One of this morning’s readings in church came from Psalm 8:
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings[b]
and crowned him with glory and honor.You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet.Psalm 8:3-6 ESV
This passage reminds me of similar words from the title character in Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2:
I have of late--but
wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone all
custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily
with my disposition that this goodly frame, the
earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most
excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave
o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted
with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to
me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.
What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!
how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how
express and admirable! in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the
world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,
what is this quintessence of dust?
What the psalmist says in a spirit of wonder and worship, Hamlet says in one of irony and disgust. The psalmist is focused on the majesty of God and His creation, and the tremendous blessing that the same God who made the world and its wonders would care for such a small being. Hamlet, on the other hand, is focused on himself and his own feelings, evaluating the wondrous world and the glory that is mankind only as it relates to his own despondency.
There is a lesson here: the path to joy and fulfillment comes not from endless naval-gazing and making ourselves the center of the universe, but in properly ordering ourselves beneath the majesty and will of God.
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The past week at the Chronicle…
On Tuesday, I explained that not only must the perpetrator and conspirators who killed Charlie Kirk be brought to justice, but we as a society must bring shame and condemnation to those who celebrated his assassination.
On Wednesday, I wrote what I intend to be the first in a series of articles looking at city council races throughout Idaho. First up, Boise, our capital and largest city.
On Thursday, I reported that a coalition of people and organizations who fear the ability of families to choose alternatives to the public school system are suing the state, hoping to strike down the Parental Choice Tax Credit as unconstitutional.
On Saturday, I wrote a short essay on why I believe understanding political processes is just as important as having the right ideological principles.
I also published numerous guest op-eds this week, from Sen. Jim Risch, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Idaho GOP chair Dorothy Moon, Cong. Russ Fulcher, Attorney General Raúl Labrador, KCRCC chair Brent Regan, and Cong. Mike Simpson.
Whether we agree or disagree with our elected officials and influential political figures, I think it’s important to hear what they have to say. The Gem State Chronicle is a resource for as much information as possible to help you be more effective and engaged.
If you would like Gem State Chronicle to publish your work, please submit it to editor@gemstatechronicle.com. We are pleased to provide an outlet for a wide variety of figures in the world of Idaho politics to share their own messages.
In other news…
Substacks:
Peachy Keenan explains how to be like Charlie.
Josiah Lippincott lays out a plan of action in a post-Charlie Kirk world.
Steve Sailer puts the blame where it belongs.
The Idaho Freedom Caucus checked out the southern border.
Ryan Girdusky explains how the left lies about political violence.
Videos:
Sam Hyde spoke plainly about what the assassination of Charlie Kirk means. His style is not for everybody, but the first three minutes alone are worth your attention:
Branden Herrera, the AK Guy who is running for Congress in Texas, also spoke very directly about what Charlie meant to America and where we go from here:
Will Cain and Michael Malice discussed how the post-Charlie Kirk world means the end of any semblance of broad unity in American politics:
YouTuber Shoe0nHead, who still considers herself a leftist, spoke of the heartbreak and disgust of learning that the same people who agree with her politically are rabid, vicious, and disgusting human beings:
John Doyle laid out his thoughts, mostly addressed to the young single men coming of age in this world gone mad:
On another subject, Mike Winger explained why the latest Rapture craze is probably just as false as those that have come before:
Finally, Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona is live as I write this. Join millions of people throughout the world, including President Trump and Vice President Vance, in remembering the Christian American martyr:
Thank you all for your support as I continue to bring you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Make sure to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Rumble. Have a great rest of your weekend, and may you be renewed for the days to come.