Song of the Century...."Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...Judy Garland

On October 7th, 1938 a young girl made a recording...later to become the #1 Song of the 20th Century. The name of the song?..."Over the Rainbow" or in some circles "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". The girl who sang this song was Judy Garland, and this Academy Award winning ballad became her signature song...throughout her entire life. This song was introduced in the film "The Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland starring in the role as "Dorothy Gale".
 In the early scenes of the 1939 classic, "Dorothy" is told by "Aunty Em" to "find herself a place where she won't get into any trouble". It is at this time "Dorothy" then asks her dog "Toto": "Do you suppose there is such a place Toto?"
 At first, this song was deleted from the film because the execs felt it was "slowing down the movie too much". Yet, the song did remain in the movie itself and as early as WWII "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was embraced by the American troops as a symbol of hope...that being to live in the land of the free...the United States of America.
 Judy Garland never altered the song since her debut in 1938 and sang the song numerous times for over 30 years...until her death in 1969 at the young age of 47. 
 Garland in later years wrote: " Over the Rainbow has become a part of my life. It's so symbolic of every body's dreams and wishes...that I am sure that's why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I've sung it thousands of times and it's still the song...closest to my heart."

"Toto" will always be remembered as Dorothy's dog she loved so much. Toto's real name was actually "Terry" and was paid $125 per week for her role in the Wizard of Oz ( more than numerous "human" actors received at this time). Toto appeared in 13 films and passed away at age 11... Toto was a terrier.
 As for "Dorothy"...Judy Garland struggled immensely in her personal life even though her much success in public life. Being told in her childhood years by film execs she was not attractive...she was often manipulated and battered with self-esteem issues in various roles she performed.  Garland ended up going through 5 marriages, faced drug and alcohol problems, and her private life was often exposed to the public eye. Liza Minnelli, the famous actress who won an academy award for her role in the musical film "Cabaret", is the daughter of Judy Garland.

 Judy Garland was a member of the Episcopalian church and through the heartfelt problems she faced in her personal life, wrote of some stirring words for us today to consider. She wrote: "I can live without money, but I cannot live without love." Later she wrote " I have often asked for just a few words of love from one man...rather than the applause of thousands of people".
 My personal hope within my own heart is the Lord Jesus visited Judy Garland with those words of love she so desperately was searching for...before her passing.

 As early spring comes upon us, and the storms of Spring that follow...and perhaps our eyes behold a rainbow, may we remember the One who lives beyond the rainbows...and now lives in our very hearts. Here are the words to the #1 Song of the Century:

                                             "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
  There's a land that I've heard of, once in a lullaby.
  Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
  And the dreams that you dare to, dreams really do come true.

 Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
 Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away from the chimney tops
 That's where you'll find me.

 Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
 Birds fly over the rainbow, why then oh why can't I?
 If happy little bluebirds fly...beyond the rainbow,
 Why...oh why...can't I?"

 In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet wrote from chapter one, verse 28:

" As colorful as a rainbow that appears after a storm, I realized I was seeing the brightness of the Lord's glory. So I bowed my face to the ground, and it was then I heard a voice...speaking to me."  {Contemporary English Version}

The "Yin and the Yang"...how about "Chronos and Kairos"?...part 2

Continuing on with the  Chronos outlook on life, a Chronos mentality being one that thinks each moment is vital... a "moment wasted is a moment lost" kind of thought. My first thought today is: "Has the Chronos mentality always been around?" I am quite sure if you spend time in research you might find it has, yet from our American culture I found something that makes sense to me...

 Time...has evolved in the last 200 years. In today's world we micro manage time, we plan our days in detail by time, and we plan our events in life (vacations, days off )... by the measurements of time. And...we are good at it...making the most of each minute we are given...or at least that is how we rationalize it anyway. So the question again arises: "Has man always guided his life by the measurement of time?" Hmmm?

 In America, before the 1800's time seem to play a different role in society, not being so precise or focused on each minute of each day. Even into the early part of the 20th century, this seemed to be a much needed "break"from the everyday affairs of life. I remember my Grandmother telling stories of her childhood and of what church on Sunday was like for her when she was a child...sharing those moments with me while I was still a young boy in the late 1950's. She would describe how she would go to church on Sunday, had lunch with others, spend the afternoon in a park with others of the congregation playing horseshoes, badminton, or learning the art of sewing, knitting, or crocheting. She would tell me how she really enjoyed spending time with friends and her cousins, and in the summer they would have paddle boat races and in the winter sledding competitions. I remember asking her: "Grandma, what time do you start out in the morning and when did you come home?" I will always remember her answer to my question saying: "Oh, we just made a day of it. We didn't really concern ourselves when exactly things would get going and we would simply stay until we had enough...then we would all return home. The thing about those days...we enjoyed ourselves and one another...we learned so much from each other...just spending  those Sundays together."

 My...how the times have changed...right?

 Before the 1800's, time keeping was more of a local event...villages and/or cities designating a person or a "committee" to keep the official time for public awareness...like a public clock of some sort. Medieval Europe often had for each village a town clock maker...a key position for that time period and his/her duties included setting the time according to when the sun would reach it's zenith. As a result, it was not uncommon for different villages to have different times and would need to be adjusted at regular intervals by the local clock maker.  
 Then, in the 1800's America experienced the railways...and the demand for accuracy with time became of much higher demand. The railways brought the need for correct time for schedule concerns, freight issues, and the delivery of perishables. Because of the growth out west within the United States, time zones became a priority because of daylight hours arriving earlier in the east and later as a person travelled west.  The days of the Pony Express were about over...and America was changing with it's time demands. No longer could one say "the mail should be here within a week", instead the demand became "On what day would the mail arrive and what time of day could a person receive it?"
 In 1878 a Canadian named Sandford Fleming became a type of national hero dividing the entire world into 24 time zones...which we still use today. As far as the U.S....welcome to the Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern time zones.
 Now, the idea of each minute of the day became valuable... much more of a reality in American lives and the "Chronos" mentality influenced the daily lives of everyday life. Instead of how my Grandmother described her Sunday events with her church activities with the phrase "we would just make a day of it...", now became a question we are familiar with today: "What exact time does the Sunday event start and at what time will the activities conclude?" 

 For the Christian today who embraces the Chronos mentality, the railway expansion of the 1800's helped America to have a better value of time and the importance of each minute we are given...to live. There is even Scripture to support the Chronos way of thought...found in the Psalms...Psalm 90:12. It reads:
 "Teach us to number our days and to realize the brevity of each moment we live. If we do this, we position ourselves to receive the wisdom of God and live our lives in a godly, precise, and wise manner."
 Today we even hear sermons about this like: "Life is about time management", "Our days are numbered", "Make the most of each day you live", or even "Take the time to redeem the time you have". 

 Yet, I am not convinced this is what life is all about. I think there was something pure about my Grandmother's words: "We would just make a day of it." The thing that kind of bothers me about all this advice about time management and every moment is equally valuable is: "Even when you have done your best to "micro manage" your life, what do you do...how do you rationalize scenes in our lives like hardships, pain, suffering, worry, abandonment, persecution, provocation, loneliness, belittlement, embarrassment, and...failure? If we prepared ourselves and did the preparation (prayer, right attitude, study the Sacred Scripture, etc.), and are expectantly waiting on the wisdom of God...why do these things happen?

 For myself, I certainly appreciate the Chronos mentality, yet with every moment considered equally valuable in the Chronos way of thought...aren't we missing something...those "special moments" the "Kairos" mentality...which takes us from the mundane moments of life and brings a miraculous moment?...the unexpected?...stuff that no amount of preparation can prepare us for. I think we need those times in life where we are in need of "...just make a day of it" like my Grandmother spoke of...and deal with those heartfelt hurts and scenes in our lives that the "Chronos" mentality cannot supply.
 When Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the dead...Lazarus was already 4 days dead.....hmmm?   

                           More to come.........


  

The "Yin and the Yang"...how about "Chronos vs. Kairos"..? Part One

All my life I have heard the phrase the "Yin and the Yang" of life. My basic understanding of this term is it derives itself from an ancient Chinese theory that we have within us 2 forces that are battling one another in daily decisions, thoughts, and outlooks we perceive in life. The "Yin" is our passive side that has a more dark or even negative outlook on situations we face while the "Yang" is a more aggressive and active force that assists us to look at life in a positive manner...regardless of what circumstances we might encounter....

 Then...there is the ancient Greek outlook on life...the "Chronos and Kairos". This is what I would like to put focus on today...because I think the Sacred Scriptures were written in this thoughtful format...particularly in the New Testament.

  First, the "Chronos" mentality on life is one of a quantitative nature. In other words, it brings to us a systematic view on each moment we face in life...like "to do lists": I will wake up at 9 am, I will shower at 9:15 a.m., I will have lunch with a friend at noon, I will mow my lawn at 2:30 pm...and on and on.
 The "Kairos" mentality is different. It is a qualitative way of our thought life... like "What do I have planned that is important to do today?"...and focus on a "special" moment or moments rather than regimenting the time I arise or the precise time I will shower.  A "Kairos" mentality will look forward to spending some time with their friend for lunch and what subjects might be discussed rather than the time we are to meet...and as far as what time the lawn gets mowed...who cares? (lol).

 The general logic behind a "Chronos" train of thought is: each moment is valuable...and if you don't follow through and make the best of each second in life...it is gone, not able to be recovered, and swallowed up by Father Time. Time becomes a key factor in a "Chronos" mentality...kind of like a chain that lowers a casket into the ground, every minute adds one more link to the chain and as a result the casket is getting closer to its final destination. A "Chronos" mentality can bring pressures to our daily encounters, even stress, and causes decisions that one feels have to be made at that precise moment...even if it brings regret later. The "Chronos" outlook on life has the "Father Time" image depicted in the mind...an old weary bent-backed figure with a long grey beard, holding an hour glass in his hand to remind a person...time is of the essence. Some have expressed thought "Father Time" has a similar image that we portray in our minds of another figure..."The Grim Reaper"...and the logic that follows: "If I don't get this done now...death awaits".
 Yet, the "Chronos" is not a wrong way of thinking...rather if not carefully balanced with the more free thinking "Kairos" mentality...a strictly "Chronos" mentality on life can steal the daily joys the Lord may have for us...particularly in areas like our relationships with others. We can get so wrapped up on what things need to be done...we lose the joy of enjoying those moments we share life with.  Even in areas like personal prayer or reading the Sacred Scriptures, they too can be affected by a strictly "Chronos" outlook on life. For example: "I will spend some personal time in prayer today from 10 am to 10:20 am." Later in the day you may find yourself going over your "daily to do lists" and see if you have checked everything off that needs done...and you see that you checked off your time of personal prayer...but don't remember any contexts of what you might have been praying about". Same goes with Scripture reading: "Yes, I read my bible today...in fact I read from 8:15 am to 8:30 am this morning...I really didn't get what I was reading...yet the important thing...I got it done!" 
 In addition, sometimes a "Chronos" mentality will keep us from accepting help from others, or delegating tasks from a "to do list" that can actually not only help the "Chronos" person, but give an opportunity for someone else to bring joy and assistance when some "daily to do lists" are simply overwhelming. And while I am on this subject...sometimes inviting help from others actually helps the other person as well...because they are just "sittin' around doing nothing" anyways (lol).  

 Again, although I have been writing today on the "dangers" of a Chronos mentality, the "Chronos" outlook certainly has it's good qualities as well. One main example is a "Chronos" mentality has the potential to be well organized and unsuspecting surprises will not deter them from their goals. 

 It seems the ancient Greeks liked to personify life by depictions like "Father Time" within the "Chronos/Kairos" outlook on life. There are good things about both...and so I will continue in research...which is my way of saying: "I definitely need a part 2...and perhaps then some."

 One more thing...Jesus seemed to lean toward the "Kairos" outlook on life...even from the beginning. I mean the whole idea: born in a stable in Bethlehem, baptized in water by a guy that ate grasshoppers, locusts and wild honey, associating with people from Galilee...not exactly your "upper or even middle" class folk, teachings like on the Sermon of the Mount, and then executed like a common criminal. His whole story doesn't sound like a "Chronos" way of thought...yet there is much more to come....


Lazarus...rising from the dead...Was that a "Chronos or Kairos" moment?...lol

"The Vikings"...season 3....February 19th 2015..."gettin' pumped!"

Bein' a guy that likes ancient history including biblical history, I am really liking the series known as "The Vikings" on the History Channel. On February 19th...the 3rd season begins!!...and I am ready!!...

 In biblical history, people like Queen Esther, Ruth, the prostitute who Jesus kept from being stoned to death, and the woman at the well where Jesus went out of His way and broke Jewish customs to offer her Living Water... these type of stories are a natural attraction for me.
 And as far as historically based novels...Lagertha in the Viking Series certainly has an appeal to those whose interests lies in the ancient Viking world. With season 3 about to begin...it should be rather exciting to see where all this goes...the Vikings and of course...Lagertha!

 Reports indicate this 3rd season of the Viking series has been produced in some of the Garden County Ireland's most beautiful and scenic landscape. Along with this, the "word in the streets" is the show's producer, Morgan O'Sullivan has supposedly hinted that plans are already in place to film a season 4...which is great news for the Viking Series fans.

 Season 3 has some great highlights and trailers already available...including the Vikings attacking Paris France...with the production itself includes a huge build up of the city of Paris during that time period in history. Athelstan, the Christian monk who is part of the "Vikings gang"  might have the chance to have a girlfriend, and Lagertha...has a new man!

 In one of the pre-season trailers, Ragnar and his son Bjorn have a tense moment with Ragnar saying to him: "You have the strength of a man but the will of a little girl..."
 Both Lagertha and Princess Aslaug will find themselves in serious dysfunctional relationships and will be looking for solutions to their problems ( kind of pity the guys dating these 2).
  Another lingering question: "Does King Ecbert of Wessex England keep his promise made to Ragnar in reference to receiving farm land in England in order to "keep the peace" between them?"
 And of course, while this is all going on...Ragnar and his band of "merry men" decide to take on a new adventure...to take down the walls and the city of Paris.

 Can't wait!!

 In the story from the book of Esther in the Old Testament of the bible, she too displayed a strength and power...Esther's motive being to protect her people and honor her God.
 When the wicked Haman tried to have all of Queen Esther's people killed by tricking the King of Persia into creating an Edict for this to be carried out, Haman's whole plan backfires and culminates in chapter 7 when Queen Esther exposes the evil Haman to her king and husband, the King of Persia by declaring: " The adversary and enemy to all these evil plans is...the wicked Haman."
 Haman had even instructed his servants to make impaling poles, long poles usually greased and enemy people would meet their death by being sit on the top of these poles and pushed downward...you get the idea...right?
 Well. guess who got impaled by the very poles he had ordered constructed?...yep...the evil Haman.

 So, if you like the Viking Series on the History Channel...you might want to check out the story of Queen Esther in the Old Testament of the bible...has some similarities to Lagertha...especially in areas like loyalties and courage. In fact, I think a story of Esther like the Viking Series...would have equal interest to those who enjoy ancient history.

 In the meantime...come on February 19th...and may your thoughts convey the words: "Shield Wall!"