Tag: joy

The Return of the Close Ups.

~ Richard Solano ~ Leave a comment

As I struggle to find inspiration for new blogs, I am going back to an old favorite.

 

Guess what this image is cropped from.

 

When this was new, it was considered mundane. Something only boring people would have.

 

Now we look back and longingly wish such attention to style was still around.

 

Today, design is centered around safety and practicality, much of which is enforced by government oversight.

 

In the mid 1950’s even a practical item like this was enhanced with jet age style.

 

I am a very practical person.

 

My clothing reflects professionalism at work and comfort at leisure.

 

And I drive a minivan.

 

But I infuse my life with music, humor, and enthusiasm.

 

I tend to live life loud – often literally.

 

I am passionate about the life my faith brings to me and where it takes me.

 

I try to share it with that same passion.

 

I’d venture to guess that today’s secret item is not so secret to you by now.

 

I saw this 1955 Chevy 210 Townsman station wagon at a car show last weekend.

1955 Chevrolet 210 Townsman Wagon (photo enhanced by Chat GPT)

 

I can relate to it.

 

It is very practical.

 

At the same time, it has enough style to bring some fun and enthusiasm to daily life.

 

That’s me.

 

I know some of you who will read this and relate.

 

And then I know some of you who are more like a Corvette or a Beetle.

 

Whatever you relate to, I pray you bring enthusiasm to the unique life that God has placed before you.

 

And if you relate to a fun old wagon like me, join the club and bring on the nachos (if you are a fun nerd like me – five different nachos).

 

If you were a car, what kind would you be?

Why?

Two Mullets and a Mascot

~ Richard Solano ~ 2 Comments

            The two mullets bobbed vigorously in the Chevy in front of me. I couldn’t hear the song over my music, but it must have been good to make two grown men look a bit loco at the stop light.

            Is that so bad?

            I guarantee you, if these two had been at a concert with the same song, there would be a sea of mullets bobbing to the beat.

            I love music and my shorter locks have been seen bouncing at many a good concert.

            I also love baseball.

            I root for the Rockies, but I admit my favorite mascot is not Dinger.

I only lived in Pennsylvania for three years and only actually attended one Phillies game, but nothing can beat the Phanatic for shear insanity. The green snouted creature uses creatively crazy ways to show its devotion to the Phillies.

            As a result, Phillies fans are some of the most fanatic in the country.

            All this is my way of pointing you to my favorite verse of the Bible.

“If we are out of our mind, it is for the

sake of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:13a (NIV 1984 version)

            I’m not afraid to be seen as a fanatic for Jesus. If I can yell at the top of my lungs when the Rockies hit a homer, how can I do less when Jesus wins the heart of a lost soul?

            When I saw those mullets bouncing in front of me, I confess –

I felt a tinge of jealousy

over the good time they were having.

            I hope my wild joyfulness will cause people to want in on the joy in me that overflows into my actions.

            I almost hesitate to complete the rest of my favorite verse. It ends with

“if we are in our right mind, it is for you.”

(2 Corinthians 5:13, also from the 1984 version of NIV)

Yes, there is balance and appropriateness.

Just don’t let the balance tip so far

to the “safe” side that it robs your joy.

If I’m going to rob something from you, let it be your sadness, anger, and pain. And let me return joy to you.

            So, the next time you see me singing at the top of my lungs or even raising my hands in prayer while I’m driving, tell me to get a hand back on the wheel and then

sing and praise along with me.