As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of my most favorite musicals. I had a blast playing the role of Potiphar many years back at Richmond’s Dogwood Dell.
It’s based on the Old Testament story of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. But he ends up a right hand man to Pharaoh. When famine hits his homeland, his brothers come to Egypt for food. Joseph recognizes them right away but they’re a little slow on the uptake, since they think there’s One More Angel in Heaven. When he finally reveals himself, he tells them that while what they did was evil, God used it for good. So, they all move to Egypt and get jobs in the brick making business.
Oh sure, it led to four hundred years of slavery and in the end Charlton Heston was passed over, so to speak,
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dogwood Dell, July & August, 2012 (Potiphar)
when the 1957 Academy Award went to Pharaoh who looked a lot like the King of Siam. *
Before I write myself into a corner, let me explain my thought process.
I’ve been considering my writing and what, if any, purpose it serves other than my own enjoyment. Trust me, I got my Google Analytics report yesterday. We’re not winning any ratings wars. Although I do appreciate those of you who read here. (Tell your friends)
While I have other projects that are more artistic, if you will…my short stories…my scripts…the novels…oh, the novels that need much work, I write here to hopefully have a positive influence.
Heaven knows, especially over the last now almost fourteen months, we need all the good vibes we can get. So, I do what I can.
Martin Luther said:
If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.
I’m not really sure that I can change the world. Rather, to paraphrase Diana (Ross, not Princess) I want to reach out and touch and make this world a better place.
If i can.
I used to think that I could change things writing about politics.
I was young. I was naive.
I got better.
I want this to be a place of encouragement. Maybe it’s a ministry, I don’t know. I’m not going to start preaching. Well, not anymore than I already do.
But if I can share something positive, something encouraging, then like Lina Lamont, I’ll know that “It ain’t been in vain for nothing.”
I’ll take “How many obscure cultural references can he squeeze into one post?” for $500, Alex (RIP).
So I write here to share things that are on my mind. I write here to sometimes call for reason in an unreasonable world.
I hope I do it well.
Terry Pratchett said:
The pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp.
If my pen was really as sharp as it should be, I’d find a clever way to end this.
As it is, I’m going to stop before I get to the Tolkien and Chekhov references.
Editing is also meant for good.
Photo by Clark Young on Unsplash
*While The Ten Commandments was nominated for seven Academy Awards, Heston was not nominated as best actor (seriously, have you seen the film?). Yul Brynner, a.k.a. Pharoah in The Ten Commandments won that year for The King and I. So let it be written. So let it be done.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
I recently wrote a note to myself that said “there should always be music.” Yesterday after a doctor’s appointment I was feeling the weight of what I shared on Monday.
First up on Pandora was “His Eye on the Sparrow” and then this “God Provides” by Tamela Mann. It was needed.
Maybe you need it today.
WHAT I’M READING
RANDOM LINKS YOU SHOULD READ
Richmond’s Rage of the Woke
City Journal
The city’s iconoclastic frenzy, supported by local leaders, has left a historic avenue with stumps and graffiti. Read More.
BREAKING: Derek Chauvin’s lawyer requests new trial, citing alleged jury misconduct
The RF Angle
Nelson also alleges that the court failed to sequester the jury during the trial, which caused the jurors “to prejudicial publicity regarding the trial during the proceedings, as well as jury intimidation and potential fear of retribution among jurors.” Read More.
Who amongst us didn’t see THAT coming?
TX Democrat Party Leader Resigns After Using Racial Slur Against Senator Tim Scott
Red State
Lamar County Democratic Party Chairman Gary O’Connor attacked Senator Scott with a degrading term meant to insult Black Americans whom some perceive as “acting White” just because they don’t toe the liberal line. Read More.
Biden Believes in Science — So Long as the Teachers’ Unions Approve
National Review
Now, a Freedom of Information Act request by the conservative watchdog group Americans for Public Trust, reported by the New York Post, reveals the depth of political interference in the school-reopening guidance. Read More.
Trump launches new website called ‘From the Desk of Donald J. Trump’ which lets followers share his posts to Twitter and Facebook
Daily Mail
The former president unveiled the website where only he can upload content, and doesn’t let users interact, as he teased to supporters they will be ‘very, very happy’ when they hear his decision about running for the White House again. Read More.
If you’ve missed him, here’s the link:
From the Desk of Donald J. Trump
PODCASTS I’M LISTENING TO
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26