Jocundity

If as a child you read the encyclopedia or picked up the dictionary for fun most thought you were on your way to being a card carrying member of NAGOA (Nerds and Geeks of America). Your were quickly issued a pair thick black plastic glasses, a pocket protector and a tube of Clearasil. But now in the Post Bill Gates era it is okay to mention in mixed company (i.e. Geeks and Regular folks) that you are fascinated by the ever expanding universe of knowledge and lexographic nuances of written communication (which is nerdese for, “I like exploring the dictionary”). So, for fun I have been known to open the dictionary to peruse the often overlooked vocabulary that patiently waits for its turn. My word for this week is “jocundity.” A word that means to speak or act in a light-hearted or merry way. I don’t know about you, but my recession, troubled world could use a little jocundity!

Now don’t get me wrong… I don’t want to marginalize problems or mask them with a frivolous devil-may-care attitude. I just think that the life that knows a peace that surpasses all understanding should be able to rejoice in the Lord always! That Christian joy is too easily abandoned for somber brow-furled spiritual cynicism. I think Christians should have eyes that sparkle with the assurance of their faith and the joy of salvation. I think a little spiritual jocundity is the absolute and most resolute way to preach the gospel. Seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6) puts a smile on one’s face and permeates one’s soul with what the Beach Boys call “good vibrations.”

Now, I said all of that to say this, “God loves the playful, the spirit of jocundity is heaven sent.” Jesus had some not so cheerful disciples who were overwhelmed with crowd management and church decorum, so they rebuked people who brought children to be blessed by Jesus touch (Matthew 19:13-15). Jesus in turn rebuked them because they failed to see that the jocundity of youth belongs in the Kingdom of God! When life in the Son becomes too dour and grim let your inner-child out and sing, “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands…” Let go and answer the delightful musical question, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart –WHERE? Yes, down in my heart to stay! -DAN

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens’ classic tale of two similar looking men with opposing destinies surrounded by the upheaval of the impending French Revolution begins with describing what often seems like a modern account of our own world.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…

I had a tale of two cities this past week. I was getting my oil changed and patiently waiting when I overheard a conversation between the desk guy and a lady who called in to get smog repairs. When informed that she would have to contact a smog certified specialist because she had failed her initial test she asked for a referral. I heard the desk guy explain, “I don’t know that information, Ms., but they are a reputable shop.” Then I heard him turn to a co-worker and say, “She just hung up on me because I couldn’t tell her if he was a Christian or not… apparently she got our number from the Christian Yellow Pages.” I wanted to cry out, “We’re not all like that! We don’t think we have some exclusive club.”

Later that day I was in a restaurant and overheard two young men discussing the opportunity of sharing the gospel. One young man had decided to enter ministry and was vocal about how excited he was to share the good news with all those who would call on the name of the Lord. I wanted to cry out, “I pray we’re all like that! The gospel is for all.”

You might think this tale of two cities is more about me being a nosey people watcher eavesdropping in on people’s conversations. Maybe… but what this tale reminded me was that people are watching us and wondering if our faith makes us open or closed, the best or the worst, the wise or the foolish, light or darkness, reaching out with a message of hope in a winter of despair. What tale is in your city?

Barbie Is Fifty

Sometimes when I watch the evening news I find myself somewhere between shaking my head searching for sanity and scratching my head wondering if there is any sanity. On March 9th the Mattel Corporation celebrated the 50th anniversary of their best selling toy, the Barbie doll. In covering this event the evening news spoke of this long time American icon as if she were an actual person. They even showed an artist rendition of what Barbie might look like if she was fifty years old. “I’ve got one word for you… plastics.” Barbie is and forever will be a stylized caricature of the shallow world of fashion. Barbie is neither the standard of beauty nor the idealized representation of womanhood. She is a plastic toy that facilitates dress up play for little girls. O, I’m not naive enough to think that Barbie hasn’t contributed to a shallow view of beauty by a youth oriented society… but she is just a doll… and ultimately overpriced plastic!

So is this just Barbie bashing or is there an important spiritual lesson embedded in this nonsense? The answer is resolute in that godly women who grace our pews and anchor our church family have well demonstrated Peter’s exhortation, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3, 4).” My mother’s legacy to my sisters was, “Pretty is as pretty does.” Beauty may be in the eyes of the beholder but “real” beauty emanates from within. Look at the great art of the world and you will quickly see that the standard for beauty is ever changing and cannot stand the test of time. Only that beauty that flows from the heart springs eternal. Ask any youth who they think represents beauty… Twiggy or Marilyn Monroe and you’ll get a blank stare. Who is hot and who is not is a social quicksand that no one can stand on for long. Beauty is a spiritual state of mind that is produced when we instill in our children the love of God and the security of their worth in His eyes.

Now, don’t get me started on G.I. Joe… suffice it to say, may God bless all our families with those who mentor our youth by true examples of beauty and strength that are filled with the Spirit and centered in Christ. Thank you lovely ladies for being so lovely and gentlemen for being so gentle! -DAN

From the Mouth of Babes

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (Psalm 8:2).

The heading read, “From the Mouth of Babes.” I like babies and the forum post on our Roseville church of Christ web site was by Sylvia Garza and I always like Sylvia’s comments. Can’t go wrong here… so, I check it out. To my delight it was a Lizzie story. This proud mom reports the following recent conversation with her three-year old: Lizzie: "Mommy, I so happy!" Sylvia: "You are? Why are you so happy?" Lizzie: "Because... I love God!" Sylvia: "You do?" Lizzie: "Yeah, I want to go to His home." Sylvia: "In Heaven? Why?" Lizzie: "Because... I miss Him."

What a great illustration of exactly what David meant in Psalm 8. God has, will and will continue to silence the mouth of the unbelieving, the callous-hearted, and those who refuse to acknowledge His divine presence. His creative presence will twinkle in the stars and His praise will be sung from the heart of children. Even the coo of an infant resonates with His Spirit and loving presence. Hold a baby in your arms just like Mary held Jesus and the world is reduced to one radiant truth… innocence holds at bay the harsh, cynical, hate-poisoned world for at least that moment and reminds us of how precious is life. How happy is the place where God dwells… in heaven… in the eyes of a child!

Psalm 8 begins and ends with the convocation: O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! God’s majesty is not just in the beauty of a sunset or sunrise. His presence is not unfurled only in the starry night or streaming beams of sunlight through billowing clouds. His sovereignty is revealed in all He has touched and nothing exists without His touch! May God bless us all with eyes to see His presence wherever we find ourselves… whether in the presence of three-year olds or stuck in traffic. Open our eyes Lord so we may let You in!