David’s Place in the Sun

Well, if you’ve been reading my blog entries, you might have detected a “subplot” developing. It began in my “hometown tourist” entry dealing with the statues of Alan LeQuire (posted September 6, 2009). You may recall that several of his works remind me of the Statute of David I saw at the Ringling Art Museum when I was a teenager living in Sarasota, Florida. Although that was the spark that began it all, it didn’t jell until it occurred to me I would be visiting my son’s family in Sarasota and that I might have an opportunity to get a photo image of that very statue. The “subplot” was sealed when I took my granddaughter to the movie, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and there was a reference to the Statue of David in the Jell-O palace scene of that movie. I was now committed.

So on the last day of my most recent visit to Florida, while the rest of the family was committed to other activities, I went to the Ringling Art Museum, specifically the museum’s courtyard, because I only had time to see that part of this wonderful museum.

Here are a couple of images of David. Scripture says David was a young man. He was, of course, Jewish. Michelangelo’s depiction isn’t accurate in one significant aspect; David isn’t Jewish. Specifically, he doesn’t have the “sign” of Abram’s covenant with God as outlined in Genesis 17.

The statue shows David, allegedly prior to his slaying of the Philistine giant, Goliath. He is a lean, taut and youthful male figure. It also shows him with a portion of the sling in his hand and a portion of it draping down his back. The statue is an imposing 17-foot figure in the museum’s courtyard. The original statue is made of marble and stands in Galeria dell'Academia in Firenze, Italy. The statue in the Florida sun is made of bronze and was cast from the original.

Scripture describes David as young and good looking when he confronted Goliath (the passage describing him a “boy” is cited below). Scripture also records that David had a sling and five small (approximately 2-inch round) stones from a nearby brook. The Biblical passage dealing with David on this doesn’t say God told David what he was to do. Instead, it records David as asking the men in camp, “What’s in it for the guy that kills this giant?” I have wondered, “Where is David’s obedience to God in this situation?” David only decides to take on the giant when he finds out what’s in it for him and that David collects 5 stones, when only one was needed. On the other side of the issue scripture says, “The Spirit of the Lord was within him.” Perhaps, this story most readily relates to us and our life in the Lord today. It seems that only now and then are direct and clear directions given to us, leaving us most of the time with rather broad, general and sweeping directions. I suppose the challenge is to cultivate a heart for God, then serve Him in ways that glorify Him.

So, from the outside we see a statue of a human form, like any other young figure. So, what is it that moves us about this piece? Is it some external quality? David in the sun is stunning for his appearance, sculpted by a renowned and gifted artist. But his external appearance wasn’t enough to move and inspire the nation of Israel nor does this statue come to mean so much to us by itself. Rather, it is his character and heart and what Israel became under his leadership that gives him power. And more importantly, it is David’s deep commitment to God that moves us. It is his humility to serve. He is teachable. He is willing to change. And it is the depth of his affection for God that sets him apart from anyone else, besides Jesus, in scripture. Unlike Saul, David was a man after God’s heart. His story is about his steadfast faith in God. In the Hebrew language, faith (emunah) has to do one’s response to a firm belief. For a believer it has to do with one’s confidence in God. It’s about a relationship, a relationship I need. It’s about confiding in God and trusting Him for everything. It is an intimate relationship. Read David’s Psalms (several verses are cited below). In them David confesses his reliance on God. He confesses his transgressions and he asks for God’s guidance. He is patient. It is a remarkable relationship in which God gives David great latitude to serve Him and at the same time he waits for God to do His will.

A fine Rollex watch is outwardly beautiful, but if that watch doesn’t keep accurate time, or even worse, doesn’t work at all, it is a disservice to the brand and its beauty. Both David and Saul were handsome. They were both chosen to be “king.” Similarly, a spouse may be beautiful or handsome, but if that spouse or mate is quarrelsome, disagreeable or “unfaithful,” they will not have a spouse’s heart. David sought to serve God, though admittedly, he was derailed on several occasions. In the end however, scripture says, “David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts).” Because of his faith, David conquered kingdoms and routed foreign armies (Hebrews). Like David, God’s spirit lives within me. We must be on the same page. I must confide in Him. I must trust Him. Faith gives us a wall on which we can write our lives. He is in everything we do.

Michelangelo’s work is significant. It is remarkable. But what makes it even more powerful is the meaning and significance that is the historical David.

I didn’t recall from my youth the pieces entitled “The Tiber” and “The Nile” that are just below the figure of David to his right and left. It is funny how I had forgotten the entire scene below David. As in the courtyard, he stands above those civilizations because of his character.

The courtyard holds many other figures also, some from Greek and Roman mythology. There is even a bodybuilder from close to the time of John Ringling himself. The courtyard includes “Romulus and Remus and the Capitoline She-Wolf,” and Charles Atlas holding up the world.

The most memorable piece to me beside David is the Chariot and Two Horses (one source refers to this as the “Biga,” another source refers to it as the “Votive Chariot Dedicated to Ceres“). It was as beautiful a few weeks ago as it was 46 years ago when I took the B&W image. Somehow one of my black and white photos of one of the horses survived my carelessness. Compare the images. Time has not reduced the piece’s ability to give “awe.”

Other celebrated art in the museum’s courtyard include the Fountain of Tortoises (Piazza Mattei in Rome) and Oceanus Fountain (by Giovanni Bologna). Isn’t the tortoise beautiful?

Scripture:
Genesis 17.9-14 – The sign of the covenant is given to Abraham.
1 Samuel 16.1-13 – David, anointed by Samuel to be king, returned to his father’s fields to shepherd his sheep.
1 Samuel 16.7 – The Lord does not look at outward appearance, He looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16.12-13 – David was “ruddy” with a fine appearance and handsome features. The Lord said, “He is the one” (to be king). The Spirit of the Lord came upon David.
1 Samuel 16.23 – David’s presence brought peace.
1 Samuel 17.26-27 – David asks, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine?”
1 Samuel 17.32-33 – David tells King Saul, “I will fight” the Philistine. Saul responds, “You are only a boy.”
1 Samuel 17.37 – David tells Saul, “The Lord spared my life when I was confronted by lions and bears.”
1 Samuel 17.42 – The Philistine saw that David was only a boy, ruddy and handsome and he despised him.”
1 Samuel 17.45-47 – David told the giant, “I am confronting you in the name of the Lord.”
1 Samuel 18.5 - David submitted to the king’s authority to become Saul’s attendant and officer.
1 Samuel 18.12 – The Lord was with David.
Acts 13.22 – David was a man after God’s own heart.
Hebrews 11.32-33 – David through his faith conquered kingdoms and routed foreign armies.
James 2.17-22 – Faith alone, without action, is dead. Faith and actions work together.

Psalm 18.1 – “How I love you Lord.”
Psalm 18.28 – “Lord, you give me light and dispel my darkness.”
Psalm 25.4 – “Teach me your ways O Lord.”
Psalm 31.4 – “Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me.”
Psalm 32.5 – “I confessed my sins to you and you forgave me.”
Psalm 32.7 – “You are my hiding place.”
Psalm 145.1 – “I will proclaim your greatness.”

More Meatballs

I thought Flint Lockwood and Sam Sparks (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”) had taken care of the meatball making machine, but no, we saw a variation of one in “Curious George Live!” (a children’s musical that performed at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center a/k/a TPAC). This time the meatballs were square-shaped, but still a threat to world order. And this time it was Curious George who had to deal with the threat.


This time my granddaughter, Analayne, witnessed the meatball threat. In this adventure the inquisitive and resourceful little monkey went all out to help his friend, Chef Pisghetti, an Italian cook in “The City.” Of course, we saw the Man with the Yellow Hat, the Doorman and Hundley, the doorman’s dachshund. We saw George scamper up scaffolding, make “Ohu, Ohu” monkey sounds and walk on a large ball (balancing on a ball in costume had to be a challenge). Nevertheless, “Curious George Live!” is a musical, with songs sung by the Man with the Yellow Hat and others with themes and lines that included: “George is always curious,” “There’s more to explore,” “When one door closes, another one opens up,” and “You like to help your friends.” Of course, George always solves his problems.

Well it seems, someone had invented a machine that made square-shaped meatballs at an incredible speed that threatened his friend’s eatery. Because George had helped his friend, Chef Pisghetti, in his restaurant making meatballs, George decides to enter his meatballs in a world-famous competition, the Golden Meatball Contest. His first problem was how to get from “The City” to Rome. Using a shipping box previously sent from Rome, George sends himself to Italy using a “Return to Sender” stamp. The box and George arrive in Rome and he enters the contest. George is now missing. When his friends figure out that George has gone to Rome, they pursue him. When they arrive, the contest is already in progress and the contestants have all cooked their meatballs. Unlike the others, George had to make his friend’s meatballs without knowing his friend’s secret ingredient. Still, George wins the meatball contest. How could he have won against meatballs made by the square-meatball-making machine and all of the others? What was the secret ingredient George unknowingly used? His chef friend confides, “The secret ingredient is love.”

It is the same ingredient that Jesus tells His followers to base their lives on. A heartless meatball machine cannot compete against the power of love in one’s life. The bond of affection between Flint and Sam (in “Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs”) in shutting-down the food-making machine is just as effective as love is in making wonderful meatballs. Love comes in many forms. In the words of the playwright, “We are lucky to have a friend like that.”

Analyane’s review of the musical play: “George is bigger than he is on TV or in his books.”

Mimi and I agreed; “George is bigger in person than on TV or in his books.”

Afterwards, we went to Moe’s Southwest Grille. They don’t serve meatballs unless you consider a burrito a variation on one. At any rate, this outing was a hit with Analayne! She was still talking about “George” the day after and asked when we would go to another show.

Scripture:
John 13.35 – People will know you are followers of Christ by your love.
John 14.15 – Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”
John 15.5–8 – Jesus said, “God’s glory is shown by what His followers do.”
John 15.17 – Jesus said, “Love one another.”
John 22.36-40 – God’s law can be summed up as saying, “Love God; love others.”
1 John 4.8 – God is love.

Hadley Has a Big Coke with Her Meatballs

This past week my granddaughter, Hadley pulled back the curtain of time and prompted me see things I’ve not seen in awhile. We had a date. We went to a movie, just her and me, while Mimi took a nap as Shepherd napped.

So, what do you recall from your youth? Sometimes I need help in remembering the things that impressed me. But just as interesting is what impresses your children or in this case my granddaughter.

Well, Hadley and I went to the movie, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” It is a movie based on the children’s book with the same title. The book was written after my children were grown, so I was not familiar with it. I suppose the movie elaborated on the story somewhat, adding details and possibly sub-plots to make the movie worthy.

Hadley was pretty excited about going to the movie. (Check out her smile. You can't see it, but she has lost a tooth.) Mimi told me to get her some popcorn. I did, with a drink too. The total cost for a bag of popcorn, a 24-ounce Coke and two tickets was over $25.00. I thought the concession prices were pretty unconscionable, so I didn’t indulge in popcorn or drink. Anyway, it was her afternoon to enjoy. And I think she enjoyed it all. Even though she weighs only 32 pounds, she must have a huge bladder. She drank the entire drink, ice and all. I calculate, with the popcorn, she gained nearly two pounds, mostly from the drink. I don’t know if I, a grown man used to consuming those volumes, could have handled all the liquid without a trip to the restroom mid-movie, but she did.

The movie was about Flint Lockwood, a young inventor intent on making his mark while making the world a better place to live. He had already invented some non-skid, spray-on shoes that wouldn’t come off a person’s foot. He was now engaged in developing a machine that would make food from ordinary water. The assumption was that water is plentiful, sort of like dirt. In my profession, water is not that abundant, at least potable water isn’t that abundant. These days water doesn’t come cheap. I had to overlook this critical assumption and assume a child’s perspective.

The other major figure in the movie was Sam Sparks (I assume her name was short for Samantha), an intelligent news-weatherperson sent to cover the story of a town whose fishing industry was declining and was re-inventing itself as a tourist destination. While she is there Flint’s machine to make food was launched (figuratively and literally) and it rains hamburgers. It then rains hotdogs, ice cream or anything else Flint programs it to produce.

The plot thickens here, because the machine’s food making attributes aren’t entirely controllable. Flint also takes a liking to Sam, who is now covering this “news” story.

It is at this point I notice Hadley has become absorbed in the unfolding drama. She loves a romance. She has been a flower-girl in several weddings and up-to-this point in our week, she has married Mimi and Papa several times. Coordinating the kiss and pronouncing us “Man and wife” is one of the high points of her play. (I’m thinking, maybe she is a budding Shakespeare.) Hadley is also a repeat video consumer of the Disney movies “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty.” She is moving all about the movie seat.

Anyway, Flint creates a huge palace made of Jell-O, Sam’s favorite food. Inside the palace, there are all sorts of things. What jumps out to me is a Statue of David made out of Jell-O. I ask myself, “How did that get into a children’s movie?” That was something that caught my attention when I was a teenager living in Sarasota, Florida. How ironic is this? I was in Sarasota, with my granddaughter, watching a movie that makes reference to “David.”

Well, the story of Flint and Samantha gains momentum. Sam, it turns out wears big glasses, which Flint finds endearing. A monkey joins the action, who Hadley loves. Ultimately the crisis caused by the food making machine gone awry is resolved. I must also say that Flint’s father (Tim) develops as an important and likeable figure in the story. (I’m not going to spoil this aspect of the movie for you.)

And then there is the BIG Kiss. The world then sighs in relief.

I asked Hadley at the end, “What did you like about the movie?” Her response: “Sam, the monkey and Flint.” She also liked the “Jell-O mansion.”

We walk out of the mall, through the parking lot and get to the van. She says, “Papa, I need to go to the restroom.” Ah, she has a large bladder, but not that big.

It was for me another memorable experience.

Scripture:
Matthew 11.25 – Jesus declared that while some things are hidden from the wise, they are revealed to children.
Matthew 21.15 – The children cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
Mark 10.13-16 – Jesus told his disciples, “Let the children come to me; to such belongs the Kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 13.11 – When I was a child I spoke as a child.

Alan LeQuire in a 3.3 Mile Walk

In about 3.3 miles an explorer of Nashville can celebrate the city’s “First Citizen,” Timothy Demonbreun while watching barges go up and down the Cumberland River. Demonbreun’s statue stands within a few hundred feet of the river at 170 1st Avenue North in Bicentennial Mall Park (at the eastern end of Union Street). The park is an exclave of Bicentennial Capital Mall on James Robertson Parkway and to most people appears to be an extension of Riverfront Park just to the north of Fort Nashborough. At any rate, Demonbreun was a fur trader and served in the American Revolution and the monument to him was crafted by Alan LeQuire in 1996.

Alan LaQuire is the principle subject of this blog, or at least the works of his hands will be featured here. Stick with me and you will find that four of his works can be seen in a 3.3 mile walk. You can get bonus points for walking another mile and add another one of his works, if you want. Nashville can be an interesting place.

From Timothy Demonbreun one can then walk west a short distance down Union Street, make a left on Fourth or Fifth, walk a block, make a right onto Church Street, and continue west on Church to Nashville’s Main Public Library. If the library is open, you can examine the sixteen panels on the inside of the library’s doors. Sixteen of the 24 bronze panels depict natural wildlife scenes. The eight panels on the center set of doors depict individuals who are reading or otherwise learning. I especially enjoyed the large turtle and heron the most. To this point you have walked a little over one-half mile.

It gets a trickier now travel-wise, but after hitting the library, you can view a third LeQuire sculpture by continuing your walk west. This one is a little more controversial, simply because it contains nine huge (twice life-size) nude dancing figures made of bronze. To see the “Musica Statue” continue west on Church street and at Eighth Avenue turn left and walk to Broadway. When you get to Broadway, turn right. You will walk west past the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. You can also rest your feet and spend a few hours there too. Continue walking west until you get to 14th Avenue, turn left and walk until you get to Demonbreun Street and turn right. Demonbreun is obviously named for Timothy Demonbreun for whom LeQuire memorized in a bronze statue near the river. Continue your walk to Buddy Killen Circle (it’s where 16th Avenue South, Music Square East, Division, and Demonbreun Streets meet). Within the roundabout you will see “Musica.” The piece shows a dance troupe in performance at the top end of music row. The work celebrates not only music but the arts in general. The idea here is that when you hear good, inspiring music people burst into dance. Personally, I didn’t find the sculpture offensive. Maybe the huge 14 foot bronze statue of “David” at the Ringling Art Museum (a bronze cast from the marble original by Michelangelo in Florence, Italy) that I saw as a kid growing up in Sarasota, Florida made it seem like “No big deal” to me. Anyway, the work was too impressively large to be offensive.

While you circle around Buddy Killen Circle to take in LeQuire’s work be sure to see the tribute to Owen Bradley (Owen Bradley Park) at the piano. This work was not done by LeQuire, but it is worth the time to look at it. You’ve now walked about 1.7 miles.

From Buddy Killen Circle walk one block north on 16th avenue, turn left onto West End Avenue and continue west for a little over 1 mile. When you come to Centennial Park on your right, head north into the park. You will see the replica of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Parthenos. LeQuire’s work, “Athena Parthenos” is inside this gigantic structure. Like the original Athena, the Athena in Nashville was in the Parthenon located on the Acropolis, in Athens, Greece. The original Athena, sculpted by Phidias in 439 BC is no longer there, reportedly looted in the 5th century AD.

In 1456 AD, Athens fell to the Ottoman Turks and converted the Parthenon into a mosque. And then in 1687 the Venetians attacked Athens. Unfortunately, the Ottomans were using the Parthenon as a gunpowder depot and the building was partially destroyed as a result of a Venetian mortar.

The building and the Athena statue are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals. The Athena in Nashville’s Parthenon is an impressive 42 feet tall (actually 41 feet 10 inches). It was created using descriptions of her by ancient writers, depictions of her on Athenian coins and a small-scale Roman statue. Consider the size and structure of the Parthenon too. Nashville is a good place to see all of this.

Next to the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Athens is Areopagus Hill, the meeting place of the council of Athens. This is the place where scripture says the Apostle Paul made his famous speech in 52 AD. Scripture refers to Areopagus Hill as “Mars Hill.” It was named after the Greek god of war who was tried at the site.

We can only assume the Apostle Paul saw Athena and indeed the Pathenon on his visit to Athens. He must have been stirred by all the other references to mythological gods and goddesses. In his speech (recorded in Acts 17) he even observed that the Athenians were very religious. They had even established an altar to “an unknown god.” Paul’s response, “What you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth…is not found in things, but in us, for in Him we live and breathe and have our being” (vs. 27-28).

Impressed yet? If you are making this journey with me, you have seen four of Alan LeQuire’s works in 3.3 miles. He is quite a craftsman. And he has done a good many pieces.

Now, If you want bonus points, walk with me a little further and you can see a fifth work by LeQuire. For this one head southeast to Vanderbilt University Medical Center on 21st Avenue South. Here you will see his “Flying Torso.”

From the Parthenon, return to the West End Avenue entrance to Centennial Park. Carefully cross West End Avenue and locate 26th Avenue South. Walk south on 26th Avenue to Kensington Place. Turn left and walk east one block and turn right onto 25th Avenue South. In two blocks you will reach Garland Avenue. At Garland Avenue, turn left and walk east until you arrive at the Eskind Biomedical Library at 2209 Garland Avenue (about 2 blocks). The library won an AIA/ALA Library Award in 1999. The building is interesting in itself.

The Flying Torso sits in front of the library. It is also about 300 feet from the McDonalds Restaurant on the northwest side of Vanderbilt Hospital. If you are ever in the neighborhood visiting a friend in the hospital, find your way to McDonalds and from there walk northwest about 300 feet and you will be able to view this piece.

If you continue walking east through this courtyard area you will encounter two additional pieces of art (not by LeQuire). They are the “Balance and Unbalanced Beam” and the “Guardian Spirit.” Continue east a few more feet and you will reach 21st Avenue South via Medical Center Drive. The “bonus walk” will add about a mile to your hike.

The walk has taken you by many cultural places of interest. The sites represent history, culture, art, nature and religion. Many of them might encourage you to look deeper into history and the arts. The high point for me was Athena, the cult image of the goddess of wisdom, warfare, peace and reason and the indirect reference to it in the Acts of the Apostles. The point here has been to get you thinking.

Enjoy the arts. Learn about history. Serve others. Observe God’s creation. Meanwhile, never loose sight of your first love, which should be for God.

Scripture:
Acts 1.8 – Jesus tells His disciples they will receive the “power” of the Holy Spirit. The “Acts of the Apostles” is an account of the “acts” of the apostles as led by the indwelling Spirit of God.
Acts 17.19 – Paul saw that Athens was full of idols. Scripture specifically records he was at Areopagus Hill.
Acts 17.22 – He was in the place where the City Council met.
Acts 17.25 – God needs nothing we can supply.
Acts 17.27 – He is not far from any one of us.
Acts 17.29 – Our God is not shaped by the art and skill of man.
Acts 17.31 – The reality and power of God was proven by His Son and His life, His Death and His Resurrection.
Acts 19.21-41 – Even when Paul was in Ephesus, a city in what is now Turkey, the Jewish Christians did not rob the temples or say evil things about any other goddess (specifically Artemis)
Acts 20.17-38 – Paul’s message to the Ephesians, like his message to the Athenians, was to turn away from their sins and believe in Christ (God).
Revelation 2.4 – The Apostle’s message to the church at Ephesus, despite their work and service to others, etc. was that the Ephesians had lost their first love.

"What’s Past Is Prologue” and the JNEM (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial)

A few weeks ago, I was in St. Louis for a meeting. While there I was able to visit the Gateway Arch and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Scripture seemed to jump out of the experience. Here is what struck me:

Eero Saarinen’s Gateway Arch was selected and built because it symbolizes the future. What is being said is that the spirit of looking forward, moving forward and embrace the future is part of the American heart because of our historical experience. It is our culture and we celebrate it today. The future, as represented by the arch is quite impressive. It takes on many colors and hues as the day progresses. As a stainless steel structure, it is huge and impressive. It was also quite a accomplishment to build.

The other part of the memorial, the “Museum of Westward Expansion” documents a pivotal moment in our history. It is a moment that seems to best define, if not give us a forward looking vision. It is a quintessential value.

The Louisiana Purchase was completed by President Jefferson in 1803. With the Corps of Discovery, it was time to assess the territory to determine what it held and the peoples who occupied it.

To summarize what them museum contained: The Corps of Discovery encountered Grizzly Bears, Native American tribes with whom they traded and gave peace medals, and several corps members kept journals.

What came after the expedition of Lewis and Clark was a never ending movement of people into that vast area. It continues today. It is a “movement” taken by people in an act of their faith with respect to their future. In is almost Biblical. Let me digress. If Christians consider scripture, we too have a calling to step forward, do the right things out of faith to embrace a future which God promises to bless.

A people embracing a future promised by God is also Biblical. Moses led the Nation of Israel out of bondage to a land promised by God. He told them to assess the land and its people. It was already theirs. The 12 tribes would occupy it and live on it. God promised He would be with them. After they crossed the Jordon He told them to pile up 12 stones as a reminder of what He had done for them as they too embraced the future. This is point: Because of what God had done for them, everyone would know of His power. The future, if we choose it, is ours by faith.

William Shakespeare said, “What’s past is prologue. What is to come is ours.”

Lewis Mumford had a little different twist on the thought and wrote, “If we do not take the time to review the past we shall not have sufficient insight to understand the present or command the future: for the past never leaves us and the future is already here.”

To summarize: “Know your past, who you are and where you are going.”

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 32.48 – God said to Moses, look at the land I’m about to give to you (it was promised).
Numbers 13.2 – Explore the land I am giving you (assess and divide it among the 12 tribes).
Numbers 13.18-20 – Find out what kind of people, land and fruit are in the land.
Numbers 14.7 – Excellent land.
Joshua 1.2-3 – Cross the river into the land I have given you (vision).
Joshua 1.5 – I will be with you.
Joshua 1.7 – Be determined, confident and obey my law.
Joshua 3.7 – Realize I am with you.
Joshua 4.2-4 – The arch symbolizes the future much like the pile of stones on the banks of the Jordon.
Joshua 4.6-7 – A reminder of what happened
Joshua 4.23 – Because of this everyone will know of God’s power (so big only God could do it).
Hebrews 11.2 and 12.1-2 – Faithful living has God’s approval in the past and in the future.

Magnolia Blossoms

We have a Southern Magnolia in our yard. When it was planted about 10 years ago, it was no taller than 3 feet. As you can see it must be 25 feet in height today. It was a mother’s day gift to my wife. She wanted one dearly.

Although the tree can be messy, dropping big, leather-like leaves and seed-pods, its blossoms are very beautiful and fragrant. The blossoms have several stages:
Buds, blossoms and seed pods.

Look at the images. Each stage is unique and beautiful in its own right.

But why should I think the blossoms to be beautiful? What makes a thing beautiful?

It seems everything should be beautiful. Everything created by God is “good” (Genesis ). Confucius recognized this too when he said, “Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

Kahilil Gibran said it this way, “When you reach the heart of life you shall find beauty in all things, even in the eyes that are blind to beauty.”

It seems to me there are 2 basic notions relative to the concept of “beauty,” each with a different shade of meaning. In one sense beauty refers to something’s appearance, its color, texture, symmetry and fragrance. It is used to suggest elegance, something that is fine, like art. It is the kind of beauty we often try to quantify. We develop criteria for it.











Another sense of the word focuses on the “good” of something, recognizing that something is beautiful when it performs well. In this sense, beauty is like a well designed machine, moving silently and effortlessly to accomplish a task deemed worthwhile.

It seems we often use the word in an interchangeable way, sometimes as if referring to art and sometimes in the sense of its performance. Both uses of "beauty" are a bit subjective, or as Margaret Hungerford has said, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” So let me summarize here by quoting Jean Anouilh. She said, “Things are beautiful if you love them.”

Now to the heart of the matter. Scripture says, “How beautiful is the coming of messengers who bring good news.” The people we love are like that. We love them for who they are. And the lesson for us is (if we flip that statement around a bit) “Let the beauty you love be what you do” (Jalal ad Din Rumi).

So, why should I think magnolia blossoms are beautiful? Because my wife loves this tree. Because God made this tree to grow, blossom and to be fruitful. It grows in the south and enriches our lives and the lives of others, setting one wonderful region of America off from other wonderful regions, and to make one region distinct from other regions. It is beautiful because of what it does and what it is.

This week my wife and I celebrate 40 years of marriage. She is a woman of great beauty.

Scripture:
Genesis 1.31 – God was pleased with His creation.
Genesis 2.9 – God made all kinds of beautiful trees.
Genesis 29.17 – Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
Psalm 96.6 – Power and beauty fill His Temple.
Zechariah 9.17 – How beautiful is the land.
Romans 10.15 – How beautiful is the coming of messengers who bring good news.

Sculling at Midnight

I learned a lot over the July 4th holiday. It was special in many ways. It began on Friday evening, July 3rd when I went sailing with my son-in-law, Russ and granddaughter. It was a typical July day in Tennessee, warm and very little wind. So instead of sailing to where we could “raft-up” to other sailboats to watch a nearby fireworks display, we used a small, 2-horsepower outboard engine to get us from the marina to a cove where we could see the fireworks display.

The day was also special because the “sail” was Russ’ first with this boat. Since he acquired it, it had spent more than a year in his garage being restored. Russ can repair and restore anything. Much of this sailboat had been replaced with parts from other discarded sailboats and new paint applied, all with great diligence to exacting standards. His self-imposed deadline was this weekend. I think the family joke was: “Would it float?” Other sailboat owners seeing it at the marina on the water thought it was new. In fact, it was originally built in 1976.

The sailboat is quite small. It is a 16-foot Hutchins Compact. It is adorned with two sails, a main sail and a jib. The smaller sail is located in front of the main sail. I think the sailing community refers to this kind of boat as a “sloop.” The boat has one mast and a short keel. The craft has only a two-foot draft. Take a look at the attached image. It’s a neat little boat.

Around 7 pm, since there was little wind, we excitedly left the marina (see images), puttered away from the docks, went down the lake about 5 miles, tied up with fellow sailboat owners and watched the fireworks display. My granddaughter enjoyed holding the tiller and “fishing” along the way. Once we got to the area where we would watch the fireworks, we enjoyed soft-drinks, cracker-jacks and M&M snacks. We had a wonderful time. My granddaughter had a great time.

About 10:30 pm or so, after most of the fast powerboats and houseboats had left the cove, we cranked-up the auxiliary gasoline engine and began the trip back to mid-lake. For half the journey, it went well but then the engine died. Russ started it again. It puttered awhile and died again. This time for good. We were out of gasoline. The main sail and jib were up, but they were of little value. There was almost no wind and we were 2 ½ or 3 miles from the marina. When a little air moved, it was very light and variable in direction. We recalled lines from Gilligan’s Island about a three-hour tour.

The solution? Sculling! What is “sculling”? you ask. Sculling is when you move the rudder back and forth with the tiller. This action is akin to the tailfin of a fish, moving back and forth, giving the fish forward movement. It isn’t easy to scull a sailboat. But then again, the lake was very calm. I suppose it was calm in part because there was no wind. The moon was nearly full. The lake was stone silent. It was a beautiful night.

After awhile my granddaughter became very tired, even with all the junk food in her. She went “below” and quickly fell asleep. It then occurred to me that we would be at this quite awhile. Feeling a bit embarrassed, if not guilty I suppose, Russ never let me “scull.”

We had a lot of time to talk. I learned that the “port” side of a boat is like “port wine.” Port wine is red and the red sidelight is on the left side of a boat. The word “port” has only four letters, just like the word “left.” The other side is called the “starboard” side and has a green sidelight. For some reason or other there is a “white” light on the mast (called a mast light) and one placed at the stern or rear of the boat. The later is called a stern light. We talked about work and about life. We wondered why people do some of the silly things they do to complicate and mess up their lives. How can married people with wives and children maintain those relationships and carry-on additional romantic relationships at the same time? People get jealous and people get emotional. There are some that want life both ways. Recent news had us wondering about how illogical people can be. It’s apparent, “No good ever comes from these things.” Dishonesty and unfaithfulness are unholy.

I thought about Christ and the kind of life He led and desires for us to have. He went to sleep on a boat in the middle of a lake. I thought how the Sea of Galilee could be rough one moment and then as calm as glass. I thought about Jesus walking on the water and I thought about the Ancient Galilee Boat (also called the “Jesus Boat”) found by two boys in the mud on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, on the northwestern shore after a few years of drought in 1986. The boat was dated between 100 BCE and 70. In many ways it’s similar to the boat we were using in crossing the lake. Our sailboat was 16 feet long. The Ancient Galilee Boat was a bit longer at 26 feet. Obviously, neither is very large. The Galilee boat had one sail or so experts think. I saw the Ancient Galilee Boat a year or so ago (see image attached).

The lake, the night and the fact we were on our own (no 21st century motor) made several scriptures come alive. (See references below.)

I wondered too, if we would make it back to the marina by daybreak. I gave in to enjoying the moonlight reflecting off the lake, the adventure of being out-there marooned on the water and the story we would tell. I wondered if the disciples had to scull or row their boat. We had a couple of cell phone calls from our wives. We informed them of the situation. Nature is unpredictable we told them.

Eventually we made it back to the marina. It was a little after 2 am. Thanks to Russ’ sculling and a little wind. We got our things together, my granddaughter got to bed and I made it home. She is a real trooper. It was 3:30 am.

Lessons learned: No matter how gasoline-miserly the engine, it is better to carry twice the fuel you think you need. Be flexible, unexpected things happen. Learn and enjoy where you have been planted.

Matthew 14.22-33 – Jesus walked on the water to the disciple’s boat.
Mark 4.35-41 – Jesus fell asleep on a boat.
John 21.1-6 – The disciples fished all night before Jesus appeared.

Bluebirds, Part 2

The bluebirds continued to shuttle back and forth from the field to the bird box near my house, bringing caterpillars and grubs to their young. Their harvest can be seen in the photos accompanying this entry. They are like a food-conveyer-belt on wings.










Meanwhile on Sunday, June 21 the grease on the post was disturbed. It was evident, very evident a snake had tried to climb the post and succeeded to some degree. Investigation showed the grease was smeared and nearly non-existent on some of the post. It had been disturbed to within 8 to 10 inches of the box. I was anxious, were my bluebird nestlings still there? I checked, hoping that if any were still there, they wouldn’t fall out of the box. A quick peek gave relief. They were still there, and so I slathered the post afresh with a lot more grease. I probably needed to put a sign up to warn the children next door.










When one considers the number of days the male and female bluebirds have been shuttling back and forth with food (they typically do this for 18 to 21 days), it is quite impressive. They are certainly dedicated to the task and to think they could lose their young to a snake or other predator along the way.

I’ve noticed too that when one bluebird comes to perch on the black locust tree closest to the bluebird box the other bluebird will call after awhile. Then one will swoop down to the bird box to deliver what they have fetched. They show amazing cooperation, taking turns and working together.










On the other hand, if one of the bluebirds detects my presence, it is immediately perceived as a threat. This then causes them to take some evasive action – usually leaving the tree for a more distant tree, or disappearing altogether to return 3 or 4 minutes later.

I suppose it is their nature to survey the bird box each and every time they come to it. Maybe it was first learned and is now second-nature to them. Or maybe it is a trait within their DNA. It seems, given a situation, they already know what they will do.

I had to go out of town for four days, and it appears the nestlings had fledged (approximately 18 days after hatching). They were gone.

At any rate their behavior reminds me of additional scripture that we must learn and internalize as part of our lives:

John 10.10 – Watch for the thief that comes to steal life from us
Proverbs 29.18 – Seek divine guidance
1 Thessalonians 5.17 – Communicate continually with God
Deuteronomy 4.6 – Adhere to God’s advice for life

Bluebirds and a Greasy Post

Why would I ever consider bluebirds with a greasy post? It’s a chronicle worth retelling.

For the past several years we’ve had a bluebird box in the backyard. Bluebirds came and went without much thought. It was a casual relationship. I enjoy the sight of bluebirds and wanted to promote the species in my neighborhood, but I am not a big bird enthusiast.

Late last summer that casual relationship began to change. Bluebirds came, built a nest in the box, laid eggs and wham, overnight they disappeared. The box appeared not to have been disturbed. I cleaned the box out, eggs were laid and it was the same scenario again. The bluebird eggs disappeared. Spring came and another clutch of eggs vanished again.


The internet was helpful. Bluebirds, it appears have a number of predators: kids, raccoons, cats, other birds, snakes. What gets into a box without so much as a disturbed twig? The answer: snakes. They could not go unchecked. Counter-measures were needed. This fact set into motion this, my most recent chronicle.

Though snakes do not have very good eyes they smell very well. They also climb well and can eat eggs without messing up a nest. Even though I hadn’t seen any snakes around the box, they must be the culprit. Surely there was a solution.

One website suggested greasing the post with wheel axle grease. One caveat - grease isn’t 100 percent effective against snakes. Many are constrictors. If it didn’t work, other solutions and devices would have to be explored.

So I greased the post. (Check out my greasy post. Bugs stick to it pretty well.) I waited, and within a few days bluebirds had build a nice nest in it, and in a few more days there were 5 beautiful soft-blue eggs. (OK, it’s hard to get great photos of the inside of a bluebird box, so bear with me.)


Once eggs are laid, it takes about 2 weeks for any of them to hatch. During that time, I didn’t see much activity around the bluebird box. Nevertheless, I checked the box daily to make sure the eggs were still there. The grease on the post was smeared once, but I couldn’t tell whether it was the children next door or if a snake had tried to climb the post. I wondered. Then I laughed out loud at the thought of the two children next door, after fingering the post, going home with grease all over their hands and clothes and what their mother might have said to them. Well, no one (neither mother nor child) has ever mentioned the grease on the post. Someday, maybe a story will spill out, but there hasn’t been even the slightest mention of grease yet.


Last Sunday, the first bluebird chick hatched. On Monday, three more eggs had hatched. As you can see, this clutch is all eyes and open mouths. They are very small, naked little things and full of bobbing. (Can you make out the eyes and the 4 open caverns that must be mouths?) Wow, life is so amazing. They are truly a gift of God. Now, it’s up to their parents to bring insects, berries, seeds, and other nutritious things for them to eat so they can grow and become fledglings (they remain nestlings for up to 3 weeks). There is now a constant shuttling into and out-of that box. They are also very quick. (OK. It’s also hard to photograph a bluebird on the wing.) I now await fledglings graduating to the skies. Beauty has wings.


And by the way, I’ve seen a rat snake in the yard.



Genesis 3.1 – The snake is cunning
Mark 4.15 – Satan takes away God’s message
2 Corinthians 2.11 – Be aware of the ways of Satan

Birthday Campout

A week ago we celebrated the 5th birthday of one of my granddaughters. Look at her as she blows out the candles on her camp theme cake. She has come a long way in 5 years. She began life with a few challenges, but by the grace of God has overcome many of them. I marvel at her and what God has allowed and is behind the scenes working out, even now. In celebrating, we had a cookout and camped one night in the driveway. For awhile we also had tents pitched in the front yard where I photographed three of my four grandchildren playing.

Actually, three grown men (two daddies and a poppa) and only two little girls spent the night in my son-in-law’s pop-up camper (the set-up can be seen in the attached image). It was also a cool May night for Tennessee and sleeping bags and blankets were handy. Nevertheless, we heard things not normally heard. We saw things not often seen. Before one of my grandsons went into the house to bed, we saw smores (marshmellow-graham cracker like sandwiches with the marshmellows heated in a campfire on a stick) carefully wiped on a sweater. The image is worth savoring. What a mess and what a wonderful memory! We had a lot of fun.

Now, given the fact that my five year old granddaughter has come a long way in her journey, I look back also over the past 5 or 6 six years of my journey and think about where I have been physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and who has come along side me, my children and their families, the changes and growth of my church, my lunch discussion group, my own health issue, those at work who have left the workplace and whom I miss seeing on a daily basis, an adoption, the places I’ve been, my walking buddies, the struggles of my parents, and of course all my grandchildren.

I think we all should celebrate the spiritual growth we have made. Her birthday was cause of all this reflection. In my mind the change has been significant. It hasn’t always been fun, and I have to admit that at times it has been a bit scary. Yet, everything that has happened has helped me to become a bit more mindful of family and friends and the connectedness of all God’s work, and to see Him more clearly working in and through all of life. He is my blessing.

I suppose He understands it all better than I do.

Luke 2.40 – Jesus grew in wisdom and statute and in favor with God and man.

Romans 12.2 – Allow God to transform you.

Galatians 5.22-23 - Grow in the Lord.