On Memorial Day Weekend-John Adams’ speech before the Continental Congress on Freedom and the reading of The Declaration Of Independence

John Adams-random thoughts on Memorial Day weekend arising from the HBO series

I was loaned the dvd series on John Adams. Riveting.

We live in Adams’ backyard virtually. Quincy is right up the road twenty minutes. My boys went to the Adams’ home site more times than they are pleased to recall. It is hard to imagine that home being in the country as in the video since it is smack dab in the middle of busy Quincy.

Lessons that come to mind from the video:

1. Anyway you look at it, leadership is a lonely business. To choose to lead is to carve a path that keeps a distance between people. It is so by definition.

2. But leadership is not isolation. The framers of the new republic kept in the game together, though they opposed one another and often leveraged in very unfair ways.

3. Families pay a large price for public leadership. They did not ask for the burden, but it is theirs by virtue of who is their spouse or parent.

4. Duty and honor are at the root of leadership, not self-fulfillment and security. There are things that must be done even if there is little likelihood of success.

5. All fame is fleeting. Those who may be against you are a mob. Those who are for you are a mob, too. They turn. They turn quickly.

6. Even when the vision comes true, the trials only grow. Human nature is what it is. And all are subject to the drives and desires that are fueld by our lower nature.

7. Only time will reveal the wisdom of a path chosen.

8. After it is all done, you meet yourself. All you have done and committed yourself to catches up with you.

9. We live in a miracle country. It seems to me that only God could have put the Founders together in one place at one time.

Mark’s Gospel with Max McLean

Here is a clip from McLean’s rendering of the Gospel of Mark. I have had McLean at my church once to “perform” the Gospel. It was stunning.

See the interview with McLean here.

Today’s Quote 5/23/09

Jesus Christ is stronger!

Stronger than my fears about the future or my shame over a past that cannot be altered though I wish so much I could do some things differently.

Stronger than my tired prayers with well-worn phrases and weary pleas.

Stronger than my need to know now, and have the trial terminated.

Stronger than the enemy of my soul who would discourage me with my own failings and disillusion me with the faults of others.

Such a simple truth—Jesus Christ is Stronger. ‘Stronger than what,’ you ask? Stronger than whatever would cause you doubt or discouragement today.”

—James McDonald