Whew!

The drama has been written. The decorations have been hung. The songs have been rehearsed. And now it is time for it all to come together. Tomorrow we will gather as the body of Christ called Southside Baptist Church with a few hundred of our closest friends in attendance all for the purpose of...? The first thing that pops into our heads, of course, is to "Celebrate America." After all, isn't that what all the hard work has been about? And for all who have been involved in the preparation for this great event, please know that I am extremely PROUD of what you have done. I know that it is going to be one of the greatest patriotic presentations in Decatur, Alabama this year. I cannot wait to see the pageantry, to hear the songs, and to witness the drama. But what I have had to pause and remind myself of several times and what I want to remind you of today is that the purpose of all the hard work and all the money spent is to GLORIFY GOD! We come together tomorrow to recognize the blessings of our Holy Father upon this great nation, but let us never forget, as the Psalmist tells us, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!" The reason the United States of America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth is that He has blessed us. So while we honor our veterans and we recognize our elected officials, let us come together to worship and praise the One who truly deserves it all.