The Commandments. Part One.

Today, as a layman, I will take some liberties by paraphrasing, an analogy of the Ten Commandments as they are provided to us in the scriptures related to our perception, our commitment, our view, our ideas, our respect, our due honor to the Creator of this universe, its natural laws, the plants, animals and us humans.
To start this off let’s imagine that you’ve been hired by a certain company. You’ve been there a few days, seeing the operation first hand, walking the grounds, captivated by the garden and getting acquainted with the purpose of the company, its operation and how it all works together.
ten commandments 3
“Yes, I’m gonna like it here.”

The owner then calls you into his office. Comfortably seated facing each other, he starts telling you why he called you in. “I want you to know about this company and the rules I have for your safety and your benefit, and how it all came about.” He then proceeds in detail the intricate process he went through to make this business work: how it came to be, the first thoughts, the design, the first implementation of the vast structures, the outside facilities, the garden, the grounds, the gathering of the numerous parts holding it all together, the planning of how it would all work for the benefit of the working partners, the customers and himself. And how long it took.

“You’re an important part of this operation.” He informs you. “You have some freedoms within my basic rules to innovate new technologies and ideas too that will be of great use to our customers and your fellow workers, and I’ll guide you on the implementation of those.” He tells you that as a partner in this venture you would benefit greatly; your family and all your children and grandchildren will reap his rewards by your faithfulness as a partner. He proceeds to briefly tell you what expectations he has for your daily intermingling with your fellow workers and customers that benefits everyone; things like refraining from making images that could become idols. “Don’t do that”, he emphatically says.

“Oh, one other thing too that bothers me greatly. Don’t call me names. It’s disrespectful and you should not call your fellow workers names either. Got it? Cooperation by all benefits all.”

“Now, welcome to my world. I’m available for consultation anytime.”

You come away from the office impressed and honored that he chose you to be part of this company. Sounds wonderful, you’re excited and pledge to yourself that any other company coming down the line with an intriguing proposal shall be shunned.

“He created this, I work for him.”

Footnote: Could that phrase (you’re fired) have originated during biblical times as Jesus was instructing in parables Matt 13:41-42

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Author: Arnold R. Kropp

About Mr. Arnold. Back in the days when I was a kid growing up in south Chicago, freely roaming around the neighborhood was common, and just a part of life in the late '40s and early '50s. A train track was less than a mile away and a favorite place to walk along the rails. A large city park was a bit closer with areas of dense trees and areas of open grassy picnic grounds. A public golf course was just two blocks away, but the famed 4-lane busy Western avenue had to be crossed to get to it, and we crossed in the middle of the block running between the cars and trucks. We knew the risks. In the winters, we would climb that fence making our way to one of the ponds, we’d push and shovel away the snow and play a spontaneous game of hockey, or bring a sled and slide down the hillside ; no adults, no special padding, just a group of kids enjoying the contest. Dad was at work. Mom was home tending to the laundry and preparing the family meal for promptly at 6 pm. Life was good. It was fun. Sunday mornings were dress up in suit and tie, polished shoes for Sunday school and the worship service, then to a restaurant. Arnold went on to college immediately after high school, but could not find a subject, a major that was really up his alley, so he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during the years the Berlin wall was built. Seeing what effects Soviet communism had on the people of East Germany left an impression on him. During those years, he would write many long letters home starting a desire to write more than just letters. Many years later Arnold developed a blog where he posted hundreds of articles on the political side of American life. Some of those are available in the collection named "Ramblings". Today, Society is totally different from that of the '50s, a whole lot different. Today, it has become scary to let the kids roam. Today it has become organized to the hilt with 2nd graders playing organized football. In my present relatively quiet neighborhood, I do see kids walking the streets, but there is a difference as the kids seem to be apprehensive and on guard or intently operating a telephone as they walk, not running after each other playing hide and seek. Today, the above freedoms of the '50s are suspect and avoided as being dangerous activities. And that is sad. It's sad that today's kids do not have that freedom, and it may be having a direct effect on their development. Consider, one fact that is readily apparent today compared to yesterday; the preponderance of overweight and obese kids, even pre-school kids are heavier than we were, and this has to be affecting the rest of their daily lives. No doubt about it. But, I'd better hush, can't talk about those things. Yes, in the '50s there were Semi-trucks, public transportation, murders, rape, robberies, house fires, sickness and diseases resulting in death, and yes, there were deadly vehicle accidents too. There was even poverty and homosexuals too. We went to public schools, and the high school was integrated. This was Chicago, but those events did not make the headlines, as news was only broadcast at 6pm and possibly 10pm nightcap. Days of the cold war kept us together as a nation. We saw the "Victory at Sea" war clips before the main feature at the theaters. And now technology dominates life. A cell phone in every handy pocket posting selfies. A computer saving everything to one of those cumulous clouds. Room size TV’s broadcasting everything 24/7. This is more information than I want. Let me decide something. I think. therefore, I am. I was born a male, therefore I am. I was born-again, therefore I am. I have life within, therefore I am. The news is not my guide. The TV is not my Sheppard.

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