An Underdog Story?
time—he was huge, undefeated, and trained to kill!
But, strength is not power. Size is not power. Money is
not power. Appearance is not power. Power is about
authority and control.
When you have authority and control, you don’t
have to win with swords and spears, or with the biggest
biceps, or the strongest army. In fact, you can win in
some pretty unconventional ways ... like the manger,
the cross, the empty tomb.
David was never the underdog, no matter how it
appeared. The battle belonged to God from the very
beginning—He had authority to control the outcome.
America In Bloom 2011
by Justin Geigley
On July 20, 2011, the Shipshewana Retail Merchants
Association held a dinner banquet to hear from this
year’s American In Bloom judges. At 6:00 pm, attendees
were able to meet the judges and socialize. That was
followed by a haystack dinner at 6:30. As interesting
side note, the judges were very eager to learn all about
this exotic food called “Haystacks”!
This year’s judges were Darlene Blake and Linda
Cromer. Blake, a Master Gardener, is from Des Moines,
Iowa and is a lifelong gardener, community activist,
public speaker and world traveler. Her qualifications
as a judge include being the past President of the Des
Moines Garden Club. Cromer of Greendale, Indiana,
is owner and operator of a floral shop and greenhouse
for over a decade. Her qualifications as a judge include
being a former chairperson of the planning commission
of the park board and tree board, as well as being the
housing authority commissioner.
Cromer’s thoughts
The feed mill parking lot was instantly noticeable as
sticking out from the floral and arboreal surroundings.
Shipshewana should try to unify with themes (colors
of the year for example.) The grain mill is “crying for
paint” and a mural would be really awesome. An idea
to promote pride in the community wo uld be monthly
awards for garden of the month for both residential
and commercial.
Page 53
Blake’s thoughts
Harrison street would be ideal to close off to car
traffic and tear out the middle and plant trees in a
boulevard. There really should be entry signs into
Shipshewana to give a sense of entry instead of waiting
till actual downtown to feel like you have “arrived.”
A note of a very good thing; replacing and adding
fencing. It is reflective of our agrarian culture.
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
It’s the quintessential sports metaphor. You’ve
heard it a hundred times, I’m sure. Every time a small
town team faces its big city rival, or the underdog pulls
out a victory, one of the commentators will mention
this famous Bible story. The story is found in 1 Samuel
17. David verses Goliath.
The announcer steps forward as the microphone
is lowered toward the center of the ring. “In this
corner, standing over 9 feet tall, and weighing in at
a quarter-ton, is the reigning champion, the Massive
Mauler, the Philistine Fighter, the Gorilla from Gath
... GOLIATH!!!!!”After the crowd swell fades, the
announcer continues. “And in this corner, at nearly 5
feet tall, weighing in at 98 pounds, is the challenger,
the Harp-playing Shepherd boy, the Hebrew Half-pint
... DAVID!!!”
Before the referee could instruct them on having
a clean fight, Goliath started hurling insults. “Am I a
dog, that you come at me with sticks?... Come here,”
he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air
and the beasts of the field!” (vs. 43-44).
David doesn’t back down, but simply replies, “You
come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but
I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty
... [He] will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you
down and cut off your head” (vs. 45-46).
Needless to say, those are fighting words! The bell
rings to start round one and Goliath charges out of his
corner like a bull from the gate. David also runs from
his corner straight toward Goliath, whirling his sling
around his head like a helicopter!
He releases the stone from the slingshot, it whistles
through the air like a missile, and sinks deep into the
forehead of the giant. The first blow ... the final blow
... the fatal blow. The giant Goliath fell.
As often as this story is mentioned in sports
commentating, it isn’t really about an underdog victory.
The story of David and Goliath is about the definition
and appearance of power.
Webster’s Dictionary defines POWER as the “ability
to do or act, possession of control or authority.” You
can’t always spot that at first glance.
As David is rushing toward Goliath, he describes
the difference between strength and power. “Today
... the whole world will know that there is a God in
Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not
by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is
the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands”
(vs. 46b-47).
Common sense would pick Goliath to win every
August 2011
Spiritual Treasures
by Andy Dayton, Pastor at Shipshewana Church of the Nazarene