Something has happened to the culture and average lifestyle that is more critical than a major health issue – we are forgetting how to have Fun. In most areas of life – politics, religion, international matters, health concerns - we seem to be on a Collision Course. Choose a side in this societal free-for-all! It would be almost a breath of fresh air if someone Flamboyant appeared – someone who could cause a cross-section of people to forget about issues that cause division and conflict – and to focus on what might be classified as either the ridiculous, humorous or maybe – subtlety sublime.
What may be needed is a reincarnation of Gorgeous George. Gorgeous George came on the scene following the Great Depression and near the conclusion of World War II. He had no limit to his Flamboyant manner and display. In actually, he was: “George Raymond Wagner (March 1915–December 1963) who became an American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Gorgeous George. In the United States, during the First Golden Age of Professional Wrestling in the 1940s-1950s, Gorgeous George gained mainstream popularity and became one of the biggest stars of this period, gaining media attention for his outrageous character, which was described as flamboyant and charismatic. When Someone or Some Thing is Flamboyant, it is to be: “strikingly bold or brilliant; showy; conspicuously dashing and colorful…”
He debuted and dramatized his new glamour boy image on a 1941 card in Eugene, Oregon; and he quickly antagonized the fans with his exaggerated effeminate behavior when the ring announcer introduced him as Gorgeous George. Such showmanship was unheard of for the time; and consequently, arena crowds grew in size as fans turned out to ridicule George…He would be known as the Human Orchid as he would through his kisses and flowers to the chanting crowd. His persona was created in part by growing his hair long, dyeing it platinum blonde, and putting gold-plated bobby pins in it (he called them “Georgie Pins” while distributing them to the audience). Furthermore, he transformed his ring entrance into a bona-fide spectacle that would often take up more time than his actual matches. He was the first wrestler to really use entrance music, as he strolled nobly to the ring to the sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance," followed by his valet and a purple spotlight. Wearing an elegant robe sporting an array of sequins, Gorgeous George was always escorted down a personal red carpet by his ring valet “Jeffries,” who would carry a silver mirror while spreading rose petals at his feet. While George removed his robe, Jeffries would spray the ring with disinfectant (Chanel No. 5 perfume), which George referred to as "Chanel #10" ("Why be half-safe?") before he would start wrestling. Moreover, George required that his valets spray the referee’s hands before the official was allowed to check him for any illegal objects, which thus prompted his now-famous outcry “Get your filthy hands off me!” Once the match finally began, he would cheat in every way he could. This flamboyant image and his showman's ability to work a crowd were so successful in the early days of television that he became the most famous wrestler of his time,
In the Christian religion, there just might be room and a place for someone who is both Flamboyant and capable of spreading that which is Fragrant. Consider what the Apostle Paul was intimating in II Corinthians 2:14-17, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” Allow your imagination to think of the impact one could make if Pomp and Circumstance indicated the “Triumphal Procession In Christ”, and Chanel No.5 used to indicate “The Fragrance of the Knowledge of Christ.” You may immediately recoil at the thought – but – how well do you do at demonstrating the Triumphal Procession in Christ and being the Fragrance of the Knowledge of Him? We need to seek and use creative ways and means as we Know Him and Make Him Known! Consider these things with me!
What may be needed is a reincarnation of Gorgeous George. Gorgeous George came on the scene following the Great Depression and near the conclusion of World War II. He had no limit to his Flamboyant manner and display. In actually, he was: “George Raymond Wagner (March 1915–December 1963) who became an American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Gorgeous George. In the United States, during the First Golden Age of Professional Wrestling in the 1940s-1950s, Gorgeous George gained mainstream popularity and became one of the biggest stars of this period, gaining media attention for his outrageous character, which was described as flamboyant and charismatic. When Someone or Some Thing is Flamboyant, it is to be: “strikingly bold or brilliant; showy; conspicuously dashing and colorful…”
He debuted and dramatized his new glamour boy image on a 1941 card in Eugene, Oregon; and he quickly antagonized the fans with his exaggerated effeminate behavior when the ring announcer introduced him as Gorgeous George. Such showmanship was unheard of for the time; and consequently, arena crowds grew in size as fans turned out to ridicule George…He would be known as the Human Orchid as he would through his kisses and flowers to the chanting crowd. His persona was created in part by growing his hair long, dyeing it platinum blonde, and putting gold-plated bobby pins in it (he called them “Georgie Pins” while distributing them to the audience). Furthermore, he transformed his ring entrance into a bona-fide spectacle that would often take up more time than his actual matches. He was the first wrestler to really use entrance music, as he strolled nobly to the ring to the sounds of "Pomp and Circumstance," followed by his valet and a purple spotlight. Wearing an elegant robe sporting an array of sequins, Gorgeous George was always escorted down a personal red carpet by his ring valet “Jeffries,” who would carry a silver mirror while spreading rose petals at his feet. While George removed his robe, Jeffries would spray the ring with disinfectant (Chanel No. 5 perfume), which George referred to as "Chanel #10" ("Why be half-safe?") before he would start wrestling. Moreover, George required that his valets spray the referee’s hands before the official was allowed to check him for any illegal objects, which thus prompted his now-famous outcry “Get your filthy hands off me!” Once the match finally began, he would cheat in every way he could. This flamboyant image and his showman's ability to work a crowd were so successful in the early days of television that he became the most famous wrestler of his time,
In the Christian religion, there just might be room and a place for someone who is both Flamboyant and capable of spreading that which is Fragrant. Consider what the Apostle Paul was intimating in II Corinthians 2:14-17, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” Allow your imagination to think of the impact one could make if Pomp and Circumstance indicated the “Triumphal Procession In Christ”, and Chanel No.5 used to indicate “The Fragrance of the Knowledge of Christ.” You may immediately recoil at the thought – but – how well do you do at demonstrating the Triumphal Procession in Christ and being the Fragrance of the Knowledge of Him? We need to seek and use creative ways and means as we Know Him and Make Him Known! Consider these things with me!
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