THE GRAND CANYON, “CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR,” AND STAYING SAFE
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:22.
For all of those who were wondering from last week’s blog message, I did not go out on the bridge last week. We got to the Grand Canyon and there were no railings. I stayed as far away from the edge as I could because there was no way that I was going to fall off (smile). The views were spectacular and I was not disappointed. It is amazing how great and awesome is our God to construct this kind of natural beauty and wonder. I looked over at the sky bridge and decided to view God’s awesome wonder on terra firma (the earth). I would encourage everyone, at least once in their lifetime, to take a trip to the Grand Canyon. The West Rim where I was is only three hours by car from Las Vegas. It is a great one day trip. We are going to come back and do more than one day. Is anyone up for white water rafting? There were pictures in my last week’s email.
Several people have asked me for the poem that I quoted in Sunday’s sermon. The poem is entitled “Conscientious Objector” by Edna St. Vincent Millay:
I shall die, but
that is all that I shall do for Death.
I hear him leading his horse out of the stall;
I hear the clatter on the barn-floor.
He is in haste; he has business in Cuba,
business in the Balkans, many calls to make this morning.
But I will not hold the bridle
while he clinches the girth.
And he may mount by himself:
I will not give him a leg up.
Though he flick my shoulders with his whip,
I will not tell him which way the fox ran.
With his hoof on my breast, I will not tell him where
the black boy hides in the swamp.
I shall die, but that is all that I shall do for Death;
I am not on his pay-roll.
I will not tell him the whereabout of my friends
nor of my enemies either.
Though he promise me much,
I will not map him the route to any man's door.
Am I a spy in the land of the living,
that I should deliver men to Death?
Brother, the password and the plans of our city
are safe with me; never through me Shall you be overcome.
Finally, I would encourage everyone to pay attention to the Swine Flu situation. The best source is Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001. I pay attention to the news media and cable stations, but when I want the most reliable and up to date information I go to the above Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site. Here are guidelines from the CDC site:
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
· If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Submitted by Pastor Frank on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 20:22.
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Comments
Grand Canyon was a very attractive and amazing scenery.You cannot compare it to any place.And if you stood on the Grand Canyon sky walk,you will be very nervous because of the height and you'll be very happy and amazed because of the beautiful place.Thanks to the grand canyon tours from vegas,I have the chance to experience and see the wonders of the grand canyon.
Pastor, I am with you 100% about staying FAR from the edge. My thought is if you step back from something you can see it better with a broader perspective. :-) The Grand Canyon is on my list of places to visit. I plan to take my son there.