Tuesday, July 13, 2010

When The Limelight Begins To Flicker

From My Perspective - - -

What exactly is the “limelight”? How did it originate? Why was it utilized? What does it mean if it is said: “That person loves the limelight?” Limelight is: “a lighting unit for spotlighting the front of the stage, producing illumination by means of a flame of mixed gases directed at a cylinder of lime and having a special lens for concentrating the light in a strong beam; a lighting unit - a spotlight; e center of public attention, interest, observation, or notoriety.” The Word Origin and History states: “1826, the popular name for Drummond light, a brilliant light created by the incandescence of lime, adopted for lighthouses and later for the Victorian stage, where it illuminated the principal actors, hence the figurative sense of on stage, at the center of attention.”

The use of the word has varied application. A sampling of them is:
Saf Lerman (20th century), U.S. parent educator wrote in: Helping Children as They Grow - - “Parents need to recognize that the negative behavior accompanying certain stages is just a small part of the total child. It should not become the main focus or be pushed into the limelight.”
Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933), U.S. president is quoted in: Have Faith in Massachusetts - - “We need more of the Office Desk and less of the Show Window in politics. Let men in office substitute the midnight oil for the limelight.”
Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–1990), British broadcaster is quoted from: "Twilight of Greatness," Tread Softly For You Tread on My Jokes (1966) - - “Old politicians, like old actors, revive in the limelight. The vacancy which afflicts them in private momentarily lifts when, once more, they feel the eyes of an audience upon them. Their old passion for holding the centre of the stage guides their uncertain footsteps to where the footlights shine, and summons up a wintry smile when the curtain rises.”

The news stories today have examples of those who choose to be in The Limelight: (1) Michelle Obama as she addressed the NAACP Convention, where she used the phrase: “Increase The Intensity” which is aimed at the Tea Party Movement and the accusation that they are racist! (2) Jesse Jackson and his comments about the Cleveland Cavaliers owner viewing Lebron James as a slave-master would (some slave - with a 20 million dollar annual salary and a greater amount with endorsements – just because of his skill in playing basketball). If we continue on this path of accusing people of being Racist and Nazis, this nation will become increasing divided and marginalized. As the nation erodes and decays, what can and should be done to avert such a disaster? When does a nation pause and take account of itself – an inventory check – an assessment of where it is and where it is heading? Are we capable of doing this in our nation? Who will step forward and lead the way toward fiscal responsibility and national respect?

To those who were called God’s people, the prophet spoke and wrote the words of The Lord - Jeremiah 5:25-31 (The Message Translation): “Your bad behavior blinds you to all this. Your sins keep my blessings at a distance…My people are infiltrated by wicked men, unscrupulous men on the hunt. They set traps for the unsuspecting. Their victims are innocent men and women. Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain…Pretentious and powerful and rich, hugely obese, oily with rolls of fat. Worse, they have no conscience. Right and wrong mean nothing to them. They stand for nothing, stand up for no one, throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor. Do you think I'll stand by and do nothing about this? Don't you think I'll take serious measures against a people like this? What's happened in this country? Prophets preach lies and priests hire on as their assistants. And my people love it. They eat it up! But what will you do when it's time to pick up the pieces?” The contemporary application is obvious – no one seriously considers God in our culture and the people love the entitlements they receive. Moral and Fiscal restraints are jettisoned - Laws are bent away from God’s Standards - Aimless and Directionless people are everywhere – and – “My people love to have it so!” How tragic! Today is the right day to Change Our Ways! Consider these things with me!

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