In Tribute to Various Folk Named Low(e)ry: a Favourite Primary School Teacher, a CORSO Stalwart, and an American Pastor with Impeccable Civil Rights Credentials
In reverse order, may I simply say that I feel some recognition is due, as per
#*'Reverend' Joseph Lowery, for his impeccable record in the American Civil Rights Movement - however much I doubtless see things rather differently as per same-sex marriage and the LGBT 'movement'. He was the person who apparently gave the prayer and benediction at then President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration, the one such inauguration I greatly regretted not being in attendance at...
#Walter Lowry, one-time local activist in 'CORSO', a Christian organisation that oftentimes got right up the nasal cavities of a former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Robert 'Piggy' Muldoon, essentially for supporting African aid 'outfits' which implicitly (or tacitly) condoned the use of violence to achieve their objectives. Admittedly, these days I do happen to think that critics like Muldoon did have a point, especially in view of the hopeless outcome in so many nations in that continent following their brave new world of 'independence'...sadly so often hijacked by tin-pot tyrants and despots - to be entirely euphemistic about matters; but in a way that's really besides the point, for like - seemingly few - others these days, I've never happened to believe that the end justifies the means...
#A favourite (primer 3) teacher of mine, known only as 'Mrs Lowry' to this then appreciative pupil...
*My regular readership well knowing that as with my Saviour, I too hold that **No-One But He is ever deserving of such an (implicit) accolade, however seemingly worthy some people - such as Lowery's own one-time contemporary and renowned Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, for instance - might seem. Ultimately we are all, as the (sweet) psalmist (of Israel) declared in two ***identical psalms (14 and 53, I believe), flawed and imperfect 'vessels', though privileged as the Apostle Paul so aptly expressed things, to 'possess'/contain (God's priceless) treasure in (the) 'earthen vessels' (of our humanity).
**Though Jesus never put it so blatantly (vis-a-vis Himself, that is), leaving His apostles to work the clear implications (of His express counsel (in Matthew 23:7-10) out for themselves; He ever and only 'emptied Himself for our salvation' and was, as was Moses, ever 'meek and lowly in heart'...
***Near identical, that is, for there are certain (minor yet significant) differences in detail; and they might have originally been essentially one psalm, but chosen as two for various reasons (such as to fill out the 'Psalter').
Postscript (Sunday April 5th):
And though not a personal fan as such, isn't it coincidental that another prominent attendee/guest at then President-Elect Obama's inauguration has now also passed away...
Bill Withers, whose memorable song "Lean on me" is just that, one of those 'ditties' you just cannot forget, and though not a great song as such in my un-esteemed opinion, in its simple truths so simply re-stated again and again it expresses a sentiment that I at least (and doubtless many others) have felt expresses my/our own personal relationship with - if not an (earthly) (be)loved one - then certainly my/our Maker and Divine Lover...
Perhaps unbeknownst to you, Bill, He did indeed inspire you to create that song...
#*'Reverend' Joseph Lowery, for his impeccable record in the American Civil Rights Movement - however much I doubtless see things rather differently as per same-sex marriage and the LGBT 'movement'. He was the person who apparently gave the prayer and benediction at then President-Elect Barack Obama's inauguration, the one such inauguration I greatly regretted not being in attendance at...
#Walter Lowry, one-time local activist in 'CORSO', a Christian organisation that oftentimes got right up the nasal cavities of a former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Robert 'Piggy' Muldoon, essentially for supporting African aid 'outfits' which implicitly (or tacitly) condoned the use of violence to achieve their objectives. Admittedly, these days I do happen to think that critics like Muldoon did have a point, especially in view of the hopeless outcome in so many nations in that continent following their brave new world of 'independence'...sadly so often hijacked by tin-pot tyrants and despots - to be entirely euphemistic about matters; but in a way that's really besides the point, for like - seemingly few - others these days, I've never happened to believe that the end justifies the means...
#A favourite (primer 3) teacher of mine, known only as 'Mrs Lowry' to this then appreciative pupil...
*My regular readership well knowing that as with my Saviour, I too hold that **No-One But He is ever deserving of such an (implicit) accolade, however seemingly worthy some people - such as Lowery's own one-time contemporary and renowned Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, for instance - might seem. Ultimately we are all, as the (sweet) psalmist (of Israel) declared in two ***identical psalms (14 and 53, I believe), flawed and imperfect 'vessels', though privileged as the Apostle Paul so aptly expressed things, to 'possess'/contain (God's priceless) treasure in (the) 'earthen vessels' (of our humanity).
**Though Jesus never put it so blatantly (vis-a-vis Himself, that is), leaving His apostles to work the clear implications (of His express counsel (in Matthew 23:7-10) out for themselves; He ever and only 'emptied Himself for our salvation' and was, as was Moses, ever 'meek and lowly in heart'...
***Near identical, that is, for there are certain (minor yet significant) differences in detail; and they might have originally been essentially one psalm, but chosen as two for various reasons (such as to fill out the 'Psalter').
Postscript (Sunday April 5th):
And though not a personal fan as such, isn't it coincidental that another prominent attendee/guest at then President-Elect Obama's inauguration has now also passed away...
Bill Withers, whose memorable song "Lean on me" is just that, one of those 'ditties' you just cannot forget, and though not a great song as such in my un-esteemed opinion, in its simple truths so simply re-stated again and again it expresses a sentiment that I at least (and doubtless many others) have felt expresses my/our own personal relationship with - if not an (earthly) (be)loved one - then certainly my/our Maker and Divine Lover...
Perhaps unbeknownst to you, Bill, He did indeed inspire you to create that song...
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