It's G is for Goodness Knows Thing

Dear America,

"The devil's most devilish when respectable." 

 Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

good one, huh

but more astonishing is where little old gthing came across this first...in the sidebar of my Bible, the Woman of Faith Study Bible, New International Version, published by Zondervan.  At the end of the Book of Hebrews, there it was, juxtaposed with one of the most beautiful epistles ever written, the "Concluding Exhortations" of Chapter 13...and all I could do was wonder, how in the world did that come about, right?  

Of course, the "conclusions" were simply good, sound advice, and if this girl may be so bold to summarize:  put your faith and trust in Christ, above all things, and peace will be with you always.

It also begins with one of my favorite verses..."Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."  love it, love it, love it.

And yet, it goes on,  advising us to also "[O]bey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give account,  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

And suddenly, reminded of a section within The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates, presented by Ralph Ketcham....Benjamin Franklin was making his case against officers in government receiving any kind of salary, when he said this:

"Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence on the affairs of men.  These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money.  Separately each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects.  Place before the eyes of men, a post of honour that shall be at the same time a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it...

And what kind are the men that will strive for this profitable pre-eminence, through all the bustle of the cabal, the heat of contention, the infinite mutual abuse of both parties, tearing to pieces the best of characters?  It will not be the wise and moderate; the lovers of peace and good order, the men of the fittest for the trust.  It will be the bold and the violent, the men of strong passions and indefatigable activity in their selfish pursuits,  These will thrust themselves into your Government and be your rulers-- And these too will be mistaken in the expected happiness of their situation:  For their vanquished competitors of the same spirit, and from the same motives will perpetually be endeavoring to distress their administration, thwart their measures, and render them odious to the people."

and he well continues, waging his argument upon this foundation, of the near incestuous relationship of the governing power and the governed, in a back and forth that will just take your breath away with every word.  Go read it for yourself.

But now here's the thing...(finally, right?  teehee  ...and no doubt someone will give me a big thump on the head for what I'm about to say, what    everrrr)

....where have all the gentlemen gone?

...Just    so     miss     the depth       of thought; the higher calling to serve this country; the level of civility and honor, even within a  ruckus forum of righteous and self-righteous debate between enlightened men, each hellbent to sway opinion, one way or another, while forming the very government we have so recklessly corrupted -- wrecked really --  over the years.  It's as if just acknowledging how far we have fallen doesn't do this occasion justice, it doesn't come close to realizing how much culture, itself, has changed, and how this relationship between the governing and the governed -- one that has been evolving with "modern brilliance" at breakneck speed -- mocks everything these fine gentlemen of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 did, with the dream of guaranteeing true freedom and liberty for all -- and under God -- in the making of this budding republic.

The devil is in the details, and sometimes appears awfully respectable...

The pure and the impure, of both heart and mind, share the same air and work and play among the governing and the governed, with such finesse -- boundaries are blurred easily and unceremoniously.  The sidebar, or sideshow, gets connected to the word, the true content, and suddenly, the two are so intertwined, the skill of deciphering the truths from untruths becomes a wee bit of a challenge, a force of nature unbecoming of a people of character.    And further, by our own humanity, our own perspective, our own natural inclination to be swayed by motive, politics, ambition or avarice, we allow ourselves to lose ourselves as a people of grace, good character, and profound faith -- the kind of faith that rises above the fray in peaceful allegiance to what is right and true, no matter what.

Fake news falls into the mix.

And seconded with this, another Ben Shapiro entry on the day....here's a good part: 

"3. If Lies In Politics Are Fine, Why Bother Having A Republic? The whole point of republican government is the notion that politicians are answerable to the people – and more importantly, that citizens are capable of holding politicians accountable, of judging right and wrong. If they aren’t – if it’s now morally justifiable to lie to the public in order to get the things you want – then why bother with the charade of republicanism? Why not just have a coup, install the person who will do the stuff you want, and govern that way?"

Goodness knows what is right from wrong.

As a people, as a culture always in flux -- the simple, biblical ideas separating right from wrong, devils from angels, the governing and the governed from the oppressor and the oppressed, is a mighty good fight to keep and to be in constant course correction...for our own good!

Stay alert, people; and stay true to the principles of keeping in good character with every step YOU take; and by all means, do not listen to everything you hear, or read, on the world wide web and everywhere, without a proper level of skepticism -- for Good and Evil exists, and lives, and plays, and has a field day half the time, among us.

Goodness knows we are only human, there is that.

And yet, we are all, and in all ways,  children of God; we can choose the path at every turn -- whether consciously, or  mindlessly and aimlessly; be mindful that every step we take is in the company of the Divine Providence that started it all. For you can be certain,  this nation makes its move in each new day, for better or worse, with or without you.

America has no choice but to take a hard look back, to completely review the course, in order to begin anew; and it begins with reading the works of those great minds who have come before us in the pure love of countrymen, if not, all of mankind.  The Bible would be all you ever really need...feel free to start with Hebrews, for the author (who is unknown) makes the timeless case that Christianity is all you need to know and love and keep in thy faith, in order to live fully and in peace, no matter the circumstances...and he was speaking to the Jews at the time!  

My daily devotional, Jesus Calling, is written as if Jesus is speaking; it's pretty outrageous how the author, Sarah Young, does it, too...what a talent.  Anyway, a couple days ago it went something like this:

"Let my Love enfold you...sit still in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace...Through this relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out.  As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be.  Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up.  Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace.  Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step."

Indeed. 

But given today has been somewhat all about the gentlemen, entertaining thoughts of our muse in  gentleBens (both Franklin and Sbapiro), allow me to add just this:   the future of America rests upon the Mighty creative forces at work and play to make true gentlemen out of all of us --- and yes, this girl has no problem associating herself with such a provocative notion, for....

G  is for Gentlemen.  

G is for Girl.  

G is for Good.  

G is for God. 

G is for Goodness Knows... 

G is for Good, Godly, Self-Government, in the Grace and Peace that passes all understanding and then some, in Good measure, for Generations to come.  

That's just what its all about here at G Thing, every single day.... Good God look at me Go :)

Make it a Good Day, G

ps think it's been a great first week.  teehee for we the people