Approximate Wait Time for this Blog - 30 Minutes (Part Two)

Animal Kingdom was a great addition to the Disney Theme Parks.  Maybe because it was a whole park that I had never been to before.  But the Safari ride through the live, wild animals was superb and it kind of made the Jungle Cruise over at Magic Kingdom null and void.  It was like a zoo without bars (although we had a couple of cold waters when we were done ;).  The park was really busy that day (and muggy).  And the 'Fast Pass' machines kept messing up, so that an attendant was continually having to help folks get their complementary passes.  Now I've always been one to like to beat the system (one of my many bad traits) and my son has followed in my footsteps, and in fact walked quickly past me in that regards.  He observantly noticed that many times, when all other efforts failed, the Disney worker was reaching around the back of the Fast Pass machine, and pushing a mysterious button that automatically spit out a Fast Pass.  So, from that point forward, whenever we needed a Fast Pass and the machine wasn't cooperating (either because it was truly malfunctioning or because we hadn't waited the mandatory 'hour' between Fast Pass dispersals), Dustin would reach around to the back of the machine, punch the button a few times and voila, we were armed and dangerous...or to misquote the old Palladin line, "HAVE TICKET - WILL TRAVEL!"

Observance and diligence will take you far in life...or at least will put more 'magical' in your day.

Proverbs 13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

But the rides that affected me the most throughout several days of themeparking, were the Disney rides that I had first ridden 40 years ago in California (and later about 20 years ago in Florida).  Rides like the Pirates of the Carribean for instance.  There was such talk about the 'animatronics' and the realness of the characters back in the day for some of these rides.  And in fact, many of the sights were mesmerizing back then...the old 'Disney Magic' was alive and real.  But this time around, I could have really cared less.  I was mildly disappointed that they were refurbishing the It's A Small World ride (mostly because I wanted a cool place to sit for awhile).  And if the Pirates of the Carribean would have had much of a line (we basically walked right on), we probably would have skipped it.  We didn't darken the door of the Tiki Hut or the Hall of Presidents (The Tiki Hut said it was 'Under New Management'; I assume the Hall of Presidents is now, too ;).  When I was younger (even as an adult) I would have stood in line and waited for all of these rides (and did). But I've lost my passion for them. For me the 'magic' has worn off.

The rides haven't changed.  I have.
 
Revelation 2:3-5 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.

There's no doubt I have extended periods of exuberance for Christianity.  But like many of us, I have times when I punch the clock...go through the motions.  It's like I'm riding the Pirates of the Carribean, but I'm thinking about what's for lunch or how tired I am...oblivious to the "YO HOs".  The hound dog still has the keys to the jail cell.  The three pirates behind bars are still trying to coax him over.  And even the horny old pirates are still chasing the 'women of the night' round and round in a circle.  Been there; done that! (the ride...I'm talking about the RIDE).

It's not that I'm lukewarm.  But no doubt I find myself HOT, then COLD; much like the Roller Coaster: I'm FIRE; then ICE.  The ride of life is still coming at me just as fast as ever; full of twists and turns, followed by periods of waiting and watching.  But it's so much better when you're on FIRE; versus being on ICE.  (However, being drenched and beaten by rain pellets at 60 or 70 miles an hour is no picnic, no matter how enthusiastic you are.)

There's always more ground to cover.  One more corner to turn.  One more ride to discover.  But the ride is only as fun, interesting, and engaging as my enthusiasm is for it.  So I find myself, over and over praying the REAL version of Isaiah 40:31 and asking that I run and not grow weary...walk and not be faint.  And as with most scriptures, the original version will sustain me through every event in life (no matter how wild the ride).

About two years ago I had the opportunity to sit down with Eddie DeGarmo and just talk for over an hour.  He was there in Estes Park, CO to give a talk/lecture during the Seminar in the Rockies when I was up there a couple of summers ago.  I wasn't about to miss it.  My first official date with Donna was at a DeGarmo & Key concert in the 80s.  He was the driving force behind one of the first and most successful (from my point of view) Christian rock bands during those early years.  But the venue (room) where he was slated to speak was one of the more obscure ones at the YMCA of the Rockies; and also it was on Friday morning of the week long conference...and many of the young artists clamoring to be discovered, and so certain that they were the next MercyMe or Chris Tomlin had packed up their homemade CDs and left Estes Park early to return to their home towns in dejection and despondency (like so many of the disappointed Feud families).  So, when I trotted up to the room and peaked in, I realized the small auditorium was dark.  I wandered back into the lobby, and asked the old guy sitting on the couch if the seminar had been cancelled.  He replied, "I think it's probably just you and me, partner.  How are you?  I'm Eddie DeGarmo."  So, I sat down, and Eddie and I talked for over an hour.   He told me how he went from traveling and performing, to publishing (and I found out he had been REALLY successful in both arenas).  It was SO interesting and better than any lecture I could have attended.  A one-on-one impromptu session with Eddie DeGarmo...just sitting on the couch, shootin' the breeze.  I tell you this story, because one their best songs (see below) aptly describes my feelings about all this and sums up my Christian ride.  I don't want to be 'casual' about it. 
I sure don't want to be 'lukewarm'.  I want to excitedly choose my music...then Rip Ride and Rockit!  And when unexpected storms arrive, I want to show patience and be willing to wait for whatever God has in store for me.  And I want to do it with decorum and class (no matter what those around me are doing or saying; or yelling!).

Casual Christian - DeGarmo & Key