The Visit to the Jefferson Memorial
The visit to the Jefferson Memorial was a challenging moment for me. I have always wondered about our 3rd President of the United States Thomas Jefferson's because there was a unique dichotomy between his thought and his actions. With out a doubt he was an intellectual of the first order. Who else could write some of the words he penned which flowed with such beauty.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Walking through the lobby I received a good education about our 3rd US President. I listened to the varied thinking and thought about President Jefferson which played on flat TV’s around the lobby area. While walking through the portals, I took note of the writing that had been chiseled into the wall.
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
These words of Thomas Jefferson really caught my attention. I had never really read anything about change that had such depth. On the other hand, I knew that these words could apply to ministry and the methodology that is used to do ministry. The message of Jesus Christ never changes but the methods we use to share that message should change to meet the context and/or situation.
Just My thoughts
PL
It sounds like you are having a great time. I look forward to the conversation when you return. I like the quote on change.
Posted by: Nigel Alston | August 12, 2007 at 06:09 PM