The series "Centennial" began by laying the groundwork in 1795 of the first white men to brave approaching the Indians. As westward expansion continued throughout the 19th century the area called Centennial was established in Colorado. With each succeeding generation, the stories and the history were told. Names like Pasquinel, McKeag, and Zendt were mentioned. Their personalities, beliefs, and histories were told repeatedly to demonstrate how the past influences the present and future. That influence may be positive or negative depending on how one lived.
It is vital that we live today in such a manner that the legacy we create and leave to posterity is positive. What we do today will have the power to impact our descendents. What will people say of you after you have left this earthlife?
I am reminded of a song Acappella sang quite a few years ago. It is titled, "What Will They Say?" I don't have the cassette tape sleeve (the what!?) with the words on it but part of it follows that question with the following:
Will they say Jesus was your holy example and that you followed Him best that you could?
Will they say that your life made a difference to the people who knew you best?
How easy it is for us to just live in our hurry up life, taking little notice of the power of our influence. We say and do things at times that contradict what we profess. Other times we ignore that power of influence and fail to live up to the standard of Jesus. I am reminded of King Jehoram of Israel in 2 Chronicles 21. It is said of him that he, "to no one's sorrow, departed."
We have the responsibility as Christian parents to live well and give the gift of eternity to our children.
What will they say when your days are over? A sobering question indeed.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Where Have You Been?
It has been a little more 2 weeks since I last posted a blog. My wife got an email from her brother today requesting that she inform me it was time to update. I have drafted a blog or two in the last 2 weeks but did not publish them. Since the last post regarding the fact that John and Sally get the privilege of hosting my kids next, Jodi and I have spent nearly every evening watching the acclaimed TV Miniseries from 1978 "Centennial". That is nearly 20 hours of viewing time (minus the fast-forwarding through the opening credits.)
I remember "Centennial" being on TV when I was a child. I can't say that I saw every episode all the way through but have seen it at least once as an adult. They could never show it on TV today and hope to get a consistent audience for the 12 episodes. Our pace of life today is in stark contrast to the year 1795. I always had a slight fascination with history when I was younger but never embraced it. Perhaps my educators lacked the ability to "bring it to life" for me. Maybe I couldn't understand how the past has always influenced the present. It could be that I thought it was a subject you could never master because history is always being created and the text book would continue to grow.
Today I am different. If I had schooling to do again, I would highly consider history. "Centennial" traces the development of a fictional Colorado city from the year 1795 to the present day (1978). The main theme I believe is that the land and the water have always supplied and benefitted mankind. The series depicts the characters who may have lived in the west in the late 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and weaves their lives and times together. The earliest were the fur traders and then those longing for the adventure and promise of their own land out west. We are introduced to their struggles, their rewards, their strengths, even their faults. It is difficult for me to grasp a nearly 200-year time period when I haven't even experienced one-fifth of that amount of time.
In Centennial (the town) we see how those who cherished the land and its natural resources respected and honored the land and passed the legacy from generation to generation. We see their convictions and the battles they faced from those who didn't share their vision. There are many lines in the movie that are full of meaning. Many observations can be made and applied. I recall one sentiment that the founder of the town, Levi Zendt stated. Just before his death, he stated that one can't choose the time in which he lives. To paraphrase the rest, he just has to choose to make his time the best it can be.
We all have our own history. People we have never met, perhaps never even heard of, influence us today. Some of the history is a shared history. America's founding is such a shared history. George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and others like them didn't choose to live in 18th century America. They chose their path through that time. We must choose our path through our own time. We think it was easier living in the past. If you study our history, you'll discover that is not the case.
My history includes people from my line, my ancestors. My grandmother gave me a family tree starting with my mom and I have the names of 10 generations in four branches. Though not directly, everyone of them has had influence on me. One day I look forward to climbing in that tree and seeing what I can see.
This is longer than I planned and I have many thoughts stirred from the series "Centennial". I hope to share them in the future. I hope you like history.
I am thankful for my ancestors who taught their children to love and honor God with their lives who then taught their children who taught their children...
I remember "Centennial" being on TV when I was a child. I can't say that I saw every episode all the way through but have seen it at least once as an adult. They could never show it on TV today and hope to get a consistent audience for the 12 episodes. Our pace of life today is in stark contrast to the year 1795. I always had a slight fascination with history when I was younger but never embraced it. Perhaps my educators lacked the ability to "bring it to life" for me. Maybe I couldn't understand how the past has always influenced the present. It could be that I thought it was a subject you could never master because history is always being created and the text book would continue to grow.
Today I am different. If I had schooling to do again, I would highly consider history. "Centennial" traces the development of a fictional Colorado city from the year 1795 to the present day (1978). The main theme I believe is that the land and the water have always supplied and benefitted mankind. The series depicts the characters who may have lived in the west in the late 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and weaves their lives and times together. The earliest were the fur traders and then those longing for the adventure and promise of their own land out west. We are introduced to their struggles, their rewards, their strengths, even their faults. It is difficult for me to grasp a nearly 200-year time period when I haven't even experienced one-fifth of that amount of time.
In Centennial (the town) we see how those who cherished the land and its natural resources respected and honored the land and passed the legacy from generation to generation. We see their convictions and the battles they faced from those who didn't share their vision. There are many lines in the movie that are full of meaning. Many observations can be made and applied. I recall one sentiment that the founder of the town, Levi Zendt stated. Just before his death, he stated that one can't choose the time in which he lives. To paraphrase the rest, he just has to choose to make his time the best it can be.
We all have our own history. People we have never met, perhaps never even heard of, influence us today. Some of the history is a shared history. America's founding is such a shared history. George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and others like them didn't choose to live in 18th century America. They chose their path through that time. We must choose our path through our own time. We think it was easier living in the past. If you study our history, you'll discover that is not the case.
My history includes people from my line, my ancestors. My grandmother gave me a family tree starting with my mom and I have the names of 10 generations in four branches. Though not directly, everyone of them has had influence on me. One day I look forward to climbing in that tree and seeing what I can see.
This is longer than I planned and I have many thoughts stirred from the series "Centennial". I hope to share them in the future. I hope you like history.
I am thankful for my ancestors who taught their children to love and honor God with their lives who then taught their children who taught their children...
Monday, February 5, 2007
Three and a Half Days
For the past 3 1/2 days we have had two additional kids. J and Shaylyn were with us while John and Sally were in Gatlinburg. The 4 kids played well together and were very well-behaved for the most part. It was so cold Sat and Sun that they were not able to go outside to play. The indoor activities lost interest at times and the tiredness (late nights) was catching up but they all acted like they had some sense.
A funny exchange took place with both J and Shaylyn. Sat afternoon, Levi, J, and I went to Columbus to make a few stops. I keep my lifesaver mints in the car and Levi only likes the green ones. They are wintergreen which everyone calls "Pepto Bismol" flavored. J and Levi wanted one and I passed them back. I said they were "Pepto Bismol" and J replied, "Pepto Gizmo" and then said "It's a lifesaver!" I think they may want to adopt this as their new ad campaign. I know from experience that it is a lifesaver. And it is very tasty!
Shaylyn and I were talking (she was giving me more time this visit than at any other visits put together, she even came up and hugged me out of the blue) about something and I said that I was smarter than her daddy. She disagreed but I convinced her that we were both pretty smart. She said, "You both are the same height" (when it comes to intelligence) because we all know that I am barely 5'10".
We enjoyed the time spent together this weekend and look forward to the next occasion. It is great to see cousins who enjoy spending time together. May they grow up together and enjoy their friendships.
I am thankful for family and the relationships God blesses us with. I guess how enjoyable these relationships are for us depends a lot on how much time we spend nurturing them. Too many people fail to reap the blessings by choosing conflict and hostility instead of compromise and forgiveness.
A funny exchange took place with both J and Shaylyn. Sat afternoon, Levi, J, and I went to Columbus to make a few stops. I keep my lifesaver mints in the car and Levi only likes the green ones. They are wintergreen which everyone calls "Pepto Bismol" flavored. J and Levi wanted one and I passed them back. I said they were "Pepto Bismol" and J replied, "Pepto Gizmo" and then said "It's a lifesaver!" I think they may want to adopt this as their new ad campaign. I know from experience that it is a lifesaver. And it is very tasty!
Shaylyn and I were talking (she was giving me more time this visit than at any other visits put together, she even came up and hugged me out of the blue) about something and I said that I was smarter than her daddy. She disagreed but I convinced her that we were both pretty smart. She said, "You both are the same height" (when it comes to intelligence) because we all know that I am barely 5'10".
We enjoyed the time spent together this weekend and look forward to the next occasion. It is great to see cousins who enjoy spending time together. May they grow up together and enjoy their friendships.
I am thankful for family and the relationships God blesses us with. I guess how enjoyable these relationships are for us depends a lot on how much time we spend nurturing them. Too many people fail to reap the blessings by choosing conflict and hostility instead of compromise and forgiveness.
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