Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

A song popped up into my memories recently that I had encountered somewhere along my musical wanderings. One line in particular piqued my curiosity: “Then in manner of fashion I’d frown.” The song is titled,
“Alice Blue Gown“
In my sweet little Alice blue gown,
When I first wander'd down into town
I was both proud and shy,
As i felt ev'ry eye,
But in ev'ry shop window I'd primp, passing by
Then in a manner of fashion I'd frown
And the world seemed to smile all around,
Till it wilted I wore it,
I'll always adore it,
My sweet little Alice blue gown."

When, I wondered, is it fashionable to frown? My searches brought me only definitions of ‘fashion’ and ‘frown.’ Fashion, of course, being a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or manners of behavior. Frowning is a facial expression or look characterized by such a furrowing of one's brows: a frown of disapproval.
We are ardently counseled to turn those frowns upside down; let a smile be your umbrella. Smilers never lose, and frowners never win. If we are not ‘fashionable’, what then? Who wishes to be unfashionable, dated, unstylish, untrendy, unpopular, square, or uncool? But no clues could I find that explained that line in the song.
Further research brought no answer. Perhaps the authors of the musical, “Irene” - words by Joseph McCarthy, music by Harry Tierney - needed a good rhyme. Anyway, I found that Alice blue is a pale tint of azure that was favored by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and which sparked a fashion sensation in the United States. Edith Day was an American actress best known for her roles in musicals, and she became a major star playing the title role in the 1919 Broadway musical “Irene.” It is set in New York City's Upper West Side and focuses on Irene O'Dare, a humble but ambitious, hardworking Irish girl, who is introduced to Long Island's high society. (1)
The old “rags to riches” theme; the lowly moving up in society. Should we counsel our children to emulate, to join the popular crowd? Author Alexandra Robbins thinks not! Many kids she talked to felt that their lowly social status meant they weren't worth much. The result was Robbins' new book, "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth:” (2)
Many of the differences that lead people to exclude the “Geek” students in school are the same characteristics or skills that other people will value, admire or respect about those students in adulthood and outside of the school atmosphere. Is there something adults can do to discourage the “push for popularity” mindset?
First of all, parents should never emphasize popularity. They should never push their child to make more friends if the child is happy with his or her current social life. Robbins notes, “The in-crowd at most schools often falls into the "perceived popular" category. It turns out that students in this group are more likely to engage in risky behavior. They are often less likely to do well in school. They are more likely to conform, because they're more likely to feel pressure from their group to conform.”
Best to follow Paul’s advice: “Do not be conformed to this world” - the world of fashion, popularity, conformity and risky behavior.

(1)“Irene.”from a book by James Montgomery, lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, and music by Harry Tierney. cf: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_(musical)
Listen to a recording of Edith Day singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhmso6QmTiQ
(2) Alexandra Robbins: "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School" (Hyperion, 2011)
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/the-geeks-shall-inherit-the-earth

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

SCRIPTURE: “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life.” John 6:67-68, NKJV (John 6:60; 66, 68-69)

A slogan adopted by some school athletic teams proclaims that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” A challenge entices some people into putting every morsel of heart and soul into the effort to persevere, even though success is questionable and the outcome in doubt. Discipline has its own reward. For some people, anyway.
For others, when the going gets tough, their pathway leads away from the challenges and hard times, as in this passage in John’s Gospel, even if the reward is eternal life. “This is a hard saying,” they complained. (John 6:60) And so many of His disciples went back and walked with him no more. (vs. 66)
I thought of these words, written by Thomas Paine at the beginning of the American Revolution:
“These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
Thomas Paine, “The American Crisis”—Published on 23 December 1776

David, the king-annointed of Israel, also endured some very tough times, hiding in the wilderness while the current reigning king, Saul, sought to kill him. (1 Samuel 23:14) David refused to kill King Saul when an easy opportunity was presented, though some urged him to seek that method of ending the hardship. Saul was yet the Lord’s anointed; the matter would be decided by the Lord’s hand, not David’s. (Samuel 24:10)
It is easy to join a cause amid glitz and glamor, to be part of the popular throng, merrily enjoying the “summer sunshine.” So it is in life in the earthly realm, and many will not view the glorious triumph to be worth the hard conflict. A life that is viewed as pressed down and boxed in can be very unpleasant. Like Paul, we pray for relief from our “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
While there are valid reasons to fly the coop, such as abusive relationships, or undesirable situations, we need to think carefully before joining the “green pasture” crowd - those souls continually searching for something better, always searching, but never finding.
Yet, as Thomas Paine observed, what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness that gives everything its value. Following Jesus the Savior is not always easy, as many who followed Him discovered. Let us, though, not go away from Him, for, as Peter observed Jesus has the words of eternal life.
May 25, 2008