The Dewerstone - a new lyric based on a legend about a rocky outcrop on the Southern part of Dartmoor, famous as a rock climbing center, where the devil and his hounds are supposed to chase poor sinners over the edge.
On a cold and misty evening, while my lord was out-a-riding,
He thought he heard the baying, of some hounds beyond the ridge,
And as his pace-a-quickened, the mist it swirled and thickened,
His horse it went to neighing , as they crossed Cadover Bridge.
On Wigmore Down a-climbing, the wind it was a-whistling,
But still the sound of baying, drew closer through the fog.
The Master spurring on a-pace, as soaking wind drove in his face,
A shadow voice kept saying, “You can't out run the dogs.”
Oh beware, be you rich or poor,
Of the Wisht hounds roaming the southern moor,
The sinner venturing out alone,
Should best avoid the Dewerstone.
Dewer had him in his grip, he knew that with one fatal slip
As both approached the craggy lip, their fate would soon be sealed
They never saw the granite ledge and so they rode hard off the edge,
To meet their maker in a place where every heart’s revealed.
On the morrow early rising, chanced on a grisly sighting,
A horse and rider lying, at the foot of Dewerstone,
And after drawing closer, I saw it was my master,
E're with the sun yet shining my world was overthrown.
Jonathan Patrick Moore C 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
I'm back!!
Been gone from the blog for about two months......work, family, church.....
It's Easter Weekend and with the surge of Spring has come a renewal of inspiration:
Here is part of what I've been working on: a new project reflective of my beginnings and my country of origin. It's going to be an original "Folk" Cd with songs about my heritage and my memories of growing up in Devon.
Here are two lyrics entitled "Doublewaters" and "The Beating of Drake's drum" for your perusal:
Doublewaters
Down the path to Doublewaters,
Calling wayward dogs to heel,
Dashing sons and dainty daughters,
Gorse and brackened games conceal,
Grazing Dartmoor ponies nodding,
As if recalling Spring's first foal,
Honeysuckled air infusing,
Joy into our weary soul.
On Bodmin moor June’s sun is setting,
Tin mine towers in sharp relief,
Through the mottled woodlands streaming,
Shafts of evening’s golden sheaf,
Sound of pebbled waters rising,
Beckon weary walkers on,
First embracing then refreshing,
Two streams reach for Tamar’s run.
Now in memory returning
To my childhood days of grace,
Ever youthful ever yearning,
To walk again in sacred space.
Every Sunday through the summer,
City dwellers park their cars,
Sipping tea midst idle chatter,
Watching hikers from afar,
Disappear into the distance,
T’ward the valley far below,
Barely noting their existence,
Emerging later face aglow.
Jonathan Patrick Moore C 2006
The Beating of Drake’s Drum
At the Westerly Approaches, Spanish galleons appear,
Their intent to wrest our freedom, men of England have no fear,
Our bold Captain and commander, none can match his heart so true,
He has time to play the game boys, and defeat the Spaniards too.
In a time of mortal danger, Lo the foreign forces come,
We will summon strength of heart boys, at the beating of Drake's drum.
Wellington standing defiant, 'gainst the brash Napoleon,
Sailing out of Plymouth Harbor, with the pride of England’s men,
We will give to him no quarter, till our freedom is assured,
We have muskets at the ready, true of aim and swift of sword,
Where the courage to defend her, when the darkest dangers come,
There's a sound that stirs our hearts boys, 'tis the beating of Drake's drum
Now our finest lie besieged, upon the sand of Dunkirk beach,
Every fisherman of England, rescue is within your reach,
Man the boats and pray for favor, help them fight another day,
In this hour of present danger, God will speed you on your way,
Draw your strength from men of yore, Every hindrance overcome,
Listen now O men of England, hear the beating of Drake's drum.
Anytime these shores are threatened by a diabolic foe,
When dark clouds are gathering and fear consumes the nations soul,
If amid the sounds of bustle coursing through our city streets,
You might hear the whispers of a catalog of past defeats,
Then I pray you listen closer for another sound to come,
Listen for the heart of England, hear the beating of Drake’s drum.
Jonathan Patrick Moore C 2006
It's Easter Weekend and with the surge of Spring has come a renewal of inspiration:
Here is part of what I've been working on: a new project reflective of my beginnings and my country of origin. It's going to be an original "Folk" Cd with songs about my heritage and my memories of growing up in Devon.
Here are two lyrics entitled "Doublewaters" and "The Beating of Drake's drum" for your perusal:
Doublewaters
Down the path to Doublewaters,
Calling wayward dogs to heel,
Dashing sons and dainty daughters,
Gorse and brackened games conceal,
Grazing Dartmoor ponies nodding,
As if recalling Spring's first foal,
Honeysuckled air infusing,
Joy into our weary soul.
On Bodmin moor June’s sun is setting,
Tin mine towers in sharp relief,
Through the mottled woodlands streaming,
Shafts of evening’s golden sheaf,
Sound of pebbled waters rising,
Beckon weary walkers on,
First embracing then refreshing,
Two streams reach for Tamar’s run.
Now in memory returning
To my childhood days of grace,
Ever youthful ever yearning,
To walk again in sacred space.
Every Sunday through the summer,
City dwellers park their cars,
Sipping tea midst idle chatter,
Watching hikers from afar,
Disappear into the distance,
T’ward the valley far below,
Barely noting their existence,
Emerging later face aglow.
Jonathan Patrick Moore C 2006
The Beating of Drake’s Drum
At the Westerly Approaches, Spanish galleons appear,
Their intent to wrest our freedom, men of England have no fear,
Our bold Captain and commander, none can match his heart so true,
He has time to play the game boys, and defeat the Spaniards too.
In a time of mortal danger, Lo the foreign forces come,
We will summon strength of heart boys, at the beating of Drake's drum.
Wellington standing defiant, 'gainst the brash Napoleon,
Sailing out of Plymouth Harbor, with the pride of England’s men,
We will give to him no quarter, till our freedom is assured,
We have muskets at the ready, true of aim and swift of sword,
Where the courage to defend her, when the darkest dangers come,
There's a sound that stirs our hearts boys, 'tis the beating of Drake's drum
Now our finest lie besieged, upon the sand of Dunkirk beach,
Every fisherman of England, rescue is within your reach,
Man the boats and pray for favor, help them fight another day,
In this hour of present danger, God will speed you on your way,
Draw your strength from men of yore, Every hindrance overcome,
Listen now O men of England, hear the beating of Drake's drum.
Anytime these shores are threatened by a diabolic foe,
When dark clouds are gathering and fear consumes the nations soul,
If amid the sounds of bustle coursing through our city streets,
You might hear the whispers of a catalog of past defeats,
Then I pray you listen closer for another sound to come,
Listen for the heart of England, hear the beating of Drake’s drum.
Jonathan Patrick Moore C 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
The more I hear the more I like...
It's day two....and I'm listening through to about 10 hours of blues influenced original music. I have been a fan of Chris Rea ever since his first album (What ever happened to Benny Santini?). However , the sheer scope and depth of this work is staggering. I can't think of another musician in the modern era who has published such a strong body of work at one time. For those who are familiar with the more pop oriented Chris Rea will find enough here to keep them entertained. The Blues Ballads (CD7) is particularly satisfying for those who love the languid, smoke filled Rea delivery. There is also enough variety within the blues genre as presented by Rea and his merry cohorts to keep even the most discriminating afficianado smiling. Blues Beginnings (CD1) is like an aural history lesson, whereas the Celtic and Irish Blues (CD9) does for blues what Riverdance did for tapping feet. Louisiana and New Orleans Blues (CD3) takes us along the bayou and gives us a taste of Cajun cookin'. The production of each CD tries to stay faithful to the recording techniques of that time and place and in so doing gives each CD its own unique feel. In fact it becomes eveident when you are changing CD even if they are playing in rotation on my computer. I'm serious....you need to check out this music! At about $55-$60 through Amazon.com this has to be the musical bargain of all bargains.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Blue Guitars has arrived
Blue Guitars - Chris Rea
This arrived today - I've already watched the accompanying DVD which was a fascinating look into the creative process. I'm beginning to savor the 11 cd's worth of music. I feel like someone has just given me the keys to their wine cellar......
This arrived today - I've already watched the accompanying DVD which was a fascinating look into the creative process. I'm beginning to savor the 11 cd's worth of music. I feel like someone has just given me the keys to their wine cellar......
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Death Row
One of my students has just become the youngest deathrow inmate in the State of Mississippi. At 20 years of age, he is now # 70 waiting in line for a lethal injection. I grieve for a life apparently wasted, his young son who will never see his father again, and a family who are left to wonder "What went wrong?"
The crime for which he was convicted was senseless and part of an increasing trend towards mindless violence that not only grips the inner cities but has migrated into the rural reaches of Mississippi. Fueled by rage and a hip-hop culture countless young men, both black and white are becoming de-sensitized to the consequences of violent actions. As my student wished for just one more chance - another family is left to mourn a 67 year old man who had his life brutally taken from him.
And yet, though for many years I shared a philosophical belief in the deterrent effect and the necessary justice of capital punishment, I now find myself in somewhat of a dilemma. This young man was no mindless monster - he was tender-hearted, friendly, with an easygoing smile and both a desire to learn and to grow. In other words - his was (and is) a life that is redeemable, even if that has to be from behind prison walls.
I am changing my mind about capital punishment - but am I just bowing to the pressure of personal sentiment? What do YOU think?
The crime for which he was convicted was senseless and part of an increasing trend towards mindless violence that not only grips the inner cities but has migrated into the rural reaches of Mississippi. Fueled by rage and a hip-hop culture countless young men, both black and white are becoming de-sensitized to the consequences of violent actions. As my student wished for just one more chance - another family is left to mourn a 67 year old man who had his life brutally taken from him.
And yet, though for many years I shared a philosophical belief in the deterrent effect and the necessary justice of capital punishment, I now find myself in somewhat of a dilemma. This young man was no mindless monster - he was tender-hearted, friendly, with an easygoing smile and both a desire to learn and to grow. In other words - his was (and is) a life that is redeemable, even if that has to be from behind prison walls.
I am changing my mind about capital punishment - but am I just bowing to the pressure of personal sentiment? What do YOU think?
Saturday, February 11, 2006
This was the story that ran in our local paper on November 10th 2004:
"The sheriff's office has clarified the charges against those arrested for the murder of Ruben L. Britt, owner of Crossroads Grocery.
Two teens are being held on capital murder charges and two others on related charges in the shooting death of the Grenada county store owner Sunday morning.
Eric Bullins, 16, and Terry Pitchford, 18, are being held without bond on capital murder charges. Pitchford along with two others are also being held on a charge of conspiracy to commit a crime, according to Justice Clerk Brenda Mullen.
Demarcus Westmoreland, 18, and Quincy Bullins, 19, are also being held on conspiracy charges. Both their bonds have been set at $50,000. According to Mullen, a December 2nd preliminary hearing will be held for the four teenagers with Judge Jimmy Tallant presiding.
Bullins and Pitchford are charged with shooting Ruben L. Britt, 67, multiple times at his Crossroads Grocery at the corner of Highway 7 and Scenic Loop 332.
The cash register was taken. "
This week that story resolved itself with the murder conviction of Terry Pitchford and the sentence of death that was issued. What makes this story compelling is that for the last year I have had the opportunity of teaching Terry both in my GED class and as part of my Bible Study. I have become acquainted with his family, his girlfriend and his young son. In fact Terry inspired me to teach a class on "The Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers." His story is a tragedy, a tragedy being repeated in communities across this nation. Young men are buying into a gang/gangsta culture, fueled by rappers and violence, drugs and alcohol. They are being led into a mindset that short circuits their conscience and leads them down a path to destruction.
If you met Terry, you would like him. He is well mannered and respectful. He has a close family and a mother of strong faith. He made a terrible choice and has to face the consequence of that choice. Terry too professes a faith in Christ. My prayer is that he will be able to hang on to his faith and find some personal redemption while sitting on death row.
p.s. My personal opinion of Terry in no way excuses his terrible crime and the obvious loss and continuing grief of the Britt family.
"The sheriff's office has clarified the charges against those arrested for the murder of Ruben L. Britt, owner of Crossroads Grocery.
Two teens are being held on capital murder charges and two others on related charges in the shooting death of the Grenada county store owner Sunday morning.
Eric Bullins, 16, and Terry Pitchford, 18, are being held without bond on capital murder charges. Pitchford along with two others are also being held on a charge of conspiracy to commit a crime, according to Justice Clerk Brenda Mullen.
Demarcus Westmoreland, 18, and Quincy Bullins, 19, are also being held on conspiracy charges. Both their bonds have been set at $50,000. According to Mullen, a December 2nd preliminary hearing will be held for the four teenagers with Judge Jimmy Tallant presiding.
Bullins and Pitchford are charged with shooting Ruben L. Britt, 67, multiple times at his Crossroads Grocery at the corner of Highway 7 and Scenic Loop 332.
The cash register was taken. "
This week that story resolved itself with the murder conviction of Terry Pitchford and the sentence of death that was issued. What makes this story compelling is that for the last year I have had the opportunity of teaching Terry both in my GED class and as part of my Bible Study. I have become acquainted with his family, his girlfriend and his young son. In fact Terry inspired me to teach a class on "The Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers." His story is a tragedy, a tragedy being repeated in communities across this nation. Young men are buying into a gang/gangsta culture, fueled by rappers and violence, drugs and alcohol. They are being led into a mindset that short circuits their conscience and leads them down a path to destruction.
If you met Terry, you would like him. He is well mannered and respectful. He has a close family and a mother of strong faith. He made a terrible choice and has to face the consequence of that choice. Terry too professes a faith in Christ. My prayer is that he will be able to hang on to his faith and find some personal redemption while sitting on death row.
p.s. My personal opinion of Terry in no way excuses his terrible crime and the obvious loss and continuing grief of the Britt family.
Check out Chris Rea's latest work!
Chris Rea - Blue Guitars
For my 50th birthday I ordered an 11CD + DVD box set from Chris Rea. It's on its way and I'm really looking forward to listening to this meisterwork by one of the sweetest slide guitarists. ( It may take me another 50 years to listen to all the tracks!! - 137 in all! )
For my 50th birthday I ordered an 11CD + DVD box set from Chris Rea. It's on its way and I'm really looking forward to listening to this meisterwork by one of the sweetest slide guitarists. ( It may take me another 50 years to listen to all the tracks!! - 137 in all! )
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Been silent too long....
Hey Folks,
It's been a while since I posted. The Bengals are enjoying a bye week before hosting the 9-0 Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the President is taking heat for pre-war intelligence, gas prices and the slow Katrina response.
In the interim I made a trip down to New Orleans (my first time in that famed city) and found the destruction to be so widespread that it is almost impossible to see how the response would ever be as instant as most Americans naively expect it to be. Instead I was impressed by the incredible and indomitable spirit of charity which is now being displayed by the 'armies of compassion' as they feed clothe and counsel the residents of the stricken gulf coast. America is becoming increasingly anal-retentive and really needs another good dose of unexplained catastrophe to shake it out of its almost terminal self absorption. God will probably permit such events until we genuinely repent and start weeping instead of whining ; start praying and stop playing.
On a connected note: Christmas this year has been emasculated and will now resemble J.C. Penney's annual 'White Sale'!
It's been a while since I posted. The Bengals are enjoying a bye week before hosting the 9-0 Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the President is taking heat for pre-war intelligence, gas prices and the slow Katrina response.
In the interim I made a trip down to New Orleans (my first time in that famed city) and found the destruction to be so widespread that it is almost impossible to see how the response would ever be as instant as most Americans naively expect it to be. Instead I was impressed by the incredible and indomitable spirit of charity which is now being displayed by the 'armies of compassion' as they feed clothe and counsel the residents of the stricken gulf coast. America is becoming increasingly anal-retentive and really needs another good dose of unexplained catastrophe to shake it out of its almost terminal self absorption. God will probably permit such events until we genuinely repent and start weeping instead of whining ; start praying and stop playing.
On a connected note: Christmas this year has been emasculated and will now resemble J.C. Penney's annual 'White Sale'!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Bengals 4-0!
Well....I've been away from my desk, so to speak, with a work deadline and a crowded house, I was left with little time for blog entries. Meanwhile the NFL season is well underway and to further emphasize that we are in a season of miracles, my beloved Cincinnati Bengals (loyal fan since coming to these fair shores in 1981!) are now 4-0 on this young season with two home wins and two on the road.
For once, we seem to actually have a balanced team. For years the modus operandi was outscore the other team because we had a crummy defense. Now the defense is getting the job done while the offense is poised to explode behind the arm of Carson Palmer, the powerful running of Rudi Johnson and the triple threat of Johnson, Perry and Houshmazandeh. Kudos to Coach Marvin Lewis who appears to have the right touch not only with the players and the press but within the community as well.
It's been years since its been cool to be a Bengals fan....I'm going to ride this train as far as it goes!!
For once, we seem to actually have a balanced team. For years the modus operandi was outscore the other team because we had a crummy defense. Now the defense is getting the job done while the offense is poised to explode behind the arm of Carson Palmer, the powerful running of Rudi Johnson and the triple threat of Johnson, Perry and Houshmazandeh. Kudos to Coach Marvin Lewis who appears to have the right touch not only with the players and the press but within the community as well.
It's been years since its been cool to be a Bengals fan....I'm going to ride this train as far as it goes!!
Friday, September 02, 2005
Thoughts on the Katrina aftermath.
First of all let me say that we were spared the brunt of Katrina - in fact though some are still without power in our area we only lost power for a few minutes. Our small city has opened up its hearts and churches to people from Louisiana, displaced by what is fast becoming a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions.
What concerns me now is the increasingly strident criticism of relief efforts and the overwhelming desire to apportion blame whether on the President or local officials.
FACT: This is a disaster of overwhelming proportions and as such there will be an inability to rescue everyone in a timely manner ( as in right now!)
FACT: Americans have zero tolerance for pain and suffering - therefore if someone is in distress - IT MUST BE SOMEBODY"S FAULT!
FACT: The City of New Orleans had no practical way to evacuate the hundreds of thousands of poor, mostly black, residents who had neither the means of transportation or the funds to buy their ticket out - hence the human tragedy we are now witnessing. Just telling them to get out is no plan!
FACT: the decent and the good will ultimately prevail over the baser acts of human nature and we will recover.
What concerns me now is the increasingly strident criticism of relief efforts and the overwhelming desire to apportion blame whether on the President or local officials.
FACT: This is a disaster of overwhelming proportions and as such there will be an inability to rescue everyone in a timely manner ( as in right now!)
FACT: Americans have zero tolerance for pain and suffering - therefore if someone is in distress - IT MUST BE SOMEBODY"S FAULT!
FACT: The City of New Orleans had no practical way to evacuate the hundreds of thousands of poor, mostly black, residents who had neither the means of transportation or the funds to buy their ticket out - hence the human tragedy we are now witnessing. Just telling them to get out is no plan!
FACT: the decent and the good will ultimately prevail over the baser acts of human nature and we will recover.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Free on bond - Mississippi takes a step back!
The news from Philadelphia Mississippi today is that the same judge who sentenced Edgar Ray Killen to 60 years for the manslaughter of 3 civil rights workers back in 1964 has now said he can go free on bond pending an appeal to the MS Supreme Court.
I wonder who got to the judge?
Surely even grounds for appeal is not sufficient cause to release a man who enjoyed 40 years of freedom while waiting for the State of Mississippi to have enough guts to push for justice in this case.
So come Monday morning, if his family and 'friends' can come up with $60,000, this hate-filled old man will get a privilege that 99% of the other MDOC inmates (majority black - I might add!) could never hope to obtain. Shame on you Missisippi. You have just given the rest of the nation and the world another reason to claim that nothing has changed.
It's time to redouble our efforts in prayer and intentional reconciliation. We may have wounded the snake but we have yet to chop off its head.
footnote: Killen was free on bond this afternoon
The circuit clerk's office said Killen, a brother and three other families — all from Neshoba County — had secured the bond with property. Frank Richardson, who attended the bond hearing, said he had put up 800 acres because Killen was a longtime friend and he wanted to help him. (Fox News)
I wonder who got to the judge?
Surely even grounds for appeal is not sufficient cause to release a man who enjoyed 40 years of freedom while waiting for the State of Mississippi to have enough guts to push for justice in this case.
So come Monday morning, if his family and 'friends' can come up with $60,000, this hate-filled old man will get a privilege that 99% of the other MDOC inmates (majority black - I might add!) could never hope to obtain. Shame on you Missisippi. You have just given the rest of the nation and the world another reason to claim that nothing has changed.
It's time to redouble our efforts in prayer and intentional reconciliation. We may have wounded the snake but we have yet to chop off its head.
footnote: Killen was free on bond this afternoon
The circuit clerk's office said Killen, a brother and three other families — all from Neshoba County — had secured the bond with property. Frank Richardson, who attended the bond hearing, said he had put up 800 acres because Killen was a longtime friend and he wanted to help him. (Fox News)
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Back to school/work
After a three week break/vacation I am heading back to work in the morning. Of course I can't say I rested...the first week was spent recording the theme song for a Chrysalis Weekend, followed by the weekend itself. The next two were a jumble of diapers bottles and interrupted sleep, as we now have a new born in the house. The new session will be a challenge because we will have a new routine and extra paperwork(the bane of my life!!) PRAY FOR ME!!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Now the B.B.C. are asking questions.
If you click on the title of this post, it will take you to an article posted on the BBC NEWS site that asks the question whether the policy of multiculturalism in Britain has worked, in light of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by British born Muslims. CHECK IT OUT!
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
They were British!
The astounding news coming out of London today is the revelation that the four bombers were more than likely, British born subjects. Forget about Al Quaeda infiltrating and moving through Europe's porous borders; the U.K. , as we suspected in the case of the infamous shoe bomber is now producing its own breed of home-grown terrorists.
Historically speaking the British are now reaping the whirlwind of a collapsed empire where the attempts at colonial patronage, extended to places like Pakistan and India, as well as the African continent, have enabled diverse religious and ethnic communities to have access to British commerce and prosperity without needing to assimilate to British culture. They have become in some extreme cases - "the enemy within". The radicalism fermented in Mosques up and down the length and breadth of Britain now receives scant attention due to the prevailing mood of multi-culturalism, now so fashionable in political and educational circles and encouraged by the rampant liberalism of the B.B.C.
As an ex-patriate Brit, I am dismayed that a nation that less than seventy years ago withstood a tide that threatened their very way of life and existence has in recent years rolled over and played dead in the face of a blatant assault on the character and tradition that made Britain the envy of the developing world.
In protest I shall now drink a cup of tea and read "Cold Comfort Farm"!!
Historically speaking the British are now reaping the whirlwind of a collapsed empire where the attempts at colonial patronage, extended to places like Pakistan and India, as well as the African continent, have enabled diverse religious and ethnic communities to have access to British commerce and prosperity without needing to assimilate to British culture. They have become in some extreme cases - "the enemy within". The radicalism fermented in Mosques up and down the length and breadth of Britain now receives scant attention due to the prevailing mood of multi-culturalism, now so fashionable in political and educational circles and encouraged by the rampant liberalism of the B.B.C.
As an ex-patriate Brit, I am dismayed that a nation that less than seventy years ago withstood a tide that threatened their very way of life and existence has in recent years rolled over and played dead in the face of a blatant assault on the character and tradition that made Britain the envy of the developing world.
In protest I shall now drink a cup of tea and read "Cold Comfort Farm"!!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Bombs, Blair and Bush.
Make no mistake...the global war on terror goes on. Thankfully President Bush and Prime Minister Blair are firm in their resolve as instanced by their reaction to today's horrific bomb blasts in central London. This is a war of ideologies and cultures - many doubt if the fat and happy western world has the stomach to fight for its own survival. Personally I am grateful for two world leaders, who for all their failings, see this one issue crystally clear. If we do not triumph in this one cause we shall lose everything.
We may hate war, despise the loss of life and resent the expense of prosecuting a war; but desperate times need desperate measures and cometh the hour cometh the man (or men). It's time for both countries to rally, to pray and then put whatever resources are necessary to achieve the ultimate objective. We must prevail in Iraq, continue to aid Afghanistan and track down terrorists wherever they are. We must maintain Guantanamo Bay and not bow to outside pressure. We must remain on a war footing!
For those called to prayer...it's time to ascend the wall again with renewed intensity, remembering that,"We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of wickedness in high places."
We may hate war, despise the loss of life and resent the expense of prosecuting a war; but desperate times need desperate measures and cometh the hour cometh the man (or men). It's time for both countries to rally, to pray and then put whatever resources are necessary to achieve the ultimate objective. We must prevail in Iraq, continue to aid Afghanistan and track down terrorists wherever they are. We must maintain Guantanamo Bay and not bow to outside pressure. We must remain on a war footing!
For those called to prayer...it's time to ascend the wall again with renewed intensity, remembering that,"We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of wickedness in high places."
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Post Holiday Blues
Work dragged today....Somehow the one day vacation didn't quite do the trick! I'm sure my students noticed my lack of energy. Tomorrow I'm hoping for a higher biorhythm (is that even possible?) The summer heat is here and it really saps your strength. On a brighter note, the leftover barbeque chicken was delicious!
Is there a place for satirical criticism?
The night before last, I called an old friend and we talked for a couple of hours. I had spent a number of years as his associate a few years back. Our parting was amicable and we have remained close friends even if we have not communicated regularly. As we caught up on 'news' I learned that his teaching position at a west coast Bible College had recently been terminated. The college is attached to a prominent and thriving church in the City of Portland, Oregon.
However he has recently become the subject of a blog that is a critique of this particular church and its ministry style. His dismissal drew many comments from those regular posters to this blog....so naturally being the inquisitive type I scrolled over to take a peek. While all the posts that I read were extremely complimentary and supportive of 'LT', the general tone of the blog was critical and satirical in its treatement of its subject.
My questions are... Is there a place for satirical criticism of churches and ministries by other believers? Is it another case of 'Judge not that ye be not judged'? or is there a legitimate place for using sarcasm and hyperbole to poke fun at or denigrate ministers or ministries that we might disagree with?
What do YOU think?
However he has recently become the subject of a blog that is a critique of this particular church and its ministry style. His dismissal drew many comments from those regular posters to this blog....so naturally being the inquisitive type I scrolled over to take a peek. While all the posts that I read were extremely complimentary and supportive of 'LT', the general tone of the blog was critical and satirical in its treatement of its subject.
My questions are... Is there a place for satirical criticism of churches and ministries by other believers? Is it another case of 'Judge not that ye be not judged'? or is there a legitimate place for using sarcasm and hyperbole to poke fun at or denigrate ministers or ministries that we might disagree with?
What do YOU think?
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Edgar Ray Killen not the only one showing no remorse...
The Edgar Ray Killen trial made headlines around the world. His conviction on manslaughter charges and subsequent sentencing to 60 years sent a clear message that Mississippi is trying to move beyond its racist/ white supremist past. Killen of course has remained defiant and unrepentant - much in the same way that Byron De La Beckwith and Sam Bowers did before him. It therefore seems inconceivable that in the present climate, the two U.S. Senators from Mississippi - Trent Lott and Thad Cochran should have missed the opportunity to go on the record by co-sponsoring a bill essentially apologizing for the failure of the U.S. senate to enact anti-lynching legislation back in the sixties. One would have thought it was a no-brainer, particularly for Lott who lost his leadership position because of his 'remarks' concerning Strom Thurmond; but even Thad Cochran - an avowed moderate republican couldn't bring himself to 'do the right thing'!
“I don’t feel I should apologize for the passage of or the failure to pass any legislation by the U.S. Senate. But I deplore and regret that lynchings occurred and that those committing them were not punished,” he said in a statement last week.In an interview with his state’s largest paper, the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, he pointedly noted that the paper had not apologized for its 50 years of editorials in support of segregation. - CAPITOLBUZZ June 19th 2005
If a Neshoba County jury could do their civic duty by bringing justice, finally, to the families of Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney; The least that our Senators could have done was to represent the people of Mississippi before the eyes of a watching world and sent a message that the climate is changing here and that showing a modicum of remorse might have resulted in a multiplicity of rewards.
“I don’t feel I should apologize for the passage of or the failure to pass any legislation by the U.S. Senate. But I deplore and regret that lynchings occurred and that those committing them were not punished,” he said in a statement last week.In an interview with his state’s largest paper, the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, he pointedly noted that the paper had not apologized for its 50 years of editorials in support of segregation. - CAPITOLBUZZ June 19th 2005
If a Neshoba County jury could do their civic duty by bringing justice, finally, to the families of Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney; The least that our Senators could have done was to represent the people of Mississippi before the eyes of a watching world and sent a message that the climate is changing here and that showing a modicum of remorse might have resulted in a multiplicity of rewards.
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