Of Flags, Baseball, Hot Dogs and Ancient Toilet Seats

Last week I shared with you about the protests taking place in many of the athletic venues across our nation.  The focus of those protests of racial injustice is directed at a lack of respect toward our flag and our national anthem. 


But I want to share with you what I experienced last week during the time Marlys and spent with our kids in Texas.  Greg, Beth, and their two boys Ethan and Max are big fans of the Texas Rangers baseball team.  And so, after Texas made it to the American League Playoffs, Beth called and wanted to know if I would be interested in joining Greg and my two grandsons for an afternoon at Globe Life Park for a playoff game.  Who can turn down tickets for a baseball playoff game?  We have not even come close to such an event in Minnesota for several years. 


So, this past Thursday, it was off to the ball park in Arlington.  It was one of those very late summer days in Texas - rather warm for October, but really perfect weather for baseball.  The game, itself, from a Ranger-fan-point-of-view was not very exciting.  But what I wanted to share with you is what happened in the pregame.


Both teams were introduced and lined up along the third-base and first-base lines.  Someone sang the Canadian National Anthem, as the team the Rangers was playing was the Toronto Blue Jays.  Then a color guard presented the colors.  And a team of men and women in uniform marched out onto the field with a gigantic American flag.  As our National Anthem was being played, this giant flag was unfurled, literally filling the entire outfield.  Quietly those men and women in uniform began to wave this giant flag and at that moment a C-130 Transport Plane flew over head.  It was a scene that I will never forget.  And following the singing of our National Anthem, the crowd, announced at over 47,000, burst into the chant "USA! USA! USA!"  There was a thrill of that moment.  We were all there to root for the Rangers - yes, there were a few Blue Jays fans there as well.  We had white skin and black skin and brown skin and yellow skin.  We were old; we were young.  We drove Fords; we drove Ferraris.  We were Republicans; we were Democrats; we were Independents.  But, for that moment - which lasted into several minutes - we were all Americans.  And, as I stood there with my Texas Rangers cap over my heart (I know I should have taken my Chicago Cubs hat, but I was in Texas) I thought to myself: This is what our Founding Fathers envisioned.  Perhaps not a baseball game, but a coming together of Americans from all walks of life to celebrate our nation and what it stands for.  And then it was time for baseball in Texas.


And after the game was completed with the home team losing badly, I did not see anyone assaulting those fans who wore the blue of the Blue Jays.  We were disappointed, but realized that there would be a game tomorrow that would hopefully bring a different result.  It was a great afternoon with my son-in-law and my two grandsons and my first "broomstick" which is a 24-inch hotdog...no, I did not eat it all by myself,  Nothing like a hotdog at the "old ballpark." 


A couple weeks ago I received an article whose headlines grabbed my attention: "Archaeologists: 2,700-year-old-toilet confirms Scriptures."  The article was written by Jay Baggett.  You can find this article at: www.wnd.com/2016/09/archaeologist-2700-year-old-toilet-confirms-scripture.  "Archaeologists in Israel have announced the discovery of an ancient commode unearthed during excavation of the First Temple-era gate complex of the city of Lachish in the Judean foothills that they say confirms the Bible."  According to the article, the gates of Lachish were also excavated and during that process a gate-shrine room was discovered.  And it was within that room that this ancient toilet seat was found - a sign that this shrine-room had been desecrated.  We know from the Bible and ancient history that during the reign of King Hezekiah, the Assyrian ruler Sennacherib marched into Judah and lay siege to Lachish, one of the fortress cities guarding the route to Jerusalem.  It was during that time the city was destroyed.  The article reminds us that King Jehu of Israel once destroyed a shrine dedicated to Baal by making it into a latrine (2 Kings 10:27). 


The article continues by quoting Ze-ev Elkin, Minster of Jerusalem and Heritage and Environmental Protection: "The fascinating new discovery at Tel Lachish is a typical example whereby excavations and further research of heritage sites show us time and time again how biblical tales that are known to us became historical and archaeological stories.  Before our very eyes these new finds become the biblical verses themselves and speak in their voice.  We in the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage will continue to lead the effort whereby as many Israelis as possible will be exposed to the enthralling experience of ancient stones that speak to us of the Bible in their own unique voice." 


Once again I was reminded of how the stories within the Bible are viewed with suspicion until the archaeologist's spade and trowel validates those stories.  Friends, the Bible does not need validated in order for us to believe it.  The Bible is an accurate record of history whether the archaeologist affirms it or not.  But a toilet seat can give this Old Testament heart some excitement.  I think I will have to add Lachish to my next Israel tour agenda. 


Today is Yom Kippur, the high holy day in Israel.  It is a day of introspection, reflection, and repentance.  Soon the joyous celebration of Tabernacles will begin.  May we also join in remembering God's faithfulness to us in the past and in the present.  And may we look forward with joy to what God has ahead for us.