Better Than Disney World!

The Flower Garden Festival at EPCOT was spectacular.

Growing up in New Jersey, a highlight for me every summer was a trip to an amusement park. Often it would be to Asbury Park, although we occasionally went to the famed Palisades Park, which became the subject of a hit rock ‘n roll song by Freddie Cannon in 1962 that was later recorded by several other groups.

This is a vintage view of Palisades Park in New Jersey.

Experiencing the ups and downs, round and arounds, merry-go-rounds, even upside-downs, of the amusement park rides was always a treat. We learned firsthand what it means to say, “Life is a rollercoaster.” Dietary “nutrients” for the day consisted of cotton candy, hotdogs and Cokes – aren’t those the basic food groups? We felt life couldn’t top those warm afternoons. It was always sad when the time came to leave.

Then as an adult I encountered Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. for the first time, and several years later went to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. I’d been a big fan of Walt Disney’s “Wonderful World of Color” and the “Mickey Mouse Club” on TV as a boy, which showed glimpses of the parks, but was totally unprepared for experiencing them in person. These amazing entertainment centers made old-fashioned amusement parks seem as exciting as a sandbox with a toy shovel.

If you’ve been to one of the either of these sites, you know what I mean. The creativity, imagination, artistry, variety, and attention to detail are nearly overwhelming. Recently, I and many of our family members once again enjoyed the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks at Disney World, and I was just as impressed as I’d been on previous visits.

Not to disparage the traditional amusement parks with the rickety, lattice-work wooden rollercoasters, carousels and Tilt-a-Whirls, but they can’t compare with the thrills that captivate each of the five senses at a place like Disney World.

Spending time with Walt and Mickey
is always memorable.

Granted, if you don’t like mingling with masses of people (as Yogi Berra notably said, “Nobody goes there anymore – it’s too crowded”) or walking for miles around the parks in Florida’s heat and humidity, those “Mickey Mouse outfits” probably aren’t for you. But the point is, many things in life seem just fine until you’re introduced to something that dwarfs (pardon the pun) anything you’ve known before.

There’s an even more profound parallel in the spiritual realm. I’m convinced this life, as great as it can seem in many ways, is just a hint, little more than a tiny taste, of the unimaginable wonders that await each of God’s children when our days on earth are over. The apostle Paul commented on this when he wrote, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Jesus made this the focus of a promise to His followers while anticipating His imminent crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. He was giving them a “preview of coming attractions” when He stated, “My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2).

The book of Revelation abounds with descriptions of the heavenly realm, in essence assuring us despite our earthbound thinking, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

Why does this matter? Look at it this way: If you’re going to an old-style amusement park – and there are still lots of them around – you simply hop in the car, buy tickets and enter for a few hours. Then you return to your everyday routine.

However, if you’re going to a place like Disney World – or on some extended vacation – a lot of preparation is needed. Where are you going to stay? What tickets will you need? What clothes and other provisions will you require? In other words, you want to be ready for the trip.

Also, it’s not enough to know we’re destined a place that far exceeds anything we’ve known in this world. Because if it’s going to be as wonderful as we expect – even “awesome” – then wouldn’t we want to let other people in on the “secret,” so they can experience it as well?

I get not one penny for saying nice things about Disney World or other amazing places I’ve visited – like the Grand Canyon, New York City, a classic football game at Ohio Stadium, or Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany – but wouldn’t hesitate to tell others about my experiences there. Having received a sampling of what’s awaiting all who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, wouldn’t we want to communicate this to others so they also have the opportunity to experience “the foretaste of glory divine,” as the old hymn says?

The book of Revelation states, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband…. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying of pain, for the old order of things has passed away…. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” (Revelation 21:2-5).

I’m looking forward to being part of the vast audience witnessing this. And I’d sure like to share the experience with my friends.

Photographic Memories

Swans at Barnsley Gardens near Atlanta provide a "Kodak moment."

When I was young, if someone kept staring at you for an inordinate amount of time, we’d say something like, “Take a picture – it lasts longer.” It was a snide way of telling someone to mind their own business, but there’s truth in that old rebuke.

Whenever we travel to interesting places I’m rarely without my camera, Next to writing, photography is my second-favorite activity, but taking photos of sights we see is more than a simple hobby. As the saying goes, if I take a picture then the experience lasts longer.

Last year we did a fair amount of traveling and I have hundreds of photos to prove it. No, we didn’t go to exotic venues like Hawaii, Alaska, Europe or Asia, but I have photographic evidence to prove there are many visual delights in places like Orlando, Florida (and not just Walt Disney World), Asheville, N.C., Columbus, Ohio (yes, the land of the Buckeyes), Atlanta, and even Nebraska.

Fireworks at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
leave an indelible memory on visitors.

Long after we’ve returned from our trips, I can review my collection of photos from those times and relive some of our experiences, using them to jog my memory. As I review images from those trips I also can take note of details I might have missed when I saw them originally.

When I find myself caught in the humdrum tedium of daily work and responsibilities, it’s fun to remind myself of special times my family and I have enjoyed as we've ventured outside the mundane moments of everyday life.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could do something similar along our individual spiritual journeys? Actually we can, although not by using a digital camera or smart phone camera. We have to rely on our memories, the mental images of key moments in our lives when God intervened in both ordinary and extraordinary ways.

It’s important to make a point to do this regularly because if we don’t, we fall into the trap of the ancient Israelites when they would forget their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and start asking God, “What have You done for us lately?”

After witnessing the numerous plagues God brought upon the Egyptians – none of which affected the people of Israel – they were served an eviction notice by the frustrated Pharaoh. Then, when Egyptian forces pursued the Israelites after Pharaoh had yet another change of heart, God parted the Red Sea and led Moses and the men, women and children of Israel to the safety of the opposite shore.

As they traveled, whenever the Israelites grew thirsty or hungry, God made miraculous provision for them. Still, their “photographic” memories often failed them. “The Israelites said to (Moses and Aaron), ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt. There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into the desert to starve…” (Exodus 16:3). Later they grumbled, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (Exodus 17:3).

Even though the Lord brought both quail and manna for the Israelites to eat, they still found reasons to complain. Instead of “don’t worry, be happy,” their theme song was “don’t be happy, be worried.” Maybe it would have helped if they had been able to look at Kodak scrapbooks of the times when God bailed them out, but they chose instead to forget what He had done. Instead, they sugarcoated their centuries of enslavement in Egypt and longed for them as if they were “the good old days.”

Who could guess these pandas displayed at
the Grove Park Inn are made of gingerbread?

Don’t we do that sometimes? We pray and God answers, often in ways far beyond anything we could have hoped and imagined. Yet months or weeks or even days later, we fret and worry, acting as if God had never done a single kind thing for us.

So I make a point of reminding myself of wonderful things He has done. Can you remember the first time you sensed God is really there? Was there a special moment – perhaps in church, at a spiritual retreat, even an in-depth conversation with a friend – when God revealed Himself and His truth in a way He had not done before?

Has there been a time when a family member or friend was in dire straits and you prayed for them, clueless about how God could possibly resolve the crisis – and yet He did? Was there a personal struggle you were dealing with, possibly involving finances or illness, and you turned to God only as a last resort – and yet He came through in an amazing way?

One of the wonderful things about the Bible is the honesty of its writers. They weren’t much different from us. For instance, the psalmist writes, “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted” (Psalm 77:1-2). Does this sound like anything you’ve experienced?

How did the author of this psalm find comfort? He remembered. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12).

The psalm writer might not have had a handy stack of photos to sift through, but his vivid memories – both from his own life and from those of his people – served as reminders, helping him to remember and continue to trust in God’s faithful presence and provision.

Is it time that you pulled some out of the “photos” from your spiritual journey, reminding yourself of what the Lord has done in your life, perhaps even some things you haven’t thought about for a long time? As the psalmist urges us – remember.

The Pursuit – and Attainment – of Excellence

Even across the lake that separates World Showcase from the
rest of EPCOT, Spaceship Earth is an imposing sight.

I’m a great admirer of quality and excellence, whether in technology, the creative and performing arts, retail and professional services, manufacturing, or any other endeavor. Individuals, businesses or products that “exceed expectations” always capture my attention.

So our recent family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. registered high on my personal admiration meter. We visited four of the entertainment complex’s theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. Each in its own unique way boasted exceptional quality.

Cinderella's Castle becoming a visual
spectacle during evening fireworks shows.

This was our fourth time to visit either Disney World or Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., so I wasn’t surprised. But it was heartening that the Disney commitment to providing guests with an unforgettable, even “magical” experience remains as strong as ever. Walt Disney died in 1966, but his vision for providing a place for visitors to “relive fond memories of the past…and savor the challenge and promise of the future” hasn’t dimmed.

Whether it was the first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle walking down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom; Spaceship Earth, like a gigantic golf ball looming over guests entering EPCOT; enjoying one of the entertaining and colorful stage shows; or meeting famous Disney characters while dining, each day’s “menu” provided the stuff of enduring family memories.

Minnie Mouse - and Minnie admirers - pause
during a tasty evening meal.

Each of the “cast members,” ranging from performers and ride operators to individuals promptly scooping up abandoned trash, excelled at carrying out his or her respective role. Customer service was paramount wherever we went.

And rightly so. Even a single day at Disney World is pricey. So the priority must be to create fond, memorable experiences, not reasons for grumbling over the dent in the family budget.

The term create is an interesting one itself as applied to the Disney enterprise. Its legendary founder, the late Walt Disney, made a striking comment about that:

"it's a small world" is a favorite of Disney World
guests of all ages.

A longtime friend of mine, Bob Foster, operated Lost Valley Ranch, a popular guest ranch near Colorado Springs, Colo. for many years. Mr. Disney, just months before his passing, was one of Bob’s guests. According to Bob, one afternoon they were sitting on the front porch of the ranch house, surveying the facility’s magnificent natural setting.

Mr. Disney observed, “That which man has made can produce recreation, but only God’s handiwork will produce re-creation.”

Re-creation. An intriguing term, especially coming from such an astoundingly creative and innovative individual. But he was right. The Creator has provided the raw material, along with the skills, talent, wisdom and expertise needed to engage in wonderful feats of re-creation. Most amazing of all, He trusts us to be stewards of it all He has placed at our disposal.

I don’t write this simply as a testimonial to the sights, sounds and servant spirit that comprise the various venues of Disney World. Although it certainly lives up to its reputation. I write because that’s as it should be – even more so for those of us that profess to serve the Creator God.

In Colossians 3:17, 23 we’re told, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Members of the extended Tamasy clan strike a Goofy pose.

Despite the high caliber of their enterprise, the people at Disney World have no overtly expressed spiritual motivation for their pursuit of excellence. Theirs is certainly not a “Christian” endeavor. But if they can succeed at that, doing work that – whether intended or not – pays fitting tribute to the Creator…why shouldn’t we?

The Unshakable Kingdom

Earlier this year, my wife and I had an opportunity to spend time at Walt Disney World in Florida with some of our family members. We had been there before, but each return trip is just as amazing an experience as the one before.

We visited the Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios theme parks, enjoying the sights and sounds of each. But without question our favorite – and probably the favorite of millions of visitors annually – was the Magic Kingdom. It’s where you find all of the popular Disney characters: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto, Peter Pan, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and many others.

The Magic Kingdom is a feast for the eyes with a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors in every direction. Whether you’re taking leisurely boat rides through “it’s a small world” or the more raucous “Pirates of the Caribbean,” experiencing the ups and downs of the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster, or just strolling toward Cinderella Castle – the park’s focal point – you tiptoe to the brink of sensory overload. What a testament to human creativity and imagination.

However, there is another kingdom, one I have yet to see, that intrigues me even more. In the Bible’s New Testament we read, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Without question, our earthly kingdom has been shaken repeatedly; economic turmoil, natural disasters, war, health scares and numerous other concerns keep our emotions on edge. For that reason alone, I find great encouragement and comfort in the assurance that the coming kingdom – God’s eternal kingdom – “cannot be shaken.” Nothing we can do, although God knows we have tried, can upset His divine plans.