Loyalty Beyond Reason

Its funny how one thing leads to another.

While doing some research for a college workbook I'm working on for a friend, I ran across a book that I found interesting for a variety of reasons. Only one of which I will elaborate on.
The name of the book is "Lovemarks: the future beyond brands" by Kevin Roberts. Now before you jump to the obvious conclusion concerning the title of the book, let me set you straight. It's not what you think. It has to do with well-known brands and the love they receive in being made and by consumers. Very interesting. Now what struck me.

The following is an excerpt from the book. Read it and I will explain at the end what struck me about it.

"If you believe in Mystery, clap your hands.

Peter Pan got it right. When Tinkerbell was clocking out because no one believed in her anymore, he asked the children of the world to revive her by clapping. Loudly. It worked. That is what Mystery needs, a surge of faith in its power.

The power of Mystery. You know it when you feel it. Marilyn Monroe had Mystery. Still does. Russell Crowe has got it-as a dangerous skinhead in Romper Stomper to Maximus to a reclusive mathematical genius.

The cloak of Mystery forces us to find our own meanings, our own sense of what is important in our lives. And it often does it through a revelation, a thunderbolt. What the French call coup de foudre. Everything changes. This is what made The Lord of the Rings, Chanel No. 5, and Red Bull into Lovemarks for their devotees.

Mystery opens up emotion. Mystery adds to the complexity of relationships and experiences. It lies in the stories, metaphors, and iconic characters that give a relationship its texture. Mystery is a key part of creating Loyalty Beyond Reason."

And just like that, I realized, once again, why I am so drawn to the liturgical style of worship. The Mystery of it all. The "smells and bells". The beautiful robes and incense and lofty phrases and prayers, speaking the way we spoke to God years ago. The stained glass and scent of holiness. The sense that He is Holy and Pure, Righteous and Just, Noble and True. The greater cause to which I want to, each Sunday, join anew.

I love the last three word of the above passage: Loyalty Beyond Reason. While these were printed in the context of inanimate articles for consumers, I felt the Spirit stirring me to, once again, cultivate Loyalty Beyond Reason for Him again. Because sometimes following Christ is not always reasonable and I don't always feel loyal. But the Liturgical style of worship encapsulates the Mystery that many Charismatics and Evangelicals lack in our corporate worship, that which we long for but cannot put our finger on, that which is missing in our daily devotionals. God has become our buddy, our pal, our good friend. Someone we "hang out with." But it has been a while since we have related to Him as Holy God, Righteous and Powerful and Awesome, the One in whos presence I cannot stand.

"Take off your shoes, for you are on holy ground."

I, like many of you, take Him for granted many times, especially in the busy-ness of my day. But Mystery in the liturgy draws me back in and reminds me of my place.

It is at His feet.

With ringing bells, stained glass and incense.
Traveler

Who's behind the Curtain?

Before I get to the salient points of this post, I must give credit to whom it is due. The point of this posting is due to a brilliant comment brought to light by my lovely and gracious wife. Credit given, point is now made.

The similarities between B. Hussein Obama and the Wizard of Oz is striking.

Think back to the scene where Dorothy and the Tin Man and the Lion and the Scarecrow are meeting with the Great and Mighty Oz. How they trembled and shook and even fell down before him! Powerful, Magnificent, Great of Wisdom, the Mighty Oz was! Smoke and Fire and Sound! As we watch the spectacle unfold, little Toto, the scruffy yet lovable mutt, runs off to the side and pulls on a curtain and exposes the secret of the Wizard. With a tug of cloth, The Wizard of Oz was revealed for who he really was. A small, frail huckster playing on the fears of innocent people, ruling by might and guile and fear.

Remember what the Wizard said when the curtain was pulled?

Wizard of Oz: Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain.

Wizard of Oz: [speaking in a booming voice into microphone] I am the great and powerful...
[then, realizing that it is useless to continue his masquerade, moves away from microphone, speaks in a normal voice]
Wizard of Oz: ... Wizard of Oz.

Or how about another mythical metaphors:

It reminds me of being a kid at Easter. Remember getting a chocolate Easter Bunny, biting into it and it was empty and crumbled and only left you with a small taste of chocolate? Remember that feeling when you realized it is wasn't a solid chocolate Easter Bunny. That feeling of being gypped and ripped-off? Behind the facade that is Barak Obama, we find only empty space.

That is what people are discovering about his Holiness, Barak the Messiah. The deeper you go, the more you find out how hollow his platitudes are and how shallow and toothless his policies will be. Even the potential Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, has more experience governing and legislating the does the main Presidential event on the ticket: The Great Black/White Hype!

I hope we, as a nation, don't wake up on the day after the election with a massive toothache from eating too much sugary candy and not enough Red (Republican) meat and potatoes!




Even ignorant canines got it figured out!

Making my appointment with the Dentist!
Traveler

Am I missing something?

This past couple of weeks, much time has been spent in watching both the Republican and Democrat National Conventions. I have listened to many pundits spew both wisdom and ignorance concerning both parties and all the candidates.

This is what I consider myself:
1. A Christian
2. A Conservative
3. A Republican

In that order.

As a staunch Republican, my Conservatism is a product of my Christian belief system and faith. I attempt to make all my decisions through the lens of my Christian belief system, not my Republicanism. I mean, what is being a Republican all about?
Is it about love of country or patriotism?
Is it about greater individual freedoms and restraints?
Does it concern the size of government or less taxes?
Is it about putting in judges who don't legislate from the bench?

Yes, it is about all these things and more. But true Republicanism is more about what it is based on. Where did the founding fathers get their ideas for this "noble experiment?"
Why the Bible, of course!
Not that you will hear that in any public school these days, but that is the truth of the matter. What we believe as Republicans is directly tied to the tenets found in the Scriptures. Yet, we seem to have lost our way, politically, morally and foundationaly. Rarely do you hear politicians of any stripe use the Bible as basis for any speech, piece of legislation, or position. We seem to have forgotten our roots, our place of birth, our cornerstone.
Some of us need to revisit the place of forging, where hammer and tongs created our great democracy.
A good starting place of refreshing is "The Light and The Glory" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, followed up by the sequel "From Sea to Shining Sea." These two books help to reorient us to our national, biblical foundations, the whys and hows of this nation. The authors are Christian men who put pen to paper, less we forget. Dig the books up, share them with your children, less they forget.

Concerning the two demotivational pics at the top of the post: Having watched some of the Democratic National Convention, those two words ring loud and clear: Elitism and Cluelessness.
Both the leadership and the followers just don't get it. Hollow platitudes and pandering to special interests, the struggle for power and the willful deception of the masses seems to sum up my feelings about the DNC.
It reminds me of the saying, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S."
Elitism comes screaming through at each campaign stop and Cluelessness is what is the masses exude. People are so desperate for leadership and truth, righteousness and honesty, they will grasp at any Hollywood-esqe attempt at genuineness. People are gullible and easily led astray. There is a reason the Bible calls people "sheep." "Sheeple!"

Fortunately, I am led by a Shepherd. I hear and know his voice. He calls me and I follow. He leads me to green pastures and cool water. He restores my soul.

Do you recognise His voice and leading? I pray that during this election season, His Word will be a guide to your voting process.

Hoping for no hanging chads!
Traveler