Thursday, February 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln


Today is the 200th birthday of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Traditionally our country has honored and greatly esteemed Lincoln both for the way he presided over our country during the Civil War and because of his tragic death by assassination.

Much has been written and told of his values, faith, leadership, compassion, and humility. In anticipation of February 12, Lincoln’s 200th birthday, more effort has been made in the attempt to demythologize Lincoln or to show how he was not as great as we thought.

I’m not sure that I really get the motivation behind the effort. Perhaps there are reasons nobler than just selling books or gaining viewership for televised specials.

In any case, as far back as I can remember I have been intrigued with and in awe of Lincoln. Perusing some of his axioms recently (and there are many) I came across this one for today—


“It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Jesus Christ has been the One to put “life” in my years and I’m forever grateful.

3 comments:

Sam said...

I know you're a prolific reader... have you read "Team of Rivals" about Abe? I really enjoyed the read and now the parallels in the current administration. I think you might enjoy it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/0743270754/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234463488&sr=8-1

Scott Brewer said...

Sam:
I have not read it. Thanks for the word.

Anna said...

how odd, just yesterday I stumbled across an article that mentions that book. I have yet to read it though. Maybe I should in order to balance out the one I got from my office...The Five Dysfunctions of a Team!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/
le/currenttrendscolumns/
leadershipweekly/ministryofrivals.html