Every year we take our sixth graders from Emmanuel Christian School to Washington D.C. for the annual sixth grade trip. We go the great cities of the east coast including New York City, Philadelphia, and the nation's capital.Last year I noticed that the skyline of the capital is low and squatty, unlike the skylines of her sister metropolitan cities. I disovered through inquiry that there is a law in Washington DC that no building can be of greater height than the Washington Monument (Update: The law regulates that no building shall be higher than 90 feet -- still lower than the Monument but the restriction is not tied to it).
Interesting.
The highest piece of man-made material in our nation's capital is the aluminum cap of the Washington Monument. On this cap are enscribed two words: Laus Deo.
These words are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. The words are written facing the open sky and are unnoticed by the thousands of visitors to the monument each day.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
These words were intentionally placed there by the fathers of the city in the 1800's.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, mean?
Very simply, they say... "Praise be to God!"
May our highest objective in all the things we seek to accomplish within the SBC, our churches, and our individual lives be that which ultimately redounds to the praise of God alone.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
30 comments:
Now that's cool!
Wade,
When I first read this post, I though this topic should calm things down and keep things on the quite order.
Who can find fault with “Praise be to God!” But does God want to see words of praise, or deeds that give him praise?
Washington D.C.—the highest murder rate in America. (Correct me if I’m wrong about that.)
It was the location of our first trip with Volunteer Christian Builders where a man tried to steel my billfold and I was rear-ended while stopped at a yield sign. Worst of all, my 12 year old daughter was improperly touched while we were in an elevator.
So, do the words so high in the sky do any more good than “In God we trust” that Hitler had on belt buckles? Does a law prohibiting any building being higher than these words do any good at all?
Looks like that law has made an idol and it has failed like all idols. Man should be careful that the Bible is not worshiped more than the author.
Rex Ray
A too literal interpretaion of the Tower of Babel story, perhaps. Ironic that the words should be written in a language that few understand today.
And as Truthofacts reminds us following he letter rather than the spirit does no good at all.
Good thoughts Rex.
I guess it goes to show you that it's not the words one writes, the truth one expresses, but what is in one's heart that determines whether or not God is honored.
Wade,
I second Your comment and the ones building the Washington Monument honored God for His Eyes Only.
In His Name
Wayne Smith
I received an email from Wes saying that the building restrictions have now changed to be tied to the width of the street.
Thanks, Wes, for the update. I was told the other and I tried to verify it on the net, but as one knows from my post of yesterday, you can't always believe what you read on the internet.
:)
Thanks RKATCT
Part legend, part truth.
The good thing is that the words on the top of the monument are the truthful part and not the legend.
That's cool Wade. How'd your sixth graders like it? We went in the ninth grade and I gotta say it wasn't too productive. I admit I was too immature to know the significance of such a city and my teachers seemed to care more for the fun of it than anything else. Interesting how the fathers of the city did that...well, LAUS DEO!!!!
Wade,
Thanks for this post. It is good that you have challenged us to keep God's glory above all else.
I hate to detract, but the info I found on wikipedia is slightly different from what Rkatect mentions above. An 1899 law prohibited buildings that were taller than 288 feet, the height of the capitol dome. That has been replaced, and the current restriction prohibits buildings that are more than 20 feet taller than the width of the street in front of them.
I hate that I'm so picky.
;-)
Mike,
After you take a couple of blood pressure pills why don't you post my comments here for all to see.
They were neither a defense of Marty nor a slander of the Word of God.
In fact, I stated that I found no comfort in Marty's extra-biblical logic of the humanity of Christ, as he does.
Marty took a logical position that goes beyond the written Word and into human logic. You seem to ignore the fact that Marty does not deny the inerrant Word, and affirms the sinlessness and Deity of Jesus Christ.
My comment was to challenge people in the SBC to be intellectually and spiritually honest and admit that some of their beliefs and views of the Christian life, like Marty's views on the humanity of Christ, are extra-biblical.
Nothing wrong with following extra-biblical ethics or holding to extra-biblical views --- unless you demand others follow them or hold to them in order to be "holy" or a leader in the SBC.
I would be delighted for you to send my comments anywhere because anyone who reads them without prejudice or jaundice will see what I said for themselves rather than taking your word for it, which is a rather poor representation.
And by the way, what in the world does you comment have to do with "Laus Deo?"
Mike,
You are not welcome to post Marty's post on my site.
I said you may post my comments about it.
Marty took his post down, and it is not your place to put it back up.
However, you have my complete and full permission to post my comments about his post anywhere you please.
Blessings,
Wade
Mike,
What are you trying to achieve? What is your aim or goal? And, what is your biblical support for your actions?
Mike-
First, there was nothing unbiblical about my post; it was, however, disconcerting to a number of people and that is why I took it down. Obviously, it was not a subject that some people were ready to contemplate, so rather than allow confusion, I removed it.
Second, as is noted in my Creative Commons License, you do NOT have permission to repost that writing anywhere and to do so will be a violation of the law.
Third, if you think that Morris Chapman has anything to do with removing trustees of SBC entities, you are as ignorant as a post.
Fourth, you did neither comment on my comment thread, nor contact me via email about your concerns, instead you chose to run over to a third party and accuse me of "slander of God's word." You are in violation of Scripture yourself and there is no slander any worse that claiming to hold something that you actually ignore.
Last, you need to pay close attention to Wade's comment. He did not even agree with the position that I espoused. Why don't you write everyone to complain about me instead?
Everyone-
A friend said to me the other day, "Marty, you need to understand that for the most part people like you. But, they hate Wade." Mike is serving as a living demonstration of that sentiment.
Mike,
In other words, you have no biblical warrant for your actions. You want to demean a man's character who is a brother in Christ. You are intending to divide. You are not using an established forum to voice your concern about a trustee. Ironically, this is the main complaint about Wade using his blog. Welcome to the club.
calrification- the blog as forum part is the complaint about Wade
Marty,
This is Rachelle, Wade is in Oklahoma City doing a revival.
I don't hate Wade. ;)
Mike,
I asked Marty to delete the post. People like you are the reason I asked him to do so.
I asked him to do it for the weaker brother's sake. Wade did not in any way say he supported,or agreed with the post. He was giving Ben Cole an admonition about "fairness" as is his normal way of approaching things.
The problem with Wade is he tries to be too radically kind to everyone. I guess he thinks he is having the mind of Christ when he does that stuff.
You know, Mike I guess he ought to be mean as a snake like me and you.
That brand of faith is so much more acceptable in our circles isn't it?
Why don't you stand down on this one. If Wade did anything wrong it was to seek "excessive" grace between two brothers having words with each other.
"Excessive grace?" Where did I come up with that?
cb
So, anyway, about the words on the Washington Monument...
;-)
I just saw a blurb on the History Channel about how that cap is a solid 6-pound pyramid of aluminum, and it's one of the earliest examples of man working with that metal, as it takes huge amounts of electricity to refine it for use. Interesting.
um, I was just going to comment about this post. The last time I was in DC on a tour the tourguide stated that according to law, as has been pointed out, no building can stand taller than the dome of the US Capitol building. The tourguide also pointed out that the steeple on St. Joseph's church stands taller but this is overlooked because "they answer to a higher power." I thought that was an interesting story although I have no hard evidence or numbers on the exact height.
Mike:
Get a grip! What are you talking about?. When you send that letter to Dr. Chapman and Dr. Rankin send me a copy also?
For the 99% of us reading this BLOG who have no idea what you are talking about please clarify your position.
Look up my BLOGGER profile and get my e-mail address. Then send me an e-mail. I will give you my mail address so you can copy me on whatever letter it is that you are going to send out.
Thanks
Roger K. Simpson
Oklahoma City Oklahoma
WOW!
Talk about chasing rabbits and private agendas!
The post Wade put up was about Laus Deo - Praise be to God!
It's not about the height of the buildings, the zoning laws, or some other post on another blog.
It's about the words "Praise be to God."
It's a reminder of a heritage in this nation which is quickly fading away. The practice of honoring God and giving Him the glory.
It's a reminder that God's work and presence can be found in the most unusual places.
It's two words - that should be on everyone's posts here - because Laus Deo is the point of this discussion in the first place.
Grace and Salt
Troy
And in reference to those words on the Washington monument, may I add this comment?
If you look at a map of Washington, you will notice that the national mall area is in the shape of a cross. It was designed that way on purpose. The top of the cross is the Lincoln Memorial, the foot of it is the US Capitol building, and if you are facing the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial is at the left end of the cross, and the White House is at the right end of it. The Washington Monument is right in the very center, so the words "Laus Deo" would be at the very center of the cross.
And yes, that was done on purpose.
I think that is something we all can agree on, I hope!
Wow!
I didn't read all of the comments before I posted.
Mike,
What is your problem? Marty is one of the most passionate people I have met. He is a Godly man, husband, father, minister and he has been a great friend to me. Saturday, he just emailed me to check on a personal issue that my family has been dealing with. He has shown Jesus to me much more than you have towards Marty. He removed the post. I didn't see it, but I've removed posts too when people I trust recommend it to me. CB did that for Marty. Marty removed it and that is good enough for me.
You all wonder why 99.9% of all Southern Baptists think ALL OF YOU to be rather silly and involved in a monumental waste of precious time.
wow
Jack
Sister Rachel,
I do not believe I can say I love Wade like you do, but neither do I hate Wade. :>)
Mike,
You are dead wrong on this issue. First you post without a name or anyway to identify you. Second, you break all blog etiquette by posting about something in another blog.
I must agree with Marty. To think that Dr. Chapman or Dr. Rankin can do something to remove Wade, reveals you ignorance of that situation that you claim to protect. I will tell you the same as I have told others IDENTIFY YOURSELF IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO AFTER SOMEONE.
While Wade and I disagree on issues and we are both passionately in disagreement on some, this is one area I will defend my Brother. You say he should recant. I say he has repeatedly stated he did not say anything remotely to what you accused him. Also I say he did not say anything remotely close to what you accuse him. Remember, I should know because it was the comment stream that Ben Cole and I were having that caused Wade to comment. I know--I was on the blog.
Wade,
I pray that you had great success tonight in your meeting. I also pray that at the end of your remarkable sermon, you gave an invitation that invited people to come and receive the Grace that God makes available. Whether they chose to come or God chose them to come, well that is another blog, I just pray they came.:>)
Blessings,
Tim
Phil & Mary Ann:
I agree 110%.
Those who disagree with Wade should advance their objection by focusing on the merits of the issues -- not by making character attacks.
For example, in response to Wade's points they should build a case that shows:
(a) The idea of "tiers of doctrines" is not correct
and/or
(b) If there are "tiers" then PPL is not a 3rd tier doctrine but a first or second tier doctrine
and/or
(c) The idea of setting requirements for service in the IMB depending upon a person's stance on PPL is actually desirable
I have been reading all the comments on this BLOG for six months. I have followed Wade's arguments and I happen to agree with them.
Unfortunately, many who disagree with Wade are not really engaging him on the issues. I can't recall any person commenting on this BLOG that disagrees with Wade advancing a cogent argument of why implementing an "anti-PPL" requirement for IMB appointees is actually a good idea.
Wouldn't it be interesting to actually debate the issues? To do that, pretend that Wade got hit by a truck tomorrow. Then he wouldn't be in the way of the discussion. It would then be possible to focus the discussion devoid of any baggage connected the personality of one or more persons.
Roger,
I would sure like to debate the issues, but I also vote against me being hit by a truck.
;)
Thanks Tim for your kind words.
Phil & Mary Ann:
Have you been following Dr. Reynolds blog since your post here.
This all started when Brad Reynolds started with his hit and run attacks on Wade's Blog around April/May of this year.
In His Name
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