CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF…

In 1980, I was in my Homiletics class (Preaching) and recalled the prof telling all of the students that we were going to work on developing an order of service and this is how a worship service is to be conducted.

You start with the organ prelude, welcome and opening prayer, a couple of hymns of the faith from the 1800’s, (slow and mundane), then an offering followed by a sermon not to exceed more than 20 minutes and then the final hymn and a closing prayer.

Well, contrary to popular belief, that is not a worship service! In fact, today I had the pleasure of attending a small church in the mountains in northern California. Rackerby Community Church is a small body of believers that today, were hit with some shaking news. One of member’s daughter died totally unexpected. Right in the middle of the service, Pastor Lee Beldon, AMF Area Missionary stopped the service when the grandson of the member burst into the service and demanded that the member come now and leave.

As she left, Pastor Lee immediately took the body to prayer and then call Joe to the front as well as myself. Joe took the offering and Pastor Lee asked me to bring the message from the Word. At that point, Pastor Lee left to be with the family. That meant that the entire order of service was changed and that the flow was interrupted. The body came together for the family in need and the service went on.

In most churches that would completely be disturbing and the question would be, “What now?” “I was never trained for this in seminary?”, might be the response. Contrary to popular belief, Pastor Lee followed the Holy Spirit and the WORSHIP SERVICE went on. It looked different, had a different impact but, God was glorified and HIS WORD was preached!!!

What a great lesson and eternal impact was made when the Spirit leads and we follow! Contrary to popular belief, when you let the Holy Spirit direct, it comes together for HIS GLORY!!

Several weeks ago, our family had the honor and privilege to attend the Oregon National Guard Mobilization Ceremony for the 41st Infantry Battalion Combat Team a part of the 2/162. This ceremony was to publicly recognize the men and women of the 41st and to send them off officially.

There were two observations that I had from that day. The first was the looming presence that we were saying goodbye to our son and his fellow soldiers. This loomed in the room like the heavy damp London fog. It is the reality of war time military operations and yet it was unmistakable the feelings that were heavy on all of our hearts and mind.

The second observation that I had that day was that there was an incredible sense of camaraderie and a definite presence of patriotism. This was such a good feeling. The support of our soldiers and the fact that they were willing and ready to defend our nation was caught up in that feeling of patriotism.

Near the end of the ceremony, my heavy heart was lifted and a ray of hope began to shine. Sitting right in front of me the entire time was a little five year old girl. She was wearing a dress and had her brown hair pulled up in a pony tail with red, white and blue ribbons tied in it.

During the course of a song, this precious little girl stood on her seat, raised her right arm and began to wave the small American flag she was given upon arrival that day with pride, excitement and true American patriotism. As I sat and watched this happen right before me, I know that reason my son was heading for the sandbox of the Middle East was to defend our freedoms and to ensure that this young lady would be able to do that anywhere and at anytime.

Tears began to fall down my face as I watched this. Not tears for sadness, not tears of pain and not even tears of letting my son go for 10 months. Tears of joy, tears of pride and tears of TRUE PATRIOTISM! I have a deep respect for all of our men and women of the armed forces that have served and are serving. Their commitment, determination and professionalism is what allows us to enjoy what we have and all to often, we take our freedoms for granted.

Not only did we send off our son in whom we are so proud of, but this little lady said goodbye for the 2nd time to her daddy. The looming feeling of sadness falls on me again as I write this, and yet I know the PATRIOTISM shown that day by all of us and this little girl, reminds me of what is important. Our freedoms!

How often do we take our freedoms for granted? Not just our freedoms in this nation, but also the freedoms that we have when we have made the voluntary decision to join in the army of the Creator of all things. God has given absolutely everything to us and yet it was not free. It cost Him the life of His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. God was willing to provide away that would make it possible for you and me to experience true freedom in life by not being held down by the selfish desires of our own. It requires that we surrender our will, wants and life to Him and to give Him the controls of our life.