Call It Macaroni

A friend of mine recently retired on disability was being teased by his wife that he was hooked on watching A&E’s edgy show, “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” He admitted that he was fascinated with Duane “Dog” Chapman’s rugged Wild West meets Billy Graham capture and convert stories but what he was really hooked on was old movies. Like an anxious school boy I raised my hands a blurted out, “Me too!” One of my favorites is the 1942 James Cagney movie about George M. Cohan, “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” But I must admit I’ve always been puzzled that a patriotic song would have lyrics like, “Yankee Doodle went to town, A riding on a pony, Stuck a feather in his hat, And called it macaroni.” This Yankee Doodle guy sounds to me like he’s a few noodles short of a Kraft’s Mac and Cheese box.

It seems that this song that came to be a Revolutionary war theme song was first used to make fun of the American troops. The song's origins were in a pre-Revolutionary War song originally by British military officers to mock the disheveled, disorganized colonial "Yankees" with whom they served in the French and Indian War. The word doodle first appeared in the early seventeenth century to mean a fool or simpleton. 'Macaroni' was a contemporary slang for foppishness. One version of the Yankee Doodle lyrics is attributed to Doctor Richard Shuckburgh (I include this only because if your name is Shuckburgh you shouldn’t mock anyone), a British Army surgeon, who wrote the song after witnessing the unprofessional appearance of Colonel Thomas Fitch, Jr., the son of Connecticut Governor Thomas Fitch, who arrived in Albany in 1755 with the Connecticut militia. There are records of British troops singing this song outside of church services to mock our troops. What a wonderful irony that in a short period of time the song became a rallying cry and symbol of American freedom.

Many in scholarship believe that “Christian” (Acts 11:26) was originally a derogatory term for disciples of Christ but that the early church turned it around and wore it with pride. Sometimes macaroni is a delicious thing to call the hat you wear! The foolishness of preaching proclaims that what the world calls weak or silly is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)! So, here’s to macaroni! -DAN

Keene Insight

History is at best a guess. The last of the four gospels reminds us, Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25). History’s blurred edges and fudged facts were corralled by God’s breath (2 Timothy 3:16) and His divine intervention so that which is important might be preserved. I grew up hearing Will Rodgers sardonic quip, “I only believe what I read in the papers.” But then again, do we really know that it was Will Rodgers that said it? Yes, we all lament with Dragnet’s creator and star, Jack Webb, as Sergeant Joe Friday saying, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” However, history has a way of making facts and artifacts specious and speculative when all the puzzle pieces worn by time seem not to fit anymore. For example let me offer a Keene insight.

If you know who Laura Keene is then you probably are somewhat a history buff or Lincoln devotee. This mid-nineteenth century actress and business woman was the star of the play, Our American Cousin, that Abraham Lincoln and party was watching the fatal evening that John Wilkes Booth both shot and stab the 16th president of the United States. Miss Keene made her way from the stage up to Lincoln’s box and convinced the doctor to cradle the fallen president’s head in her lap. It was and will be an historical oddity that the usually hyper-jealous Mary Todd Lincoln allowed this spectacle. But Miss Keene’s blood soaked dress, now just fragments, has survived the ages and secured the actress’ place in history. But there is a Keene insight to this story.

Historians debate whether or not Keene actually was in the box or made up the story and if she was in the presidential box was it Lincoln’s blood she contacted or Henry Rathbone whom Booth inflicted deeply with a stab wound. Additionally, the fragments of Miss Keene’s dress that have been collected don’t all match. You see the Keene insight is that history at best is a guess. Just the facts ma’am are skewed by time and prejudice. Which leads me to this insight… I’m glad God didn’t leave His last will and testament up to historians but rather trustworthy men and women who testified of their faith. I’m elated that God saw fit to preserve the text by His providence and His servants that assure us that there is no other body of literature, no other recounting of history that is as sound as the library that came to be known as “The” book… the Bible! Now that’s keen! -DAN

Festival Seating

He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, ‘O Israel who brought you up out of Egypt.” When Aaron saw this he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” Exodus 32:3,4.

Mike read the above text last Sunday night and then challenged us all to holster our pointing fingers and confess the reality of our own golden calves that we have fashioned carefully with the tools of greed, pride and envy. He identified the golden calves of his own life and affirmed that he knew he wasn’t alone. Mike challenged us to rid ourselves of the stuff we keep overstuffing and make room for the LORD! His resonate confession was: “If we spent as much time as we do watching TV reading our Bibles or working for the church what would our lives look like?”

All this reminded me of festival seating. No, no… not concert seating where it’s first come, first row but rather an important twist in the text above. You see the text says the children of Israel said after Aaron fashioned the golden calf, “These are your gods.” Not this is your god but the golden calf and Yaweh (God demoted to god and lumped in with a calf god) have brought you out of Egyptian slavery. Aaron seeing this tries to sway their allegiance back to Yaweh by saying, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” You see the real teeth of idolatry whether in ancient Israel or in your living room is religious accommodation. That is, making the LORD fit into the many lords that reign in this life. When the Ten Commandments were given, the first commandment (You shall have no other gods before me), is explained by telling us not only is God a jealous God but Yaweh considers idolatry as an act of hate toward Him. An act of hate because idolatry thumbs its nose at God by relegating Him to lucky charm status. He no longer is Creator, Sustainer and LORD! He’s a bit part in our life instead of the way, the truth, and the life. We minimize His presence instead of maximizing it. We take our seat at His festival and celebrate at the altar of self!

So, what should we do? Refuse to be anything less that radically, vibrantly and deeply in love with the one who is the way, the truth and the life! Have no other gods before Him… not Oprah, not Dr. Phil or Dr. Laura or even Dr. Dre. Instead, find that there is festival seating at church every week so the true Israel of God can celebrate the victory of the cross and rest in the grace of God! -DAN

Half-Brained Idea

Our last visit to our beach house in Oregon afforded us an opportunity to see a lot of wildlife including spotting a whale from our deck. Pam in a moment of reflection asked me, “How do whales sleep?” As an air breathing mammal the question of how does a whale sleep without drowning seems like a good question. So I googled. My internet quest revealed a few important facts and scientific speculation based on observation in controlled environments like the zoo as well as in the wild. Scientist would first remind us that whales and dolphins unlike humans are conscious breathers. Breathing for them is a twenty-four seven decision. They must make a conscious effort to surface for a breath. Since sleep is necessary for all living creatures then how does a conscious breather survive the unconscious state of sleep? Scientist have theorized from observation and tests that both dolphins and whales sleep with half of their brain while the other half stays semi-conscious and able to breathe and watch for predators. In fact, they have been observed with just one eye opened. So, what can we learn from this half-brained idea?

The most obvious lesson is that once again God’s marvelous design of creation reveals His presence in all things! The Creator of all things leaves us marveling at His handiwork as all creation sings praises to His name. But I think there’s an even more wondrous lesson. The brain which I believe seats the soul is an organic mechanism that God created with abilities far reaching anything we ever imagined. The old adage is that humans only use 10% of their brains but science and common sense have exposed this myth. The brain is fully functioning but what is true is that the intellectual capacity of the mind has such far reaching potential that some believe the brain has unlimited capabilities. One might want to take a healthy spoonful of humility with such statements yet, also acknowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! God made us a little lower than the heavenly beings (Psalm 8:5), that is, we have remarkable mental and spiritual potential. There’s nothing half-brained about this idea but rather an awesome and humbling challenge for each of us to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Let’s take our cue from the dolphins and the whales to keep one eye open always looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let’s vow to strive to allow God to use us up in His service and keep us useful to the kingdom even when we are at rest. May God bless our voyage with alert eyes and receptive hearts and may He find us faithful servants! -DAN

Signed

While on vacation I vacated the busyness of routine and everyday expectations to finish reading a book on the “Manhunt” of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth… I went hiking and walked our beach to commune with God… I ate all too well… I played phase ten dice with my lovely bride until we rounded off the corners of the dice… and I wrote a couple of poems because the ocean stirs me. Here’s one:

Signed

When I focus with my heart,
In each vista I see His design,
Before me is heaven’s art,
Each one God clearly signed.

The ocean sings its constant roar,
There God forever clearly seen,
In sunset bathing wave and shore,
His presence signed in ocean green.

Upon the mountain top towering high,
The Ancient of Days cathedral lies,
An eagle swoops to perch nearby,
God’s signature streaming in the skies.

From mountain top to ocean sunset,
His majestic sovereignty is cast,
Ruler, Maker, Sustainer, Perfect,
Signs His work future, present and past!

- Dan 2009

Diary of a Wimpy Preacher

On my birthday I received a gift from a creative soul and professional educator who sized me up and selected a book entitled, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Now one could take that personal but knowing the giver I was delighted because to tell the truth I had been eyeing the book every time I passed it on the bookshelves. Author Jeff Kinney has fun with middle schooler Greg Heffley’s journal (it’s not a diary Greg wants us to know and though he told his mother not to buy a book with “diary” on it she did… but it’s not a diary!). I’ve enjoyed the insightful revisiting of sophomoric days gone by and the reminder that no matter what age you are you don’t want anyone to think you’re a wimp or at least that’s what we might think at first.

The irony of the book is that even though Greg tries his best not to have the wimp reputation he ends up sacrificially rescuing his best friend Rowley from the ultimate horror of being shunned by the entire Middle School. It involves touching some discarded cheese but best understood in the universal untouchable status of those who have cooties. Greg spares Rowley by claiming he touched the cheese and thus takes on the sins of Rowley in an act of true friendship.

I pray that in my life I might be the wimpy preacher who in the spirit of Christ takes on the sins of others so they might become more than conquerors. I want the Spirit of Christ that empties self and takes on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11). I want to be bold enough like Paul to be considered the fool for Christ’s sake (1 Corinthians 4:10). I want to be wimpy enough as a preacher to be found nothing more or less than a clay jar filled with the treasure of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:7). I want my reputation to be assayed by the scales of true friendship (Romans 5:7, 8) not popularity or admiration. I’m ready to go wherever the cross will lead me for it is in weakness not strength that God’s power is delivered (2 Corinthians 12:9)! I guess this is the diary of a wimpy preacher. -DAN

Closer To The Son

Call it global warming, an El Nino effect, or urban radiation from the proliferation of pavement, concrete and traffic… whatever you call it, the reality is that the weather is hot! There are some of you out there that are like the classic movie title, “Some like It Hot.” But most of us gather around the air conditioner sipping cold drinks and fanning ourselves with junk mail. Somewhere between sips and fanning we take a deep breath and confess, “O well, it is summer.” Yes, the reality of hotter weather is and always will be proximity to the sun. The closer we orbit to the celestial incinerating center of our universe the warmer the temperatures. This won’t cool anyone down but I think there’s a wonderful spiritual parody in that the closer we get to the Son the more we are on fire for the Lord! Proximity to the divine heats things up!

I’ve always felt that the challenge of James 4:8 (Come near to God and he will come near to you…) was how close to God do you dare to get. The lifelong quest is how do I accomplish that challenge for my life? O, we know the standard list of: Bible study, prayer, church attendance/fellowship and spiritual meditation. But there’s this spiritual longing that just keeps one thinking, “I’m just not there! I want to be closer but I seem to be in a rut.” Well, I don’t have THE answer but I do think that what helps is a tall cool glass of beatitudes to let one know how high their spiritual flame burns.

Jesus prefaces His role as fulfiller of the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17) by recounting God’s blessings for His people. The surprise is it’s not the spiritually elite or sanctified satisfied nor the religious know-it-alls but rather the poor in spirit, the mournful, the meek and those that hunger and thirst after righteousness! Getting closer to the Son doesn’t generate self heat that blinds others with our spiritual brilliance but rather reflects humbly the Lord’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6). Spiritual fires burn best with a longing to be closer to God even though we feel poor, lament our woeful nature and cower at the realization that we are not worthy of His grace. Yet all of that is met with God’s assurance that He’s looking for the thirsty and hungry not the satisfied! So brothers and sisters let’s keep on hungering for His word, longing for His presence and parched for the Spirit’s living streams of the water of life… and each day we’ll find ourselves closer to the Son! -DAN