When God Winks At You
Rosemary read an expert from the paperback book “When God Winks at You” by Squire Rushnell. It was about a woman named Stasia Kelly who was grief-stricken; flying home to her dad’s funeral. Her dad was the world-renowned clown Emmett Kelly; better know for his public persona as Weary Willie. Stasia’s story is about the tremendous peace she received from God through the individual sitting next her on the plane.
Emmett Kelly, the most well-known of the tramp clowns of the circus. His character, Weary Willy, was the perpetual underdog, who never gave up - and, because of it, occasionally won. His first performing circus job (he had previously worked painting circus wagons) was as a trapeze artist with Howe's Great London Circus -- with Emmett doubling as a clown. Emmett agreed, and began performing, not as Weary Willie, but as a white-face clown.
By 1923, Emmett Kelly was working his trapeze act with John Robinson's circus when he met and married Eva Moore, another circus trapeze artist. They later performed together as the "Aerial Kellys" with Emmett still performing occasionally as a white face clown.
The next year, Eva became pregnant and Emmett Kelly tried to increase his salary by developing a new clown character for the show based on his sketches of Weary Willy. In 1942, Emmett joined the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus where he remained until he died of a heart attack on March 28, 1979, at his home in Sarasota , Florida , USA
Below is Stasia Kelly’s story from an online blog by Phil Bolsta: http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/willie/.
The Day Weary Willie Smiled
This touching and amazing story by his daughter, Stasia Kelly, of Atlanta , Georgia
I sat on the plane, my purse in my lap, waiting to take off from Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta for Florida
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I shifted in my seat—first-class because it was the only available spot on this leg of my trip home. The airline-reservations operator had promised to get me there in time for Dad’s funeral, so she honored my bereavement ticket and gave me an upgrade. I pulled the faded newspaper photo from my purse and glanced at it. The famous picture of my dad, Emmett Kelly. Or should I say of Weary Willie, the sad clown that he had immortalized. Dad was disciplined about Willie’s public persona. Once Dad put his makeup on, Weary Willie never broke character and never smiled, except once, back in 1955. That one time he smiled—beamed, really—a young photographer snapped his photo, and around the globe it went. The only time Willie smiled in public, the world smiled with him.
The plane was almost full and the seat next to me was still vacant. Good, I’d have the row to myself and my tears. I didn’t feel like explaining to some high-powered business type why I was so sad. I folded the picture and slipped it back inside my purse just as a well-dressed, middle-aged man strode down the aisle and took his seat next to me.
“Almost missed this flight,” he said with a sigh, as we taxied from the gate.
Odd as it might sound, in the clowning business Dad was a revolutionary. Clowns were happy figures …zany, wacky, unpredictable and relentlessly upbeat. But that’s not the kind of clown Dad was. He’d created Willie on his drawing board—a rumpled, sad-sack figure, beaten down by the world, Everyman on a lifelong losing streak. In those days, circus bosses were skeptical. Did people want a depressed clown? But they let him try it.
By the 1940s, the sad clown had become a hit and Dad had made it to the big time—Ringling Bros. circus. People cared about Willie and his struggles. They saw that no matter how hard he took it on the chin, Willie never gave up. He became the world’s most famous clown, probably the most recognizable clown ever. Maybe the reason Willie was so easy for people to love was that Dad brought a bit of himself to the character. Not that Dad was a sad sack, but he understood struggle. His early life on the road was tough and often lonely. Then in middle age he fell head over heels in love with a beautiful trapeze artist who eventually became his wife and my mom. They bought a little place in sunny Sarasota , Florida
Now, staring out the plane window, I tried to be grateful for that happiness Dad had found, and for the life he had led making others happy. How much more blessed could a daughter be than to have Emmett Kelly as her father? Even the airline-reservations operator who managed to get me this last-minute seat said some thing. “I remember Willie! Your dad made so many people smile.” Yet yearning and grief crushed out all my other feelings. I rested my head against the seat. Dear Lord, comfort me. Show me a sign Dad is content with you the way he was with Mom and our home and the backyard where he watched us kids play.
They say the food in first class is better. I wouldn’t know. I didn’t feel much like eating. I kept my tray up and stared into my lap. I just wanted to get home to Florida
I barely heard the man next to me say, “Excuse me.” He tapped my arm gently.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Yes?”
“”That photo…”
“My dad, Emmett Kelly. He died today. But this is from the day I was born….”
“I know, Stasia. I know. I was there. I’ve never seen a man so happy. I just had to snap that picture.”
Stasia immediately received Peace; a wink from God. God is always speaking to us in various ways, unique to each of us. This day, Stasia received a message from God from the man who took the smiling picture the day she was born. What were the odds of that man sitting next to her on a plane the saddest day of her life? How awesome is our God? He has a plan, a perfect plan!
Hearing from God: A Wink from God Came from an Email and Trip to Food Lion
Deanna shared with us her email from the African man via Shoe Box Ministry. His email was fairly stern asking Deanna, “Why you not write me!” It had been awhile since Deanna had corresponded with him and he go on to her about it.
Harsh wasn’t it? Deanna wrote back explaining her bouts with depression. The man answered with a prayer, “You say this prayer and then Amen after” were the instructions.
Deanna had wanted to get some cash to the man in Togo Western Union has locations all over the world. Eureka Togo
God talked to Deanna in Food Lion!
Prayer Requests
This week we began our study time with prayer requests, followed by our opening prayer.
Hold the Dates
April 1-2, 2011 Ann Graham Lot will be at Calvary Baptist Church
Review of Chapter 4
Picking up where we left off, the Bible is more than a textbook of poetry, history, psychology, law and letters; it is a living, personal message from God’s heart to our hearts! And studying it thoroughly, deeply and systematically produces changed people.
A good Bible study always includes three elements:
· Observation
· Interpretation
· Application
Observation
With Bible study, we are to observe carefully what the Scripture really says for ourselves not relying on preconceived ideas or other commentaries. We should always discover what God is saying to you through His Word and not rely solely on what the teacher or commentaries have had to say. That is why it is critical to pray first asking God to cleanse us, and remove all our preconceived ideas and make us teachable granting us wisdom.
Interpretation
How is interpretation different than observation? In order to effectively understand and interpret the Bible accurately for ourselves, we must spend time studying its meaning in addition to observing what the text says. We must rely on Bible scholars for word meanings form original manuscripts and for information on how the cultural setting influenced what was written.
· How does it apply to me?
· What God is saying and to whom?
· Put the Scripture into context by determining who the Scripture was talking to, the target audience, the culture and the time.
To aid us with the task of interpretation we will need various tools such as Bible dictionary, Strong’s concordance, Atlas, etc. You can get some of these things inexpensively over time at yard sales, book fairs so forth. Collecting your research library will take time but will pay off. Rosemary suggested the purchase of $10 software at Lifeway stores – Bible Explorer.
Study Required – It takes Discipline
Most importantly we need the Bible = Source (Page 60).
Study takes discipline, it is a choice. Some things take precedence over other things in our live, because there will always be other things. Even if we need to get up a little earlier to have quality time with God that is what we need to do.
We need to ask ourselves “Am I spending the time I need to with God in Bible study?” If not, why not?
Think about it we always carve time out for the laundry each week, work each day so forth. We remember to do the laundry each week; we remember to go to work. Why because we had the discipline to remember to do these tasks.
Researching God’s Word is hard work and time-consuming. It demands a reassessment of priorities and discipline. It demands the giving up of some shopping trips, coffee parties, entertainment and recreation – some good but not best things.
But there must also be a proper balance between inspiration and perspiration. Ask God to help you with your discipline in spending time with Him, He will grant this to you.
God will show you there is a proper balance between what other people have to say and what He has to say. God will show you balance between observation and interpretation if you use the “worksheet” methodology to systematically record the various aspects of your study.
Interpretation is divided into two categories:
- What it meant to those to whom it was written (see Page 61). God changes our attitude toward Bible teachings when we understand their actual meanings. The meanings of words change over the years, and only by relying on scholars who have studied original meanings can we be assured of accurate understanding.
- What it means to us today (see Page 62). Only in the light of what the Scripture meant to those whom it was written can I know accurately what it should mean to me today. We tend to interpret God’s commands and instructions in light of culture trends in the church and in our world.
Application – What Good is it if We Don’t Apply it?
The real change in us comes when we take the truths we have observed and studied and apply them to our lives. (Page 63). Only when we apply the Scripture does God do the actual changing in our thinking and our actions.
There are reasons for reading the Bible historically as an overview of a book or the whole Bible. But the real life-changing come when we apply, one by one, the precepts that He tells us. “Precept upon precept; line upon line” (Isaiah 28:10).
Do what it says!
On Page 65, the last paragraph tells us “For when I look into the Bible and do not apply it, I am like a person beholding my face in a mirror and immediately forgetting the mess I see. But when I look into God’s Word and do what it says, then I am changed into a blessed person. Changed – when I study His Word.”
Homework Assignment Review – Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV)
Our homework was to read Isaiah 6:1-8 and record 1) what you observe, 2) what it means to those whom the passage was written and the meaning to us today, and 3) the application for "me".
Who was Isaiah anyway?
Isaiah was a prophet in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah
Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV): Isaiah’s Commission
In Isaiah 6:1-8 we see the vision which Isaiah beheld in the temple.
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.1) Seated on the throne, His train filled the room | · God is great, royal · His glory is everywhere, no room left in the space · God is alive and always will be · He is in Authority – His robe | · Committed, Position, Posture · We are the · He fills our heart · We should be in awe of Him · Where do “I” have encounter with God? |
2Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.2) Strange celestial beings or creatures; heavenly beings with 3 pairs of wings called seraphim (burners). · Hard to picture what they look like, but we do know they had heads, feet and they were flying. · Creola asked if they are mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Rosemary assigned her this as homework – look it up | · 2 sets of wings (4 wings) covered their face and feet; Not worthy, humility. The other 2 wings allowed them to fly. · Worshipping God; in attendance · Humbled by God’s presence · God is exalted · Reinforces these beings recognize who they are and what their position is in relation to God. | · Our own position and posture should be one of humility, especially how we approach the throne of God. · We need to be reminded of things in heaven. We discussed Work and Worship. How work is an act of worship. Like the seraphim, we should come covered like the seraphim, covered in humility, and recognize our position. |
3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.3) Holy, Holy, Holy reminds us of the study re: Tabernacle. · Whole earth is full of God’s glory. | · The number of times holy is mentioned – three – is significant. In old Jewish tradition mentioning something third time is icing on the cake. The third holy meant something is totally awesome, it is almighty. In this case we are talking about God, is Almighty. · God in the old tabernacle in the wilderness the 3rd tabernacle is the Holy of Holies; where God resides. · Can you imagine Isaiah seeing this understanding but not understanding? We are fortunate that we can look back and see what this great prophet of God has to say. God gave him visions that we can have as instructions. · Isaiah wrote the “Whole earth is full of His glory”; we see it all around us in the plants and trees, in God’s people, in His Church. His tabernacle; His church is His glory on earth. · God’s glory resides in me. · This verse is also prophesy of future what the world will be like when Jesus comes and fills this world with His glory. | · I should keep my eyes on God who is in control of everything. · Can I do anything less than worship God covering my head and feet in humility? · I need to be holy just like God. How do I demonstrate holiness? · I should be declaring to the world like the seraphim, He is Holy, Holy, Holy! He is LORD Almighty. · I can’t take God for granted or mock Him. He is it; Holy, Holy, Holy! He is God Almighty not some Joe off the street. · God’s Holy Spirit resides in me. I should demonstrate God’s holiness by my actions and what I participate in. If I recognize sin in my life, I need to acknowledge it and repent immediately. Then I will be a holy vessel. This is how I let others know God is exalted on high. · What if I treated God like I George Stait or any other person I hold in high esteem? People around me would see what I care about. · The world including me should be full of His glory. If I am not a house full of His glory I need to turn and change. Lord, change me! |
4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.4) Tabernacle filled and doorposts shook. When Moses finished the tabernacle no one could stand in attendance in the courtyard because the temple was filled with God’s glory | · God’s Presence; His Holiness and universal reign awed Isaiah. · Smoke = God’s Glory · Glory means weight · Rosemary recommended we purchase at Lifeway Store the Bible Explorer disc for $10. It has all kinds of commentaries, atlas, Strong’s Concordance. | · Power and glory of God is awesome, my approach should be on my face. |
5“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.5) Woe to me I am ruined! Said Isaiah. I am a man of unclean lips, live in unclean world and my eyes have seen God. | · It is a scary place to be unclean, impure. We are all unclean, but do we really face it? · Fear of God, despair for impurity · His Holy Spirit is here to test me and keep me from sinning (Exodus 20:19; 33:20). | · Realize what I have done that displeases God; ask God what specific sins I need to confess and repent. Then ask for forgiveness for specific sins. · When I see myself in the light of my Holy God I can only say Woe to me! · This is where our study comes in Lord, change me! · Confess my sin before God so I can see His will and plan for my life or circumstance. |
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (vv.6-7) Seraphim flew to Isaiah with a live, hot coal in his hand and touched his lips. · Your guilt taken away and your sin atoned for. | · Remember seraphim means "burners;" they burn in love to God, and zeal for his glory against sin. Purify, cleanse · Fire from alter = coals. This is from the old tabernacle and is a shadow of what is in heaven. · Hot coals are significant in that the animals were sacrificed above the coal and are covered with the blood from the sacrifices burned on the altar. · Substitute for the death of a sinner. Jesus took the sacrifice cleansing us of sin. · Cleansing and purification process is painful · Sin leaves a mark. · This is a picture of how we Jesus paid penalty for my sin; atonement of sin; covered by God’s grace. | · God’s pardoning grace. · Jesus and his blood cleanse me, purify me. · Freedom and boldness in presence of Christ, I am ready and willing to obey · Recognize that I can’t come into God’s presence without Jesus. This represents the whole picture of the Cross. |
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Observations | Interpretations | Application |
· (v.8) Voice of the Lord; Isaiah saw a vision and recognized what God was to all to him. Through these passages we can see what God was saying to all of us in Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. | · When Isaiah was unclean, his lips unclean, he said Woe to me I am ruined. God showed His mercy and grace by sending the seraphim and to take away his sin. · In Romans 12:1, our body should be holy and pleasing a living sacrifice. Reasonable service to God is to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. | · Surrender all to God. God do what ever you need to do in my heart and life, I surrender all to you. · Remember my position; who I am and who God is. Clay in the Potter’s Hand; that is who I am. · Intercessor, who will stand in the gap. |
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
In this figurative vision, the temple is thrown open to view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat, raised over the Ark of the Covenant, between the cherubim and seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple. See God upon his throne. This vision is explained, John 12:41, that Isaiah now saw Christ's glory, and spake of Him, which is a full proof that our Saviour is God. In Christ Jesus, God is seated on a throne of grace; and through him the way into the holiest is laid open. See God's temple, his church on earth, filled with his glory. His train, the skirts of his robes, filled the temple, the whole world, for it is all God's temple. And yet he dwells in every contrite heart. See the blessed attendants by whom his government is served. Above the throne stood the holy angels, called seraphim, which means "burners;" they burn in love to God, and zeal for his glory against sin. The seraphim showing their faces veiled, declares that they are ready to yield obedience to all God's commands, though they do not understand the secret reasons of his counsels, government, or promises. All vain-glory, ambition, ignorance, and pride, would be done away by one view of Christ in his glory. This awful vision of the Divine Majesty overwhelmed the prophet with a sense of his own vileness. We are undone if there is not a Mediator between us and this holy God. A glimpse of heavenly glory is enough to convince us that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Nor is there a man that would dare to speak to the Lord, if he saw the justice, holiness, and majesty of God, without discerning his glorious mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. The live coal may denote the assurance given to the prophet, of pardon, and acceptance in his work, through the atonement of Christ. Nothing is powerful to cleanse and comfort the soul, but what is taken from Christ's satisfaction and intercession. The taking away sin is necessary to our speaking with confidence and comfort, either to God in prayer, or from God in preaching; and those shall have their sin taken away who complain of it as a burden, and see themselves in danger of being undone by it. It is great comfort to those whom God sends, that they go for God, and may therefore speak in his name, assured that he will bear them out.
Homework: Week 6
Everyone
· We have one more exercise to do before we are ready to move forward into “Read Until”.
· No reading assigned in Chapter 5 this week. We need more familiarity with our Observe, Interpretation and Application process.
· Read Matthew 26:56-75; Peter Denies Jesus
· Using handout with grid, document any Observations, Interpretations, and Applications on these verses. Record as simply or as extensive as you want.
· In the future you will use your Spiritual Diary to enter Observations, Interpretations, and Applications. This will become your Spiritual Diary over time.
Handout: Week 6 – 02/10/11
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