Several months ago Larry invited me to come visit. He extended the invitation with the request that the General and I stay for a week. So was he delusional? Probably after the past four days, he’s asking that same question of himself. It has been an amazingly enjoyable time. However, we probably are all figuratively “exhausted”. We have gone non-stop from early morning to way past our bedtime. Yet, if we could do it differently, I wouldn’t change a thing. We have had a really enjoyable time.
Larry mentioned to me that several of his friends wanted to meet me. They reportedly read my blog regularly and thought it would be fun to visit. I think they mostly wanted to meet the General. That hasn’t worked out in my best interest. Everyone intuitively finds her gracious and delightful. Of course, I’ve never intended for her to be seen in any other light.
Larry has acquiesced by telling any number of people that if the General was really as I describe her in my blogs, I’d have been dishonorably discharged long before now. She would have booted me out. In addition, the General adds in the concept that I mostly write historical fiction. I find that a little frustrating because God as my witness, under oath I’d affirm that it is the “whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God”.
A couple of weeks ago when the General and I were finalizing our plans for the trip, I sent Larry a list of names of folks in Oklahoma that I really wanted to meet. For some time now, I’ve been familiar with their names because they regularly add a comment or two to something I’ve written.
In addition, Larry also invited me to share my story with his Sunday school class. He didn’t ask me to preach. He didn’t ask me to teach. He simply wanted me to share about my life. Consequently, I opted to simply share some of the life lessons that have come my way though the course of living. That doesn’t mean I’ve got it perfectly figured out. I don’t.
I’m probably weird, but as an introvert I sometimes struggle on the few occasions when I find myself in a church other than the one I regularly attend. It doesn’t happen often. Actually, I can’t really remember the last time I was in a church other than the one I attend or the one my son and his family attends.
Larry wanted us to get to church early on Sunday so he could introduce me to some folks. Consequently, he and I went about twenty minutes before the General and Kay.
I have nothing but praise for the church experience, but it was so totally different from my frame of reference that it was a stretch for me to take it all in. On a scale of from one-to-five, I’d definitely give it a five-plus. There are two morning Worship services with Sunday school sandwiched in between the two.
As we walked toward the entrance to the church, I noticed there were folks standing on the porch officially welcoming and greeting people as they entered the church. To the right of the entrance toward the side of the building there were a couple of attractive elongated banners highlighting the name of the church. They were professionally done and their posting indicated freshness about the welcoming and attractiveness of the building.
You got the sense that the setting was purposefully staged to make people feel welcomed. Before we got to the front door someone asked if I was Larry’s brother? They made the observation that we both walk just alike, so consequently, they perceived that I had to be his brother. You have no idea how grateful I was that no one asked if I was his father.
Friendly people – they were everywhere in the foyer of the building. To the right of the entrance just inside the building was a large U-shaped coffee bar. I opted to forego the coffee. For starters, I’ve eliminated coffee from my routine. In addition, the last time I had a cup of coffee in the presence of a larger group of people, the cup collapsed in my hands and the contents landed on the floor. I didn’t want to risk duplicating that kind of embarrassing experience again.
Once we got inside the building, it took about fifteen seconds for me to realize that Larry knows everyone who attends the church. From the exchange of greetings, it was clear that he is well liked and highly regarded. Everyone went out of his or her way to be friendly. In addition, there is only one adult Sunday school class and Larry has taught that class for years. He really has a sense of calling in that regard. In addition, he is a natural when it comes to building and maintaining relationships.
I met the pastor’s wife who immediately recognized me from my blog. She was gracious in her assessment of my writing style. Her kindness made me feel good. She was very personable and welcoming. Did I mention that both she and the pastor are very young?
The sanctuary of the church has a very different appearance from where I attend church. Actually, maybe “auditorium” is a better term to use. Somehow we’ve taken the word “sanctuary” and used it in to describe something other than a setting for Worship. Where I regularly attend church, we have church pews and stained glass windows. The setting in Oklahoma seemed very modern. There was a large stage that seemingly was filled with look-alike-smoke although there was no fragrance. Add to that the vertical lighting in the background and it didn’t look like anything that has a familiar ring for me. Eight musicians were on stage and the music was incredible. The drummer was located in kind of a shaded barrier that muffled the sound. The music was not too loud. Actually, it was just right.
At first I had the thought: “This is carefully staged and quality entertainment.” That thought dissipated by the beginning of the second song. It wasn’t entertainment. It was Worship. There is a difference and the difference could be discerned.
Throughout the music portion of the service, folks stood to sing. Many sang praises with their arms lifted high. There was the appearance of diversity in the group. None of it seemed out of place. There were adults of all ages – young families and older folks - Tattoos, body piercings, skinny jeans, more mainstream clothing from my generation – you name it and it could be found. It all melted together in a sense of oneness and Worship. It seemed as though the love of God put everyone on a level playing field and the effect was both affirming and calming.
The words to the songs were displayed through the use of a projector. I had never heard any of the songs, but the words were awesome and praiseworthy. I allowed myself to simply be lost in the sounds of the words. I didn’t try to sing. It is outside my skillset and I didn’t know the tune to any of the songs.
The musicians were awesome and there was participation throughout the congregation. The transition from music to the sermon seemed natural and flawless. Their pastor is young. His opening remarks drew me into his message within the first thirty-seconds and he never lost my attention. More importantly, the content was both thoughtful and anointed. Actually, it was extremely well done and meaningful. It was actually one of the better sermons that I've ever heard.
Larry’s Sunday school glass was also kind and affirming. We started the week out right by being in church. I was so glad that we did.
All My Best!
Don