Where In The World Is Hahnville High?

February 24, 2017

  

 

“By the Mississippi’s waters stands our high school fair. Louisiana’s sons and daughters long shall gather there...” - These are the opening lines of the Hahnville High School Alma Mater.

  

I can still remember them because I had to learn them for Ms. Frickey’s choir. I learned to play the tune for David Rosenthaul’s band. And sitting next to me and singing or playing them were people whose paint jobs didn’t all match mine. People I ate lunch with, attended class with, was in G&T drama with, attended church with. And yes, since the statute of limitations clock should have run out by now, and grounding is less likely to be an issue… young men and women who I skipped classes with a time or two and went to the lake and shared a few less than legal beverages with. All while listening to that old heathen rock and rap that we were so fond of “back in the day”. It’s simply by God’s Grace we didn’t end up dead or in jail isn’t it?

  

(Sorry Mom and Dad. I know you thought I was perfect. And to my kids, this doesn’t mean that it’s okay for you to try that. I’ll ground you for life just so we’re clear.)

  

Last night I saw a request for prayers for the people of the community I lived in while I was in junior and high school. Naturally I was curious as to why. What I found out was that because of a spark created at a presentation for Black History month, the Deceiver managed to use a favorite tool of his to start hammering wedges into that same community. Race. So I started praying. Fervently. Sincerely. And I ended up sitting and typing like I sometimes do after talking with God. And here’s what I wanted to share...

"Red Rover, Red Rover, Let Peace Come on Over."

September 21, 2016 

When we were kids we used to play a game in school called Red Rover. If you’re unfamiliar with the game, it goes something like this:

Two teams hold hands, line up across from each other, and take turns calling members of the other team to try and run over and break through their line. If the called person is successful, they take someone back with them. If not, they join the line they couldn’t break, until one of the teams has no more members.

As I listened to news reports about renewed racial tension and violence over the past couple of days, I was reminded of that game. It may sound simplistic… heck, maybe even a little crazy… but I think it’s time for Christians to start approaching these issues like a game of Red Rover.  

We who have received the Grace of Christ need to join hands with our brothers and sisters, no matter their skin tone, and stand firm as opposition rushes toward us looking to break through the lines. As we hold tightly to our neighbors’ hands and rely on shared strength, we also have the opportunity to “capture” more and more souls; bringing them into relationship with Grace’s team, thereby making it stronger. And yes, sometimes that is a literal need, not just metaphorical.  

Just think about it… instead of being confronted by police with riot gear and teargas, what if rioters were SURROUNDED by everyday citizens with only their brother or sister’s hand in theirs?