Thea Hopkins - Jesus Is On The Wire

 This song was written in dedication to the memory of Matthew Shepard.  Enjoy.

Do you remember him?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

  Hello Neighbor;

  I just saw a clip that Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was going to come back on the air in a pupped/cartoon format.  I thought that was, if I may use Scottie's term, Grand.  In my college courses, he actually came up a few times as a real pioneer in teaching through modeling.  Ever since watching him as a small child, I've learned best by watching someone do something and then trying the same thing myself...especially if I could get them to repeat it a few times.  So, hat's off to Fred.

  I recently went through some family troubles.  Yep, happens.  A wonderful and insightful friend showed me that I was being very concerned about what everyone else was going through and forgetting about that man in the mirror.  His words have been resonating with me ever since, to the point of having me unable to sleep a day later for the reverberating waves in my mind. 

  In searching this out, I found many cartoons and stylized phrases that spoke about respect for others, and even respect for oneself, but rarely do we hear about how we must sometimes stick up for ourselves.  We most often hear about being considerate and kind to others, to their belongings and their beliefs,... that sort of thing.  And, how quickly do we slide away from self concern as a position akin to selfishness.  And yet, our gift of life, liberty and even peace and happiness are only going to be protected by us, by each for his own.  The government can't give us self-respect.  Our religion can't.  Our family can't.  Really, it is a journey of self acceptance and discovery.  It is a learning process in which only we can be the teacher as well as the student.  We can be guided, taught a bit, even model it from someone like our lovable Fred Rogers, but in the end, only we - - only I can respect myself.

  And, sometimes, in order to respect myself, I must insist on being treated in a certain manner, a respectful manner.  And, as hard as it may be to require this, if someone isn't willing to respect me, then they are really unhealthy for me, aren't they?

  Is it so wrong that we should expect respect?  As a person, as a people group, we must not only know what we believe in and are willing to stand for, but also that we do not become other's doormat. 

  It's going to take some time.  I wasn't taught a great deal of self-respect growing up, instead having it drummed into my head how I needed to show respect for others instead.  So I need to learn this now, as an adult full of poor ways of doing things .....and this is going to take time.  But, it certainly feels right.

What is a man worth?

Be warned...a sad and difficult vid.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/08/17/opinion/cohen-racial-violence/index.html

  A shocking video, for sure.  And, in some minds are the words of hate ringing out.... perhaps saying that he shouldn't have been caught but otherwise congratulating the actions, and perhaps others rallying for the death penalty for this incomprehensible crime.  I am lost as to how someone could be so callous as to find it a lark to do such a thing.  It's beyond my mind. 

  The interesting thing about this story, at least in the context for this essay, is that the people involved saw not only this man but all considered "black" as lesser beings.  They were not fully persons, not real people, and so it was ok to do this.  Did this method of thinking just appear one day?  Remember, according to the vid, there were a fairly large number of people involved in this, and all young people.  So I ask again; where did this belief system originate?

  In our sordid past, we have had all too many instances of seeing some group of people as lesser beings, as lesser persons and worthy targets.  And, in some laughable and horrid nightmare, someone will say how these teens came from such "Christian" homes with no concept of the incredulity of that statement.  So, again I must ask:  Where did these young men and women find this set of ideals as worthy?

  We can point fingers, rage and rant, and in the end the true criminals of this epic are left at home angry and hurt that their little boys, their neighbors are going to prison.  This was more than one boy going out on a nut, this was more than one psycho..... this was the result of a culture of hate and of believing that some are greater than others.  Until we come to the point where we do not see ourselves as only good because someone else is bad, only worthy of life and liberty, happiness even, because someone else is not worthy, only then will this type of destruction come to an end.



I came home very angry and wanted to tell you about it...

 

Hi Everyone;
  I had one of those happenings at work that just made me want to rip someone's head off.  Carelessness, a general lack of concern or using the knoodle...the brain, not the other noodle, perverts!...by one of my chief people damaged my tool box.  Now, not the end of the world, but as I was using a shovel and broom to collect up my tools and belongings, throw out my favorite coffee cup, find $1.20 in change I didn't know was in there, my so called cheif person proceded to finish the task I'd sent him upon...and did it in the manner I told him not to.  Aaargh!
  So what's a few bent drawers and busted slides on a $300 tool box?  No big deal...a few spot welds and judicious use of a large hammer, no one will ever suspect.  But, dang it...it took me almost a year to pay for that tool box, and, and, and,  ... oh, forget it.  I'm going home and deal with it tomarrow.

  I get home, and think about this rant I've saved just for you all about how people seem totally unthinking now~days.  I was going to tell you how they almost get to the point of saying, 'hey, it's not my job to think'.  And, even simple care for other's things over the care we would put into our own.  I had a great rant in my mind and went looking for a picture to tell the story........and began to laugh my butt off.  Is it wrong to laugh at these pics of other people being angry?  The puppy did it for me first, but then the one of McCain was so blatantly staged and cartoonist, I started laughing at them all.  I mean, how does one take himself seriously after seeing a picture of a mad beaver?  There's a one liner.... 

  So, I'm not angry anymore.  Go figure.

Who are they?

They told me “Come as you are”, and so I raised my hand when the call went out. “Who would give his heart to God?” “Who will stand and proclaim ‘I believe’”. I raised my hand. I went to stand before God and tell him that I would believe, that I would love Him, and that I would proclaim Him as my savior.


“It is a personal walk” they told me, then stood in the way and forced me to walk their way.

“God is Love” they told me, then proceeded to tell me how He would hate me for loving men rather than women.

“God forgives” they told me, then stood in judgment of me.

“God will never leave nor forsake you” they told me, then cast me out into the cold, alone.

God says, “lean not unto thine own understandings…” That is good, Lord, for I surely don’t understand.