Philippians 4:8 "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Bill Strickland understands this verse. He lives it out.
Bill was a black kid from a tough neighborhood in Pittsburgh who was flunking out of high school. Until he passed by the art room and saw a ceramic bowl the art teacher had made. Bill said to him, "What is that?" The teacher, Frank Ross, said, "It's ceramics. Who are you?" "I'm Bill Strickland, and I want you to teach me that."
Bill went on to build a world-class training center in one of the worst neighborhoods in Pittsburg for at-risk kids, welfare moms, and ex-steel workers. He surrounds them with fresh flowers, sunlight, good food, and affection because at-risk kids, welfare moms, and ex-steel workers deserve those things, as do we all.
Listen to Bill Strickland.
There is beauty everywhere and I believe that knowing and appreciating the Fine Arts helps us to understand ourselves and others. Sometimes we get carried away with material things and we don't take the time to think about the beauty in poetry, paintings, photography, literature and music. I hope that we can keep a fine arts curriculum in our schools and churches, because the arts are part of our inner self and they help us to do good and share with others.
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