Author: Jeff Zippi

Jeff Zippi is a freelance writer living in Templeton, California. Growing up in his parent's home on Holy Cross Place in Los Angeles, California, Jeff's formal education was at Cal State University, Northridge (BA, History), United States International University, San Diego (MA, Education) and Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology (MDiv, Theology). Following graduation from CSUN, Jeff also spent valuable time in 1972 as a Farel House student at the L’Abri Fellowship in Huemoz, Switzerland under the instruction and guidance of Dr. Francis Schaeffer, Os Guiness, Udo Middlemann and Donald Drew. Mr. Zippi served 35 years as a Christian high school teacher in the Humanities (history, political science and theology) before enjoying his current emeritus status and part time teaching in various venues.

Send in the Clowns, Don’t Bother They’re Here

Published on by Jeff ZippiLeave a comment

We need real adults to emerge as leaders in our communities and culture.  The current political climate is dominated by adolescent behavior.  Twitter, et. al. were designed to amuse easily entertained teenagers with trivial pursuit and not to carry serious debate or topics of discussion.  Unfortunately, such are regularly abused in the attempt to do so.   The political elite, empowered by media and celebrities have reduced down serious discussion into sound bites.  Facts are no longer used to form opinions, appeal is made by an emotionally charged (mostly undefined) phrase, an uneducated celebrity or a heart wrenching story.  We need a fresh voice with courage and clarity to frame genuine dialogues anchored in conviction.  Read those who inspire, like the speeches or sermons of Martin Luther King, Jr., listen carefully to the significant nuances of the power of love and faith like in Mr. Rogers.  Enjoy the fact they were not, in the words of C.S. Lewis, drawn “by the lure of the caucus.”  They were adults making the world as better place.  It’s no accident that common themes of love, truth, justice and compassion are common speech of those who inspire.  Character counts cannot become a cliche, but it is destined for such a status in the land of Twitter.  Though flawed, we certainly are “fearfully and wonderfully made” answering to a God who is there.  We must start by embracing that reality.  The fear of the Lord is really the beginning of wisdom.  Martin Luther King, Jr., once clear wrote of the foundational significance of faith by saying, “Those of  who call the name of Jesus Christ find something at the center of our faith which forever reminds us that God is on the side of truth and justice.”  When is the last time we have heard this type of insightful, adult leadership addressing the code of humility in order to address problems?  We haven’t because someone called for the clowns … and they’re here.