Have you heard about the secession movement? If you're watching TV news, you have not. They wouldn't report it. You see, America is UNITED now. We're all happy, excited the election's over, and ready to come together, right?
WRONG!!!
Apparently 30 states have petitions going to the website of the White House asking for the peaceful secession of their respective state from the Union. The White House says that the President will consider any petition that gains 25,000 signatures. There is a news article on an alternative media site (which you can read here), and it's even caught the attention of Glenn Beck. Coincidentally, this story has come out about the same time of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln film.
Now, two years ago I wrote an incredible position paper in my English class about how the South was justified in seceding from the Union. (Just being honest- it was incredible. I aced it- an eight page paper.) I am quite captivated with the history of that time. I do think that the founding documents of this country do not forbid a state from seceding. I won't go into all that detail here, but will if it warrants.
I also think that today's secession movement has something else going for it: no slavery. That's what we're told the Civil War was all about, and because "History is written by the winners" (paraphrasing a phrase attributed to Winston Churchill), that's what most people say it is. But there were other reasons for secession- an economic structure that favored one part of the nation over the other, and the belief that the few were legislating against the wishes of the many. Now those reasons sound familiar.
But here is why I will NOT sign either of these petitions. First is the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution, ratified after the Civil War ended and mandated to each state as it reentered the Union to ratify. Section 3 of that amendment reads like this:
"Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in
Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any
office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State,
who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an
officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature,
or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or
rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
such disability."
This should disallow many Senators from their current service. But that's a topic for another day.
But this says that essentially anyone engaging in a form of rebellion from the US is no longer able to serve in government of any form.
Also think about part two of this: to sign the petition you have to create an account on the White House website. Do you really want the White House to know that you no longer want them to be a part of the country? Is that really smart?
I didn't think so either.
Shelby Foote said during Ken Burns' The Civil War "It was said before the war 'The United States ARE.' Now it is said 'The United States IS."Obviously after 150 years we are more divided than ever. Only God knows how long we will stand.
So what do you think? Feel free to leave a comment. I'd like to have a discussion on this.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Nearsightedness
"Nearsightedness is when light entering the eye is focused incorrectly,
making distant objects appear blurred. Nearsightedness is a type of
refractive error of the eye."
- From the National Center for Biotechnology Information website
I have been blessed with pretty good eyesight for most of my life. But I fear that I may soon have to visit an eye doctor for the first time. I believe I am becoming nearsighted as I get older. Today I sat with people at their desk and absolutely could not see a thing that was happening on their computers. I used to pride myself on being able to read the fine print. I still can- if that fine print is right in front of my face.
I was thinking about some circumstances in my life that have very recently changed. I don't believe they have changed for the better. Family and friends have been praying for me and encouraging me, hoping to help me out of my pit. My dad reminded me of Romans 8:28, my mother-in-law gave me some encouraging scripture and some misplaced scripture (Daniel 5:23), which gave me a good laugh. My wife has been very encouraging to me, and I may not have told her how much I appreciate that.
The point is- I may be growing physically nearsighted, but I have always been spiritually nearsighted. It reminds me of 1 Corinthains 13:12: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (NASB).
I don't like my circumstances because I don't think my circumstances favor me. That's typically how it is for us. Christians want to do great things for God and want God to great things for Him. But not everyone can be at the pinnacle. If you want to be a preacher, you can't start out at the megachurch. If you want to play in the band, you can't learn your part on stage.
Surrender is not easy. It is hard to be put in the grunt work. It's tough to be where you are when you don't see a way out. God does not always let us see the big picture at this side, in this time. Only with time does He let us see the big picture and cure our nearsightedness. Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (NASB).
I can't say I'm there yet. It is a work in progress. I don't trust Him like I should. I admit that. "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24) .
In the meantime: anyone know a good eye doctor?
- From the National Center for Biotechnology Information website
I have been blessed with pretty good eyesight for most of my life. But I fear that I may soon have to visit an eye doctor for the first time. I believe I am becoming nearsighted as I get older. Today I sat with people at their desk and absolutely could not see a thing that was happening on their computers. I used to pride myself on being able to read the fine print. I still can- if that fine print is right in front of my face.
I was thinking about some circumstances in my life that have very recently changed. I don't believe they have changed for the better. Family and friends have been praying for me and encouraging me, hoping to help me out of my pit. My dad reminded me of Romans 8:28, my mother-in-law gave me some encouraging scripture and some misplaced scripture (Daniel 5:23), which gave me a good laugh. My wife has been very encouraging to me, and I may not have told her how much I appreciate that.
The point is- I may be growing physically nearsighted, but I have always been spiritually nearsighted. It reminds me of 1 Corinthains 13:12: "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (NASB).
I don't like my circumstances because I don't think my circumstances favor me. That's typically how it is for us. Christians want to do great things for God and want God to great things for Him. But not everyone can be at the pinnacle. If you want to be a preacher, you can't start out at the megachurch. If you want to play in the band, you can't learn your part on stage.
Surrender is not easy. It is hard to be put in the grunt work. It's tough to be where you are when you don't see a way out. God does not always let us see the big picture at this side, in this time. Only with time does He let us see the big picture and cure our nearsightedness. Romans 8:18 says "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (NASB).
I can't say I'm there yet. It is a work in progress. I don't trust Him like I should. I admit that. "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24) .
In the meantime: anyone know a good eye doctor?
Monday, October 8, 2012
Why would we do this?
It's a legitimate question.
Why would people that graduated high school go back? Moreover, why would they go back after graduating in 2012, 2005, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1984, 1977, or even 1971 and participate with the band? What makes people think they can or should play with teenagers half or a third their age?
Why would they search through boxes and find old recordings of the band from their day and put those recordings of that band on YouTube (which you can access here, by the way)?
Why is there a group dedicated to the history and preservation of that group? Why did they do community service in their hometown this past Saturday and hold a big concert the next day celebrating that legacy?
Because the Hibriten High School Band is the legacy of great music in Caldwell County. High School band was started in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1924 by Captain James C. Harper. That Lenoir High School Band began a legacy and amassed a record that was unparalleled as long as it existed. It closed in 1977.
Hibriten opened in 1967. The band was started from scratch by John Craig at the request of students. This past weekend I learned I have really underestimated the contributions he made to the band's legacy. He hired George Kirsten, a former director of the Lenoir Band to be part of the program. Mr. Kirsten would later succeed him as director of the band. In later years Ms. Camilla Graeber who also worked with Lenoir would become the Hibriten Director. Mr. Kirsten would continue to help out with the band until his passing. Also helping out was Mr. John Miller, who was Lenoir's last director. He was very influential to euphonium players like me, and was loved by many. Mr. Miller passed away this past Friday, the same day we gathered for the second time.
He was laid to rest today, the same day as Hibriten's fall concert. But his passing coincides to show what legacy is. To many people, Lenoir High School is just a closed school that is now senior living apartments, a functional auditorium, a gym and a field used by hispanics for soccer games. To them, the Lenoir Band's legacy is a run down band building and grave stones, like Captain Harper's:
(sorry. I couldn't get the image to rotate.)
To me and others like me the legacy is more than a building. It is in the lessons that Capt. Harper taught to people like Mr. Kirsten and to his students. It is in the lessons that Mr. Miller taught to people like Ed Whitener, who would later teach to people like me in middle school. It's in the lessons that Dennis Carswell taught me at Hibriten. See what I mean? The legacy is passed down.
This is why we come back. It's not just the music; it's in the lessons we learned, the people we learned them from, and the people we learned them with. It's in knowing that things at Hibriten are not now like they were when I was a student, but they have improved since last year, and the improvement is telling. Big thanks to Justin Hammonds for accepting the challenge, and from the looks of things, being up to the challenge.
The students of my day and those before me recognize that we were part of something amazing. We also recognize that the students of today need the support that we had. That's why we came. That's why we do what we do.
The legacy lives- and it's up to us to keep it alive.
Why would people that graduated high school go back? Moreover, why would they go back after graduating in 2012, 2005, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1984, 1977, or even 1971 and participate with the band? What makes people think they can or should play with teenagers half or a third their age?
Why would they search through boxes and find old recordings of the band from their day and put those recordings of that band on YouTube (which you can access here, by the way)?
Why is there a group dedicated to the history and preservation of that group? Why did they do community service in their hometown this past Saturday and hold a big concert the next day celebrating that legacy?
Because the Hibriten High School Band is the legacy of great music in Caldwell County. High School band was started in Lenoir, North Carolina in 1924 by Captain James C. Harper. That Lenoir High School Band began a legacy and amassed a record that was unparalleled as long as it existed. It closed in 1977.
Hibriten opened in 1967. The band was started from scratch by John Craig at the request of students. This past weekend I learned I have really underestimated the contributions he made to the band's legacy. He hired George Kirsten, a former director of the Lenoir Band to be part of the program. Mr. Kirsten would later succeed him as director of the band. In later years Ms. Camilla Graeber who also worked with Lenoir would become the Hibriten Director. Mr. Kirsten would continue to help out with the band until his passing. Also helping out was Mr. John Miller, who was Lenoir's last director. He was very influential to euphonium players like me, and was loved by many. Mr. Miller passed away this past Friday, the same day we gathered for the second time.
He was laid to rest today, the same day as Hibriten's fall concert. But his passing coincides to show what legacy is. To many people, Lenoir High School is just a closed school that is now senior living apartments, a functional auditorium, a gym and a field used by hispanics for soccer games. To them, the Lenoir Band's legacy is a run down band building and grave stones, like Captain Harper's:
To me and others like me the legacy is more than a building. It is in the lessons that Capt. Harper taught to people like Mr. Kirsten and to his students. It is in the lessons that Mr. Miller taught to people like Ed Whitener, who would later teach to people like me in middle school. It's in the lessons that Dennis Carswell taught me at Hibriten. See what I mean? The legacy is passed down.
This is why we come back. It's not just the music; it's in the lessons we learned, the people we learned them from, and the people we learned them with. It's in knowing that things at Hibriten are not now like they were when I was a student, but they have improved since last year, and the improvement is telling. Big thanks to Justin Hammonds for accepting the challenge, and from the looks of things, being up to the challenge.
The students of my day and those before me recognize that we were part of something amazing. We also recognize that the students of today need the support that we had. That's why we came. That's why we do what we do.
The legacy lives- and it's up to us to keep it alive.
Friday, August 24, 2012
The #1 Proof that God is Good to Me
Last night I took part in a fantasy football draft. I have been in the same league with the same guys since 2003. We have a lot of fun, and I have won 3 league titles. Just saying.
Last week started the High School football season in North Carolina. Preseason NFL football has two more weeks before the regular season starts, and College football starts next week.
What am I saying?
I am a man. Red-blooded, overweight, and have a favorite flavor of wing. I love football. Football season has started. What I am saying is: for the next 6 months, my wife will miss me.
So I thought I would spend a moment to tell all of you how wonderful my wife is.
We will be married nine years this October. She has brought more out of me than anyone else has. She is the mother of two wonderful children (even on THOSE days), and my biggest fan. She is quick to tell me that I have what it takes when I have a job to do, and seeks to give me confidence and inspiration even when I don't feel it or don't have it. She is quite a Godly woman, ready to pray at the drop of a hat, and is very spiritually sensitive.
This year she followed the leading of the Spirit of God and decided to start homeschooling our children. Levi is in first grade this year, and Sophie is 2, so she gets some preschool. I will admit that I figured it would be easier than it actually is. I mean I used to work in a place that sold homeschool curriculum. Just buy a pack and away you go, right?
WRONG.
What if your curriculum doesn't match your child's learning style? What if your child is hyperactive (and he is)? What will work best?
These are just a smattering of the questions a homeschool parent has to answer, and she has worked long and hard to answer them. I have helped, of course, and will do everything I can for her. But she has poured her heart and soul into making sure our children have everything essential to get a quality education. Also, it keeps them out of public school, which in this day and age should rarely ever be an option.
Maybe I'll put some pics of our classroom up. But the main gist of this blog is this: I have the best wife anyone could ask for. I admire her heart, her desire for the best for her family, her sacrifice, and her willingness to obey what God wanted for her family. This is proof that God is good to me- she told me "I do."
Sheyna, you are the best!
I will see you after the Super Bowl.
Last week started the High School football season in North Carolina. Preseason NFL football has two more weeks before the regular season starts, and College football starts next week.
What am I saying?
I am a man. Red-blooded, overweight, and have a favorite flavor of wing. I love football. Football season has started. What I am saying is: for the next 6 months, my wife will miss me.
So I thought I would spend a moment to tell all of you how wonderful my wife is.
We will be married nine years this October. She has brought more out of me than anyone else has. She is the mother of two wonderful children (even on THOSE days), and my biggest fan. She is quick to tell me that I have what it takes when I have a job to do, and seeks to give me confidence and inspiration even when I don't feel it or don't have it. She is quite a Godly woman, ready to pray at the drop of a hat, and is very spiritually sensitive.
This year she followed the leading of the Spirit of God and decided to start homeschooling our children. Levi is in first grade this year, and Sophie is 2, so she gets some preschool. I will admit that I figured it would be easier than it actually is. I mean I used to work in a place that sold homeschool curriculum. Just buy a pack and away you go, right?
WRONG.
What if your curriculum doesn't match your child's learning style? What if your child is hyperactive (and he is)? What will work best?
These are just a smattering of the questions a homeschool parent has to answer, and she has worked long and hard to answer them. I have helped, of course, and will do everything I can for her. But she has poured her heart and soul into making sure our children have everything essential to get a quality education. Also, it keeps them out of public school, which in this day and age should rarely ever be an option.
Maybe I'll put some pics of our classroom up. But the main gist of this blog is this: I have the best wife anyone could ask for. I admire her heart, her desire for the best for her family, her sacrifice, and her willingness to obey what God wanted for her family. This is proof that God is good to me- she told me "I do."
Sheyna, you are the best!
I will see you after the Super Bowl.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Projects and projections
I have been working on some different things, and I wanted to give you a quick update.
Thanks to a few programs, free downloads, and the fact that I am pretty good with Microsoft PowerPoint, here is my first video created from recordings of my time with the Hibriten High School Band:
I'm also excited about some of the things that God has been teaching me. If I can get it put together, I believe it will be a blessing to many of you.
All I can say is stay tuned!
Thanks to a few programs, free downloads, and the fact that I am pretty good with Microsoft PowerPoint, here is my first video created from recordings of my time with the Hibriten High School Band:
All I can say is stay tuned!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Looking with a different perspective- - a.k.a...
...God is not your ATM.
I have been doing some heavy reading this past week. The book of choice? The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer. It has really helped to stir some things inside me, and some things I hadn't even read in the book. The second chapter regards how possessions should not be in the place of God. While I read it, it made me think about something very important.
How many of us "serve God" simply for what we can get out of it?
I'm serious. I have been reading the book of Hebrews and getting my soul stirred this past week. I started reading this book, and what I've come to realize is that I have to want to love God, and God alone, for what He is. If I want to love God for what it gains me, then I do not really love God. I love the benefits of loving God.
It reminds me of a line from the 2003 movie "A View From the Top" (if you've never seen it, don't go looking for it). Mike Myers' character says the most famous line from the movie: "You have the wrong emPHASis on the wrong SylLABle."
How many times have we read Matthew 6:33 (ESV) like this? "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU."
How about Psalm 37:4 (NASB)? "Delight yourself in the Lord; AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART."
One more- Philippians 4:19 (KJV): "But my God SHALL SUPPLY ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See where I put the emphasis? That's where so many of us have that emphasis. True, the Psalms tell us to forget not His benefits (Psalm 103:2), but we aren't supposed to only serve Him for those benefits. That would be like marrying someone for their looks, or because their family is rich. What do you get? An armpiece and an inheritance. But there is no love there.
God is not your ATM, and He is not your Sugar Daddy. Jesus didn't die so you could avoid overdraft fees.
(Wow, that was good! I'll have to remember that one!) You have to want to know God, earnestly seek after Him. Ask Him to break your heart with love for Him, to show you fresh what Jesus did for you by His sacrifice. Then your emphasis will be in the right place. "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS," DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD," etc.
What I honestly want in my life right now is to honestly know God. I want to develop a deeper love for Him, and to know Him more. I want to delight in Him, and to seek what I can do for Him for the sake of His kingdom. He will then be the desire of my heart. In Him I will have everything I need.
I don't know how that will change me, but it can only be for the better.
I have been doing some heavy reading this past week. The book of choice? The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer. It has really helped to stir some things inside me, and some things I hadn't even read in the book. The second chapter regards how possessions should not be in the place of God. While I read it, it made me think about something very important.
How many of us "serve God" simply for what we can get out of it?
I'm serious. I have been reading the book of Hebrews and getting my soul stirred this past week. I started reading this book, and what I've come to realize is that I have to want to love God, and God alone, for what He is. If I want to love God for what it gains me, then I do not really love God. I love the benefits of loving God.
It reminds me of a line from the 2003 movie "A View From the Top" (if you've never seen it, don't go looking for it). Mike Myers' character says the most famous line from the movie: "You have the wrong emPHASis on the wrong SylLABle."
How many times have we read Matthew 6:33 (ESV) like this? "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU."
How about Psalm 37:4 (NASB)? "Delight yourself in the Lord; AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART."
One more- Philippians 4:19 (KJV): "But my God SHALL SUPPLY ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
See where I put the emphasis? That's where so many of us have that emphasis. True, the Psalms tell us to forget not His benefits (Psalm 103:2), but we aren't supposed to only serve Him for those benefits. That would be like marrying someone for their looks, or because their family is rich. What do you get? An armpiece and an inheritance. But there is no love there.
God is not your ATM, and He is not your Sugar Daddy. Jesus didn't die so you could avoid overdraft fees.
(Wow, that was good! I'll have to remember that one!) You have to want to know God, earnestly seek after Him. Ask Him to break your heart with love for Him, to show you fresh what Jesus did for you by His sacrifice. Then your emphasis will be in the right place. "SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS," DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD," etc.
What I honestly want in my life right now is to honestly know God. I want to develop a deeper love for Him, and to know Him more. I want to delight in Him, and to seek what I can do for Him for the sake of His kingdom. He will then be the desire of my heart. In Him I will have everything I need.
I don't know how that will change me, but it can only be for the better.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Statements of belief, part 2
First, I apologize for the two month hiatus. I have had to have a mental break, and to be honest, have worked a lot of overtime at night. I'm mentally very tired, and the inspiration has not been there. I will endeavor to be back, and try to make it weekly if I can help it.
Second, I would like to apologize once again to those legendary "Blue Collar" comics, because I am once again stealing their shtick.
I believe that people that drive pickup trucks with a camper on them have given up on ever going the speed limit again.
In that same vein, I believe that the people that do not drive pickups with campers drive the largest vehicles that can be purchased.
I also believe that Ford's decision to stop making the Crown Victoria and the Mercury Grand Marquis equals age discrimination.
I believe that Walmart puts "Enter" and "Exit" above their doors for a reason. If you do not go in or out the right door, I will get in your way.
I believe that smugness is a quality that should be abhorred by every person, and that the smug should be smacked.
I believe chocolate should be in integral part of the food pyramid, or one of the food groups. (Do they still have the food groups, by the way?)
I believe Liam Neeson is an incredibly good actor. If you don't believe that, he will find you, and he will kill you.
I believe that if you take a car to get repaired for the third time for the same issue they should give you a new one. They do that for appliances if it's under warranty.
I believe that voting against a person is never the way to vote. If a person must be defeated, then there must be something about his opponent that should be supported. Otherwise, there is no foundation for voting.
I believe Ron Paul supporters should give it up and look at the bigger picture.
I believe Burger King has a true identity crisis.
I believe that Hollywood still has no original ideas. They're remaking Total Recall, for crying out loud.
Conversely, I believe Dallas is can't miss TV.
That's because I don't believe it is a remake because many of the characters are reprising roles. It's a re-launch.
I believe that superhero movies continue to improve.
I believe that Tim Burton has some secret footage of Johnny Depp, and that's why he keeps making his movies.
I believe that's enough for now. I'm going to watch the end of Batman Begins on FX.
Second, I would like to apologize once again to those legendary "Blue Collar" comics, because I am once again stealing their shtick.
I believe that people that drive pickup trucks with a camper on them have given up on ever going the speed limit again.
In that same vein, I believe that the people that do not drive pickups with campers drive the largest vehicles that can be purchased.
I also believe that Ford's decision to stop making the Crown Victoria and the Mercury Grand Marquis equals age discrimination.
I believe that Walmart puts "Enter" and "Exit" above their doors for a reason. If you do not go in or out the right door, I will get in your way.
I believe that smugness is a quality that should be abhorred by every person, and that the smug should be smacked.
I believe chocolate should be in integral part of the food pyramid, or one of the food groups. (Do they still have the food groups, by the way?)
I believe Liam Neeson is an incredibly good actor. If you don't believe that, he will find you, and he will kill you.
I believe that if you take a car to get repaired for the third time for the same issue they should give you a new one. They do that for appliances if it's under warranty.
I believe that voting against a person is never the way to vote. If a person must be defeated, then there must be something about his opponent that should be supported. Otherwise, there is no foundation for voting.
I believe Ron Paul supporters should give it up and look at the bigger picture.
I believe Burger King has a true identity crisis.
I believe that Hollywood still has no original ideas. They're remaking Total Recall, for crying out loud.
Conversely, I believe Dallas is can't miss TV.
That's because I don't believe it is a remake because many of the characters are reprising roles. It's a re-launch.
I believe that superhero movies continue to improve.
I believe that Tim Burton has some secret footage of Johnny Depp, and that's why he keeps making his movies.
I believe that's enough for now. I'm going to watch the end of Batman Begins on FX.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)