April 11, 2022
Yesterday morning, Palm Sunday, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, Pastor Sargent Nelson preached “All Shook Up.” He began with a nod to Elvis Presley, and the song he made popular 65 years ago. The sermon begins at marker 12:30.
Sarge noted some “similarities” between the King of Rock and Roll and the King of Kings:
● Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor.” Elvis said, “Don’t be cruel.”
● Jesus is a member of the Trinity. Elvis’ first band was a trio.
● Jesus is the Lamb of God. Elvis had mutton chop sideburns.
● Some say Elvis is alive. Jesus IS alive!
And Sarge concludes, “To be a Christian is to be all about Jesus. Listening to Jesus, judging ourselves by him, asking for the grace to see him more clearly, follow him more nearly, and love him more dearly, day by day. Jesus comes to us as king and gives us clarity about what it means to be a Christian. Jesus loves us. Jesus invites us to love him. Jesus challenges us to focus on salvation, reconciliation, and peace. It’s a life worth living – even when it makes us feel all shook up.”
👉 Dolly Parton performed “All Shook Up” in a style as if Elvis had been a woman. She has the King of Rock and roll down pat.
👉 Here is the conclusion of “Strange Wisdom Sayings.”
● Your call is very important to us. Please enjoy this 40 minute flute solo.
● I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep. He’s 5 and it’s past his bedtime. Today’s 3 year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. When I was 3, I ate mud.
● So, you drive across town to a gym to walk on a treadmill?
👉 In a day when it is difficult to say almost anything without offending someone, Non Sequitor offers a 3-panel apology:
👉 I stumbled onto a list of the Top 10 Superheros, and another one that advertised the Top 20, and still another with the Top 100 (after # 11 on this last list, I had no idea who they were talking about, or about whom they were talking). Of course, that got me thinking, so here is the first of my Top 5 (if you disagree with my choices and my rankings, please share your own list in the comments below).
Number 5, the Caped Crusader – Batman.
Batman debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book Detective Comics on March 30, 1939. Created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, Batman’s alias is Bruce Wayne, a wealthy playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist who resides in Gotham City. He trains himself physically and intellectually, crafts a bat-inspired persona, and monitors the Gotham streets at night.
Batman’s characteristic utility belt was introduced in Detective Comics #29 (July 1939), followed by the boomerang-like batarang and the first bat-themed vehicle, the Batplane, in #31 (September 1939).
Although seemingly unremarkable in appearance, the utility belt is one of Batman’s most important tools in fighting crime.
Consisting primarily of a strap and buckle, the utility belt houses ten pouches or cylindrical cartridges that are attached to the outside of the belt. Each of the ten pouches or cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman’s war on crime, with the cylinders being interchangeable with each other. Through the years, Batman has modified the contents of his belt to accommodate various crime-fighting scenarios.
If you thought the TV version of Batman (starring Adam West – “BIFF” “SOCK” “POW”) was strange, these unusual items at one time or another were in his utility belt (and all of them from the comic books): a saw, mirror, instant freeze chemicals, bat-female-villain-repellent, mini Geiger counter, bat-freeze pill, laughing gas, make-up kit, mini batman costume, crayons, aquatic sound recorder, batman balloon, a marble, bat shark repellent, and a secret identity disc.
The origin story was revealed in #33 (November 1939), which depicts a young Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents’ murder at the hands of a mugger. Days later, at their grave, the child vows that “by the spirits of my parents I will avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals.”
No superhero would be complete without super enemies, and Batman has his share: Joker, Catwoman (a cat burglar who is an occasional ally and romantic interest), the Penguin, Two-Face, the Riddler, the Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Bane, and Clayface.
Next time, # 4 “The Phantom.”
Paige created the roll for London’s West End where production ran for 21 years and 8,949 performances, while the Broadway production ran for 18 years and 7,485 performances.
I am wondering if one of my favorite numbers in the show, “Growl Tiger’s Last Stand,” will be performed, or whether cancel culture has gotten it excluded. Growl Tiger battles Siamese cats who are addressed as “Chinks.”
🛐 Today’s close is from Praying with the Psalms, by Eugene H. Peterson.
“Our steps are made firm in the Lord, when he delights in our way” (Psalm 37:23).
God doesn’t abandon us to stumble along the best we can by trial and error. Much of Scripture, and Psalm 37 is an example, can be classified as “travel notes” – notations on life’s journey as it is traveled in faith.
Prayer: God you have given freely of both counsel and example. Give also a strong spirit of perseverance, that I may not falter as I walk the way you have pioneered for me in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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