Spiritual Readings                "Greetings from Whittier Presbyterian Church"

Email of Jan. 26, 2001

I’ve been a lover of Reggae music for many years.  Reggae music is noted by a strong beat and often religious images, many of them taken from the Bible.  One of the highlights of my last summer vacation was a free Reggae concert on the Santa Monica pier which was attended by all my children and the two grandchildren.  The artist for the concert was the group Culture, headed by lead singer & writer Joseph Hill.  They are the favorite Reggae group of my older son, Matthew.  I had a conversation with Matthew about education (he’s training to be a teacher) and the next morning heard this song by that group, Culture.  It is poetry, as songs often are, and has a very positive message that I thought I’d share with you.

 “Make Good Use of Good Things”

 Make good use of good things…..

While the time is now

While you are young

While you’re on your feet O Lord,

While you know the way

(Chorus) For the time will come when you no see it again.

For the time will come when you no see it again.

For the time will come when a good thing is like a thing of the past

Make good use of good things…..

While you are young

While it comes your way

While the justice of the peace is around

While the teacher is still alive

(Chorus)

Make good use of good things…..

While you’re still around

And you hear the crowd

While you’re still around

While its still on for you

(Chorus)

Make good use of good things…..

While they still assist you

While you’re still in school

While the teacher still around

While the bank clerk still works

While there’s still fax machines

While the typewriter’s still around

While the lights still shine

While they still love you

While the clock still going around

While they don’t refuse to work

While they still love your ways