The I Word … April 2nd, 2019

Jonathots Daily Blog

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THE

 

WORD

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The I Word is Ignorance

I am reminded of the passage in “A Christmas Carol,” where the second of the Three Spirits warns Ebenezer Scrooge, when unveiling the two children of humankind beneath his robes.

He says, “Beware them both in all of their degree, but most of all, beware this boy—for on his brow I see that which is written, which is Doom, unless the writing be ceased.”

And the boy’s name was Ignorance.

Ignorance may be one of the few words in the English language which is used both as a taunt of criticism and a badge of pride. It evokes a situation in which we choose to ignore that which is obvious, that which is blessed, that which is praise-worthy and that which is true, in favor of a mythical tale often of our own making.

It is dangerous—especially when flaunted by those who seem to be totally content with their lack of knowledge and education and have begun to wear their misinterpretation as proof of simplicity instead of simply lacking proof.

Ignorance says, “I will ignore any opinion that differs from mine.”

Ignorance also proclaims, “I will call those who disagree with me ignorant.”

And most notorious of all, Ignorance closes out its rampage with, “I will lie to maintain my ignorance.”

It is a word we must cease using, because it has no power as an excuse and becomes a vicious attack when pointing the finger at another, rendering the accuser the villain.

 

The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly donation for this inspirational opportunity

 

 

Cracked 5 … December 6th, 2016

 Jonathots Daily Blog

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Favorite Sayings of Tiny Tim Other Than “And May God Bless Us Everyone”

 

A.  Damn, my legs hurt!

 

B.  May God dress us everyone. We need new clothes!

 

C.  What the hell–goose again??

 

D.  Has anyone noticed I need a bigger crutch?

 

E.  I want to live with Scrooge.

 

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Cratchity… December 20, 2012

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You know the story.  A cheap skate named Ebenezer Scrooge, living in Old London Town, who hates Christmas and has an equal disdain for all humanity, is visited supernaturally by three ghosts who convince him of the error of his ways, transforming him into a regenerated soul.

Scrooge, from Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. With Illustrations by John Leech. London: Chapman & Hall, 1843. First edition. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s my question: Why couldn’t Bob Cratchit perform this mission?Why do we continue to promote a religiosity that waits for the heavens to change our earthly circumstance when it’s quite clear that the Divine intends for His followers be the thrust?

Bob Cratchit worked for Scrooge for years. Yet he left the man untouched, unchanged and I believe, unimpressed. As you follow the story, you realize that Bob Cratchit had no way of impacting Ebenezer Scrooge, because when his “cratchity Christianity“ came up against the crotchety nature of Scrooge, he wilted. Bob Cratchit was a man who believed that being spiritual was suffering in silence. He felt there was some sort of heavenly reward in being miserable. He believed that salvation had robbed him of the voice to cry in the wilderness.

But being human, he complained to his wife and children about his plight at work. In other words, he may have suffered silently in front of Scrooge, but he undercut his employer at home in front of his family. He was unhappy because he had settled–he had settled for less than what he needed to provide for his family. He had settled for a small goose for his dinner table. And he had settled for hoping for a cure for Tiny Tim instead of ferociously pursuing every medical possibility that existed.

We know this because when Scrooge is redeemed, he brings his business prowess to his newfound life and ends up being able to help Tiny Tim. Once Bob Cratchit decided to settle, he took on the profile of one who endures. After all, what could he do? It not only left him dissatisfied, teaching his children that they were the victims of the harsh culture of capitalism, but the lack of confrontation with his boss left Ebenezer damned.

If it had not been for Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, the old man would have had no point of reference for anyone who was of the faith and also successful. Fred was even able to help Bob Cratchit by offering an apprenticeship to his son. Fred joyously bounces into Scrooge’s office to invite him to dinner, deflecting all of the “bah-humbugs” in the air. Fred had a different philosophy:

1. He found his choice. He wanted to be happy with Christmas.
2. He made it work. He not only celebrated himself, but challenged a reluctant uncle and pre-softened his heart for the arrival of the ghosts.
3. He turned joy into happiness. Joy is when we take what we have and find an ingenious way to turn it into a happy moment.
4. Fred inherited the earth. He got his friends, Christmas, family–and outlasted the meanness of Uncle Scrooge. He beat him. Because when all was said and done, Scrooge ate dinner at Fred’s house.

“Cratchity Christianity” will never address a crotchety crustiness. It will take a “Fred faith”–as we find our choice, make it work, turn joy into happiness and inherit the earth.

The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity