Tag Archives: James Clay

Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, the Philadelphia Zoo became the United States’ first zoo. Construction was delayed by the American Civil War, pushing back the opening until July 1, 1874. Something about visiting a zoo is intriguing to children. My first exposure to animals began at the Edison Park petting zoo in New Jersey. From there, my parents took me to the Philadelphia Zoo as well as the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure. When you drive through in a car without any gates to contain the animals, close calls will big animals can be frightening.

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment, Romans 13:1.

Since the unnecessary death of George Floyd on May 25th, protests have taken place in all 50 states. In the wake of Floyd’s death, police killings of black Americans spawned organized protests that turned violent as police departments were targeted. When stand down orders were given by city, state, and local officials, riots and looting began. Instead of remaining within urban areas, Black Lives Matter moved to the suburbs, to white affluent neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, California. Famous stores in Santa Monica, California were broken into and looted, sending the message that no town is safe.

Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them], Romans 13:2.

As a teenager, James Clay lived in a trailer park in Missouri that everyone called Franklin Park. James recounts. “I felt like I loved the people there, but that love just didn’t seem to matter to them at all.” The inspiration behind his song Franklin Park, Clay realized that bringing them to the Lord was all he could do. Everything else was beyond his control. This song relates to modern day events as progressive ideas are encouraging individuals to challenge authority. When boundaries are challenged and crossed, it’s like having a zoo invade your neighborhood. After one of the most violent fourth of July weekends in recent history, it’s time to unite, not fight. May James Clay’s song urge communities to love and pray for their neighbors.

by Jay Mankus