COMMENCEMENT MESSAGE 1971

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This was the Commencement for Northwest High School Indianapolis, Indiana in? 1971 when I graduated with many of you.? This was written by my Dad, then a Methodist minister at St Marks on 16th Street in Indy.? That was a time when local pastors, priests, rabbis were called to give the “Invocation” which always included a prayer for the students going into the world. Not sure if they still do that in public schools. This morning, ?I found this text written in his handwriting on 3x5 cards. I have to say I wasn’t as proud of him then because of my own lack of faith, but I am very much right now, remembering how he lives his life. He is 96 years old and still the most Christlike person I know.? I must admit that the first two cards are missing so I will start and end with his summary:

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To Northwest High School Seniors, Faculty, Parents, Students

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Look out from where you are,

God knows you and loves you

Know yourself and love others.

Get things in focus- count the cost of God’s investment in you

Serve as one of His.

Take a step and Keep Moving on

And Jesus said. “Don’t be afraid, go into all the world and lo,

I’ll be with you to the end of the age.”

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I want to suggest a few things for banners for the rooms of your mind :

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“And the Lord said to Abram.

Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward, southward, eastward, and westward. For all the land which you see I will give you and your descendants forever.? “

Gen 13:14-15

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Marshall McLuhan

“There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is willingness to contemplate what is happening.”

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Recent copy of an old quote: “ I know I ain’t yet what I’m gonna be, but at least I’m not what I once was!”

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You are a generation which is coming of age at one of the rarest moments in history. A time when the old order of things is crumbling and anew world society is painfully struggling to take shape. If you shrink from this struggle and these many difficulties, you will betray the trust which your own position forces upon you. You can use your enormous privilege and opportunity to seek purely private pleasure and gain. But history will judge you as the years pass and you will ultimately:

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“Judge Yourself- On the extent which you have used your gifts to lighten and enrich the lives of your fellow man. In your hands, not Presidents or Leaders, is the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit. “?????? Robert F Kennedy

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You mean ---In spite of goofing up, despite of the mess, God loves me, God loves you, God loves all people? That’s some love, that’s worth shouting about.”

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SUMMARY Again:

“ Look out from where you are,

God knows you and loves you

Know yourself and love others.

Get things in focus- count the cost of God’s investment in you

Serve as one of His.

Take a step and Keep Moving on

And Jesus said. “Don’t be afraid, go into all the world and lo,

I’ll be with you to the end of the age.”

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Louie B Cain Jr.