Philippians 4:8 (NIV) — from BibleGateway.com’s Verse of the Day
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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From DSC:
I went to Northwestern University (NU). It’s a great, tough school to go to. It has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. They have student-athletes there, not just athletes who are using college as pre-pro camp grounds. I had some great experiences there and also some tough experiences there. Anyway, BibleGateway.com’s Verse of the Day the other day make me reflect upon how difficult it is for universities and colleges to maintain a faith-based perspective to why they exist.
For example, NU’s logo has two parts to it: the seal and the signature. On the seal, it says, “Quaecumque Sunt Vera” — which NU’s website explains:
This Latin phrase was adopted as the University’s official motto in 1890. Translated as “Whatsoever things are true,” it comes from the New Testament book of Philippians (4:8), in which St. Paul admonishes the Christians in the Greek city of Philippi: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Unfortunately, NU’s motto/logo should now have the Latin phrase for “whatever makes you wealthy” — as the unspoken mission and vision of the administration and students these last few decades has been more along these lines:
Finally, to those who are taught to compete against each other,
Whatever will get you the corner office,
Whatever will get you the highest salary,
Whatever will allow you to obtain the most possessions,
Whatever will allow you to boast about yourselves,
Whatever will allow you to show the world just how powerful and wealthy you are –
If there be any money, if there be any gold, if there be any silver in the world (and no matter how your actions may affect other people), think about how you can obtain such things.
I’m sorry to be so harsh here…seriously. I feel a bit sheepish about posting this. It’s just that it’s very sad to see a university lose it’s heart and soul and become very worldly in the process (especially one I care so much about). And this has happened to 100’s of colleges and universities — I just have experienced and witnessed NU as one example here. So now, we have some great country clubs of higher ed out there…great for us.
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
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Many in the United States try as hard as they can to keep kicking the LORD out of our public squares, out of our schools, out of everything. Hmmm…I wonder if that’s why the United States finds itself in such a powerful, downward spiral.