From 2008 to 2014 I served as a tour guide and park ranger at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO. At the time I had started a blog based upon that experience. As with most of my blogs, I didn't stick with it. In an effort to consolidate things here are some of the posts from that blog.
What is an Apothegm?
March 7, 2009
According to Dictionary.com an
“Apothegm” is “a short, pithy, instructive saying; a terse remark or
aphorism.” The purpose of Arch Apothegms is to turn some of the more
“interesting” comments and questions I’ve overheard asked at the Gateway Arch
into “instructive sayings”.
Apothegm #1
May 12, 2009
“You have to go down to go
up.” So many times in life we must humble ourselves in order
to rise higher. Providence has a way of knocking us to our knees (if not
flat on our backs) before He is able to lift us to higher heights. Jesus
said, But many that are first shall be last; and
the last shall be first. (Matt 19:30);
and, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little
children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven (Matt 18:2-4). So, apparently you DO have to go down to go
UP!
Arch Apothegm #2
May 13, 2009
“Didn’t there use to be a
restaurant up here?” No. There has never been a restaurant at
the top of the Gateway Arch. Just because you believe something is true,
doesn’t mean it is true. Truth is absolute and eternal. Truth never
changes. What we believe to be true may change, but truth itself never
changes. It is our responsibility as rational human beings to always search for
truth. We must never give up or be content when we think we have it–because we
may be wrong. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man
comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). If his statement is
true then we can also say that “truth” is a person.
Arch Apothegm #3
May 13, 2009
“Hurting people, hurt
people.” Sometimes people are mean because they are miserable.
Since they are miserable, they want everyone around them to be miserable.
It is our choice to let them make us miserable or not. “If your
enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water
to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the
LORD will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)
Arch Apothegm #4
2. Cameras and tour buses are evil.
3. It takes all kinds and they eventually come here.
4. Because you work here, you don't know what you are talking
about.
5. The Person with the tickets will always be the last person in line.
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