A fiftieth memorial that probably escaped us was the death of C.S. Lewis, the eminent Christian academic and writer, who died on the same day as J.F.K.
Like Kennedy, Lewis was a statesmen; a statesmen for the Kingdom of God. (Is is surprising, then, that his death passed almost unnoticed?)
But, "He being dead yet speaketh" His voice still lives on in major works like "Mere Christianity", "The Screw Tape Letters",
"Surprised by Joy"and "Four Kinds of Love": all books that had a profound effect on me in my formative years as a christian.
His "Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" (which became a block buster movie) also have impacted another generation for Christ.
Lewis had keen insight into people and an irrepressible sense of humor.
At Magdalen College, Cambridge, he was a professor of classics.
His tenure corresponded with that of a friend of mine, Jack Kane.
Jack was a student in the same residence as Lewis. One night Jack returned to his dorm a little the worse-for-wear from the local pub. Since he was in an attic, four floors up from the wash room, Jack emptied his bladder through his small bedroom window.
The professor's room was directly beneath him.
Lewis opened his lecture the following morning by remarking:
"Raining rather heavily last, Mr Kane!"
Always room for a smile in the Kingdom Of God.
Jubilate.
Ian
My good friend, Colin Harbinson, sent me this photograph, with the inscription :
"Obama Care. The technical team to the rescue!"
I felt that it was too good not to pass on to our readers.
Jubilate.
Ian
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
"Let me see if I have got this right.
You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behaviour, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt message and instill in them a love of learning.
You want me to check their back-packs for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a cheque book and apply for a job.
You want me to check their hair for lice, recognize signs of anti-social behaviour and ensure that they pass their final exams.
You want me to provide them with an education regardless of their handicaps.
You want me to do all of this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile and a starting salary that qualifies me for "New Start".
You want me to do all this and then YOU tell me:
I CAN'T wear a little cross or say "Happy Christmas" because
SOMEONE might take offence?"
Jubilate
Ian
