Pastor Buddy’s Blog

In the presence of angels…

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Journal,

Before I get further into the awesomeness of yesterday’s services, let me share something that my sister Bertie? shared with our family at the dinner table following the morning service. She was so? full of emotion that she could hardly contain herself. Bertie said that when Nathan, Lori and the girls stood at my right,? she simply? closed her eyes for a moment. That is? when she saw? their clothing had changed into glowing white. The glow may have come from the? angels who were right behind them. And in the? middle of us all? was another larger glowing angel in white. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. I know my sister very well. Bertie does not play spiritual games. And she could hardly share this without crying and trembling.?

Yes, I believe in angels. I believe in them with all my heart. And, yes, I have personally seen angels in very real personages. (Not simply in a vision.) And, yes, I believe that every one of God’s children has an angel in attendance and that Christian Challenge had a great many angels in attendance yesterday.? I also know the Lord rarely let’s us see these creatures of glory so that we are not overcome by their presence.?

How do you? describe spiritual awesomeness?? Before the service actually began some of my personal music was being played over the PA system.? Betty and I walked down to the front with greetings and hugs simply overpowering us. My children and grandchildren were there. I don’t think my heart could have taken much more. It was like we were given just a little taste of what heaven is all about. The sanctuary overflowed with family, with CCI members, with friends from the community and from elsewhere. (Note: We are making a DVD of the service. It will be available shortly.)

Our worship leader, Jeff Murphy, took his place.? We worshipped and the? tears flowed freely. The Lord’s presence? was so real. At one point during the worship it is our? custom to take a? short break for greetings,? and then we enter back into worship for a few moments.? Here goes the hugs again.

When we returned for worship I? needed to sit down for a bit. So Betty and I sat there as the congregation continued offering praises to the Lord.?

Jeff could hardly contain himself. But being the gentleman that he is, after an introduction he handed? his mike to me. So now it’s my turn.? I was so afraid of losing it.? Betty and I walked to the front and it happened again. It was as though the Lord placed His hand on my shoulder.? I felt His strength and composure resting upon me.

I opened with a? reading from Isaiah 61, and then spoke? to the congregation as to the importance of what was taking place that day. Following this I asked? Nathan, Lori, and his three beautiful daughters, Joy, Faith, and Hope, to come forward. They stood at my right.? First I spoke? about the shepherd’s staff and then handed it to Nathan. Next I talked about the watchman’s war trumpet.? While speaking of the war trumpet, I quoted this song:

I see an ancient city, surrounded by a wall. And as the night approaches I hear a watchman call. To all God’s fearing citizens, let each heart prayerful be. It seems there’s been a rumor, an approaching enemy.

Watchman, watchman, tell us what you see. Will there be safety for each family. We’re counting on you watchman, please don’t let us down. Awake us from our slumber if danger comes around.

Throughout the night he watches, he hardly sleeps at all. He feels responsibility, this watchman on the wall. And as the night grows long and dark, it seems I hear a prayer; ‘O God? above, look down in love, and keep us in Your care.’

After I took the? shepherd’s mantle off my shoulders and placed it on Nathan’s shoulders, I then asked our board of counselors to come forward for the laying on of hands. I also asked our beloved mayor, Clarence Fields to partake in the laying on of hands and after that to? give his blessing to Nathan. The congregation was asked to stand and to extend their right hand to Nathan as we laid hands on him and his family for the transferring of Senior Pastor to him.

Then a most marvelous thing happened. Jaune Gagnard, and her daughter, Hanna, and Bud Frederick sang the song, ‘The Warrior is a Child.’ Dear Lord — Where do all these tears come from?

Nathan took his place at the podium and began to share his heart. There is no question that the Lord’s anointing was upon him. Nathan is such an honorable man and so well respected everywhere. You could sense his strength of character with every word he spoke.

Finally our beautiful sister Gayle Faulkner came forward and began to sing,? ‘Thank You For Giving to the Lord.’? It was at that point that I? lost it. All I could do was bury my face in my hands. Wherein all these tears? Why am I such a crybaby?

Well, we had to stop at some point. Just before Nathan would lead the congregation in our three times, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ he ask me to come before the congregation again. That’s when he and Lori presented me with a special gift. I unwrapped the gift and in my hands was this beautiful picture of Jesus in the boat with his disciples during the time of storm. It is so awesome. That picture will go in my new office at the parsonage.

Yep — We did it. ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’ Jesus Christ is Lord!’ thundered across the sanctuary.

Were we in the presence of angels today? Sure we were. But that isn’t unusual for God’s people. These divine attendants from heaven are with us every day.

And, yup, I’m feeling really good. A little tiredness now and then. Nothing to be concerned about. Right now I am enjoying what the Lord has given me to do. And that is to enjoy life with Him being right in the center of all things.

Talk with you later.

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