Who Said Christians Can't Have Fun

Last night we had an "All American" night of BBQ, baseball, ice cream and fireworks. Although it was "Elvis Theme Night" at the ball park and the music got a little tiring, we had a wonderful time!

The night was quite lovely with a temperature around 75° throughout the evening (a welcome break from the 90° heat!). It felt like the wonderful springtime weather that we seemed to have skipped altogether this year in Tennessee (the location of which I am convinced is the capital of all unpredictable weather!).



Despite the shadows on my face, it looks as if I've almost mastered the art of the mobile phone self-portrait!



We had a lovely couple join us for this fun-filled evening. They received the "best seats in the house" and thought it was rather fantastic to watch a baseball game from a stylish and comfy reclining chair...in the stadium! Now they are spoiled by the luxury of it, and will never again be able to watch a game in meager stadium seats!

Mr. & Mrs. Moe, our lovely companions for the evening, enjoying the game from their easy chairs!

I was honored to be able to share my rendition of God Bless America with the stadium crowd during the 7th Inning Stretch. I have had several opportunities to do this in the past, and I really enjoy singing in the stadium environment, using state of the art sound equipment. However, on this occassion, I found the experience to be particularly special, because Mrs. Moe and I had discussed, earlier in the evening, the fact that we both prefer God Bless America to The Star Spangled Banner. This prompted me to ponder upon the lyrics thoroughly as I sang. I have included the lyrics, as well as some background info on the song below:

God Bless America

by Irving Berlin

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer." *

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

 *This intro is not very well known. Most people start the song with "God Bless America."

The Library of Congress: Performing Arts Encyclopedia gives this background on the classic patriotic song:

 

Shortly after becoming an American citizen in 1918, Irving Berlin, already a highly successful popular lyricist and composer, was inducted and stationed at Camp Upton in Yaphank, Long Island, New York. He beguiled his commanding officers into allowing him to write a rousing musical comedy review which would serve to raise both funds and Army morale. For the finale of this production, Yip, Yip, Yaphank, Berlin wrote the original "God Bless America." But he felt the song was too solemn for a comedy and put it aside for twenty years.

In the fall of 1938, as fascism and war threatened Europe, Irving Berlin decided to write a peace song. He recalled an unpublished version of a song that he had set aside in a trunk, took it out and shaped it into a second national anthem, "God Bless America."

It is said in show business that "timing is everything." During the three days Berlin revised "God Bless America," the singer Kate Smith asked him for a patriotic song to perform on her CBS radio program, to be broadcast from the New York World's Fair on November 10 to honor Armistice Day. Berlin wanted his song introduced by Smith's fine contralto voice and the combination created an instant hit. Berlin generously signed over his royalty money from the song to charity and the revenues went to the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of America.

I won't wax patriotic, since that's not my style, but I do want to point out the simplicity yet beauty of this song and the timeless relevance of the lyrics. No matter what nation we live in, we should lift it up in prayer for God to guide it and for His will to be done.

I also discovered some other interesting tidbits about the composer, Irving Berlin, that I found very relevant to me. I will save those for a future post and share their significance then.

Anyhow, my rendition of God Bless America was apparently a smash hit (I say this with all modesty), and I was encouraged to recieve many positive reviews from the spectators. In fact, the king (who is a bit biased, of course!)  said that I "nailed it"! Isn't that a rave review! I only wish that we would have thought to video it so that we could share it here.

Altogether, it was a lovely evening! The fireworks were beautiful, the food was great, the company was great, and the home team made a thrilling comeback to win the game!

 I forget to mention that the "King of Rock and Roll" (Elvis) theme at the ball park reminded me of a nickname given to my husband by a friend:

"Mr. The King"

Haha!! I think we shall call him that here from now on!

Also, as I shared a bit about the KINGdom Encounters blog with Mr. Moe, he informed me that he was also a blogger. Upon returning home, I looked him up and found his blog to be extremely well-written, intelligent, wise, and insightful. That was no surprise considering the conversations we have had with Mr. Moe. I encourage you to check out his blog and see for yourself!

Mr. Moe's blog: Mercy and Truth

I apologize for the disjointed post, but I hope the you can see the main point here...I had a joyfully pleasant evening!

  A cheerful heart is good medicine,
      but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22 NLT

Who said that Christians can't or shouldn't have fun!!