In this book on former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Kahn takes us along on a visit to Dempsey by a famed writer of an earlier generation than Kahn, Heywood Broun.<\/p>\n
Here is how Kahn describes that visit:<\/p>\n
Heywood Broun traveled to Atlantic City and found Dempsey at ease, reading a romantic novel and spending quiet times away from the ring \u2026 and the shrieking public, studying French. Dempsey had great devotion to self-improvement. (Like the country, Dempsey was moving toward the philosophy of a small, aggressive native of Nancy, France, who was about to sweep America and vacuum up a significant amount of American riches. Emile Coue established \u201cinstitutes\u201d in his name where variations of an uplifting sermon flourished. \u201cDay by day,\u201d pronounced Coue and his disciples, \u201cin every way, I am getting better and better.\u201d) Broun described Dempsey as confident and humble and intent on self-improvement (Page 247).<\/p>\n
What struck me as I read was the parenthetical comment about Coue. I heard that philosophy before, but where? I pondered for a few moments, and then kept reading. Suddenly I woke at three in the morning laughing out loud as I remembered.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t hear it from a Frenchman, but a faux-Frenchman. In the movie, \u201cRevenge of the Pink Panther,\u201d Herbert Lom playing Chief Inspector Dreyfus having been driven insane by Peter Seller\u2019s Inspector Clouseau, is released from an asylum. His continued therapy includes his constant repeating of the phrase, \u201cEveryday and in everyway I am getting better and better.\u201d Of course, poor Dreyfus is driven absolutely bananas by the bumbling Clouseau.<\/p>\n
I always thought Dreyfus\u2019 often-repeated phrase was the invention of a clever scriptwriter. I never dreamed it was a real self-improvement philosophy from way back in the early part of the 20th century.<\/p>\n
As I read the Dempsey book and remembered Herbert Lom\u2019s brilliant comic performance as Dreyfus, I kept thinking, you know that ain\u2019t a bad philosophy for a Christian \u2013 to strive to get better every day!<\/p>\n
Yes, I know Kahn was skeptical about Coue, and Lom made me laugh saying it over and over again while grimacing, twitching, and a wild look in his eye, but with fear that I am repeating myself, it ain\u2019t a bad philosophy for a Christian.<\/p>\n
I am not talking about going out and learning French like the Champ or trying to stay sane in an increasingly frustrating nonsensical world (though our Christian faith is so important here). I am talking about doing our best every day, day after day to follow God, to give Glory to God and to serve God and the People of God. Everyday try to build your Christian integrity and character.<\/p>\n
Every day pray. Every day read the Bible. Every day try to help others in need. Every day seek God\u2019s guidance and wisdom as you make decisions. Every day, commit yourself to the Lord anew. Live every day like the Kingdom of God is at hand.<\/p>\n
It is interesting I did a key word search on Biblegateway.com for the word \u201cimprove\u201d and the phrases \u201cself-improvement\u201d and \u201cmake better.\u201d I struck out. I couldn\u2019t find them.<\/p>\n
What I found was the profound message to focus on God and God\u2019s glory and the saving love of Jesus Christ to guide you and lead you every day. If we do that, then daily self-improvement will just happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?\u201d He said to him, \u201cYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.\u201d \u2013 Matthew 22:36-38.<\/p>\n
As we work at living out the Great Commandment everyday, we can\u2019t help to live into that slogan: \u201cEveryday and in every way I am getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jesus says it this way in Matthew 6:33 \u2013 \u201cStrive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve Nofel is co-pastor at Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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