Those Rare Old Times

~Peter yeates, Steve Mulligan and Mike Wallace - The Old Triangle~

16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 18 NKJV

There was, back in the day, a fine Irish folk band known as the Old Triangle which toured many of the Irish festivals of the midwest.  One of these lads, Peter Yeates, also has deep Pacific Northwest roots having performed here for more than a few years.  Mr. Yeates, who along with Mike Wallace and the rarely sober Steve Mulligan formed the Triangle and were truly a sight to behold in those rare old times.  So it was that each October for what seemed like many a year that the boys of the  Old Triangle would perform their "Final" concert at the Half Time Rec pub in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  They were indeed a sight to see...and hear.  One of the tunes that the lads would sing quite often was titled "The rare old times" in which they would sing with somewhat heavy hearts of the old Dublin they used to remember...in those rare old times.  it seemed quite fitting, for Pete Yeates himself was a native of Dublin.  As you listened to them sing this ballad, you caught a glimpse of the old Dublin...in those rare old times.  Although I don't long for them as much as Yeates did, I too am faced with those memories of the rare old times.  Those rare old times when my "Old man" reigned supreme.  That old man was the sin nature with which we were all born with {Romans 3:23}.  It is this old man who was indeed put to death with Christ Jesus on that cross {Romans 6: 6-11}.  Therefore, even though all have sinned and fallen short of God, it is through Christ that we now live restored.  We no longer suffer the punishment of the old man, of those rare old times.  In fact, it is the apostle Paul who tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 that we are a "New creation, old things have passed away."  It is Jesus who took our sin upon himself {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  I, for one, do not long for those rare old times.  Indeed, I'm content where I am now in Jesus.

Raised on songs and stories
Heroes of renown
The passing tales and Glories
That once was Dublin Town
The hallowed halls and houses
The haunting childrens rhymes
That once was Dublin City
In the rare old times
~The Rare Old Times - Peter Yeates~

One of the phrases that has become popular in our little group comes from a popular television show.  In regards to that old nature which we once carried with us...we're now dead to that.  Dead to those chains which for so long enslaved us in sin.  Dead to those feelings of guilt and shame we so often felt as we once again failed to reach that unattainable standard to "Be more like Jesus."  In fact, we really don't need to be more like Jesus, because we now live AS Christ Jesus {Galations 2:20}.  That old man has been put to death, there is only Jesus.  Indeed, Paul reveals this truth to us in Galations.  Of course, we will still hear those cries of that former spirit that once controlled us {1 John 4:6}.  A local former pastor who shall remain nameless often refers to this as the minions barking at us from outside the castle walls.  I agree with that.  For if anyone would know what makes us tick it would be that former spirit that once inhabited us...in those rare old times.  However, that old spirit has now been cast aside when our heavenly Father reveals His Son in us {Galations 1:16}.  That will by no means stop the minions from calling to us from the outside, but we can rest assured that they are no longer in control.  Instead, those rare old times we now recall are but memories of times gone by.

The Half Time Rec in St. Paul, Minnesota 

~Scott~