Can you imagine what it might be like to experience the reality of 1 Corinthians 13:12? The Apostle Paul writes these comforting and compelling words, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." Oh, to see Him face to face! Yes, that will be glory for me. No more shrouds of sin or doubt. Just me and my Lord, standing face to face. It is a bit intimidating, however, I believe the overpowering presence of His love and grace will wash away that apprehension and like Mary Magdalene, I will cling to the one who rescued me from death and the pains of this world. But for now, like Bart Millard, of the band, "Mercy Me", I can only imagine what it will be like to be surrounded by His glory.
I have written before of some of the challenges of being called to a "people ministry". It comes with the joys and sorrows of sharing your heart with other human beings. It is a life filled with hello's and goodbye's. In the quiet moments, like now, sitting alone with my thoughts and computer at 2:00 a.m., I can reflect upon what the Lord has allowed, without interruption. In forty years of ministry there have been many hellos and goodbyes. Some more permanent than others. Within the past fourteen days I have said goodbye to three remarkable and Godly women who were nearly old enough to be my mother and so deeply committed to the Lord that they serve as an example of what it is to walk with God. These goodbyes were difficult, yet not completely unexpected. Their race had been run, their course finished and the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant", greeted them as they entered into glory. However, these are not the only goodbyes I have faced.
The other goodbyes ought to be easier for they are the ones that only involve location. We live in a society where that is simply a reality of life. Jobs change, people retire, family situations require moves and adjustments. We will promise to keep in touch and to touch base with facebook and emails, however, the human contact will be lost. The weekly hellos and smiles cannot be fully captured on Instagram or an attached photo to the text message. The humanness of the relationship will suffer loss. It simply cannot be avoided. And such is life. People come into your circle of ministry and become friends. You see them grow in grace and in their commitment to the Lord and His ministry, and then it is off to Kentucky, Florida, the Carolinas, Texas or some other place too many miles away to have that personal touch in life. It is true some just move across town or feel directed to another church fellowship, but, the loss is the same. Relationships come and grow and then often move on. It is to be expected and is somewhat understandable; it still carries that taste of losing something treasured. These are harder, for the loss lingers, knowing those relationships are just out of reach.
I have had brothers and sisters in Christ make those moves. Some on to glory, some across the country, some just down the road. Each one takes a little part of me and leaves a little hole that will not be filled this side of glory. Soon a young sister in the Lord, perhaps daughter is a more accurate term, will make such a move. Her dad, who knows the reality of 1 Corinthians 13:12, was far closer than a friend. She is more of a daughter than just another member of our church fellowship. I have watched her grow, and stumble, and then blossom in the wonder of God's grace as I have prayed for her. She will be a remarkable blessing in her new home and location. A little part of me will go with her, as it has with the others whose lives God has allowed me to share. It is one of those bittersweet moments of watching a butterfly stretch their wings and fly away to new horizons and new experiences with the Lord. Yet, life will be a little diminished for the parting. It always has been and it will always be that way if we allow our hearts to be knit to another for a time. It is not an easy thing but is is more rewarding than guarding your heart and finding you have lost the opportunity to love like Jesus loves.
Seeing Messiah face to face is my greatest anticipation when I arrive in glory. The second has been captured by a "Rascal Flatts" music video. "Here Comes Goodbye" is one of those emotionally powerful presentations that captures the reality of loss unlike most videos I have seen. For me, the greatest message of the video does not come from the song but from a scene at the end of the video. Looking toward eternity the question is asked, "What's it like?" The little boy replies, "There are no more goodbyes". Rascal Flatts, "Here Comes Goodbye". No more goodbyes. That too, will be glory for me.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Monday, July 23, 2018
The Cross, Our New Bronze Serpent
Have you ever been surprised by the illustrations Messiah, Jesus, used to explain things? He seems, at times, to use references from the Scriptures that I never would have chosen. In John 3 our Lord decides to use this reference to help Nicodemus understand who He, Messiah, is and why He has come. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up" (John 3:14). The reference comes from the events recorded in Numbers 21. The children of God had rebelled and poisonous serpents were biting and killing the Israelites. God instructed Moses to fashion a serpent out of bronze and attach it to a pole. All who looked upon it and believed God would be delivered from death. In the same way all who will look upon Messiah, the One lifted up, and believe God will likewise be delivered from death. The down side to the Numbers story is revealed to us years later in 2 Kings 18. It is recorded that Judah's King, Hezekiah, destroys all of the idols, high places and the bronze serpent for people had come to bow before it and offer incense before it. The symbol had become an idol.
Have you noticed that the truth of some Scriptures become more apparent over time? I have quoted Ecclesiastes 1:9 more often than I can remember, at least the last part of the verse, "And there is nothing new under the sun." We seem to make the same mistakes, follow the same bad directions, accept the same wrong conclusions and do the same stupid things that have been done or said in previous generations. This is true in much of life and it can be true for those who are followers of Yahweh and Yeshua, His Son, our Messiah. We tend to allow church traditions and manufactured theologies to become "truth" to the point that, should someone question their validity, they are branded a heretic. If the judgement is not that severe they are dismissed as those who have invalid thoughts and ideas. We just carry on with the same traditions and make them holy and sacred while we dismiss the dangers. This post has been sitting on the back shelf of my mind for some time. I have hesitated to write and post this for the topic has become one of Christianity's most sacred idols. The danger is placed in God's Word beginning in Numbers 21 and not coming to a conclusion until 2 Kings 18.The sacred bronze serpent.
We no longer enshrine the bronze serpent. Some of us would be hard pressed to find the story to begin with. However, we have a new bronze serpent, a new sacred shrine to bow before. That figure, symbol, shrine, and icon is the cross and it has held its grip on Christianity from the fourth century. Tradition holds that Constantine the Great had a vision in October 312 AD. The vision of a cross and the words, "In this sign conquer". So inspired by the vision Constantine did just that. His following military campaigns were a series of decisive victories while the cross was adopted on his banners and his armies' shields. As Constantine's influence spread so did the symbol of the cross. It was Constantine who called for the meeting of the Nicene Council who gave us the Nicene Creed, a statement of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith. Constantine had no small impact on what was to become the church. Now the cross has been embedded into all who would refer to themselves as Christians. The word is often the subject of our hymns and praise songs. The message is clear. Our faith is based on and tied to the cross in no uncertain terms. Yet, this emphasis is simply lacking in our Biblical texts. We sing the songs and recite the words with little thought as to their accuracy in comparison with the Scriptures.
All of the occurrences of the "cross" in the Gospel accounts are references to the idea of death. We are told to take up our cross and follow Him, meaning to die to ourselves and to live for Messiah. Paul makes reference to the cross only ten times in all of his writings, and only in five of his thirteen letters. Nine of the ten are clear references to the Lord's crucifixion, His death on the cross. The only other occurrence comes from the writer to the Hebrews and this too is a reference to the Lord's crucifixion and death. The message is that of Christ's death, not of Christ's cross. No offense intended, but our hope is in the resurrection, not in the cross. The early followers of Messiah understood the horror of the cross, the crucifixion. No one left Golgotha with the idea of turning this hideous instrument of death into a religious icon. No one thought of making little bronze and silver replicas to be sold as necklaces and earrings. No, those ideas came many years later. Once again, no offense intended to David Crowder, but his song, "My Victory", seems to miss the point. The lyrics proclaim, "The cross meant to kill is my victory". I understand the thought, and our victory certainly rests in Messiah Jesus. However, the cross meant to kill did just that. It killed Messiah. Brutally, horribly, in agonizing and unfathomable pain the cross did its work. And Jesus died. just like thousands before Him and thousands that would follow. The Romans had an insatiable thirst for this torturous means of execution. We tend to polish the symbol and ignore the agony. My victory and yours, came three days later when the tomb burst open and the angels proclaimed, "He is not here, He is risen, just as He said". The horror of the cross was a means to an end. He is risen, the grave no longer holds its victory.
We decorate our meeting places and ornament our lives with crosses of bronze and silver. Yet, we seldom reflect on the true picture of the cross and the events that surround it. Mel Gibson's, "Passion of the Christ" gives us a taste. but even that falls short. I have heard evangelicals criticize the Catholics and Orthodox believers for their crucifixes. Stating that our Savior is no longer on the cross. True, but His cross was not polished gold or ornately encrusted with precious stones. At least our Catholic friends have not lost sight of His agonizing death.
The cross as a symbol has its place. However, when it becomes a sacred shrine I fear we are moving toward worshiping a bronze serpent. The symbol is not at fault, our enamored attachment to it may well be an issue. Some time ago I attended a evangelistic meeting. At the front of the stage was a large cross made of polished hard wood. The message was spoken and the invitation was given to come and kneel at the cross. Ask Jesus to be your savior and you could know you had eternal life. I was honestly a bit surprised that the neither the message nor the invitation said much about the resurrection. All those who went forward got a New Testament and a bookmark with a little bronze cross to tack on their shirt. A polished icon, a symbol, a religious shrine to look upon and be reminded that Jesus died for their sins. The proclamation has no emphasis relating to the resurrection. As long as we can look to the bronze cross we can know we are okay. We can be assured of life eternal. The actual events of the crucifixion have been sanitized and the resurrection marginalized. Perhaps we need to remember Paul's words to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:14 & 19, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Our hope, our victory, is in the reality of a risen savior. He is alive and sits on the right hand of the Father, interceding for us day by day. May we take care that we do not find ourselves bowed down and worshiping the bronze cross instead of the risen Savior.
Have you noticed that the truth of some Scriptures become more apparent over time? I have quoted Ecclesiastes 1:9 more often than I can remember, at least the last part of the verse, "And there is nothing new under the sun." We seem to make the same mistakes, follow the same bad directions, accept the same wrong conclusions and do the same stupid things that have been done or said in previous generations. This is true in much of life and it can be true for those who are followers of Yahweh and Yeshua, His Son, our Messiah. We tend to allow church traditions and manufactured theologies to become "truth" to the point that, should someone question their validity, they are branded a heretic. If the judgement is not that severe they are dismissed as those who have invalid thoughts and ideas. We just carry on with the same traditions and make them holy and sacred while we dismiss the dangers. This post has been sitting on the back shelf of my mind for some time. I have hesitated to write and post this for the topic has become one of Christianity's most sacred idols. The danger is placed in God's Word beginning in Numbers 21 and not coming to a conclusion until 2 Kings 18.The sacred bronze serpent.
We no longer enshrine the bronze serpent. Some of us would be hard pressed to find the story to begin with. However, we have a new bronze serpent, a new sacred shrine to bow before. That figure, symbol, shrine, and icon is the cross and it has held its grip on Christianity from the fourth century. Tradition holds that Constantine the Great had a vision in October 312 AD. The vision of a cross and the words, "In this sign conquer". So inspired by the vision Constantine did just that. His following military campaigns were a series of decisive victories while the cross was adopted on his banners and his armies' shields. As Constantine's influence spread so did the symbol of the cross. It was Constantine who called for the meeting of the Nicene Council who gave us the Nicene Creed, a statement of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith. Constantine had no small impact on what was to become the church. Now the cross has been embedded into all who would refer to themselves as Christians. The word is often the subject of our hymns and praise songs. The message is clear. Our faith is based on and tied to the cross in no uncertain terms. Yet, this emphasis is simply lacking in our Biblical texts. We sing the songs and recite the words with little thought as to their accuracy in comparison with the Scriptures.
All of the occurrences of the "cross" in the Gospel accounts are references to the idea of death. We are told to take up our cross and follow Him, meaning to die to ourselves and to live for Messiah. Paul makes reference to the cross only ten times in all of his writings, and only in five of his thirteen letters. Nine of the ten are clear references to the Lord's crucifixion, His death on the cross. The only other occurrence comes from the writer to the Hebrews and this too is a reference to the Lord's crucifixion and death. The message is that of Christ's death, not of Christ's cross. No offense intended, but our hope is in the resurrection, not in the cross. The early followers of Messiah understood the horror of the cross, the crucifixion. No one left Golgotha with the idea of turning this hideous instrument of death into a religious icon. No one thought of making little bronze and silver replicas to be sold as necklaces and earrings. No, those ideas came many years later. Once again, no offense intended to David Crowder, but his song, "My Victory", seems to miss the point. The lyrics proclaim, "The cross meant to kill is my victory". I understand the thought, and our victory certainly rests in Messiah Jesus. However, the cross meant to kill did just that. It killed Messiah. Brutally, horribly, in agonizing and unfathomable pain the cross did its work. And Jesus died. just like thousands before Him and thousands that would follow. The Romans had an insatiable thirst for this torturous means of execution. We tend to polish the symbol and ignore the agony. My victory and yours, came three days later when the tomb burst open and the angels proclaimed, "He is not here, He is risen, just as He said". The horror of the cross was a means to an end. He is risen, the grave no longer holds its victory.
We decorate our meeting places and ornament our lives with crosses of bronze and silver. Yet, we seldom reflect on the true picture of the cross and the events that surround it. Mel Gibson's, "Passion of the Christ" gives us a taste. but even that falls short. I have heard evangelicals criticize the Catholics and Orthodox believers for their crucifixes. Stating that our Savior is no longer on the cross. True, but His cross was not polished gold or ornately encrusted with precious stones. At least our Catholic friends have not lost sight of His agonizing death.
The cross as a symbol has its place. However, when it becomes a sacred shrine I fear we are moving toward worshiping a bronze serpent. The symbol is not at fault, our enamored attachment to it may well be an issue. Some time ago I attended a evangelistic meeting. At the front of the stage was a large cross made of polished hard wood. The message was spoken and the invitation was given to come and kneel at the cross. Ask Jesus to be your savior and you could know you had eternal life. I was honestly a bit surprised that the neither the message nor the invitation said much about the resurrection. All those who went forward got a New Testament and a bookmark with a little bronze cross to tack on their shirt. A polished icon, a symbol, a religious shrine to look upon and be reminded that Jesus died for their sins. The proclamation has no emphasis relating to the resurrection. As long as we can look to the bronze cross we can know we are okay. We can be assured of life eternal. The actual events of the crucifixion have been sanitized and the resurrection marginalized. Perhaps we need to remember Paul's words to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:14 & 19, "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Our hope, our victory, is in the reality of a risen savior. He is alive and sits on the right hand of the Father, interceding for us day by day. May we take care that we do not find ourselves bowed down and worshiping the bronze cross instead of the risen Savior.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Do You Really Worship?
Many of us have had the experience of attending a service where the music and lyrics have been particularly moving. Our response might be that it was a very good worship experience. It may well have been, or it might have been a moving emotional experience. Music is a powerful gift from God. David was brought to play music to sooth Saul's spirit when the distressing spirit came upon Saul. The Scriptures hold an entire collection of Psalms to be sung at particular times when God's people gathered to celebrate the prescribed feasts and festivals. However, praise is not always worship. In fact there are times when the two have little to do with each other. It seems that many churches apply considerable effort to prepare the atmosphere for the greatest emotional impact possible from the music and praise service. Dimmed lights, proper sound, slide shows to compliment the music with beautiful or emotionally charged visuals, and power point presentations all designed to touch our hearts and spirits. None of this is bad, but is it worship?
When God tells us something it is wise, even our responsibility to listen and obey, If He reiterates it we should certainly take note. If He determines to tell us the same thing three times in three different ways it would seem reasonable to be sensitive to what the Lord has told us. God does this through David's pen, or quill, as David calls God's people to come to sing, praise, and also to worship the Lord. Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It is also a call to worship. Psalm 96:6, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." David tells us to worship, bow down, and to kneel before the LORD. What we may not see is the reiteration of the same call for submission.
Worship is the Hebrew word shachah, which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. David follows this with, kara, which also means to bow down, followed by, barak, meaning to kneel, bow or to bless. All three carry the idea of yielding, submitting, and coming in obedience to one who is superior. Psalm 95:8-11 challenges us to avoid having hard hearts like those who were disobedient back in the times of Moses. Back when God's people refused to go into the land. Obedience, was essential to enter God's rest and to know God's peace and favor. It is also essential for entering into true worship. All the praise and stirring of our emotions may help us feel good, however, without humble obedience it is just noise. It is from humble bowing to the person of God, recognizing His absolute authority that real worship come to be. It is from this state that praise springs forth. Emotions may be involved in that response, however, without an attitude of submissive obedience we have never entered into worship. David provides three reminders of this humble attitude in this one simple verse.
Paul gives us similar directions in 1 Corinthians 13. He speaks of agape, the sacrificial love that comes from an obedient and submissive relationship with God. This kind of love places God and others before our own wants and desires. Without this, God focused, passion, our words, even words of praise, are just noise. Samuel confronts Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, reminding him that, " Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." We are called to give God praise, even a sacrifice of praise, We are also called to obedience. Being deeply moved by the words and music of a God honoring composition is certainly a good thing. We just need to be certain that we also come in worship, meaning humble submission and obedience as well.
When God tells us something it is wise, even our responsibility to listen and obey, If He reiterates it we should certainly take note. If He determines to tell us the same thing three times in three different ways it would seem reasonable to be sensitive to what the Lord has told us. God does this through David's pen, or quill, as David calls God's people to come to sing, praise, and also to worship the Lord. Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It is also a call to worship. Psalm 96:6, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." David tells us to worship, bow down, and to kneel before the LORD. What we may not see is the reiteration of the same call for submission.
Worship is the Hebrew word shachah, which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. David follows this with, kara, which also means to bow down, followed by, barak, meaning to kneel, bow or to bless. All three carry the idea of yielding, submitting, and coming in obedience to one who is superior. Psalm 95:8-11 challenges us to avoid having hard hearts like those who were disobedient back in the times of Moses. Back when God's people refused to go into the land. Obedience, was essential to enter God's rest and to know God's peace and favor. It is also essential for entering into true worship. All the praise and stirring of our emotions may help us feel good, however, without humble obedience it is just noise. It is from humble bowing to the person of God, recognizing His absolute authority that real worship come to be. It is from this state that praise springs forth. Emotions may be involved in that response, however, without an attitude of submissive obedience we have never entered into worship. David provides three reminders of this humble attitude in this one simple verse.
Paul gives us similar directions in 1 Corinthians 13. He speaks of agape, the sacrificial love that comes from an obedient and submissive relationship with God. This kind of love places God and others before our own wants and desires. Without this, God focused, passion, our words, even words of praise, are just noise. Samuel confronts Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, reminding him that, " Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." We are called to give God praise, even a sacrifice of praise, We are also called to obedience. Being deeply moved by the words and music of a God honoring composition is certainly a good thing. We just need to be certain that we also come in worship, meaning humble submission and obedience as well.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Theological Nursery Rhymes
How does your brain work? Some people seem to have similar brain patterns and thoughts that are easily shared. I have found that to be true with a few friends and even some of my past professors. We just seem to be on the same wave length. It can be encouraging and a bit eerie from time to time. Approaching forty-one years of marriage, Debbie and I know each other pretty well. However, we do not think the same. I do share similar brain patterns with two of my daughters, which may not be all that beneficial for them as my brain seems to ponder things that most people never think about. Today's post holds no deep theological thoughts. Instead it holds some random things that entered my mind and bounced around just for fun. I have no real reason for sharing them other than it seems life is to be enjoyed. If God designed me this way perhaps He intended me to plague others with some occasional cerebral anomalies. If you are looking for some deep spiritual truth or an interesting thought from Scripture you will have to wait for the next post. If you are daring you can read on. So welcome to my world, as bizarre as it may be.
In reading the account of Moses in Exodus I was struck by the record of Moses absorbing the Shekinah glory of Yahweh. He had to wear a veil so he did not scare the rest of the Israelites. My questions are, "Did his wife need him sleep in another tent so she could get some sleep?" "Did she ever use Moses' face as a lamp so she could see to sew or find something?" "Did she tell him not to slip in to say good night to his sons so he would not wake them or freak them out with his shining face?" I asked these questions of my church family and found I was alone in even thinking such thoughts. Have these questions ever occurred to you or am I really out here by myself?
I have read more commentaries and books on theology than I can count. The truth is I continually add to the collection partly for sermon research and partly because I enjoy the stuff. I have found that many theological writers are unnecessarily technical. It seems they are either trying to impress you with their vocabulary or obscure the fact that their argument is pretty weak. Sometimes they analyze and make connections that border on fantasy. So, another random thought that wondered into my brain is, "How do theologians handle things like nursery rhymes?" Do they just automatically follow the same mindset as they recite these little children's verses to their own children? Would the result be something like this?
Okay, Adam, you pick out the book for bed time. Ahh, "Favorite Nursery Rhymes", a good choice. We begin with a review of the entire text of the first rhyme. "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon. the little dog laughed to see such a sport and the dish ran away with the spoon." "Hey" is likely an imperative; thus we can conclude that this is a command or an intense call to pay attention to what is to follow. The "diddle, diddle" may be a scribal error or a reduplication for emphasis. The real question is, "what is a diddle". From the context it likely refers to common people. Diddle could be a variation of little, meaning small or insignificant. The "cat and the fiddle" is a candid reference to Nero, the evil Caesar who persecuted Christians. This reveals that "diddles" is a code word for believers at this time of great trial. The "cow jumped over the moon" represents the rise in the cost of dairy products, meaning the high cost of the common necessities of life. The "little dog laughed" is an illusion to Gentiles who did not believe; they laugh at the plight of the Christians and followers of Yahweh. "Sport" refers to the horrible games at the Roman Coliseum where gladiators fought to the death and Christians were fed to the lions. Finally, "the dish ran away with the spoon" highlights the empty dishes and spoons caused by the famine back in the first century. So many empty plates and spoons compelled people to flee Rome just to find food to eat. Adam, we can be glad we don't live in such times. The times of the early church were filled with oppression and violence. Well, the next rhyme is about babies being cast to their death from the tops of trees. Perhaps it would be best to skip that one for now. In fact it is time to sleep, so sleep tight, don't let those bed bugs bite. Hmm, I wonder what the significance and the underlying meaning is for the bedbugs? I will have to give that some thought. Good night, Adam.
There are so many more we could analyze but, by now, you may be wondering a bit about my synaptic processes. Perhaps, I should find other things to think about when I am stuck in traffic or mowing the lawn. These mental exercises may actually be as warped as my thoughts on Christmas songs. Then again, this is how the good Lord wired me, so how bad can it be?
In reading the account of Moses in Exodus I was struck by the record of Moses absorbing the Shekinah glory of Yahweh. He had to wear a veil so he did not scare the rest of the Israelites. My questions are, "Did his wife need him sleep in another tent so she could get some sleep?" "Did she ever use Moses' face as a lamp so she could see to sew or find something?" "Did she tell him not to slip in to say good night to his sons so he would not wake them or freak them out with his shining face?" I asked these questions of my church family and found I was alone in even thinking such thoughts. Have these questions ever occurred to you or am I really out here by myself?
I have read more commentaries and books on theology than I can count. The truth is I continually add to the collection partly for sermon research and partly because I enjoy the stuff. I have found that many theological writers are unnecessarily technical. It seems they are either trying to impress you with their vocabulary or obscure the fact that their argument is pretty weak. Sometimes they analyze and make connections that border on fantasy. So, another random thought that wondered into my brain is, "How do theologians handle things like nursery rhymes?" Do they just automatically follow the same mindset as they recite these little children's verses to their own children? Would the result be something like this?
Okay, Adam, you pick out the book for bed time. Ahh, "Favorite Nursery Rhymes", a good choice. We begin with a review of the entire text of the first rhyme. "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon. the little dog laughed to see such a sport and the dish ran away with the spoon." "Hey" is likely an imperative; thus we can conclude that this is a command or an intense call to pay attention to what is to follow. The "diddle, diddle" may be a scribal error or a reduplication for emphasis. The real question is, "what is a diddle". From the context it likely refers to common people. Diddle could be a variation of little, meaning small or insignificant. The "cat and the fiddle" is a candid reference to Nero, the evil Caesar who persecuted Christians. This reveals that "diddles" is a code word for believers at this time of great trial. The "cow jumped over the moon" represents the rise in the cost of dairy products, meaning the high cost of the common necessities of life. The "little dog laughed" is an illusion to Gentiles who did not believe; they laugh at the plight of the Christians and followers of Yahweh. "Sport" refers to the horrible games at the Roman Coliseum where gladiators fought to the death and Christians were fed to the lions. Finally, "the dish ran away with the spoon" highlights the empty dishes and spoons caused by the famine back in the first century. So many empty plates and spoons compelled people to flee Rome just to find food to eat. Adam, we can be glad we don't live in such times. The times of the early church were filled with oppression and violence. Well, the next rhyme is about babies being cast to their death from the tops of trees. Perhaps it would be best to skip that one for now. In fact it is time to sleep, so sleep tight, don't let those bed bugs bite. Hmm, I wonder what the significance and the underlying meaning is for the bedbugs? I will have to give that some thought. Good night, Adam.
There are so many more we could analyze but, by now, you may be wondering a bit about my synaptic processes. Perhaps, I should find other things to think about when I am stuck in traffic or mowing the lawn. These mental exercises may actually be as warped as my thoughts on Christmas songs. Then again, this is how the good Lord wired me, so how bad can it be?
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