Color Guard Presentation
Jul 8th, 2008
More About: Independence Day Celebration, Kriss Haymes, Roseland Park Baptist Church
We worshiped with our brothers and sisters at Roseland Park Baptist Church last weekend (visit Roseland Park online), and Benjy opened the morning services with a moving presentation of “Let Freedom Ring” then lead the congregation in “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” as part of their Independence Day Celebration. It was a beautiful service which included the Color Guard Presentation by the JROTC of Picayune High school, who displayed the flag of each of the five branches of our military plus the American flag and the MIA/POW flag.
A video was shown paying tribute to each branch of service and the JROTC Commander asked that anyone who had served in the military come stand by their respective flag, he then saluted and thanked each of the men and women for their service to our country.
Pastor Kriss Haymes followed the Color Guard’s presentation with a reading of Jefferson’s famous preamble:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Who can read those words and say that our forefathers did not believe in the God of creation? How have we become a nation that no longer bears the name of Holy God in a manner that reflects His nature? I’m sure there are many influencing factors, but after hearing Bro. Kriss’ sermon and considering the words and intent Jefferson’s preamble, two things come to my mind:
- We have been more concerned about guarding our freedoms than guarding our faith.
- We have been more concerned with pursuing our rights than performing our responsibilities.
We need to balance the books. It’s time we recognized that we are becoming a wasteful and weak nation because we have too long neglected our faith and our responsibilities. Psalm 33:12a says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” What is the Christian’s responsibility in helping our nation receive God’s blessings?
If My people who are called by My name [Christians] will …
- humble themselves, and
- pray and seek My face, and
- turn from their wicked ways,
… then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(2Chonicles 7:14 NKJV)
Benjy will be peaching at First Baptist Lumberton next Sunday morning and evening, then we will be back at Roseland Park for the last two Sundays of July. Roseland Park is currently without a Minister of Music. Would you pray with them as they seek God’s provision for this position? We will also be enjoying a month of Marvelous Mondays with Michael Memorial Baptist in Gulfport this month. Benjy will lead the praise and worship each service and there will be a special guest speaker each service … come join us!





