Posted by
peripheral on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 5:25:43 AM
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!