麻豆约拍

Good Morning.

On this day in 1929 Martin Luther King Jr was born. The third Monday in January is designated a national holiday in the United States to commemorate this courageous campaigner.
His famous 鈥淚 have a dream鈥� 17 minute speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial didn鈥檛 have the phrase 鈥淚 have a dream鈥� in the original draft.

A gospel singer, said to be Mahalia Jackson shouted to Dr. King from the crowd, "Tell them about the dream, Martin." Dr. King stopped delivering his prepared speech and started "preaching", punctuating his points with "I have a dream."

鈥淚 have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character鈥�.

The power of his character has inspired generations to work for a fairer society in America and across the world. It is a great pity that had his life not been cut short he doubtless would have been amazed at the United States today, amazed that a national holiday commemorates his birth, I imagine he鈥檇 still have been campaigning about social injustice wherever he encountered it.

Many of the best political speeches- King鈥檚, Lincoln鈥檚, Churchill鈥檚, Mandela鈥檚 all have a preacher鈥檚 rhetorical style.

The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus鈥� manifesto that underpinned Dr King鈥檚 speech says, 鈥淟ive generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.鈥�
Heavenly Father,

Today may the content of my character be inspired by you.

Help me show generosity and grace sharing the light of Christ鈥檚 love.

Amen.