Jude 2

Am I the only one who was disgusted with the "world" theme of this years Tournament of Roses Parade? The opening number was like a cheap rip-off of a musical number from Disney's Animal Kingdom. Please! The Rose Parade is as American as apple pie and a showcase for American home-grown talent and creativity - not a venue for "global unity." IMHO, of course.

Expect more liberal outreach in 08.

Just got back from the Rose Bowl parade. Opening Number little off. Band from Switzerland, the group from El Salavador for that one you would have had to be there. The chears came up loud and clear..... a great deal of the New Immigrants from the south are coming from Gudamala and El Salvador. And of course Mexico.

The group from Hawaii was really sharp looking. While I know and feel from where you are coming from Soulsearcher. American Pie had long been gone here in southern California.

soulsearcher wrote:Am I the only one who was disgusted with the "world" theme of this years Tournament of Roses Parade?

Perhaps.

We are part of a faith called to reach an entire world with the gospel. Do songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World" also offend your sense of national pride?

Pastor Gary wrote:Do songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World" also offend your sense of national pride?

Only when they get to the, "red and yellow, black and white" part.

Pastor Gary wrote:Perhaps.

We are part of a faith called to reach an entire world with the gospel. Do songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World" also offend your sense of national pride?

When did the "for all" nature of our faith become the policy of American culture (where all cultures are equal [except if your a proud American or -Gods Forbid - A southerner whos proud and unashamed]?

Gerald Creasy wrote:

Pastor Gary wrote:Perhaps.

We are part of a faith called to reach an entire world with the gospel. Do songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World" also offend your sense of national pride?

When did the "for all" nature of our faith become the policy of American culture (where all cultures are equal [except if your a proud American or -Gods Forbid - A southerner whos proud and unashamed]?

When did our nationalism and/or regionalism become more important to us than the Great Commission?

The Rose Bowl. Best part of New Years Day football. I love the parade, this year no exception for me at least. Would love to see it in person one year.

Pastor Gary wrote:When did our nationalism and/or regionalism become more important to us than the Great Commission?

How is the Gospel Spread by the sacrifice of Nationalism?

Gerald Creasy wrote:

Pastor Gary wrote:When did our nationalism and/or regionalism become more important to us than the Great Commission?

How is the Gospel Spread by the sacrifice of Nationalism?

You really have to ask?? Many of those who have gone out as "missionaries" have tried to make Americans (or westerners) instead of disciples... showing total disrespect (or disREGARD) for the cultures of the people they sought to reach.

I am proud to be an American, and served my nation proudly, but if I could reach a people-group by moving to another country I would gladly adopt their language, culture and nationality. American pride is for a lifetime; things eternal outrank things temporal every time.

Pastor Gary wrote:You really have to ask?? Many of those who have gone out as "missionaries" have tried to make Americans (or westerners) instead of disciples... showing total disrespect (or disREGARD) for the cultures of the people they sought to reach.

But how does that pertain to someone getting a bit upset to continually find one must sacrifice a sense of American Nationalism for the World Community WHEN WE ARENT FOREIGN MISSIONARYS AND MOST AMERICANS ARENT?

Pastor Gary wrote:I am proud to be an American, and served my nation proudly, but if I could reach a people-group by moving to another country I would gladly adopt their language, culture and nationality. American pride is for a lifetime; things eternal outrank things temporal every time.

I am glad you are proud and always say that those of your service time got treated like dung by Americans at perhaps Americas Lowest point.

IF I were to find it thrust upon myself to serve in another country, learn another culture and language for the work of God: WONDERFUL!!!

But denigrating a sense of Americanism ACROSS THE BOARD (i e being offended at it's replacement in the Rose Parade) because of some missionaries abuse at some place in time, is nonsense.

Gerald Creasy wrote:But denigrating a sense of Americanism ACROSS THE BOARD (i e being offended at it's replacement in the Rose Parade) because of some missionaries abuse at some place in time, is nonsense.

I am sorry you inferred that from what I said -- BUT -- since when has the Rose Bowl Parade been about Americanism??

1928 States & Nations in Flowers
1930 Festival Days in Flowers
1932 Nations & Games in Flowers
1934 Tales of the Seven Seas
1962 Around the World in Flowers
1966 It's a Small World
1967 Travel Tales in Flowers
1968 Wonderful World of Adventure
1970 Holidays Around the World
1979 Our Wonderful World of Sports
1987 A World of Wonders
1990 A World of Harmony
2008 Passport to the World's Celebrations

I watch that parade every year, and seem to recall very few years that were nationalistic in focus... a lot of kid's stories (some international) and fantasy stuff.

Pastor Gary wrote:

Gerald Creasy wrote:But denigrating a sense of Americanism ACROSS THE BOARD (i e being offended at it's replacement in the Rose Parade) because of some missionaries abuse at some place in time, is nonsense.

I am sorry you inferred that from what I said -- BUT -- since when has the Rose Bowl Parade been about Americanism??

When Soulseracher said:

soulsearcher wrote:The Rose Parade is as American as apple pie and a showcase for American home-grown talent and creativity - not a venue for "global unity."

And You said:

Pastor Gary wrote:We are part of a faith called to reach an entire world with the gospel. Do songs like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World" also offend your sense of national pride?

It seemed to me that a border line claim was being made that made nationalism a detriment to Christianity in general.

I reread your post and realize that I paid no attention to the smiley faces.

I watched the bands from Hawaii, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Illinoise, Florida, Virginia, USC (California) Delaware, the Marine Corp, The Salvation Army. I'll check my photos tomorrow because I took one of each of the bands that marched.

I also watched the bands from China, Switzerland, Mexicao and El Salvador, and Canada. I watched as the crowd roard at USC's band and booded at Illnoise.

My son's kinda of laugh at me when they saw a tear in my eyes, because I felt just as American, and that American Pride whelmmed up inside me when I saw the parade as a representation of our great country. A mix and blend of people from around the world.

The Rose Bowl is still as American Pie as it gets. Just that a few spices and jalapino's have been added to the mix.