TEEN VIOLENCE

The Commercial Appeal, our Memphis daily newspaper, reported that serious offences by juveniles are down nearly 10% this year in Shelby County.  Even more encouraging is the fact that this past year only four minors were charged with murder. 15 years ago the number was 50.There is hope. We know that most of the time incarceration is not the answer. Jail time too often simply confirms and train young people for a life of crime.  We must find ways for young offenders to pay not by going to jail, but by making restitution and being reconciled to the victims of their crimes. If there are not efforts in your community that seek to intervene and offer alternatives to incarceration, maybe you can begin. Seeking mercy for these young people who may be on the road to a life of crime is a proven path to making life matter

AMBITION

Elvis Presley defined ambition as a dream with a v-8 engine. Not bad philosophy for a Mississippi country boy who grew up in poverty. Sam Tollison confirms this definition. Sam is 10 years old. As a result of his leadership, on January 8, 2012, Colorado celebrated the state’s inaugural Cinnamon Roll Day. He collected over 100 signatures on a petition to give the snack its own day of appreciation. The governor was so impressed by Tollison’s grassroots campaigning that he agreed to write the day into law. You don’t have to love cinnamon rolls to love this story.  It teaches some important lessons. You are more than you think you are. People respond to the passion of another. Ideas are to be put into action. Age and station in life should not inhibit expression of ambition. And Jesus would say, a little child will lead them. Hoorah for Sam. Join him in making life matter.  

THE POWER OF WORDS

There is power in words, even little ones like if. We have seen that in the controversy over the words on the Martin Luther King Monument about which I wrote recently. The word if was left out of King’s original word making the inscription on his monument  read, I WAS A DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE, PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.  The quote actually came from a sermon that was critical of the drum major instinct present in all of us. King closed that sermon talking about how he wanted to be remembered. “If,” he said, “If you want to say I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.”  You see the little word if makes a big difference and saves King from appearing prideful and arrogant If…if someone would designate you a drum major, what would it be for? What are the causes for which you are giving your time and energy to make life matter?   

MARTIN LUTHER KING, DRUM MAJOR

The word on Martin Luther King’s monument had to be changed. The embarrassing quote originally there came from the February, 1968 sermon, “Drum Major Instinct”.  He was actually being critical of the prideful instinct too often present in all of us…wanting to be in the lead, out front, getting the attention. He closed the sermon talking about how he would like to be remembered.

 “Yes,” he said, “if you want to say that I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” King’s words were paraphrased and carved into the stone, “I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.” The memorial’s incorrect quote made King sound conceited and boastful instead of humble and contemplative. Be careful not only about what you say today, but how you say it. People will remember. This is my word of guidance to make life matter. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING, DRUM MAJOR

The word on Martin Luther King’s monument had to be changed. The embarrassing quote originally there came from the February, 1968 sermon, “Drum Major Instinct”.  He was actually being critical of the prideful instinct too often present in all of us…wanting to be in the lead, out front, getting the attention. He closed the sermon talking about how he would like to be remembered.

 “Yes,” he said, “if you want to say that I was a drum major, say I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” King’s words were paraphrased and carved into the stone, “I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.” The memorial’s incorrect quote made King sound conceited and boastful instead of humble and contemplative. Be careful not only about what you say today, but how you say it. People will remember. This is my word of guidance to make life matter.