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Starting this essay I wanted to say, “Many mentors but few followers…” but I didn’t like the sound of it because it sounded like I wanted disciples or followers. Really what I desire is just readers who might find something of interest to enjoy or appreciate. Followers or disciples might be nice if such were to find themselves yearning for more spiritual awareness that they think they see in lives of others. I am certainly made of clay like any reader of these words but “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. I am certainly no perfect guide to watch or follow but neither are those sharing this walk in life with me. People have a right to think, “I would rather see a sermon any day than to hear one…” or “the eye makes a better pupil than the ear” and the most curt, “I can’t hear you for what your actions are saying…”
So, I must concede to have appreciated many mentors in my life. For years I enjoyed seeing former grade school teachers occasionally and I would always express my appreciation to them for what I believed was the good training they gave me. Seems most of them were quite humble and rarely acted as though they believed me but I was serious. Of course such practice dwindled away with the passing of years and getting into my sixties many elementary school teachers were gone. Now in my seventies I find it getting even more difficult as the years click by to be able to talk to my high school teachers. One teacher is still around; she has to be in her late 80’s because she was my art teacher during my last three years in elementary school. She still remembers me, or perhaps is so convincingly kind and thus “recognizes” any of her former pupils.
No doubt my thoughts have changed gears to speak words of appreciation to mentors in the assorted jobs or careers I have had but somehow find myself to have been neglectful in expressing such words of thanks to those mentors. Perhaps they have observed their work in me and thus their “work in progress” (me) was its own statement of appreciation. I can only hope that is true to a degree. Again, such recognition of mentors is something we need to do persistently because one day we might be thinking about those people and realize they are gone!
I believe we all need to take inventory occasionally and be sure that those mentors along the way know our gratitude and appreciation. When is the last time you told some former boss or perhaps a work mate “Thanks” for something they did for you or saw virtue in you and in turn encouraged you along the way of this busy dizzy thing we call life? When I have such ruminations I receive a bit of comfort in the passage in Hebrews 12:1, “…the cloud of witnesses watching…” over us – like a cheering section from the distant past.
THE WORDWRIGHT
Ever since September 11, 2001 it is doubtful many things will ever be the same. One thing for sure, the word “freedom” might need some clarification.
Freedom, like the proverbial “free lunch” is simply no longer available, carte blanche. There is no such thing as a free lunch. That is, of course, unless you go to the local Soup Kitchen or some church’s Free Dinners – and even then, the following comments unfortunately may apply.
Freedom has a kicker. Some freedoms we may consider: We are free to buy, choose, sell, trade, and give away whatever we want. Well, maybe. A smile always comes to my face when I see a realtor’s sign “For Sale by Owner”. Why do I smile? I hope it is the owner who is selling the place, and not some crook or thief! And, the well-known axiom, “We are free to speak but not scream ‘FIRE’ in a crowd.” (That is, of course, when there is no fire.) We are not free to choose if our choice demands us to shove an old person or a child aside to get to our choice. We are not free to sell something that is not our property. We are not free to trade things we have in our possession but do not belong to us. We are not free to give something away that we have in our possession that does not belong to us. Some churches have a “Give Away Day” but I prefer such free items are not “given” with the provision we register with the church – “I thought it was a gift, now they want my name, address and phone so they can contact me and convert me to their way of thinking.” If it is a gift, then give it away, period, with no strings attached.
Freedom has a kicker. Until we are ready to make a new set of rules that the immigration authorities officially deny passage, at any of the borders of the United States and state, “all people with brown eyes (or whatever color is decided objectionable)” then everyone and anyone, regardless of the color of their eyes is welcome to America and go through the procedures to become an American citizen.
Freedom has a kicker. We are free to assemble in public but common sense (that which is rapidly becoming a lost art) dictates some guidelines regarding this subject. So, what specific item or items in our lives as a people or nation do we want to label or identify as not free? Unfortunately, the Freedom of Speech (or the Press) is one of the primary issues today. The old war slogan “loose lips sink ships” is obviously unknown to some government leaders or the news media. Wonder why certain leaders or the news media do not consider whatever they write, publish or televise will not be noticed by “the enemy”? One “for instance” is what a naïve anchor person said in regard to the terrorist activity about bio-terrorism, “It’s a good thing they didn’t think of small pox.” Well, duh, now that you put it that way, that might well be the next thing terrorists dream up for a threat!
Freedom involves trust. And only when we can trust everyone can we really believe freedom really exists – you know, freedom from fear, freedom from all kinds of dangers. I don’t look for this to occur in the near future, but really, when you stop to think about it, we live every day with trust and faith. We trust that the people at the water treatment plant are doing their job; we trust that the milk distributors are honest when they say the milk is pasteurized; we trust the gasoline refiners to provide honest-to-goodness reliable fuel; we trust that grocers keep their food displays clean, and the list goes on. We not only “walk by faith” we “eat by faith”, we “drive by faith” – everything is done, at least in most of life as I see it, is done in faith or trust that whatever we ingest, use or handle is “OK”.
When we give up completely on others, then get ready to reach for those gas masks, 15 foot chain link fences with razor cutters at the top, armor clad autos, bullet proof vests, shotguns or what have you because without faith of “some kind” we can never really think we are safe, let alone be free. Christianity, Judaism and some other religious groups have long been trying to instill the need and virtual necessity of developing faith and trust that will govern our nation but for some reason, such “radical changes” as trust, faith and belief have been avoided like the plague and thought to be divisive. You figure it out and you “get the cigar”.
Freedom cannot be taken for granted.
THE WORDWRIGHT
Naturally one has to define the subject but as a matter of fact, there is a lot to say about nearly anything that goes on. Whatever the source or subject: the house, the neighborhood, in the church, at the school meeting, in the city; in the county, in the state, in the nation. Well, since you put it that way, there is a lot to say, isn't there?
You are a writer too! You may not consider yourself one, but whenever you have an opportunity to express yourself by writing to the newspaper “Letters to the Editor”, for example, you are a writer. When you have something to say, write it down (better re-read it though, maybe a couple times) and mail it to the person or persons involved. An added suggestion -- if the subject is controversial and you wrote it right away, sometimes it is better to write it, then allow yourself time to cool off (24 hours will usually do it), then pick it up the next day, read it again and if you still like it, mail it. If you have second thoughts, shelve it until later or try the round file.
So, the next time any subject comes up, why not prepare yourself ahead of time to say something, you have just as much right to speak up, to talk, to comment on anything that any so-called: "anchor person" says on any TV network -- believe it. You are important, so don't sell yourself short.
You have the necessary tools at your fingertips -- you're using a computer to see this, so unless you do not have word processing program, you are "on your way" -- so get to it. If your Mom & Dad are still around, communication is always in order. If you're the Mom or Dad, the same thing applies with the kid(s). Computers and the Internet have been a great enabling factor with e-mail -- so, "What's there to say?" Just think about it -- you will probably come up with a lot to say. “Family” is always in need of communication, that cross word or old sore family dispute ought to be settled, or that word of encouragement or love left unexpressed, grab a Kleenex and think about it -- then do it! Write!
THE WORDWRIGHT
Everyone talks about the weather but no one does anything about the weather. Only thing is, this is probably the safest thing to “talk about” and not be blamed for not doing anything about it. I belong to an association whose members write “for the fun of it” and that could be one of the reasons it is called the American Amateur Press Association*. Incidentally there are some in this organization who should really write for a living, they’re good at it! I secretly wonder if the reason some prefer to write under such terms is they don’t really expect their words to change much after all, but they just enjoy writing.
At least a poet writes believing his readers are apt to get something out of their writings. It is a given that people read poetry because they like poetry. They know meter in a way a crossword puzzle addict knows unusual words. Mystery books are not likely to be read by people who have no interest in solving situations, unraveling facts or circumstances. History is of little interest to the masses or why are there so many history books on the bargain table in the big bookstores. Forgive me if my generalization is too generalized!
Where I want to go with my words today is to say those who forward words like they are “the gospel” (and are gullible enough to believe anything they read) are frustrating. Ever since I became a part of the electronic mail mass I have often wondered how could a thinking person believe the stuff they forward to others? You know the tripe. “If you read this and forward it to ten friends within the next ten minutes you will be blessed tenfold.” What about the poor folks who don’t know how to boot a computer or what color the boot is if they were to look for it? I would almost guess Bill Gates would be a poor man indeed if he really gave away his money the way these “forwarding folks” talk about. Let’s face it, we’re dealing with millions of readers (aren’t we?). Then there are those who already don’t like the present administration, or the Red Cross, or the folks who bottle some popular soft drink and anything they read that agrees with their logic (?) they can’t get to the “Forward” window quick enough! And all this makes it true?
People believe what they want to believe. At least most wives would agree to that if we change one word, “believe”. Change the word “believe” to “hear” and you describe the frustration wives experience with their spouses who have developed selective hearing. We turn off our receptors when we either filter out a word or misinterpret a sale price or a job offer. Consider the sales promotion line, “Save up to $75.” The only thing is you have to buy a product that costs $750.00. The $150 suits are still $150. Or, “Earn up to $25.00 an hour.” The poor chap quits his old job only to find out he has to start at $9.50 an hour and the new job only gives 3% performance raises yearly and you could be transferred to their branch office 3,000 miles from where you are located.
I hope my thoughts today are not too discouraging. I want to encourage people to do something and not just think about it. I want to see people forward facts not idle frivolous or questionable messages. If I am sent a picture of a person who is supposed to have worn something improperly and later discover the negative was doctored or the image was flopped, I consider that lying. Jokes are one thing but falsifying a photo or text is not being truthful.
So, if you want to charge (or condemn) the present administration, have some good ideas, not just criticism to offer. If you want to change our society, begin with yourself. If you start out with, “Something needs to be done…” follow your statement with what you plan to do. But don’t complain in general because that is a bit like talking about changing the weather. I have confidence in the Creator to have “created a system” that is pretty decent and fit for all. I am glad the government or a committee of human beings is not in charge of the weather or seasons. People can be fickle or sometimes downright partial and even prejudiced and I want no part of such an arrangement. Unfortunately we can see the dangers of such thinking in our country. The democrats and republications alike are composed of human beings and I do not expect perfection from either group. Truth is what I expect and the axiom, “The first casualty in war is the truth” is a pretty good example of what I see and tend to believe when some politician is touting his plans when he gets into office. Any elected official will only be able to do what he is “allowed to do”, that is, once all the back scratching, compromising and favors are paid off. Then, if any time is left, the politician might not have time to do anything else except run his re-election campaign.
*American Amateur Press Association
THE WORDWRIGHT
Truth does not need a defense. If that statement is true, what is the purpose of a trial? I have often wondered how a lawyer could take a case in defense of an obviously guilty party and whenever I have questioned that, the answer was: “Everyone has the right to be defended.” That may be the proper answer in the light of jurisprudence or those acquainted with the science or philosophy of law but to me I would still have difficulty in knowingly trying to free or acquit an obviously guilty person. If nothing else this personal feeling of mine is proof I am not a suitable candidate to be a lawyer. Some words within the etymology of the word jurisprudence, e.g., “right” and “skill” impresses me as loopholes. In other words, if you get a skillful lawyer falsehood can be made to appear true (or right). Regretfully, one other factor also enters the picture: Skillful lawyers are expensive and those with sufficient finances have proportionate advantages.
The anti-God comments in regard to the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11, 2001 fostered thoughts in my mind that need to be put into print. Why is it when any accident or tragedy occurs one thing we typically hear is: “Why would a loving and merciful God allow such a thing to happen?” It is obvious to me that whoever says such is mixing inferior theology with the facts. Those who would like us to believe God is behind or causes every accident or tragedy are in fact unjustly accusing God of being evil. Concepts of a God of love and mercy are difficult to harmonize with life. It doesn’t matter if their assumptions about God are invalid but they are doing their best to prove someone has to be to blame, why not God?
Life is not a one-way street. Accidents and circumstances occur and if one studies the book of Job long enough it becomes easier to see that God can be looked upon as an observer. Job asked God “why have all these tragedies happened to me?” God never did really answer him but he did ask Job a lot of other questions like “Where were you Job when I created all this?” John Lennon made an astute observation: “Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.” Millions of people in this world are busy making plans and for man to regard God as the Divine Engineer or Operator of railroad track switches, airplane motors and such is a bit like believing God was made for man instead of man made for God. The latter truth is a biblical thesis. Man (and women and children) has to be held accountable for some circumstances. When alcohol and gasoline are mixed unbelievable irresponsibility becomes a reality. When safety with a firearm is disregarded a bullet is discharged whether the gun is aimed in the right direction or not. The drunken driver kills innocent people and the careless hunter can cause great damage to his foot. Surely it is not the fault of God for such accidents.
Someone has posed the question: Did God create evil? One could correctly say, “Yes, in the same way a shadow is caused by the sun shining behind an object, and a shadow is created.” In the book of Genesis, when God was finished with steps of creation we find the expression, “…and it was good.” The epistles and gospel of the apostle John expressly and consistently says, “God is love” and “God is good”. As hard as it may be to understand, it is a fact that God has worked with man in cultures in which man existed. What appears to us in the 21st Century as being crude or extreme makes God look like he doesn’t fit modern man’s civilized ways. What looks like extreme laws (e.g., the Ten Commandments and other laws the Jews lived under) and a man’s hand being cut off or he was stoned to death; and such punishments were not unusual in the days of Moses. God can and does work within our modern cultures as well as ancient cultures in the times of the days of Abraham or Moses.
Frankly I would not consider it too smart accusing God of such a thing if I really believed he does cause accidents or I might end up being a grease spot in a rug or a flat cinder on the sidewalk. If God is really that kind of a being it seems logical to me that anyone critical of his works could be quickly dispatched as unwanted and fit to kill in a “divine moment of anger”.
There are attributes of God that do not fit the profile these critics [or detectives of the cause of 911] are trying to establish. Love, mercy, steadfastness and sustainer are just for starters in my defense of God being accused of causing 911. Nothing so out of character is such a charge. If this premise is correct, then what is the other side of the argument? Another attribute of God is creator. Of course belief in there being a Creator is a subject that becomes a factor in this issue.
The human element in life must be considered. Our nation’s founding fathers were a bit presumptuous in statements about our rights and freedom. Freedom of the press, expression and however many other freedoms are thought to be ours represent a conglomerate of words. Being free to speak does not make it permissible to shout “FIRE” when there is no fire! But freedoms certainly bear a kinship humans have with God. Once a person is born into the world, you might say, the war has begun. A baby is free to do anything he wants to as he becomes able except that which his parents deem inadvisable or improper. God created man with free will and we have to live with this fact. It appears there are patterns in the Creator’s hands: facial or bone structure, the arrangement of cells within a body, the basic functionalities are generally in every body but certain characteristics are what make us attractive or unattractive to others. Birth defects were studied and mixes of genes or chromosomes were found to be the cause of those defects. Sometimes birth defects are caused by accidents or unwise actions. Would a God of love and mercy intentionally cause such defects? I believe not. But one thing for sure every tragedy is often the driving force for bringing out the best in all of us. A casual reading of workers in Disaster Teams reveals that good can often come from bad things happening to innocent people.
I have traveled a long way around the barn to come to this point – what’s all this got to do with “God doesn’t do 911’s”? Briefly stated, “God was not responsible for 911, human beings are to blame.” (Note the period!) I believe God created everything in this world (or universe). I believe God “set up” characteristics in this world that men such as Newton, Galileo, Archimedes, Euripides, Leonardo de Vinci and our own country’s Jonas Salk and George Washington Carver found to be innate parts of their mentality. And where the wisdom of these men left off we find less skilled men (and women) who applied themselves or perhaps refused to apply themselves. But we cannot do without the dreamers and inventors.
But there are prices to pay. Inventors made guns and ammunition. Inventors made airplanes and fuels. The terrorists who flew those three planes that crashed into the Word Trade Center twin towers and the Pentagon were guided by free agents. The fourth plane, presumably headed for the nation’s capital, was also guided by free agents but several brave passengers risked their lives to thwart such plans. Those free agents (the terrorists) were driven by their conscience to do such evil. Men and women who had no concern or care for anyone other than themselves are the ones to blame for that tragedy, not God. God does not make robots. We might believe those evil people were brain washed but that is our opinion as to what drives people to do wicked things. God does not do wicked things. Remember and study the attributes of God. God is love, longsuffering, forgiving, full of mercy, good, our sustainer and not a Divine Police Officer or Engineer of a Divine Switchboard.
THE WORDWRIGHT
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