Profiles in a Dream Big Enough: On the Leading Edge of the Future

By Don C. Davis

How do we build a positive vision for a better future in this age of immense possibilities? For esteemed professor Dr. James Kellya man beloved and highly respected by students, friends, and family alikethe answer lies in a dream: that the Big Ten Universal Qualities will be taught to all children in all the learning centers of the world.

Profiles in a Dream Big Enough follows Dr. Kelly through his own and his grandsons eyes as he promotes a partnership of science, technology, and a knowledge-based faith in order to build a better world by being better people. Using the Big Ten Universal Qualitieskindness, caring, honesty, respect, collaboration, tolerance, fairness, integrity, diplomacy, and nobilityeach person can guide his or her own story. These qualities are universal and overarch religion, politics, and culture, so they can be chosen by anyone, anytime, and anywhere.

The stories Dr. Kelly tells on the farmhouse porch extend the visionary dream of the Master Teacher for a great new tomorrow on the earth. Dr. Kellys dream includes the ongoing hope that the human family will reach for the best we canwhat President Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. We live in an age of enormous possibilities, and Profiles in a Dream Big Enough is about reaching for those possibilities. Its the new sacred.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Aug 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781480848115

Don C. Davis

Don C. Davis grew up in the country on a farm. Good parents! Good church. Off to college at age seventeen, with eighty-seven dollars in his pocket. The first thing Don did was go to the city to get a part-time job so he could work his way through college. How unlikely could it be that, when he came back from the city and walked down across the campus, there she was, Mary, self-assured and composed, who would become the love of his life, esteemed professional musician, and the mother of their twin sons Charles and Nolan, with Ph.D.s in physics and careers in physics and now in leading edge research? Unlikely? It happened! With three degrees, Th.B., B.A., M.Div., Don followed a forty-year career as a United Methodist minister, a second career as a sales associate in men's clothing, and then the years up to now as a speaker, philosopher, and writer of ten books, with the titles of: "Granddad's Farmhouse Porch Stories," "New Tomorrows," "Apple Blossom Time," "The Future We Ask For," "A Place in the Story," "Eagles View Mountain," "Sunrise Dreams," "The New Sacred," "Profiles in a Dream Big Enough," and now, "The Reach." Don's big long-reach dream is that the recurring "Big Ten Humanitarian Qualities" will be chosen by the world family as identity markers in the reach for our best self and future, and taught in all the learning centers of the world so no boy and girl will ever have to say, "I never was taught the Big Ten Humanitarian Qualities as the ABC's of successful living."

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CHAPTER 1

In Love and Facing a Big Decision

WHEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE IN LOVE BY THE NAMES OF JOSEPH AND Mary, faced the dilemma of Mary being pregnant while still unmarried to her boyfriend Joseph, that story has most often been told out of a context and paradigm of mythology. In ancient mythology, the gods came down to earth and interacted with women, and the children born out of those encounters were considered gods.

The early biographers of Joseph and Mary’s story told their story more as mythology than with regard for the genetic realism of how all children are conceived and born. Joseph and Mary’s story was squeezed into the mythology and theology of that time, and then elevated to further unrealism when leaders of the church made it a story in which an angel from heaven had relations with Mary.

So, the story was told and retold without regard for the likelihood that Joseph and Mary, in the same excitement and emotions of young love in which so many young people have gotten caught up, didn’t stop before things went too far.

Their story can best be told in terms of what young couples have often done in parallel situation, they took responsibility for their love and being expecting parents and got married. Mary and Joseph did that, and beautiful little boy was born to them. They named him Jesus and became good parents beyond embarrassment or social ostracism to give their little boy a place in a loving family.

In all times, especially our time of transparency, when honesty is more important than theology, the story needs to be told in terms of a young couple who were so honorable and responsible that they went forward with life and traveled to Bethlehem, even when Mary’s time was near. In the urgency of the situation, when they got to Bethlehem, they accepted the only lodging available. They sheltered in a barn, where their little boy was born and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. (Luke 2:7 KJV)

So, it’s time to look in on the story of two young, devoted parents and their first little boy.

Mary and Joseph were so proud of their little boy as they carried him to the Temple for what parallels today’s infant baptism, or dedication at churches. On that day, the old prophet, Simeon was there and watched. When he called to the young couple, they stopped. Everybody knew about Simeon, and knew he had said again and again, that he would not die until he had seen a very special person. Simeon came nearer. He looked at that little boy with admiration. Then he said, May I hold him? When he held Jesus in his arms, he looked up and began to speak reverently, Lord, he said, now I can die content! For I have seen him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will be the glory of your people Israel! (Luke 2:29 TLB)

Those were defining moments and out of that identity base, Jesus grew up in a home where his parents set high expectations for their little boy.

The little town of Nazareth had things in common with many towns, roads and streets, a place to get water, sources for food, houses where people lived, and worked to earn a living. In the town where Joseph and Mary lived, things were on a small scale, but it was home, where they began their family. Some of the houses in Nazareth may even have been built by Joseph.

Jesus was the first child of Joseph and Mary. There were other children later, with names like James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and two sisters, whose names are not given. They played together, studied at a synagogue in Nazareth, and grew into adults, but Jesus was the one who became known beyond the small town of Nazareth.

Jesus had a cousin named John, whose father and mother, Zechariah and Elizabeth were uncle and aunt to Jesus. Their son, John became known as John the Baptizer, because he was drawing a large following when he preached on the banks of the Jordan River and baptized believers in his vision of a new and better tomorrow.

Jesus’ interest in his cousin’s preaching reached the point where he wanted to hear John’s sermons for himself.

It was early morning, and still dark in their little house in Nazareth, when Jesus got up and lit a candle. By the time that he got some travel clothes and supplies together, and ate some food, daylight was beginning to break across the distant mountains northeast of the Sea of Galilee. He had told everybody goodbye the night before, so they were still asleep. After extinguishing the candle, he slipped out the door and closed it quietly behind him. With steady footsteps, he made his way down the street and then onto the road leading south. It was the beginning of a two-day journey of twenty-five miles each day to visit with his cousin, John. He had heard stories that John was drawing unusually large crowds as he talked to people down near the edge of the Jordan River. It was time to find out for himself what was attracting so many people to come out to the river to hear him. If he pushed right on all day long he could be there before nightfall on the second day.

It was the surprise of the day when John saw his cousin walk up. They embraced each other in glad reunion. You’re looking great, John said to Jesus. In turn Jesus said, And so are you. This desert life must be good for you. John began immediately to take Jesus around and introduce him to his disciples and friends.

There was a considerable contrast between the two cousins. John was rustically clad in leather and fur, suitable for desert camping. His attire was not at all like the elaborate robes he would have been wearing if he had become what his father had expected him to be, a priest, like himself. But John had chosen a desert way of life and very simple clothes.

Jesus was dressed in a deep burgundy robe. A golden yellow silk cord made the robe fit neatly around his waist. But their difference in dress did not keep them from sitting by the campfire and talking long into the evening. Beyond their contrasts, they had so much in common. Each was entranced with the idea of leading people into a new age - a kingdom of a different kind, where the social order would be inverted. Ordinary people, rather than the influential religious leaders, would be the leaders of a new of kingdom without borders. Humility and kindness would rank above tradition, religious authority, money, and position.

John had seen how religious leaders of his time were so tied to ceremony and rules that they were not even dreaming of, or reaching for, a better humanity. He had been in line for the priesthood because his father was a priest, but he just couldn’t see himself in a profession focused on getting rid of people’s sins by offering a sacrifice at the temple. He had to break free from a paradigm that was about cleansing away past sins instead of living a simple good life that could lead to a better future. So, he made a complete break and came out into the wilderness, chose some disciples, and began preaching on the banks of the Jordan River. His message was simple and direct - a kingdom of heaven is coming soon. People were so eager for a new day that they came out in throngs to hear him, and listened with excitement and hope.

Like John, Jesus was thinking about making a big turning point in his life. Day after day he worked as a carpenter, laying stones, cutting boards, building houses, and making furnishings. All the while, ideas were surging in his mind about being a leader of a new approach to the good life - live a simple life in a kingdom down here on earth, not in some distant heaven. He kept thinking about a faith-oriented kingdom in which people would commit themselves to a life of kindness and caring, honesty and respect, not religious rules set by the quasi-political system of the Temple. He dreamed of a kingdom of heaven on earth, a kingdom of faith and brotherhood that cut across all lines and boundaries - a self-chosen kingdom. Anyone could belong to it and develop the better side of humanity.

What an exciting idea! What a challenge! But would he dare lead it? Would he launch out like John? Maybe he could join with John in some way, be one of his disciples. He knew he had to find an answer.

Each day as he listened to John’s sermons, new ideas energized his mind. At the end of one of John’s sermons, people were coming down to the river to be baptized as a witness to their acceptance of the new kingdom of heaven vision. Jesus was among those who came down to the river and waded out in the water until he stood in front of John, ready to be baptized. John hesitated. He hadn’t expected that. He knew the quality of Jesus’ thoughts and ideals. John felt that if either of them should baptize the other, it should be Jesus baptizing him. But Jesus insisted that he wanted to receive John’s baptism. So, Jesus was baptized by his cousin in the Jordan River.

It took only a moment, but it was a defining moment. Jesus had announced himself to a new way of life - to a new mission. But what would he do, and how would he go about it? He had to think about it, alone. So, he told John he would be away for a few days.

It was beside a smaller stream, far from the Jordan River, where Jesus set up camp, out in the wilderness, all by himself. He may have camped under a rock cliff or built a small shelter from branches of trees. He may have sat at the edge of the stream, listening to the ripple of the water tumbling over the rocks, while big dreams tumbled in his mind. What mattered most was that he could be alone to think and plan. Mostly, he didn’t sleep or eat - just walked among the trees along the stream. At night, he may have gazed up at the stars, thinking, laying out first one scenario and then another as a way to go about his plan for a kingdom of heaven on earth.

Could he go back and join with his cousin? Would he launch out on his own as a teacher, and, like John, have his own disciples? How many would he need, and how would he select them? Would he take his message to the cities and villages? Would he go to the synagogue and preach there? Would he seek high visibility?

Jesus’ biographers told about the temptations he faced and how he rejected them - do spectacular things, like turn stones into bread, descend from the pinnacle of the temple in front of people as a leading political figure. In the end, he rejected those and decided he would never play to the grandstands and become a crowd-pleasing sensationalist. Instead he would be a teacher, a team leader with disciples of his own and go about telling people to accept and love everybody, no matter who they were or what they had done.

After many days in the wilderness, Jesus was ready to go back to see John. When he got back to the campsite by the river, no one was there. The blackened coals in the campfire were cold. When he went to a nearby village to inquire, he learned the distressing news. John had been arrested.

Jesus set out for Nazareth, immediately. Perhaps he could find two of John’s disciples, Andrew and Peter. At the edge of the Sea of Galilee, he found them. He was glad to see them. Jesus walked down to the pier and asked immediately about John.

He has been arrested, they said.

I have heard. But, why? was Jesus’ quick question.

They told about John’s preaching and how he had said it was not right for Herod to marry his brother’s wife. Herod was so upset by the charge of the popular desert preacher that he had John arrested and put in prison.

What can we do? was Peter’s question.

I know what we can do, Jesus said, We can join together and make sure that John’s message doesn’t stop.

Mark tells the story. Jesus and his companions now arrived at the town of Capernaum and on Saturday morning went into the Jewish place of worship, the synagogue, where he preached. The congregation was surprised at his sermon because he spoke as an authority, and didn’t try to prove his points by quoting others - quite unlike what they were used to hearing! (Mark 1:21-22 TLB)

Jesus didn’t need to quote others. Out of his student days at the synagogue school he had studied the scriptures. When he was only twelve years old, the prize student at the synagogue was found at the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. No wonder he began his ministry as a teaching preacher, setting forth his vision in beatitudes, parables, and teachings that define the best person one can be.

After that, Jesus went to Nazareth and preached in the synagogue. Then