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Dear Shiloh Family,

When you’re dealing with children, things don’t always pan out the way you expect them. Little ones have a way of turning our world inside-out, upside down, and every which way but loose. I experienced such a phenomenon recently at a local elementary school.

It began as an ordinary morning FCA session. Well, it really wasn’t ordinary because Derik Lawrence, with Send Me Dog Ministries was the guest speaker, and his presentation was anything but ordinary. He and his four Labrador Retrievers put on quite a performance. The master handler and his K-9’s kept the kids mesmerized while presenting the Gospel of Jesus through obedience, love, and servanthood. They certainly had my undivided attention as well. Everyone in the room was so captivated that even the administrators failed to notice that time had slipped away - at least until the intercom beeped and a voice broke the airwaves, “Please pause for a moment of silence.” The guest speaker paused, smiled, and prepared to continue the sermon.
 
Now every breathing soul in the small school knew all too well what followed that statement every morning, but no one in the state of Georgia could have predicted what happened next. Before the powers that be could silence the eager announcer, the loud speaker blared, “Please stand as we say the pledge of allegiance to the flag, attention, salute, pledge...”

Without hesitation, 200 elementary students who had been seated on the floor, facing the front of the gym, stood in unison, did an about-face, placed their hands over their hearts, and pledged allegiance to a small flag perched atop a climbing wall on the back wall of the gym. 

It was the loudest, most perfect rendition I had ever heard. The adults could do nothing except join the loyalists. I stole a glance at Mr. Lawrence only to find him beaming from ear-to-ear as he joined the young Americans. I couldn’t really see them well, but I think the dogs even sat up at attention (don’t quote me on that one). 

At first, I felt a little sorry for our guest. However, my patriotism and pride in those little guys quickly overcame my sympathy. No super speaker, no ceremony, no administrator, not even four of the coolest dogs ever could prevent them from honoring Old Glory. I only wish the Anti-American flag burners could get a dose of that.

Oh, that we could be so loyal to the banner of the cross of Jesus Christ. What would the church be like if at the voice of Jesus, all believers, in unison, yielded to the Holy Spirit in a crescendo of praise? Wouldn’t it be great if every believer responded to the call to worship over religion, denomination, tradition, and public opinion? 

News blast, one day He will ascend with a shout and all true believers will respond in unison. In the moment of the twinkling of an eye, we will all turn in one direction…Heaven bound. 
 
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. NKJV

The children reacted to a situation they are subjected to daily. They were only doing what they regularly practiced. If we practice listening for His voice, it won’t come as a surprise when he calls us home. 
 
Allegiance is strengthened through faith. Faith is the mother of allegiance. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell