A Little Langiappe

And so many nights I sit and dream of the ocean, God I wish I was sailing again

Jimmy Buffet, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

I spent the last three years of my twenty years of naval service in New Orleans, Louisiana, attached to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Reserve Forces. I had decided that I would not serve more than twenty years in the Navy, and I definitely did not want to spend the last three in New Orleans. I was a sea-going sailor; of my previous seventeen years of service, I had spent ten of them on sea duty. I wanted to return to sea. I loved going to sea. But, God had other plans.

I was truly blessed to have served under three Admirals while I was stationed in New Orleans, officers whom I still hold in great esteem and respect; Rear Admiral Frank Harness, Rear Admiral John Brunelli, and Rear Admiral Stanton Thompson. All three are honorable men, of whom I am proud to have served. I have no doubt that their capabilities and service to the United States Navy and the country far exceeded mine to them. But, it was not sea duty. It was shore duty, and worst of all, it was staff duty.

I have never been comfortable on land. I have never been comfortable with being in the same place for more than three years. I have always felt more comfortable while serving in the Navy on sea duty. I have always been more comfortable on the deck of a ship. I understood things much better there than I do on land.

We had a dear friend and sister as our guest tonight for dinner. Our conversation changed, somehow, to when Janet and I were married nearly thirty years ago in Tokyo, Japan. That recalled a flood of memories for me, which I wanted to tell my sons. I am sure our dear friend felt out of place with the conversation.

Of all the captains I have served, one stands out. Captain Ed Finn. I am an Ed Finn trained man. I have more sea stories about Captain Finn than I have memories. Captain Finn taught me how to drive a ship like one drives a car, a sports car. He taught me to feel the ship, not only through my eyes, but through my feet. Feel the ship surge ahead through the vibration she drives through the soles of your feet. He taught me how to lead men through the most difficult of circumstances, to excel at their responsibilities. He taught me how to take care of my men.

Captain Finn taught me the beauty of celestial navigation. Under his tutelage, I learned to appreciate the beauty of the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, the green flash., and a three star fix. Under his instruction, I learned that the sea was not just the environment upon which I operated, but the sea became a part of me and I a part of it.

I would like to talk with Captain Finn and thank him for taking an interest in me and teaching me how to be an officer in the United State Navy. Regretfully, he died several years ago while undergoing a lung transplant. I would like to thank him for teaching me that naval officers belong at sea and not in the Pentagon or on some staff choking on bureaucratic crap.

God, I wish I was sailing again.

If you are confused about the title A Little Langiappe, then I owe you an explanation. In New Orleans, langiappe means a little something extra. Do you remember when you could go to the counter at Woolworth's and order a vanilla malt (not a shake!), and they would mix the malt in a metal cup using a Hamilton Beach or a Waring mixer? Do you remember the malt left in the bottom of the mixer cup after they poured the malt? That's lagniappe, or a little something extra. This is a little something extra.

If you have never experienced langiappe, then you best get yourself to New Orleans. Make sure you visit Mulate's and Preservation Hall. And the Camellia Grill for breakfast. Have a beignet (or three) with cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde for me.

Have a blessed New Year.

Sing to the LORD a new song, Sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it.

Isaiah 42:10

New Year Resolutions and Resolve

New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

Mark Twain

As the first decade of the twenty-first century draws to a close, Americans are engaged in that peculiar tradition of composing their New Year's resolutions for 2010. The following is a list of the perennial top ten New Year's resolutions that people make. Do any of these seem familiar to you?

1. Spend more time with family and friends.
2. Fit in fitness.
3. Tame the bulge.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Enjoy life more.
6. Quit drinking.
7. Get out of debt.
8. Learn something new.
9. Help others.
10. Get organized.

All of the resolutions are admirable, and are worth being made. So, how many Americans, on average, keep their resolutions? Only 75 percent will still be sticking to their resolutions after the first week. After two weeks, 71 percent will still be keeping to their resolutions. After one month the number drops to to 64 percent, and 46 percent of resolutions makers are still at it after six months. Perhaps making resolutions as currently practiced does not match its definition.

The Oxford English Reference Dictionary (Second Edition; I am still waiting for someone to give me a gift of the complete OED on compact disc.) states that the most current and important definition of the noun "resolution" is "a resolute temper of character; boldness and firmness of purpose." It is interesting that the editors of this dictionary think it is the character of the individual rather than the intention resolved on, that constitutes the most significant meaning of the word resolution. Perhaps this sheds light on the reason why only 46 percent of us will still be adhering to our resolutions six months from now. We consistently make resolutions, and we consistently lack the resolve to keep them.

Perhaps our lack of resolve comes from not carefully considering the resolutions we make. Sometimes we make frivolous resolutions, not really worth all the bother to keep them. Other times we make resolutions without carefully considering the significant cost required to keep them. Certainly our lack of resolve also stems from a heart that is not disciplined to commit oneself to the resolution made. So, what we need are resolutions that are carefully considered, worthy of self-sacrifice and self-discipline, and a heart devotion to keep them. Our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the example.

In the meanwhile the disciples were requesting Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." The disciples therefore were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest '? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. "Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. "For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

John 4:31-38

Now, how's that for a resolution? To do the will of the Father is truly a resolution to be carefully considered, requiring a great deal of self-sacrifice and self-discipline, and a heart completely devoted to fulfilling it. But, we have no hope of keeping this resolution in our own strength, nor according to our own wisdom, nor according to our own plans. If we have any hope, even the smallest of expectations, it only lies in the Cross of Christ. It is only through our laying hold of the grace of God in the crucified, risen, and ascended Christ, through faith alone, that we have any hope of striving to keep this resolution. You must be born again, as Jesus so pointedly told Nicodemus (John 3:1-15).

The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

G. K. Chesterton

How do we develop the resolve to keep the resolution of doing the Father's will each day? First, treat each day as New Year's Day. We need to resolve our minds, our intellect, our emotions, our hearts, and our wills to do the Father's will each and every day. Second, we must cultivate a daily intimacy with the Triune God through reading the Bible and prayer, preferably twice a day. (Would you converse with your spouse only once a day? And then tell him or her only what you want?) Third, we must pray like we have never prayed before. I think that when the history of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century Church is written, we will be characterized as a prayerless generation. When we pray, we must first pray for the Kingdom of Christ; that his Kingdom would increase exponentially, and that Satan's would be destroyed. Then we must pray for our civil leaders as God's ministers for the promotion of good and the punishment of evil. Finally then, we can pray for ourselves for our daily bread.

If you know me personally, you might say, "Well, physician heal thyself first." And such criticism is certainly justified and well deserved. But today is a new day. Friday will be a new year. And each day, God renews his grace unto his people.

Have a blessed New Year.

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Lamentations 3:21-25

Go Ahead, Celebrate!

I am not usually a big "Christmas" person. I prefer not to decorate (don't know why), I don't particularly care for a Christmas tree (messy things, and I keep forgetting to add water to the stand), and I really don't like hanging Christmas lights on the house (had a bad fall off a ladder several years ago, and I know a fall off the roof would hurt a lot more). But, I do enjoy the Christmas season. I just prefer to observe it quietly. I prefer to talk to others about what Christmas is really all about.

There are some well-meaning Christians who object to observing Christmas because it is not commanded in the Scriptures, it is a carryover from the traditions of Rome which were done away with by the Reformation, and it has become a crassly commercialized enterprise. Surprisingly to myself, I agree with all of the objections as rooted in fact, but I think my brothers and sisters who hold the opinion that Christians should not observe Christmas are, if I may politely and respectfully say this, wrongheaded in this matter.

That Christmas has become a crassly commercialized enterprise is indisputable. I observed the first Christmas decorations in stores just as managers were removing the Halloween displays on November first. Economists and retailers have been keenly watching Christmas sales figures, trying to detect a faint glow of consumer confidence in the economy. And they weren't disappointed. Sales figures from retailers on Friday, November 29, 2009, indicates that sales were up one-half of one percent over last year on the same day. That may not seem like much, certainly not like the 3 percent increase of 2008, but times are tough. Retailers brought out bigger sales sooner, enticing consumers to buy. This tactic has not done anything to allay our cynicism.

The Roman church has for centuries elevated the authority of tradition to equal that of Scripture, and in many cases they exceed the authority of the Scripture. In either case, it is an abomination. As a former Roman Catholic, I sympathize with objection. Midnight mass on Christmas Day (a mandatory holy day) was always my favorite because I either had to interrupt the gleeful expression of my self-centered concentration while opening presents (when I was younger), or I could sleep in on Christmas Day (when I was older). In retrospect, it didn't really matter either way because in all the years I attended Roman Catholic services, I never heard the gospel, except from one priest. He lasted two weeks in the parish and then was whisked off somewhere that I imagined was cold, dark, and far away. His name was never mentioned in polite company, except in hushed tones. I thought he had left the priesthood and gotten married, which was the biggie. While I am now a son of the Reformation and not of Rome, the complaint that Christmas observance is a holdover Roman tradition doesn't sway me very much. The Reformers gave the gospel back to us. It was and still is absent from Rome.

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:8-20

The objection that Christmas observance is not expressly found in the Scriptures is true enough, but there is sufficient evidence in the Scriptures that the birth of King Jesus was observed and the cause of great worship and thanksgiving. The angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in a field outside Bethlehem and then began glorifying God. The shepherds responded by seeking out this newborn King and praising and glorifying God. Wise men from the East came seeking the newborn King of the Jews, and then worshiped him. Then there is good old Simeon, who blessed God when he held the Consolation of Israel, and faithful Anna who gave thanks to God and spoke to all who had been looking for the redemption of Israel.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel." And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:25-38

Likewise, I think we have sufficient warrant to give thanks to God, both as individuals and as a people, a covenant people. With each unfolding of the covenant, the proper response of God's people has been worship and new songs of celebration. We have sufficient warrant and precedent to worship God because the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Since we now behold the glory of the Father in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should gather to worship and worship robustly.

Have a blessed Christmas.

I Believe I'll Have ...

Two weeks ago I was visiting friends in Central California. I took a walk around their neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, and I was admiring the homes that were decorated for the coming Christmas holiday. I saw every kind of decoration imaginable. Gone are the days when multicolored Christmas lights (a number 10 bulb, of course) framed every house. I miss hearing the sounds of cursing when an entire string of lights went out just because one bulb failed. And it was always the string at the peak of the roof on the second story. My childhood prepared me for what I would hear on the deck of my first ship.

But, the one decoration above all, including the white wire frame reindeer whose head went up and down or the giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman or the white blinking lights whose period looked like the approach to LAX, was a picture of Santa Claus with the words "BELIEVE" hanging underneath it. I think this sentiment is taken from the movie Miracle on 34th Street, in which Natalie Wood's character, Susan Walker, says, "I believe ... I believe ... it's silly, but I believe."

I was totally fascinated by this decoration, and I waited outside the house hoping that someone would come out. I wanted to ask them, "What should I believe, and why should I believe?" After standing there for a few minutes I realized that a stranger standing in front of a home in the late afternoon might raise interest that I did not want. Besides, there was a California Highway Patrol car park in the driveway.

As I have been thinking about this over the last two weeks, I have gained a better appreciation of people who want to believe, and always end up saying, "It's silly, but I still want to believe." We live in an age when the truth that people have relied on is proven to be unreliable. We are surrounded by skeptics and cynics who declare that there is no truth, failing to see that such an utterance is a complete contradiction. We live in an age that is white unto harvest.

It is altogether too easy to argue to keep Christ in Christmas. The greater need is to tell people why Christ matters in Christmas. It is altogether too easy to be swept away with the sentiment of the season. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was born to take away the sins of His people. It is altogether too easy to be impressed by Nativity plays and creches. The greater need is to glory in the Cross. It is altogether too easy to be lulled by the serenity of the Child and his mother. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was such a threat, even as an infant, that Herod ordered the slaughter of every male child under the age of two.

We have a great opportunity to tell people of the manger and the Cross. Let's not squander it.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7