..but Are we there yet? Are we making PROGRESS?
________________________________________________
I heard mommy quote these passages a whole lot
________________________________________________
I heard mommy quote these passages a whole lot
- God Bless Her...
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
-Psalm 33:12.....
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
-Proverbs 14:34
________________________________________________
The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come by John Bunyan (published February, 1678) is a Christian allegory. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print.[1] - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The story is about a journey from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City". Details of the TRIP include places along the way and people.
You and I could think about our life in a similar way. It is the people and places that make up events in our journey. It is in this kind of imaginative way that I was thinking about my "meeting" with Barry Obama this past week.
My first serious encouner was in the 'reading' of his book the Audacity of Hope. Barry became my friend. I like him a lot. He reminds me of another person that I "met" earlier on my journey, his name was Michael Manley. His book was called the Politics of Change.
In the Pilgrims Progress, After Christian is relieved of his burden, he is greeted by three shining ones, who give him the greeting of peace, new garments, and a scroll as a passport into the Celestial City.
After my meeting with "Mike", I 'met' another named Harvey Cox. He also had a huge influence on my journey. Through his book "The Secular City" I came to understand some of the ideas of James Cone who I came to find out also had a big influence on Barry. By the way, in a sense my school principal Zenas Gerig (Jamaica Theological Seminary) was somewhat instrumental in my introduction to both Karl Marx and James Cone. It was in the JTS library that I found a book called "Christianity and the Class Struggle" by Brown. I could not put that book down until I had read it from cover to cover. I never did get that Batchelor of Theology Degree....but those years marked a HUGE turning point in the journey.
Later, I had a fleeting encounter with this guy named Roger.(http://www.rogerwhittaker.com/bio.htm). I think he was from the secular city because he used to sing this song a lot. It stuck in my mind. I can still sing it almost word perfect.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning so they say.
I, myself don't talk about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning, that's today.
And I can feel a new tomorrow comin' on.
And I don't know why I have to make a song.
Everybody talks a bout a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning takes so long.
I met a man who had a dream he had since he was twenty.
I met that man when he was eighty-one.
He said too many people just stand and wait up til the mornin',
Don't they know tomorrow never comes.
And he would feel a new tomorrow coming on.
And when he'd smile his eyes would twinkle up in thought.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning never comes.
And I can feel a new tomorrow coming on.
And I don't know why I have to make a song.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning takes so long.
Along a rough stretch of road, Christian and Hopeful leave the highway to travel on the easier By-Path Meadow, where a rainstorm forces them to spend the night. In the morning they are captured by Giant Despair, who takes them to his Doubting Castle, where they are imprisoned, beaten and starved.
As the election campaigning continued Barry never ceased to draw out my greatest admiration and yet I decided to be a McCain supporter.
On the way, Christian and Hopeful meet a lad named Ignorance, who has the vain hope of entering the Celestial City even though he believes in work's righteousness. A ferryman named Vain Hope ferries Ignorance across the River of Death, only for Ignorance to be turned away from the gates of Celestial City and cast into hell.
Christian and Hopeful make it through the dangerous Enchanted Ground into the Land of Beulah, where they ready themselves to cross the River of Death on foot to Mount Zion and the Celestial City. Christian has a rough time of it, but Hopeful helps him over; and they are welcomed into the Celestial City.
The "meeting" with Alvin Toffler was by far the most compelling. Future Shock was that first encounter, followed by the Third Wave and then Power Shift which I am yet to complete.
Alvin Toffler (born October 3, 1928) is an American writer and futurist, known for his works discussing the digital revolution, communications revolution, corporate revolution and technological singularity. A former associate editor of Fortune magazine, his early work focused on technology and its impact (through effects like information overload). Then he moved to examining the reaction of and changes in society. His later focus has been on the increasing power of 21st century military hardware, weapons and technology proliferation, and capitalism. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So what about my 'meeting' Barry ?
Well, as they say first impressions are lasting. When he was talking to me on that first encounter about hope, I got the distinct impression that he was more preaching to me than talking. It was later on when I 'met' Jeremiah, that I realised that Barry was in reality one of Jeremiah's disciples....and I deeply resented the idea that Barry publicly separated himself from Pastor Jerry. BTW Pastor Jerry was in my home town (Connecticut) this week (http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-wright1107.artnov07,0,1909962.story)
Time will tell. I still think of Barry as my dear friend. I am proud of him. I Must pray for him continually like Samuel prayed for King Saul who also turned out as the peoples choice...
1 Samuel 12 :1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you:
Samuel wanted it clearly known that it was not his idea to appoint a king over Israel. This idea began in the hearts of Israel, not in the heart and mind of God. God allowed it, and directed its execution, but it was the voice of the people that prompted it.
13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: 15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
Evangelist meets Christian as he is walking out in the fields and directs him to the "Wicket Gate" for deliverance. Since Christian cannot see the "Wicket Gate" in the distance, Evangelist directs him to go to a "shining light," which Christian thinks he sees.[4] Christian leaves his home, his wife, and children to save himself when his attempt to persuade them to go with him fails.
=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++
The Second Part of The Pilgrim's Progress presents the pilgrimage of Christian's wife, Christiana; their sons; and the maiden, Mercy. They visit the same stopping places that Christian visited, with the addition of Gaius' Inn between the Valley of the Shadow of Death and Vanity Fair; but they take a longer time in order to accommodate marriage and childbirth for the four sons and their wives. The hero of the story is Greatheart, the servant of the Interpreter, who is a pilgrim's guide to the Celestial City. He kills four giants and participates in the slaying of a monster that terrorizes the city of Vanity.
The passage of years in this second pilgrimage better allegorizes the journey of the Christian life. By using heroines, Bunyan, in the Second Part, illustrates the idea that women as well as men can be brave pilgrims.
______________________________
1 Joyfully sing to the LORD, you righteous people. Praising the LORD is proper for decent people.
10 The LORD blocks the plans of the nations. He frustrates the schemes of the people of the world.
GOD'S WORD ® Translation
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. -Psalm 33:12
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. -Proverbs 14:34
----------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
...do you believe America should be a society where
moral judgments about social behavior are unacceptable.?
....while democrats are winning in California, voters were overturning
the gay marriage law imposed upon them by the court. (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/woman/entries/2008/07/11/was_the_califor.html)
....Has The motto at the heart of the American experiment "in God we trust" has been exchanged for "in Man we trust." ?
____________________________________
**FYI
During the McCain Obama election cycle the term "progressive" has been used a lot.
I personally did not understand what it meant. Today I foud this study :
________________________________________________
The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come by John Bunyan (published February, 1678) is a Christian allegory. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print.[1] - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The story is about a journey from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City". Details of the TRIP include places along the way and people.
You and I could think about our life in a similar way. It is the people and places that make up events in our journey. It is in this kind of imaginative way that I was thinking about my "meeting" with Barry Obama this past week.
My first serious encouner was in the 'reading' of his book the Audacity of Hope. Barry became my friend. I like him a lot. He reminds me of another person that I "met" earlier on my journey, his name was Michael Manley. His book was called the Politics of Change.
In the Pilgrims Progress, After Christian is relieved of his burden, he is greeted by three shining ones, who give him the greeting of peace, new garments, and a scroll as a passport into the Celestial City.
After my meeting with "Mike", I 'met' another named Harvey Cox. He also had a huge influence on my journey. Through his book "The Secular City" I came to understand some of the ideas of James Cone who I came to find out also had a big influence on Barry. By the way, in a sense my school principal Zenas Gerig (Jamaica Theological Seminary) was somewhat instrumental in my introduction to both Karl Marx and James Cone. It was in the JTS library that I found a book called "Christianity and the Class Struggle" by Brown. I could not put that book down until I had read it from cover to cover. I never did get that Batchelor of Theology Degree....but those years marked a HUGE turning point in the journey.
Later, I had a fleeting encounter with this guy named Roger.(http://www.rogerwhittaker.com/bio.htm). I think he was from the secular city because he used to sing this song a lot. It stuck in my mind. I can still sing it almost word perfect.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning so they say.
I, myself don't talk about a new world in the morning.
A new world in the morning, that's today.
And I can feel a new tomorrow comin' on.
And I don't know why I have to make a song.
Everybody talks a bout a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning takes so long.
I met a man who had a dream he had since he was twenty.
I met that man when he was eighty-one.
He said too many people just stand and wait up til the mornin',
Don't they know tomorrow never comes.
And he would feel a new tomorrow coming on.
And when he'd smile his eyes would twinkle up in thought.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning never comes.
And I can feel a new tomorrow coming on.
And I don't know why I have to make a song.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning.
New world in the morning takes so long.
Along a rough stretch of road, Christian and Hopeful leave the highway to travel on the easier By-Path Meadow, where a rainstorm forces them to spend the night. In the morning they are captured by Giant Despair, who takes them to his Doubting Castle, where they are imprisoned, beaten and starved.
As the election campaigning continued Barry never ceased to draw out my greatest admiration and yet I decided to be a McCain supporter.
On the way, Christian and Hopeful meet a lad named Ignorance, who has the vain hope of entering the Celestial City even though he believes in work's righteousness. A ferryman named Vain Hope ferries Ignorance across the River of Death, only for Ignorance to be turned away from the gates of Celestial City and cast into hell.
Christian and Hopeful make it through the dangerous Enchanted Ground into the Land of Beulah, where they ready themselves to cross the River of Death on foot to Mount Zion and the Celestial City. Christian has a rough time of it, but Hopeful helps him over; and they are welcomed into the Celestial City.
The "meeting" with Alvin Toffler was by far the most compelling. Future Shock was that first encounter, followed by the Third Wave and then Power Shift which I am yet to complete.
Alvin Toffler (born October 3, 1928) is an American writer and futurist, known for his works discussing the digital revolution, communications revolution, corporate revolution and technological singularity. A former associate editor of Fortune magazine, his early work focused on technology and its impact (through effects like information overload). Then he moved to examining the reaction of and changes in society. His later focus has been on the increasing power of 21st century military hardware, weapons and technology proliferation, and capitalism. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So what about my 'meeting' Barry ?
Well, as they say first impressions are lasting. When he was talking to me on that first encounter about hope, I got the distinct impression that he was more preaching to me than talking. It was later on when I 'met' Jeremiah, that I realised that Barry was in reality one of Jeremiah's disciples....and I deeply resented the idea that Barry publicly separated himself from Pastor Jerry. BTW Pastor Jerry was in my home town (Connecticut) this week (http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-wright1107.artnov07,0,1909962.story)
Time will tell. I still think of Barry as my dear friend. I am proud of him. I Must pray for him continually like Samuel prayed for King Saul who also turned out as the peoples choice...
1 Samuel 12 :1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you:
Samuel wanted it clearly known that it was not his idea to appoint a king over Israel. This idea began in the hearts of Israel, not in the heart and mind of God. God allowed it, and directed its execution, but it was the voice of the people that prompted it.
13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: 15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
Evangelist meets Christian as he is walking out in the fields and directs him to the "Wicket Gate" for deliverance. Since Christian cannot see the "Wicket Gate" in the distance, Evangelist directs him to go to a "shining light," which Christian thinks he sees.[4] Christian leaves his home, his wife, and children to save himself when his attempt to persuade them to go with him fails.
=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++=====+++++
The Second Part of The Pilgrim's Progress presents the pilgrimage of Christian's wife, Christiana; their sons; and the maiden, Mercy. They visit the same stopping places that Christian visited, with the addition of Gaius' Inn between the Valley of the Shadow of Death and Vanity Fair; but they take a longer time in order to accommodate marriage and childbirth for the four sons and their wives. The hero of the story is Greatheart, the servant of the Interpreter, who is a pilgrim's guide to the Celestial City. He kills four giants and participates in the slaying of a monster that terrorizes the city of Vanity.
The passage of years in this second pilgrimage better allegorizes the journey of the Christian life. By using heroines, Bunyan, in the Second Part, illustrates the idea that women as well as men can be brave pilgrims.
______________________________
1 Joyfully sing to the LORD, you righteous people. Praising the LORD is proper for decent people.
10 The LORD blocks the plans of the nations. He frustrates the schemes of the people of the world.
GOD'S WORD ® Translation
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. -Psalm 33:12
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. -Proverbs 14:34
----------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
...do you believe America should be a society where
moral judgments about social behavior are unacceptable.?
....while democrats are winning in California, voters were overturning
the gay marriage law imposed upon them by the court. (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/woman/entries/2008/07/11/was_the_califor.html)
....Has The motto at the heart of the American experiment "in God we trust" has been exchanged for "in Man we trust." ?
____________________________________
**FYI
During the McCain Obama election cycle the term "progressive" has been used a lot.
I personally did not understand what it meant. Today I foud this study :
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