Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Thanksgiving Thoughts

With all the violence in the World [especially on NBA basketball courts ;-)], it may cause some people to ask, “What is there to be thankful for?”
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My daughter recently said, “Dad, you should read about something besides War.” I didn’t reply, but should have said, “I read history to gain an understanding of what brought us here. And to have a feel on what is to come.” These times are not the worst period to live in. Having read some history, one can see that we live in a great period of history. Despite our problems the Present and the Future is still a time of great expectations and promise.
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This is not your typical Thanksgiving message. And, I am thankful for the Family, Friends, etc. But, I know that there are problems to be solved, issues to be raised, a Future to be lived in, and History to be written. I am not now content to sit idly by. I have a voice and I plan to use it. And this blog is hopefully a place where my voice and other voices can sound, cheer, moan, and shape understanding. This seems to becoming my catchphrase -
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Change the Future, Get Involved.
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I remember being in a college classroom and this is the lyric that the professor shared with us -
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“We are peaceful gentle people. Fighting fighting for our lives …”.
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In many ways this lyric applies to all of us. The lyric was from a nuclear protest song. But, if we expect anything to change, then one must take a stand and fight for it.
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I am thankful to live in a great nation, where I can post my blog and know my voice will not be silenced. (I like to spice up my writings we a few quotes.) GC
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"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it.
I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against.
I'm a human being first and foremost,
and as such I am for whomever and whatever
benefits humanity as a whole."
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Malcolm X
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"If you want peace, work for justice."
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Pope Paul VI
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Historical Question of the day -
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What was the Spanish Flu?

Now, a bit of history for a little perspective, read about “… a viral infectious disease, that killed some 25 million to 40 million people (possibly significantly more) world-wide. . . .”
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only 9 million people died in WWI. Click on the link below for the whole article.
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PS Sometimes looking back gives you an appreciation for where we are now. Despite many things these are truly Great and Wonderous times. ;-) GC

2 comments:

Jesse said...

Paul, the Apostle, gives unthankfulness as a cause to man's moral decay.
Romans 1
18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

-h said...

Today I laid out the obituariaries. It's pretty easy to be thankful while you are doing that task. It's nice just to be alive. Love to you all.