Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.  Psalm 100:2 NASB

 

     Loyal Jones and Billy Edd Wheeler, ea., Hometown Humor, USA (Little Rock, Ark.: August House, 1991), 101.  Wrote a cute ditty entitled:  Army Of The Lord

 A friend of mine was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.

He said, 'You need to join the Army of the Lord!'

My friend said, 'I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor.'

The pastor said, 'How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?'

He whispered back, 'I'm in the secret service.'

 

     Military life often encourages one to not speak up concerning their beliefs or personal faith, but, it is not a time to join the “Secret Service” and never let your love for God be seen either.  Too many times military life helps a person loose what faith they have. I remember being chewed out more than once for smiling in the ranks.  I do not mean we are to deliberately go against command, or stand in formation and preach a gospel message but, you need to live your testimony.

      In Basic Training I was stationed at Ft Dix, NJ in Company U when it was a brand new building.  How, Lord only knows, I ended up in a 2 man cadre room.  Therefore, white glove inspections were a common thing.  One day my roommate George B. and I had done a thorough job on cleaning or room and I sat down on my foot locker to do my morning devotions when the 1st SGT and CO walked into the room.  I saw them first, jumped to my feet with Bible in hand, put my Bible behind me and called attention.  The first Sergeant put on his white glove on, examined the room and finished with the “You call this room clean.” The Commanding Officer (CPT) came over and stood in my face and asked, “Holder, what was you doing when we came in.”  I responded, pulling my hand from behind me with closed Bible in hand, “I was doing my morning devotions, sir.”  The CPT said, “|OH!”,  He then looked at my roommate and said, “Pvt G. you clean the room again”.   He looked at me and said, “Holder. you continue with what you were doing” then they both walked out of the room.

 

Prayer:  Lord help me to willing serve you by rejoicing in each day of life in order that I may be known and a child of yours bringing honor to you in all that I do.  Help me serve God and Country both with honor.  Let my service for you not be a “Secret” but an honest, true and faithful one that represents your purpose for me in service to my country. AMEN                                          ©Chaplain (LTC-R) P. L. Holder