Pray4America (part 9) - America, the Beautiful - 1893 to 2013

Pikes Peak/Wikipedia

Recently, I visited Colorado Springs.  It was planned a few months ago, but as fate would have it, I came after the terrible fires in the region - more specifically the torching of Black Forest. [reference: span style="color: orange;"Colorado Black Forest fire burn scar | Earth | EarthSky] 

Pikes Peak - 2013

Below is a picture I took outside my motel in southwest Colorado Springs, looking toward Pikes Peak, about a week after the fires were under control - June 23, 2013.  And you can see the effects of the air pollution in this shot.  It has an eerie beauty from the effects of the disaster.

smithsk - southwest Colorado Springs

Talking with some guests and hotel workers, this chain had taken in many of the evacuees from the fires.  And I noticed in the parking lot a car from a national insurance company, who undoubtedly will be very busy processing claims.  

On the way home, I drove by the edge of Black Forest and experienced a sample of the devastation, as seen in this shot.  As you can see, this is one of the 500 houses that did not make it.

smithsk - Black Forest house, no more

But I noticed a spirit of gratitude for the efforts of the fire fighters, rescuers, and countless others that came to  the aid of the fire victims.  This is one of the hand made "Thank You" signs I spotted displayed in the fire damaged regions.

smithsk - Thank You from Black Forest

Even in this tragedy, so many expressed a spirit of gratitude, especially for those that went into harm's way to protect lives and  property . 

Pikes Peak - 1893

As the Fourth of July nears, this same region had inspired a teacher - 120 years ago.  Katharine Lee Bates wrote a poem, which was first published for the Fourth of July edition of the Congregationalist  in 1895.  The poem was set to music by Samuel A. Ward and published in 1910 under the title - America, the Beautiful. [reference:  America The Beautiful]

America, the Beautiful/wikipedia

And here is a beautiful rendition of it, with images throughout the land as well as American history:

The vista from the Pikes Peak, which inspired this song that almost became our national anthem, now looks over the scars left by the fires in Black Forest.  Yet beyond the physical scars, there rose from the ashes a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude.  And such is express in this prayer of Habakkuk that takes us to the high places - even above Pikes Peak.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19  (NIV)

This Fourth of July and the rest of the year, may we live above our circumstances and cultivate a beauty, not only in our land, but most important in our spirit.  

And may God, rich in grace and mercy, heal the scars in our land and our hearts as we continue to ...

Pray for America! 

----------------

----------------  

 Previous posts on this topic:

July 1776 & July 1863 (2009)

Have a Blessed Fourth! (2010)

America's Story (part 9) - A Tale of Two Revolutions  (2012)

----------------

----------------

Previous posts in this series:

Pray4America (part 1) - National Day of Prayer (2012)

Pray4America (part 2) - FDR's prayer on D-Day (2012)

Pray4America (part 3) - FDR's Flag Day prayer - June 14, 1942 (2012)

Pray4America (part 4) - It's a Wonderful Life, America (2012)

Pray4America (part 5) - United we stand? (2012)

Pray4America (part 6) - Christmas in Iran 1980 (2012)

Pray4American (part 7) - For such a time as this (2013)

Pray4America (part 8) - Fear no evil (2013)

----------------
----------------

Photos from Wikipedia:  Pikes Peak, America, the Beautiful

and from smithsk, yours truly :)

Culture 101 (part 10) - Summertime! x 3

Summer field in Belgium

Three faces of Summer

1. The scientific face

Yes, summer solstice officially begins June 21, 2013 in the northern hemisphere.  [reference:  First Day of Summer 2013 Solstice Dates Times Photos]

And for my science loving friends, the reasons for the seasons are well explained in the video clip below:




Now, wasn't that intellectual?

2.  The Romantic and Poetic face:

Solomon knew something about romance and the change of seasons when he penned this -

¹¹ See! The winter is past;
    the rains are over and gone.
¹² Flowers appear on the earth;
    the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
    is heard in our land.
¹³ The fig tree forms its early fruit;
    the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
    my beautiful one, come with me.”

from Song of Solomon 2 (NIV)

3.  The artsy and cultural face

In 1935, what the History Channel calls the first great American opera, Porgy and Bess, premiered on Broadway.  [reference: Porgy and Bess, the first great American opera, premieres on Broadway — History.com This Day in History — 10/10/1935]

One of the memorable numbers from the opera is Summertime, as sung below in  this clip:




Lyrics are here: PORGY AND BESS SUMMERTIME LYRICS


The Mind, Body, and Soul -

Enjoy these three facets of summer!

-----------------
-----------------

Previous posts in the Culture 101 series:

Culture 101 (part 1) - Reagan's Challenge (2012)

Culture 101 (part 2) - Easter Eucatastrophe (2012)

Culture 101 (part 3) - Paul Revere's Ride (2012)

Culture 101 (part 4) - Gold Diggers and the Great Depression (2012)

Culture 101 (part 5) - Blue Bloods and 9/11 (2012)

Culture 101 (part 6) - Gilligan's Island and Breast Cancer Awareness (2012)

Culture 101 (part 7) - Band of Brothers  (2013)

Culture 101 (part 8) - Snow White (2013)

Culture 101 (part 9) - Father Knows Best (2013)

-----------------
-----------------


Photo from:  Wikipedia - Field Hamois Belgium

Culture 101 (part 9) - Father Knows Best

Father Knows Best - 1957

As Father's Day is upon us, I wax nostalgic. Though Dad had passed away over 20 years ago, I have many fond memories of him.

Hello, Daddy!

In the 1950s and 1960s, my father ran a small gas station, and we lived behind it. Those days, my mother had worked part-time and often was not home when I got back from school.  It usually worked out that Dad was the first person I met when I got home.  He was always there ...at least when I was a child.

1960s latchkey kid?

When I grew up, I was told later that I was a "latchkey kid" - though I did not know it at the time.  But as a baby boomer, I grew up in a situation in the early 1960s of two working parents that had been more the exception than the rule.

The Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers

The parents of the baby boomers - coined the Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw - had already been through the wringer - coming of age during the Great Depression and living through World War Two.  And after that, most just wanted to put that behind them and give their children a better life.  And mostly they did.

Age of Innocence

In the 1950s, two parent families seemed to be the norm - working dad, stay-at-home mom.  The children seemed to have no real serious problems that plague kids today (teen pregnancy, drugs, stalking, cyber-bullying, broken homes).  Post World War Two seemed to be more innocent days.  I can attest to that in that we had no locks on the doors of our house and never felt a need to have them.

Father Knows Best - the Pop Culture of the times

The spirit of those times was reflected in the popular culture on TV of the day, such as this gem -   Father Knows Best (1954 - 1960), as shown in the clip below:

 
This program, as so many others on television, showed an idyllic family life, and the message in the end that the kids can always turn to father for - Father Knows Best.  Yet, the pop culture back then didn't tell the real story and the pain behind those white picket fences.  Family life was never ideal.  Even in the 1950s.

Yet in the past, families seemed to be more together and have had more the support of the extended family.  Remember The Waltons?

What about the 2010s?

Fifty, sixty years later, it seems the two parent family is being replaced by the one parent household.  Marriage is not so clearly defined.  And if there are two parent households, more often than naught both work outside the home. And the ideal of the 1950s family - seems to be an anomaly, if not a fantasy.

Volumes could be written about this - but here are a few thought gleaned from history and literature.

Both parents worked to provide for their families

Back in the days of my grandparents, both spouses worked inside and outside the home, doing what was necessary to survive. And so had the previous generations.

In my family's case, my grandparents homesteaded and that meant my grandmother worked everyday on the ranch.   And everyday was take your child to work day because the children worked along side the parents.  So my father told me ... that and what they did without during the Great Depression.

One parent families have been around for ages

Before modern medicine, the mother often died in child birth.  And the surviving children grew up with a single dad - unless he remarried then - voila! - you have the precursor to The Brady Bunch.

Likewise, men were at risk not only from dangerous jobs (before work safety laws were in place and enforced), but also during times of war.  Thus, many wives were widowed, their children fatherless.  And, most unfortunate, some parents deserted their spouses and children - and that has not changed.

Many stories in literature have been written about the challenge of single parents.  One such is Les Miserables.   Fantine was a single mother, who  struggled to provide for her illegitimate child, Cosette.  After Fantine's death, the protagonist, Jean Valjean rescued the child from cruel guardians and raised her as his own as a single father.

A great example in real life is Audie Murphy.  His father had deserted his family, his mother died the next year.  And Audie as a teenager stepped in to take care of his siblings.  He later enlisted in the Army when he just turned 18 and fought in World War Two to become the most decorated combat soldier in American history.

The Single Dad in modern times

Single parents throughout the ages have had their challenges - but they persevered and did all right.  And they still do okay.  They are an inspiration.

In the spirit of Father's Day, this ad from MassMutual salutes the single dad, doing his best to raise his girls - who matter the most to him:





Salute to Dad!

This Father's Day, I remember my Dad, the parent I greeted first when I came home from school.  And a big salute all the Dads, who sacrifice and make a real difference in the lives of your children.

And in the eyes of your children ...

Father Knows Best!

--------------------------
--------------------------

Previous post on Father's Day:

Fathers are so important! (2010)

--------------------------
--------------------------

Previous posts in the Culture 101 series:

Culture 101 (part 1) - Reagan's Challenge (2012)

Culture 101 (part 2) - Easter Eucatastrophe (2012)

Culture 101 (part 3) - Paul Revere's Ride (2012)

Culture 101 (part 4) - Gold Diggers and the Great Depression (2012)

Culture 101 (part 5) - Blue Bloods and 9/11 (2012)

Culture 101 (part 6) - Gilligan's Island and Breast Cancer Awareness (2012)

Culture 101 (part 7) - Band of Brothers  (2013)

Culture 101 (part 8) - Snow White (2013)

--------------------------
--------------------------


 Photo from Wikipeida - Father Knows Best 1957

Science 101 (part 2) - The Sound of Music?

Day to day, a diversity of sounds resonate about us.  Now that it's spring, and summer is coming, I am outdoors more and hear more of the sounds of nature.  Bird songs.  Flowing creeks.  Wind in trees. Thunderstorms.  Laughter of children at play.

And on the topic of nature and sound, remember the musical - The Sound of Music?  The clip, shown below, of this musical's opening song artistically expresses the wonder of nature.



The sound of music?

What makes music, music .... and sound, just sound?

For some, this distinction is cultural; some generational (how many of the parents of us baby boomers thought our music was noise?); some perception - the ear of the beholder.

But there is a science to making this division between music and noise.  And this video clip gives an excellent physical explanation of this distinction without getting too mathematical:




The Sound of Music is something we may take for granted.  But it's an integral part of our physical universe, which we experience by simply being human.

------------------------------
------------------------------

Previous post in this series:

Science 101 (part 1) - Vernal Equinox  (2013)

------------------------------
------------------------------

Photo from:  wikipeida - Spherical Pressure Waves

ZAMM (part 8) - The Insecurity of Intolerance

The sun rises and the sun sets,

and hurries back to where it rises

Ecclesiastes 1:5 (NIV)

The sun is not coming up, tomorrow!

How many are threatened when someone says that?

I'll go out on a limb here and say - Few are.

We may wonder about the person making that claim.  Are they joking?  Are they insane? Did someone make another wild end of world prophesy - and it's tomorrow.

The sun will come up, tomorrow.  We know it.  And if it doesn't?  Well, our universe will have undergone a cosmic disaster -  such as the sun or the earth exploding - that no one will be left alive to care.

The point?

When our worldview is well grounded in facts and tested in reality, we do not feel threatened when it is challenged.  But we may feel threatened if we really are not sure.  And when unsure, we may fall into the trap of digging in our heels to defend our worldview even if that means silencing any dissenting view.

Our way is the right way.  And everyone had better agree with us - or else!

In Robert Pirsig's book - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (ZAMM),  Chapter 13 makes this point.   In the persona of Phaedrus  (the title character in Plato's dialog between Socrates and Phaedrus),  the author describes a time in 1950's Montana when extreme right wing politics was king.  He likens the era to that of Dallas before the assassination of JFK.

In the late 1950s, the counterculture of the beatniks was emerging, soon to be followed by hippies, who would challenge the establishment and the military industrial complex.  During this decade in transition, the state actively opposed and suppressed dissenting viewpoints, especially in the institutions.  And this interference affected free speech as well as the integrity of its state colleges.

The Church of Reason

In his academic life, Phaedrus put forth the concept of the "Real University"  or the "Church of Reason" - which was not constructed of brick and mortar - but a state of mind.  The goal of these universities or churches was the search for truth.

Faith in reason was Phaedrus' passion as a college professor.   And catching glimpses of the fanaticism of his former self, Persig admits he really felt insecure and had his doubts about his beliefs at this time.  (It's a long story - so read the book.)

But this malady is not isolated to college professors.  It spreads itself across many disciplines and philosophies.  It is no mistakes that in religion and politics, we find the most egregious examples of intolerance.  Hence, may come the advice, don't talk about religion or politics.

Why not?  They are my favorite subjects!

Intolerance and Insecurity

In 1950s, Persig felt the blowback of the insecurity of the right wing.  And, 60 years later, many feel the same kind of intolerance stemming from the insecurity of the left wing.

There are numerous examples in the media.  Just check out the feeds in the news and comments in social media.  Any dissenting point of view point, you can bet, is met with ad hominem attacks.  The over-reaction to dissent is not to educate the dissenter.  It is meant to intimidate, if not destroy a brand or character.

Political Correctness has evolved to an artful bullying technique to silence dissent and stifle free speech.  [reference:  Free Speech Codes on Campus: Political correctness run amok? | Fox News]  And in recent news, the IRS scandals allege use this powerful arm of government to suppress the conservative point of view in the national dialog. [reference:  Ex-DOJ Officials: IRS Scandal Symptom of Free Speech Suppression]

Where do we go from here?

The Real University

As I type, many graduation ceremonies have been celebrated in brick and mortar high schools and universities.  And speakers offer their wisdom as students move on the university of life.

In a graduation speech made last year, Dr. Condoleezza Rice challenges the students to have an open mind and seek out dissenting positions of passionately held beliefs.

This point is made at time 3:20 in the clip below:



"As you search for your passion try different things
 - try difficult things."

*   Seek out people who are different than you are
     *   Let them challenge you and inspire you to grow
*   Nothing wrong with holding your own passionate opinions
     *  When you feel absolutely sure you are right,
          *   find someone who disagrees with you
          *   they may have ideas worth considering, too
*  Goal of education -
    *  Not an effective confidence in everything you know
    *  But a humble appreciation for everything you do not know

Dr. Rice has it right.  She has some clear guidance as to how to avoid the trap of the insecurity of intolerance.

Seek  those who challenge you.  If you are secure in your worldview, those views will stand.  If not, it's a lesson in the university of life.  And most of all, it's a remedy for intolerance -  intolerance fed on insecurity.

Again, I'm going out on a limb here, but I venture Phaedrus would approve.

------------------------
------------------------

Previous articles in the ZAMM series:

ZAMM (part 1) - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (2011)

ZAMM (part 2) - Journey through Life (2011)

ZAMM (part 3) - Chautauqua, then and now (2011)

ZAMM (part 4) - Ghosts (2011)

ZAMM (part 5) - Sheldon vs Penny (2012)

ZAMM (part 6) - Sloth, or just not caring ... (2012)

ZAMM (part 7) - Yes or No - Gotcha! (2012)

------------------------
------------------------

photo: everystockphoto.com - Thought I was born to endless night

Timeless Truths (part 4) - A Mother's Advice

The Virgin Mary is one of the most famous and revered mothers in Christendom.

And as Mother's Day has been set aside to recognize mothers - without mothers none of us would be here - it seems fitting to offer tribute to this most famous of mothers, who to this day has given us the most excellent advice.

Mary was blessed among women in many ways (reference:  Luke 1:42):

1.  God chose this maid of humble birth as the vessel to bring the Son of God into the world.  (reference:  Luke 1:26-38 )

2.  She was the only person on record to have witnessed both the birth of Jesus and His death.  (reference:  Luke 2:1-20 and  John 19:25-27)

3.  After the resurrection of Jesus, she was numbered among the faithful, praying in Jerusalem, waiting till Pentecost to witness the birth of the Church.  (reference:  Acts 1:14)

4.  And Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine, was done at her request at a wedding in Cana, which started his public ministry on earth.  (reference: John 2:1-11)

And Johnny Cash sings about this miracle - as well as more miracles - in this clip below:



Mother Mary's advice?

At this wedding, the host had run out of wine.  Mary brought the problem to Jesus for she knew He would do something about it.

And Mary's last recorded words in the New Testament offer most excellent advice, as she instructed the servants:

“Do whatever He tells you.”
John 2:5 (NIV)

And what does Jesus tell us to do?

Johnny Cash sings another song just on that - with the help of Billy Graham's preaching - addressing some of these things He tells us to do.



This Mother's Day,
though the tradition is to give gifts to our moms,
the Mother of Jesus gives us the gift
in the Timeless Truth of her excellent advice -
do what her Son says.

And Jesus said -
"If you love me, keep my commands."
John 14:15 (NIV)

That pretty much sums it up.

God bless all you mothers.  
You keep the human race and civilization alive.

--------------------
--------------------

Previous posts in series:

Timeless Truths (Part 1) - A Cup of Cold Water (2013)

Timeless Truths (part 2) - Love (2013)

Timeless Truths (part 3) - Hakuna Matata - No Worries? (2013)

--------------------
--------------------

Photo from:  wikipedia - The Madonna in Sorrow

Pray4America (part 8) - Fear no evil

    
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

This psalm must be one of the most familiar and most quoted verses in the Bible.

To attest to its universality, below is a recitation of it, broadcast in the episode called "The 23rd Psalm" from the TV series, Lost.  (reference: "Lost" The 23rd Psalm (TV episode 2006) - IMDb) 

The words are comforting, especially during tragedy, trials, danger, dark days ...

And with the recent bombings of the Boston Marathon, this particular verse has precious meaning:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ...

At the finish line of the Boston Marathon was a scene of the shadow of death  ... and fear ...  and  evil.

But there were also the heroes who feared no evil.  And these heroes ran toward danger - not from it - to help those who were the victims of evil.



* Fear? *

Looking up the Hebrew word for fear - Yare' - used in this verse has  interesting nuances that are lost in the translation.  (Check out:  Yare' - Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - King James Version )

Fear not only means to be afraid, but it denotes a sense of reverence and awe, such as reverence for God. Therefore, this verse - fear no evil - can mean not being afraid in the face of evil as well as not reverencing or being fascinated by evil.

It seems in our 24/7 news cycle, evil has been given a world wide platform and megaphone.  The clip above shows the strength of people responding to peril.  But so often, news dwells on the negative, the sensational, the fascination with evil.  And we are urged not to do this - give no reverence to evil.

Oliver Cromwell once said -
“I have learned that if you fear God,
you have no one else to fear.”
(reference: ttb.org - quotes)

* Do not revere evil, but revere God *

As showing reverence for God, this May 2, 2013 is

The National Day of Prayer.

(reference:  2013 NDP Theme | National Day of Prayer Task Force)

And may this latest act of terror turn our hearts to fear only God and fearing no man - especially a terrorist.

Please keep praying for America!

----------------
----------------

Previous posts in this series:

Pray4America (part 1) - National Day of Prayer (2012)

Pray4America (part 2) - FDR's prayer on D-Day (2012)

Pray4America (part 3) - FDR's Flag Day prayer - June 14, 1942 (2012)

Pray4America (part 4) - It's a Wonderful Life, America (2012)

Pray4America (part 5) - United we stand? (2012)

Pray4America (part 6) - Christmas in Iran 1980 (2012)

Pray4American (part 7) - For such a time as this (2013)

----------------
----------------

 Photo from:  Wikipedia - US Navy prayer