Dancing with the stares: King David's leap of faith

Dancing David
Painting by Francesco Salviati

Dancing with the Stars has been going strong since 2005.  Many clamor for the chance to strut their stuff and shine with fame's fickle light.  Some even glow - at least for a while.

Many moons ago, the true "keeper of the stars" came down to our third rock in order to accompany the Ark into Jerusalem.  Leading this stellar procession was none other than the future King David.

2 Samuel 6:5 tells us that a good time was had by all: "David and all the Israelites made merry before the LORD with all their strength, with singing and with citharas, harps, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals."

This event, however, was not without its challenges.  When Uzzah tried to get around God's specific instructions concerning the Ark, he was struck down dead.  This (torrentially) rained on David's parade for the next three months.  Finally, things got back on track.

So much so that David was now in the groove.  This is a polite way of saying that he shed most of his clothing and began "leaping like a lamb."  2 Samuel 6:14-15 explains: "Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the LORD with abandon, as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn."

The people stared.  Especially the girls...  (2 Samuel 6:20)

David's wife Michal (younger daughter of then King Saul) felt duly humiliated.  David's sole defense: "I was dancing before the LORD."  His logic was impeccable: Why just dance with the stars when you can leap with the LORD and shine on forever?

Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant

Matthew: From tax man to ax man

Saint Matthew
Painting by Peter Paul Rubens

We might all be better off chopping some non-essentials from our lives.  Who knows...  One day we might be sitting at an office desk, or at the kitchen table, and Jesus might walk by saying, "Follow me!"

Will we ask for just a little more time to settle our worldly affairs?  Matthew did not.

He immediately forgot about the juicy benefits that accrued from being a Roman tax collector.  He immediately forgot about the fancy dinners, the luxurious surroundings, and the so-called friends.  He even forgot about being shunned by his own people for these greedy choices.

He simply dropped it all and went.

Two other disciples were called upon to chop and drop their own non-essentials.  One was Saul, whose pride was worldly knowledge and whose passion was persecuting followers of The Way.  While charging off to Damascus on yet another heinous mission, Saul was divinely diverted.  The resurrected Christ literally blinded him to his former habits.  Saul became Paul, the disciple who eventually dropped his own body as a Christian martyr.

Peter, as well.

To balance Peter's threefold forsaking of Jesus, the resurrected Christ gave him a threefold opportunity to strengthen his faith.  Christ asked Peter: "Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?"  This was not because Jesus felt insecure!  This was because His love is great enough to account for repeated human failings.  Peter then answered, "Yes, yes, yes!!!"  His faith did not falter when he too was later martyred.

Resources

https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/whatever-happened-to-the-twelve-apostles-11629558.html  

 

Love me true: The spiritual quest of Elvis Presley

 

Fair Use

Although Elvis' kingdom was very much of this world, he was also an ongoing seeker of those Kingdoms that aren't.

He understood that there are many mansions in his Father's house besides Graceland, and avidly pursued knowledge of them through books, mentors, spiritual practices, gospel music and fellowship.

One of his closest mentors, long-time friend and hairdresser Larry Geller, has written a number of books about Elvis' spirituality and beliefs.  Geller's 2007 book, Leaves of Elvis' Garden, contains the following quote from Elvis: "If even one person can be led to God because of me, it will be worth it."

In a 2003 interview, Geller reveals how his spiritual bonding with Elvis began.  At their very first meeting, Elvis was completely silent during the 45 minutes that it took for Geller to finish styling Elvis' hair.  When Larry asked Elvis what he thought of the style, Elvis launched into a series of personal questions about what Larry "was really all about."  They spent the next three hours intensely discussing topics such as meditation, yoga, spiritual books, vegetarianism, life before birth, life after death, soul theory, and Elvis' early church life.  When Geller asked if the conversation should continue, Elvis replied, "Larry, you have no idea how I need to hear what you have to say.  Please keep on talking."

In the book Elvis by the Presleys, Elvis' passion for all things spiritual was verified by both Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley.  Priscilla recalled Elvis wearing a cross, as well as a Star of David.  Someone asked Elvis, "Why both?"  He answered, "To make you think."  Lisa Marie reported going through Elvis' collection of spiritual books and finding his handwritten notes all over the page margins.  

Elvis' first cousin, Patsy Presley Geranen, explained, "Elvis was raised a Christian.  His early days in the church with his mom and dad were always part of his faith.  Being an intelligent and curious individual, Elvis explored other beliefs.  He had a thirst to know.  And he had a gift for understanding different ways of looking at God."

Patsy also reported that Elvis believed God was responsible for his talent.  She therefore felt that "Elvis was looking for ways to pay back the world for all that had been given him."  Elvis was convinced that his ultimate purpose went way beyond the world of entertainment.

His early church and gospel roots were never forgotten.  While very young, Elvis attended an Assembly of God Pentecostal church.  The Pentecostals accepted music as a means of experiencing the Holy Spirit.  This spiritual link to music became part of Elvis' legacy.  In fact, the only Grammy awards that he ever won were for Best Sacred Performance ("How Great Thou Art") and for Best Inspirational Performances ("He Touched Me" - and again for "How Great Thou Art").  Elvis often relaxed by listening to gospel music.  He said, "It more or less puts your mind at ease.  It does mine."

Resources

http://bodhitree.com/booklists/elvis.presley.html

http://www-cgi.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/14/ep.elvis.gospel/

http://www.elvisinfonet.com/bookreview_geller2007.html

http://www.elvisinfonet.com/gellar.html

Thou shalt not work: Honoring the fourth commandment

Sabbath Eve
Painting by Alexander Johnston

In today's tough economic times, honoring the Sabbath seems more challenging than ever.  But taking a break from work is not just a good idea.  It's a commandment, one that was role-modeled by God.

From Genesis 2: Thus the heavens, and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.  By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.  Think about it: Would an all-powerful God really need that rest, or was this to instruct us that we in fact do?

Leonard Felder, Ph.D. defines the fourth commandment as "the struggle to unhook from your everyday pressures."  But that is only the half of it.  The more important component is what you're connecting with instead.  There's an AA motto which says, "Let go, and let God."  If we merely "let go," then we've only fulfilled the weaker part of the equation.  Leonard Felder defines "letting God" as connecting "with a joyful, sacred way of being alive."  This can occur while contacting that still small voice within.  

There are some who tend toward a very literal interpretation of the fourth commandment.  Others like Wayne Muller remind us that there are many ways to integrate Sabbath into our everyday lives.  We could put down the cell phone for a while, take a guilt-free nap, meditate during break time, and/or take a leisurely stroll.

As holidays subside and winter endures, it's tempting to long for summer activities.  Yet there are lessons to be learned from starkness and darkness.  Sabbath creates time and space for us to nurture the Light within the Silent Night.

Resources

https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/948/the-ten-challenges

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/492591-sabbath-finding-rest-renewal-and-delight-in-our-busy-lives