Happy Faces and Winter Lights

A little ice, a lot of cold, and some skates. What more could kids want? It was a very brisk night to say the least, but these happy faces and cheerful lights made this winter night a very fun one!

Epcot's New Luminous Is A More Than Worthy Replacement for Harmonious

 It's not Reflections of Earth, the great nighttime show of Epcot Past. But it's something pretty substantial and clearly in line with the new focus of the park. Epcot's shimmering Luminous - The Symphony of Us is ions better than its predecessor Harmonious. That's not saying much as that show was lacking in many areas.

The theme is executed well. The whole idea of life's journey- starting with a mother's soothing words- and how much we need each other is something our world needs right now. We're so busy hating on those who disagree with us instead of loving them even if we disagree. Perhaps this can be a show to last a decade or more.

Imagineering hit a solid triple when it came to choosing music. Toy Story is unfortunately mined again, but beyond that, it's a rather diverse and clever set of songs. In addition to the new show song, Luminous gives us a taste of Coco, a bit of Frozen, and two very well used songs in So Close (from Enchanted) and I See the Light (from Tangled). Not a Bruno or a Let It Go in sight. Thank God!

The narration is as close to flawless as it gets. Rarely does it go overboard even when the inevitable "We all experience loss" segment comes on. This may be due to the skills of the narrator (sounds like Michelle Yeoh to me) as much as the show writers. A great balance that gives the experience some much needed depth.

Pyrotechnics are spot on with a variety of colors and patterns you'd expect from a First Class creative unit. The water fountains are understated. The lighting of the countries of World Showcase only add to the impact of it all. (Do I torches light? I do not see them in action.)

Will Luminous and the new center of World Celebration make you book a trip to Walt Disney World? Not on its own- but maybe a few more expansions and improvements to the park could change my mind. Anyone else up for a new Journey into Imagination? That'll do the trick!

Watch the great opening night video from Blog Mickey below.

 

Zootopia Land Forces a Rethinking of Shanghai Disneyland- and the Once Proposed Addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom

As a movie, Zootopia was a fun and better than average coming of age detective story, but nothing I saw more than once or found myself raving about. As a fully developed theme park land, however, it may be an entirely different story. 

Big, bulky, and in many ways impressive but at the same time very awkward looking, Shanghai Disneyland is the equivalent of your distant cousin pumped up on steroids. Everything about it is massive, loud, and in your face. Even the perennially sweet Fantasyland loses its charm there. For better or worse, it is one of a kind.

 

Nick and Judy in Audio-animatronic form. Pretty cute!

Back to the newest land to open soon in China. The only ride to be found is Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, a trackless dark ride with terrific sets and a handful of Audio-Animatronics. Although the POV videos on line reveal too much time in front of screens, the attraction as a whole seems fast paced, very creative, and quite immersive. 

How does it compare to other trackless rides before it? Hard to say exactly as I haven't ridden it. But it looks to be in good company with those that came before: Tokyo Disneyland's iconic Pooh's Hunny Hunt and brand new Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast; the clever Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland; the charming Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway and the budget busting Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at both Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. There's also Ratatouille : L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy at Walt Disney Studios Paris- something I totally forgot about until reminded by "B" below in the comments. Thanks, B!

 

The park map reveals a fully realized land.

Would a new trackless ride based on a movie I've seen once make me go to China's second Disney theme park? No, but the land its in does make me reconsider the appeal of the park. There's so much design detail to be found throughout the land that it feels full of energy. That's something sorely missing from the ambitious but lifeless Galaxy's Edge. Congratulations to the Imagineering team who created this land.

Detail is everywhere!

With TRON Lightcycle Run now at the Magic Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure is all that's left to make me want to travel there. Well, that's not 100% true as I'd like to see China, but there are many more places I want to go, and I don't have time or money at this point in my life to see them all. There are enough differences that make this park unique that maybe bundled together I'd consider it. Adventure Isle's ropes course does appeal to me.

Striking!

Now, the bigger question: Would I want to see this Zootopia land come to Disney's Animal Kingdom? Maybe. It would have to be hidden far enough back in the park as not to interfere with the very natural and yet international feel of what's gone before it. Especially at night. There's a vibe at Animal Kingdom that would be destroyed if it was prominently placed in view of everything else. 

The skyline.

Perhaps if Zootopia was first built in place of the original very cheap looking Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama and not as a replacement for Dinoland U.S.A., there would be a more favorable fan response to it. That said, the land is so well done in China that maybe you could convince me to replace Rafiki's Planet Watch with this. The movie's characters are already coming to the Tree of Life's theater show to replace It's Tough to Be a Bug. 

Will more characters invade the beautiful and elegantly understated Animal Kingdom? You know it's inevitable. So, I think we'd better be prepared.

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Time for Change

What is ahead for 2024? Only One knows. We do not, and so I must follow my usual end of the year routine. This is a "Pray and Plan" season. I wait, and I read my Bible with my heart open to hear from God, and I ask for Him to speak. Impressions in my heart, scripture I've read for years may "come to life" and stand out in a new way, or unexpected words from someone I trust. These are some of the many ways He talks. As I write down goals and ideas, a pattern forms as I submit them to God. No, I don't always hear accurately, but my heart is to honor Him. He alone holds the future. And in Him I trust.

(Photograph copyright Economic Times,U.K. edition.)

Christmas Family Devotional 2023 - Week One

The period of preparation for Christmas Day has always seemed to us the right time to try new ways of drawing our kids to Jesus.  All too often, they would see us busy with so many preparations such as shopping, decorating, and cooking, in addition to all the parties and gatherings we attend. This can all lead us to impatience, frustration, and a sense of struggle as we try to be sure our kids really understand that all these things only point to a greater event- the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We thought, "How can this change?", so we put together this Family Devotional. And we share it with you in hope that it will be an encouragement to you.

Our goal as parents is to train our children in the ways of the Lord and to see our children own a personal, ongoing, life-changing relationship with God. We go to great lengths, but all our striving may not break through and put a child’s hand in God’s. Knowing Him and His Ways through the Word is very important, and it is by the moving of His Holy Spirit and earnest prayer that God breaks the barriers that exist. As we also teach them the priority of intimate worship and honest prayer,  God moves within their hearts.

During the Christmas season, kids may be drawn to singing His praises. They may even offer up prayers of thanksgiving. Yet prayers of confession are often absent. Softened hearts come through times of confession as their need for Him becomes evident. This devotional emphasizes those three steps of prayer: praise, confession, and thanksgiving. As we train our children, we must rely on God to move on their behalf. If it’s our attitude that we will gain God’s approval through our efforts, we risk religiosity. Our goal is to humbly teach our children to “draw near to the Lord” (James 4:8). All this begins with us modeling it for them.

If you want to use it with your children or children you love, this devotional begins today and concludes at the end of the month. Some suggestions:  

1. Make this doable. Try to commit to a family devotional time, perhaps three times per ten days. Decide on a practical time. Avoid setting yourself up for failure. Adjust it as necessary so they enjoy the time- but also expect some “pushback”.  Remember, it’s about the relationship not the accomplishment. Guard against any discouragement if it doesn’t go as well as you wish, and be sure to guard against pride if it does.

2. Keep this devotional on the dinner table. Explain to your kids why the book is there. Someone is bound to remember.

3. Model praying for your kids. It will be easier for them if they follow your lead. Praise and confession may be vague terms for younger ones. Explain the words. Start simply: “Lord, I praise you for being the God who loves us”, or   “I confess  I was mean to my sister today. Forgive me for hurting her feelings”.

4. Be honest with your family what you are praying for including your own sin and weakness. It models prayer to them as well as keeps you accountable.

5. Try a family worship time. Child friendly songs don’t need to be childlike, they just need easy to understand lyrics. Train your child to express love to God and not just sing songs about Him. Remember, it is about them growing in a real relationship with Our Creator in addition to the importance of understanding theology. After your worship time, explain phrases they may not understand, i.e. what does “Awesome God” mean?

6. If you have older children, allow them to share the responsibility of reading the verses. Leading them to Him is the goal. 


7. As they grow in praise, confession, and thanksgiving, expect them to get excited about  their relationship with our Living God.  This overflow from their heart will lead then to share Him with others. 

December 1 – 10

Time of Praise
Read Psalm 63:1-8 together.
How do we earnestly seek God?
How does God satisfy us?
What does it mean to say God’s right hand upholds me?

Lead the children to pray. An example of their praise might be, “Father, you keep our family safe.  I praise you for being a strong God.” Encourage them to pray from their hearts rather than what they think might please you.

Time of Confession
Read James 5:16 together.
What is the action James is calling for?
What does confession mean?
Can confession be done with only our mouths and not our heart? Why?

Lead the children to pray. An example of confession night be, “Lord, I spoke in a rude way to my mother today. I’m sorry for being disrespectful. Help me to be kind.” Be sure they will clearly say in statement form what they did wrong. This will teach them to be responsible for their own mistakes and point them to their need for Jesus. Encourage your children to pray   for you and other members of the family who are doing this devotional time together.  Think of it as a small group gathering!

Time of Thanksgiving
Read Colossians 3:15-17 together.
How can we keep a thankful attitude?
Do you feel closer to God when you are grateful or when you are grumpy?
Name three things you are thankful for in your life.

Lead children to pray. An example of their thanksgiving may be, “Father, thank you for a Mom and Dad who love me.” Again, encourage them to speak what’s on their hearts rather than words that we long to hear.

I pray this devotional is a blessing to your family!

Watch this blog for the next two installments of the devotional.

(Copyright Mark Taft.)

The Hatbox Ghost Appears in the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion

Just in time for Christmas but sadly missing Halloween, the quite infamous Hatbox Ghost makes his East Coast debut at the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. Imagineering announced his addition as sometime later in the year, and they finally delivered today. Where is he? The Hatbox Ghost materializes just after the endless hallway. In Disneyland's mansion in New Orleans Square, "Hattie" as he's sometimes known as, shows up just outside the attic before guests descend into the graveyard. 

As with every new addition and change, you can be sure the lines in the Magic Kingdom will be long for awhile! Just imagine the numbers a fully reimagined Journey into Imagination with Figment would bring!

Thanks to the great Blog Mickey for the image!

 

Epcot's New World Celebration Attraction Poster- Is It Real?

It may not be as beloved as the classic Disneyland or Magic Kingdom attraction posters, but here is the brand new World Celebration poster for Epcot. Love, hate it, or something in between, the transformation of Epcot under the direction of Imagineer Zach Riddley has at least stirred up the Disney theme park fan community. It's been a mixed bag: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the big winner here (regardless of whether or not it fits), the addition of Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in France makes clear Disney Corporate's intention of the direction of the park, and Journey of Water inspired by Moana seals the deal with its out of place and theme addition. 

A few refreshed places to eat, new shopping, and a core of the old Future World still a mess after years and years and years of clumsy decisions and slower than slow construction make Epcot a park we love to hate on- even if we follow its buildout faithfully. The Play pavilion and the Mary Poppins addition are now elements that never survived the transition, but you can still find their attraction posters here.

The official World Celebration poster which came earlier.

Is the poster real? There seems to be some serious doubt, although it is in the style of those that came before it. I don't really care- just like how I feel about most of the "New Epcot". 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Italy Before France, Rome Before Paris

Do you daydream about your next travel adventure? I do! If you travel for work or you do it as work, deciding where you are going to go on vacation is always a challenge. Staying home is rarely an option for me. Racking up the frequent flier miles certainly helps cut the costs. Since I'm a sun person and a beach lover Hawaii is always in the running, and our many trips there attest to our love for those islands. Loving culture and history, Europe always calls me. Being a Disney park fan, the consideration of a trip to Walt Disney World definitely comes into play. 

Truth be known, I'm "Disneyed Out" as evidenced by our choice to go to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and then onto Paris without going to the theme park I love. Yep, that's right- we skipped Disneyland Paris. And if you've never been to the City of Light, you'll need to make some tough decisions as there is so much to see and do there. But Italy before France, Rome before Paris.

 

When we were planning this trip, we decided to ask some of our closest friends to travel with us. They had never been to Europe, and we'd talked about doing that for years and years. This time, everything aligned together, so it was a go. We were all so excited to do this together- and it was the perfect choice of travel buddies for this once in a lifetime adventure.

Planning took us awhile. Just like all good trips. But since this wasn't Disney, we didn't have to deal with many advance reservations. Such a relief, honestly. Our itinerary played out with us starting in Rome, traveling by car to the Amalfi Coast, and then flying from Naples through Milan and onto Paris. 

 

Patio at the Hotel Ponte Sisto.
 

After all four of us searching for rooms- with Airbnb or a hotel- we found the perfect place in a perfect location: The Hotel Ponte Sisto, right across from the Tiber river. Centrally located to everything you'd want to see and just on the other side of the bridge, the old monastery now small hotel was just what we were looking for. Beautiful grounds, rooftop patio bar, lovely breakfast room and larger than normal guest rooms at a decent price for the luxury of it all. Our daily breakfast was wonderful- and of course, included- and we began each meal with a cup or two of Lavazza coffee with hot milk. Delicious new tradition. Rooms at the hotel are a bit of a splurge, but worth every Euro. 

Landing in Rome and getting through Customs and Passport Control was so fast and easy that it would give us extra hours on a day we had thought we'd lost to travel. The whole process took less than half an hour once we deplaned. Our luggage came quickly, although good old United Airlines ripped off my bag's handle through the metal in the center. Taxi service into the city and to our hotel was about 65 Euros- not cheap- but the 35 minute or so ride provided a nice introduction to the Eternal City.

 

One of many fountains.

After checking in, we took off for a walking tour and then a bit of a late snack. It seems everywhere you look, there are ancient structures and remnants of old columns and such. Much like Florence, traffic is thick and fast here. Be safe and stay in the designated walkways at all times. 

We explored around our hotel and then moved on deeper into the city, following the river and branching out from there for interesting spots we had to take in. A nice coffee break and a cornetto (the Italian version of a French croissant) gave us a chance to talk more about our plans for the rest of the afternoon. But we didn't really need an excuse, did we? It's vacation after all! 

Of course, the Trevi Fountain is a must and for good reason! Even in late October, the crowds are dense and it's hard to get close to the lowest level for a great photo. What a beautiful piece of art in a city where you can find it everywhere. The entire complex is larger than you think, and the amount of water pulsing creates a refreshing sound that doesn't quite drown out the crowd noice but makes for a pleasant visit. (I didn't know you could visit under the fountain- at least you can according to the Giadzy website, the home of recipes and tourist tips by celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis.) We'd originally planned to return to this spot in the evening, but there was so much to explore in the city, it just never happened.

Since the pandemic, advance planning and reservations for a few key attractions are a must. After a bit of research, we discovered in Rome, several were necessary. One was for the Pantheon, one for the tour of the Coliseum and the Palantine Hill tour, and the others were for the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. As we'd quickly discover, we were extremely glad we planned this out. 

 

The oculus at the Pantheon.

The Pantheon was next on our list with our reservations set for late in the afternoon. The line for folks with tickets was very long, and the square where this sits is much too small for the number of visitors that want to go in. Luckily, it was a pleasant and warm late October day. As with all the attractions in the city, you'd need more than a bit of luck to be able to get into one you did not have advance reservations for. With our reservation, it still took us about 45 minutes to get through the line.  

Originally a Roman temple for pagan gods and now a Catholic church (but seemingly most primarily a tourist hot spot), the Pantheon is an impressive structure filled with equally impressive art of all types. An audio tour is a must to understand it all, and the set of ear pieces helps push out the noise levels so you can concentrate on what you're seeing.  Even though it's an open area with an oculus (a large open hole) to the skies above, it is very noisy.

There's about 20 spots to stop and discover. Pay attention to the floor. The architectural design of the place is stunning and more advanced than you would imagine. Truly genius. (Planning note- the information for tours on line does not make it clear, but if you book an audio tour guide, you pick up your devices inside at a counter off to the left.) The wealth of history here as in all the city is overwhelming at times. So are the treasures as it seems so much is embellished with gold. We spent about an hour and a half inside. Little did we know this would be the least busy spot in all our tours of Roman attractions.

What could be more Italian than gelato? After our self-guided tour, we felt it was time for something playful and delicious. Of course, this became a regular habit! After walking anywhere from four to six miles a day, we all decided we could indulge a bit. While my wife and friends mostly had more traditional flavors, I generally opted for the weird ones. The "Blue Cheese and Pear" and "Baklava" were the two most unique. My order of these resulted in a few funny faces and sideways glances, but I was rewarded by many delicate, out of the ordinary flavors. I eventually did have a scoop of Mango and later Nutella (my favorite food ever), but my love of adventure extends to my palette as well. However, my first dinner was more traditional.

Across the Ponte Sisto bridge from our hotel of the same name, was the neighborhood of Trastevere. It would be the location for our first dinner in Rome. The area's very trendy, filled with bars, shops, and restaurants, a smattering of graffiti (unfortunately something you'll find throughout larger European cities) and lots of music. 

 

Could it get any better?

Once we got our bearings and the sunset came upon the city, we settled into a small square at an outdoor restaurant next door to a local church. Wine was a must. Although I maybe have an alcoholic drink at the most once a month and not more than one (I'm a lightweight), I did have a glass of wine with every evening meal. My order of cacio e pepe, a  tonnarelli pasta made with black pepper and pecorino romano cheese was everything you'd want. Along with great conversation, fresh warm bread, a glass of wine, a balmy Fall evening, and my wife beside me was all I could ever want. Every once in awhile, I'm very thankful to the Lord for His gifts, and I think, "Life is Good!" Yes, this was one of those moments. I love Rome!

We ended the evening with some window shopping and a leisurely walk home. All the traveling wore us out. There'd be much to do the following day, so a good night sleep was a must. 

Tomorrow would unexpectedly bring the coolest thing we've ever done in any of our travels anywhere. Little did we know!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

All I Don't Want for Christmas

What a pretty sad thing to realize. For this first time in all the years I can remember, there is not one single new vinyl album or CD that I would add to my Christmas list. And I've got a pretty wide range of musical taste. Even glancing at the I-tunes store for ideas brought up absolutely nothing. Once you eliminate content that has explicit lyrics, the pickings get even slimmer. I don't dislike Taylor Swift, but I don't own a single song. Ed Sheeran? I'll pick and choose as I go. Sort of burned out on Christmas music- and if I never again have to hear All I Want for Christmas is You, I'd be ok with that. (I do like early Mariah Carey.) So, what's a guy to do? What would you suggest I give a listen to?

A Thanksgiving Song by Richard and Karen Carpenter

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and this beautiful song by the Carpenters is the closest thing we have to the magnificent Karen Carpenter singing a song specifically for this important day. "Sometimes" was written by Felice Mancini, the daughter of celebrated composer Henry Mancini. The simple piano accompaniment by brother Richard is just perfect. There's no strings, no drums, no guitars or woodwinds. Just Kaen and Richard doing what they do best. Clean, simple, pure.

Live version. Just beautiful!

Karen and Richard Carpenter recorded it for the beautiful, Grammy award winning Tan Album, (officially known as "Carpenters"), and the song became an instant classic. Proving once again that the man had very good taste in choosing material for his sister to sing.

The Tan album with its premier

of the memorable Carpenters logo and silhouette image.

I'm constantly reminded to also give thanks to God above for His gift of Eternal Life offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Bible says many times, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." And it does!

Today, as I thank God for my blessings, I dedicate this song to my wife, my children, and grandchildren for making my life so rich.  

Sometimes not often enough
We reflect upon the good things
And those thoughts always center 

around those we love
And I think about those people 

who mean so much to me
And for so many years have made me so very happy
And I count the times I have forgotten

 to say "thank you"
And just how much I love them

Friday is the day to jump into Christmas and put the classic Christmas Portrait on the turntable. But for now, take time to reflect on what you have to be thankful for. It does a heart good!

Design Detail: Gertie Dresses for Christmas at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Dinosaur Gertie at Disney's Hollywood Studios may be my favorite unofficial park icon at Walt Disney World. She's not nearly as grand as Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom or even her home park's Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but she possesses an undeniable charm. Here, dressed in her finest Christmas garb and photographed by 4K WDW, Gertie is positively in the holiday mood. She even has layers of snow. 

Just as festive in the evening!

Fans know Gertie's dusting of snow is there year round, but at Christmastime in Florida, this touch from the Disney Imagineers makes it an even more sweet design detail. Well done!

(Photograph courtesy 4K WDW.)

Why Disney's Chance at Pandas for Animal Kingdom Are Over

The days of Animal Kingdom seeing Pandas come into the park are over. And, no, no amount of persuasion from Shanghai Shendi Group (who partners with Disney on Shanghai Disneyland) will make that change. Why? As the Japan Times eloquently explains in this article, China is exercising "dumb power" by demanding the return of these beautiful creatures. They have long inhabited the Washington DC's National Zoo since the days of President Nixon. And they are quite the draw for tourists of all ages! Like most things done under the current Chinese regime, it's a power play.

So, for now at least, the natural choice for the next animal exhibit in Walt Disney World is in the trash bin. The drawing power of these beautiful animals will go to waste. I'd say they'd be equal to a big E Ticket expansion long term. But, as we all know, in the bigger scheme of our shaky world situation, an addition of nay kind to any theme park is just not that important.

(Photograph copyright The New York Times.)

Scenes from a Family

Today's a good day for a few family scenes. Dad and the boys visiting their Mom at work. Something that would brighten anyone's day. I mean, just look at these cute kids! 

God brings just the right surprises when it's least expected and sometimes, most needed. Yes, He is that good! And that loving!

Paris, Oui. Disneyland Paris, Non.

France, Yes. Disneyland Paris, No. We just returned from a 12 day trip to Italy and France. We skipped Disneyland Paris. Yes, I skipped my favorite Magic Kingdom styled park. Do I regret it? Stay tuned for an upcoming trip report, including one tour that ranks as the single best, most incredible, travel experience we've ever had. I have over one thousand photos to go through first... 

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

God's Plan for Freedom from Shame- His Work and Our Response

Do you walk out your life in a constant sense of shame, guilt, or not being worthy of anything good? Does depression take over when you least expect it? Then, you're just like me! But there is a way to freedom and to joy and peace and feeling worthy of the good things in life. Yes, once more, God offers the answer. Are we humble enough to accept His plan? How free do you want to be?

God's Plan for Freedom from Shame is something powerful! Looking at Psalm 34 from the Bible as a beginning point, we'll discover the key to real freedom.

Just to put things in a historical context,  this psalm is poem. David, the future king of Israel, wrote it when he was faking insanity so that Abimelech would set him free. We’ll focus on the personal application of this beloved piece of Scripture.

Before we read it, take time and pray, asking God to make this a personal thing for you. As you encounter Him through reading the Scripture, may He instruct and encourage you!

Let's look at Psalm 34, verses 1-8:

I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

    their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

I.  SOURCES OF SHAME-  OUR SHAME DOESN’T JUST COME FROM OUR UNFAITHFULNESS TO GOD

It’s not just a Biblical concept. It’s also a very personal issue.  Many of us have experienced shame due to the circumstances around our birth, our family background (be it economic or social status). What things about your family's history embarrass you or make you uneasy? What stories do you rarely tell? These could be indicators of shame being part of your life.

My mother was 16 and unmarried when she became pregnant with me. My maternal grandmother was so distressed, she had a nervous breakdown and spent some time in an institution (proving once more that even believers can have real life difficulties that aren't easily solved by faith.) The local priest refused to openly perform a wedding ceremony for my parents. He eventually did so begrudgingly with little celebration and even less involvement from either side of the family. At 18, my father was not ready to be one, and without a solid education or interest in it, he began shoveling concrete to help provide for his family. Although he is quite successful now by many standards, this was a job reserved for the lowest and least educated.

All said, perhaps you're like me and your background is rooted in shame.

Let's pick back up and continue in Psalm 34, beginning again at verse 8 and reading through verse 11:

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

    for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

II.  OUR SHAME ALSO COMES FROM SINS AGAINST US.

Not only can our shame come from our background, shame can and does enter our life through the way others treat us. When you think of interactions with others in your life, were you given encouragement and love? Or were you a burden or even an emotional or verbal punching bag? Correction is one thing, but abuse is something totally different.

Many people in authority sinned against me. Although I was a good student, I was not perfect in attaining grades. I was uninteresting and quiet, neither a trouble maker nor a stand out student. Easy to overlook, young for my age, small and uncoordinated. Teachers' disinterest stung. Friends were few and far between, and my awkwardness made me any easy and ongoing target for neighborhood bullies. Ridicule from other was a regular part of my school day, making me even more introverted and anxious. Some but not all in our extended family were abusive in different ways. Anger was easily expressed and often was out of control. Words were used to tear down rather than build up. I couldn't wait to graduate, break free, and move on.

Perhaps you're like me. My shame also came from things done against me. A word of caution here. As we'll see in the next few verses, retaliation and revenge are not the ways a believer should handle themselves. Look at verses 12-14:

12 What man is there who desires life

    and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

The hidden benefit in keeping the response in the Lord's hands is when we choose to trust Him instead of taking matters into our own hands, we watch God work on our behalf and our faith is built up.

There's consequences for lack of obedience here. First, we perpetuate evil if we respond in an ungodly manner. This tears down our witness as well as being sinful in and of itself. It also helps erode our faith as disobedience directly moves us away from God's will, chipping away at His authority and place in our lives.

The second consequence is just as powerful:  When we take matters into our own hands, we rob God of the glory He deserves. When we do not wait for Him, we communicate to others He is unable or unwilling to be involved in our lives.

There's also a very practical consequence.

How often can we seek after our own good and go our own way, thinking we know what is best. We may even attain it. But are we missing something even better from the hand of our Lord? I believe this is often the case. The self-made man (or woman) only gets what they themselves can provide. We know our God is limitless, so why not place things in His hands and watch what happens! Our God is good- ALL THE TIME!

Verse 15 forward through 22 is great news for those of us who believe the Lord and take Him at His word.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

    and his ears toward their cry.  

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;

    not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,

    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;

    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 

The Lord hears our cries. He is near to the broken hearted. And there is no condemnation for us. It's a very sweet relationship!

So far, we've seen that our shame can come from our backgrounds, our family of origin and from the sins of others against us.

Yet, there's another place shame comes from- the place that causes us the most trouble of all.

 III.  OUR SHAME COMES FROM OUR OWN SIN, THE CHOICES WE MAKE THAT HURT PEOPLE AND HURT OURSELVES

Even as I say this, you may be remembering things you’ve done, choices you’ve made that you regret, the embarrassment that comes from those nagging temptations (note that temptation is not sin- it's just temptation to sin), and the pain that comes from ungodly relationships, misuse of power, and many other ways you’ve hurt others.

The shame from what we’ve done to ourselves and others may be the hardest to overcome!

In middle school, I drank a good amount of alcohol, trying to cover my shame from my background, my family, and the things others had done to hurt me. Instead, it only made it worse. I let my anger against others -and even more so myself- destroy relationships and stop them before they even began. I was drenched in shame, as if I was caught in a deep pool under a powerful waterfall I could not free myself from.

Maybe you're like me. Perhaps the things you’ve done- your bad decisions and choices- bring the most shame of all.

In the middle of my shame, dying under an ocean of pain and anger and regret…. I wanted to die.

“BUT JESUS!”  

I heard His message which brings forgiveness of sins and an end to a life of bondage to shame!

When I came to believe in Jesus and gave my life away to Him, not only did He forgive me of all my sin, I gained an unexpected benefit. For a full six months, my depression and my shame gave way to joy and a hope for the future!

The truth is, at one time or another, we all have broken our relationship with God by disobedience to His commandments and giving our love to idols that are hollow and lifeless. Our own ego causes us to disobey as we choose to lie, cheat, steal, and take advantage of others. We're disgraced and certainly worthy to be punished and banished from his presence forever. We all deserve an eternity in Hell.

"BUT JESUS!"

Not only does God offer salvation through Jesus Christ alone, He offers a plan for freedom from shame. I'm still learning how to walk this out, but let me share a few hard earned truths.

1- God has Done and Is Doing His Part.    

Our God is not just a god of words, He is a god who takes action on our behalf.  

Look at  Romans 5:6-8 -

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There are some things only God can do. Thankfully, He just doesn't tell us we are broken, lost, and sinful, He alone provide the solution to the problem. And our God continues to change us from within as we yield ourselves to Him. This process continues throughout our lives as we press into loving Him and obeying Him.

God's word in the Holy Bible reaffirms our standing before Him once we believe. Through His declaration, He reminds us of who we are and how He sees us.  Read these three verses in Psalm 103, verses 10-13. It's one of many verses that speak loudly to us.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,

    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

The Book of Romans states it bluntly:  “For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Chapter 10, verse 11)

He is our good, good- shall I say it again?- good Father! The God of love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.

God does his part, and we must do ours.

2.    We Must Do Our Part.  

We have a responsibility in our Freedom. Not to earn it but to walk in it!

We must take Him at His Word, choosing to believe what He says. The solution is in believing God for what He says- including believing our new identity in Christ! God says we are free from shame and that He removes us from our sin.

This is first a battle for our mind!  Then it’s a battle of our will. Today we talk a lot about Identity.

But, what is YOUR Identity? For example, “Are you an alcoholic?” OR “Are you a Christian who struggles with alcohol?” Your answer reveals much about how you view God and how you see yourself!

We MUST choose to praise Him! (Look back at the first three verses of Psalm 34) There’s something powerful about praise. Maybe it is because it takes our minds off ourselves.

When we pray, do we begin with a time of Acknowledging Who God Is- His goodness, love, mercy, faithfulness etc.? Do we have hearts and words to express Thanksgiving? Or do we go right into a mode of need or even complaint? Our God is enough or He is not.

This is just like Peter stepping out of the boat into the waves to reach Jesus: " Save me from myself!" You can almost hear the words come out of his mouth as you read the account in Matthew 14. We step out in faith to the new life, trusting in Jesus- and then the enemy moves into attack. We can fall into old patterns of sin… and old patterns of thinking!

We may hold onto anger, hate, fear, perhaps even toward God. It’s easier and better to confess the state of your soul or that sin to the Lord and be cleansed than it is to justify your choices and argue with God, creating even more tension within yourself.

We must continue to look to Him.  In the world, when we’ve hurt someone, it’s difficult to look into their eyes. Yet, God is not like man. When we look deeply at Him, He reminds us that our faces will NEVER be covered with shame!

Maybe you just can't forgive yourself. Are you better than God who has already forgiven you once you come to Him?  

Our church has offered a program from the U.K. called The Alpha Course. It's incredible! Our time in the series has driven this potion home extremely well: OUR VALUE IS SET BY GOD! - He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sins by dying on the cross. That is how much you are loved.

Look at God's words in Isaiah 43: 18-19, 25.

18 “Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake,  and remembers your sins no more.

For God’s sake? What does that mean? It means we'd  be so thankful that we would make His name known wherever we go. This is the Great Commission in its simplest terms.

When Satan reminds us of our past or tempts us to sin, be aware it means the battle is on! Remind him of his defeat. And then remind yourself of your future:

Romans 2:6-10-

6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

We are clean and whole in Jesus!

We may have a broken past. We may be seeped in shame, like tea in boiling water!

Our shame may come from our backgrounds, our family of origin and those stories we never tell. Our shame may come from the sins of other people against us. The sins that weigh us down may be our own sin, our disobedience to God when we live in ways that don't please Him. It may come from the choices we make and the temptations we face.

"BUT JESUS!"

We may have a broken past. We way even have a difficult present. But we do not have a broken future!

Can I hear an "AMEN!"?

Let's praise God for His plan for freedom to shame as we walk this out together.