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Graduations
So I sat out in the sun today with my family and watched the seniors at Simpson graduate. There were three students that all came through The Grove youth group that graduated today. Tyler, Holly, and Daniel. We were also there to see our friend Trisha graduate with her masters...you go girl!
Graduations crack me up. Old people singing weird songs...choirs...outside speaker that comes in a throws out one last don't do drugs and make sure you got good friends speech.
Seriously...Is that the best we can do? Did these students spend TONS of money and four years in classes to dress up in robes and weird hats and have someone make sure they have everything checked off on their Christian checklist? (pretty sure that was a run on sentence)
Why can't someone get up there and challenge these students to change the world by loving God and each other and the world and the least? What about the emphasis that Simpson is supposed to be about...go into all the world and make disciples. Make God's kingdom a reality in Redding and the ends of the earth. Seems like the easiest platform in the world to inspire some folk. But instead they got one last play it safe speech...bummer.
Sorry for the soapbox...if any graduates are reading my blog...go out and change the world...there are a ton of people in your city that need to know Jesus. Love people in such crazy ways that the world is forced to take notice. Don't play it safe...break all the rules...don't do it the way it's always been done...we believe in you.
Congratulations!
7 comments:
word.
Dan. In the litigious time we live in, it makes sense that even at an institution which is religion based, there would be a fair amount of pandering to the politically correct. You see, not just the students were attending the graduation, their friends and families were. In that makeup, there might be someone offended, and therefore, sure that their civil liberties were violated, ergo, a lawsuit. Yep, ridiculous. Stranger things have happened though. It's not that a speech about going out and leading people to God is a civil liberty violation, but it brings a investigation that goes down to what brand and how many sheets do you use? That portends no good. Even if they are completely exonrated, the public opinion will still largely be negative, just from the court relation. It's stupid that in this day and age, one isn't allowed to espouse their belief without ridicule, bashing, and in some cases, death. This IS America right? Guess what? That don't matter! There are Christians in places where simply being a christian can get you immediately executed. Yet they proclaim his name, loud n proud. Amazing huh? Christianity in America has gotten soft. Yep, I said it, so deal with it. Prove me wrong, you can't, period. We are sissy lala in so many ways. I'm no less guilty than anyone else. However, I believe you have the right idea Dan. I love the line "Love people in such crazy ways that the world is forced to take notice". I LOVE that line. Kind of a "beat em...with a feather pillow" buddhist thing there. That kind of sums up what I have been unable to clearly communicate. Hug people, for no reason whatsoever. Smile, all the time. Give flowers to a friend, just cause. Wake up and answer your phone at three a.m. when it says "Barney" and pray with me because I'm scared and alone. Take that chance to tell someone about what God has done for you. Lead by example. I hope that this young generation that flings itself upside down in defiance of gravity, has more ink on it's skin than a bookstore, more piercings than marilyn manson, and is better educated than any before it see's the opportunity laid out before it. A chance to truly, completely, for the better, change this world. I implore you. Don't give up your place in history to apathy and fear of upsetting the norm. Play hard, work harder, love fiercly, preach unashamedly, and never fear. I'll be right alongside you. Sometimes I'll be on the roofs, making sure you're safe. Sometimes I'll be in your arms, for I'm human, and I falter. Sometimes, I'll hold you, and pray the peace of the Lord is yours. Always, will I hold my sword fast, my shield firm, and my head high. We bring the word of the Lord together, and sometimes, you have to be blunt. Thats my job. As the Marine's say "GET SOME"...
*Steps off soapbox, places it behind curtain, onstage, walks off*
i think there is a website somewhere where the same graduation speech is copy-pasted by valedictorians everywhere
This is why next year I am voting for you to be the speaker, but only under the guidelines that you get to wear your get up from when you walked! I loved this blog, was going to get on my soapbox too, but was to tired, thanks for getting on yours!
thanks for being there! sorry i only saw alyssa!
i think the graduation speaker said porn like 4 times...
i wish there had been some more real life Jesus in the mix of his speech!
Thanks for the advice/encouragement.
=)
You should speak next year! I would listen then. I don't remember anything he said but, "You will not remember what I am going to say."
I thought it was really sad that the 2 award winners were only recognized by standing up. It saved a whole 5 minutes to not have them walk to the stage to recieve their awards...
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