valedictorian of our senior class for this school year. I would have the privilege of giving a speech and addressing all who would be in attendance. While I do not consider myself much of a public speaker, I did consider it an honor for me and especially for my parents who have done so much to get me to this point.
At the time, I was also informed that I would need to meet with the principal in order to receive guidelines as to what in particular would not be permitted in my speech. I thought little of it as I realized certainly they did not want me bashing the school, cursing or using inappropriate language, or embarrassing myself, my parents, or the school in any way.
I arrived at the principal’s office at the appointed time on the specified day, making sure I had my notebook and pen at the ready. I certainly was grateful for any help I could get as I knew the school had been dealing with such things for a long time.
The meeting began well enough with information about how long the speech should be, how to stand, enunciate properly, project an image of confidence, etc. Then I was told there was a particular subject and a particular name that I was not to mention. It regarded aspects of faith and since I cannot mention the name, I describe Him as the One mentioned on our country’s coins. I was told this subject was too controversial, it might offend some people, the school might get into legal disputes, public relations hassles, etc.
I have to say at the end of the meeting I was quite upset – not being able to mention this One who is such an important part of my life. But later I thought better of the meeting. Indeed, why end the year in controversy, why stir up a stink, why mention names and subjects that are uncomfortable?
Thus my speech did end up taking an unexpected turn. I had wanted to thank the principal who had been so helpful to me over the years. But now I dare not mention his name. I know there are a number of people who are not happy with him because of some decisions he had to make over this past year. I have heard his name mentioned in a negative manner several times of late.
I am particularly grateful to some members of the school board, but I am sure their names would set some people off. Remember the students that were expelled this year and the action that had to be taken against a coach and a few athletes. I do not want to throw any more fuel on that fire – especially since that protest against the school board has been all over the news, not to mention Facebook. Therefore, I will refrain from mentioning the name of this school.
I want to especially thank my parents, but I am hesitant to mention their names. You may have noticed, I have not even mentioned my name. I am sure I have teed off some of my fellow students this year.
So I have written this speech in the “let’s all get along mode” But I have come to realize that if the name of the One on our money cannot be mentioned, then whose name is worthy to be mentioned? Therefore, think twice before mentioning anyone’s name lest a conflict erupts.
If this is the America that I am about to step into, I have my work cut out for me. I will be talking to the One whose name I cannot mention - if anyone would care to join me later on this evening.
Thank you
A few weeks ago, I was informed by the school administration that I would likely be the valedictorian of our senior class for this school year. I would have the privilege of giving a speech and addressing all who would be in attendance. While I do not consider myself much of a public speaker, I did consider it an honor for me and especially for my parents who have done so much to get me to this point.
At the time, I was also informed that I would need to meet with the principal in order to receive guidelines as to what in particular would not be permitted in my speech. I thought little of it as I realized certainly they did not want me bashing the school, cursing or using inappropriate language, or embarrassing myself, my parents, or the school in any way.
I arrived at the principal’s office at the appointed time on the specified day, making sure I had my notebook and pen at the ready. I certainly was grateful for any help I could get as I knew the school had been dealing with such things for a long time.
The meeting began well enough with information about how long the speech should be, how to stand, enunciate properly, project an image of confidence, etc. Then I was told there was a particular subject and a particular name that I was not to mention. It regarded aspects of faith and since I cannot mention the name, I describe Him as the One mentioned on our country’s coins. I was told this subject was too controversial, it might offend some people, the school might get into legal disputes, public relations hassles, etc.
I have to say at the end of the meeting I was quite upset – not being able to mention this One who is such an important part of my life. But later I thought better of the meeting. Indeed, why end the year in controversy, why stir up a stink, why mention names and subjects that are uncomfortable?
Thus my speech did end up taking an unexpected turn. I had wanted to thank the principal who had been so helpful to me over the years. But now I dare not mention his name. I know there are a number of people who are not happy with him because of some decisions he had to make over this past year. I have heard his name mentioned in a negative manner several times of late.
I am particularly grateful to some members of the school board, but I am sure their names would set some people off. Remember the students that were expelled this year and the action that had to be taken against a coach and a few athletes. I do not want to throw any more fuel on that fire – especially since that protest against the school board has been all over the news, not to mention Facebook. Therefore, I will refrain from mentioning the name of this school.
I want to especially thank my parents, but I am hesitant to mention their names. You may have noticed, I have not even mentioned my name. I am sure I have teed off some of my fellow students this year.
So I have written this speech in the “let’s all get along mode” But I have come to realize that if the name of the One on our money cannot be mentioned, then whose name is worthy to be mentioned? Therefore, think twice before mentioning anyone’s name lest a conflict erupts.
If this is the America that I am about to step into, I have my work cut out for me. I will be talking to the One whose name I cannot mention - if anyone would care to join me later on this evening.
Thank you
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