GOD BLESS OUR FALLEN HEROES

Donald Howerton III- Iraq

      "There's teddy bears and high school rings... and old photographs that mamas bring... of daddys with the young boy, playing ball. There's combat boots he used to wear when he was sent... over there, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall. There's cigarettes and cans of beer and notes that say I miss you dear... and children who don't say anything at all. There's purple hearts and packs of gum, fatherless daughters and fatherless sons, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall. They come from all across this land, in pickup trucks and minivans, searching for a boy from long ago. They scan the wall and find his name. The teardrops fall like pouring rain, and they leave a gift and go. There's stars of David and rosary beads, and crucifixion figurines, and flowers of all colors- large and small, There's a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin, little American flags waving in the wind, and there's 50,000 names carved in the wall."  I love the lyrics to George Jones' song, but not as much as I loved the Viet Nam Memorial itself. I was privileged to see it when I accompanied Sherry on a trip to DC, and it's sacredness left me in awe! There were hundreds of us- coming from all over this land- yes, in pickup trucks and minivans- and there were the names. Just the names. And you could've heard a pin drop. There was silence- holy silence- because we didn't need a preacher to tell us that we were on holy ground!


Gale A Shedenhelm-WW2

      Memorial Day has arrived again... and again, my heart is drawn to those who died for our freedom. Once again, my mind struggles with the dreams that were never fulfilled and with the heartaches that were never healed. Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day because we decorated the graves of those who died in service to America, and I pray that we will honor our fallen heroes in this way forever. Somewhere along the line, we began to remember those men and women who put their lives on the line, knowing that- except for the grace of God and a second here or an inch there- they could easily have been martyred as well... and now, we take time to remember those who served and would've been in harm's way, if called, and also those who sacrificed so that we would have the abundant lives we enjoy today. You can choose where you would draw the line, but I am grateful for all of them, and especially for those who were willing to pick up arms.
      I have mentioned by uncles, Delmer and Lewis Sylvester, previously. They fought in WW2 and I am proud of both of them, as I am of the Agnews, Simmons', and Schalls to whom I am also related.  I researched those who share my surname and discovered that... Lawrence and William E. Schuttenhelm served in WW1; Ralph, Karl, Charles, and Donald Schuttenhelm served in WW2. In addition, George and Clark Sheetenhelm served in WW2. Concerning those who bear the name Shedenhelm, the record shows that Teddy, John, and Gary served in Vietnam, and the following served in WW2- William J., Harley, Kenneth, Laurel, Lutther, Dale, Byron, Russell, Paul, Glen, Robert H., Ray F., and my father, Gale Allen Shedenhelm (pictured).  I praise God for each and every one of them, and for Harry Muffley and those whose names are etched on our own church memorial.


Sean Shedenhelm (L) Iraq
Bill Coulter (TR) Air Forxe

      Let me conclude with words written in the Washington Post, Nov. 12, 1921, concerning the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. "Wrapped in the brooding silences of eternity... the well loved son of the republic sleeps... at last shrouded in his immortality. Hundreds of millions of people have called him "son," and given him a name that for all time... shall be a synonym for loyalty and sacrifice. In honoring him... the mighty country for which he gladly gave his life... touched a new and loftier height of majesty and dignity... The grief that filled each breast and dimmed each eye, the sorrow that bowed each head in tribute of the nameless soldier who died for his flag...unknown, unsung... was tempered by a promise which was exalting and uplifting. A tender beauty marked each passing moment which saw the nation's final tribute to its unknown boy, home from strife and hell of war, back in the arms of those who loved him. The President walked through the silent streets of the hushed city, in the early morning haze, content to be a simple private citizen at the bier of the man who in his haunting mystery, typifies the spirit of the American dead.
   

Harley Shedenhelm- WW2

Can we get an "amen?" Friends, Monday is a day of Remembrance, a day of Gratitude, and day for Humility. It is Decoration Day because there is no greater love than this!

   




Top 10 Signs That You're In a Spirit-filled Church

      The Top 10 things you never hear in church. 10) Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front row; 9) I was so enthralled that I didn't even notice that the sermon lasted 40 minutes; 8) I find evangelizing to be more enjoyable than golf; 7) I've decided to give our church the $500/mo. that I had been sending to TV ministers; 6) I will happily volunteer to be the forever Sunday School teacher for Jr. High kids; 5) Say, let's forget the denomination's minimum salary and pay our pastor top dollar; 4) I love it when we sing songs that we've never sung before; 3) Since most of us are already here, let's start worship service early; 2) Let's send the pastor to a Bible seminar in the Bahamas; and 1) Nothing inspires me more than our annual stewardship drive! The top 10 signs that you are in the wrong church: 10) The church van has a gun rack; 9) The church staff includes Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Socio-Pastor; 8) The pew Bible is the Alfred E. Newman version; 7) There is an ATM in the lobby; 6) New members are required to bring W-2's from the last 10 years; 5) There is a 2-drink minimum at Fellowship events; 4) The karaoke service is the church's most popular worship service; 3) Choir members wear leather robes; 2) Ushers ask attendees if they want to sit in the "smoking or non-smoking" section; 1) the Women's Quartet is married to the pastor.
      I could go on because Top 10 lists are everywhere.  But since this is Pentecost, I would simply like to list The Top 10 signs that you're in a Spirit-filled church, regardless of your denomination or way of worshiping. 10) Spirit-filled churches are bold because God is bold. The gospel is bold- even radical. Transformation is bold, and Spirit-filled churches are in the transformation business; 9) Spirit-filled churches have more dreams than memories because God is not dead; 8) Spirit-filled churches are filled with optimism because they have traded in the mantra, "We've never done in that way before"... for "God can do anything;" 7) Spirit-filled churches are inviting and affirming because their ministries are anchored in John 3:16; 6) Spirit-filled churches are obsessed with God's word because God's word speaks to them. If your church is Spirit-filled, it will offer a variety of Bible Studies and Adult Education classes (which will be well-attended); 5) Spirit-filled churches mention the name of "Jesus" a lot- right out loud, frequently, and in many different forums- because Jesus is their Lord and Savior; 4) Spirit-filled churches are filled with Spirit-filled leaders. Their pastors are men and women of God, their elders see themselves as spiritual leaders; and their deacons truly believe that they are doing Christ's work; 3) Spirit-filled churches have a greater commitment to spiritual growth than they do to numerical or financial growth; 2) Spirit-filled churches embrace both mind and spirit because God has given them both. Even as Paul said, "I pray and sing psalms with the Spirit and also my mind," Spirit-filled churches embrace both order and ardor; 1) Spirit-filled churches worship and serve a BIG God- a God who challenges and reshapes them, even as He affirms their faithful work. Spirit-filled churches live and die for a God whom they will never completely understand.  
      Well, there you have it- a non-denominational Top 10 list. I confess that it's not funny and that it's far short of being complete. But I hope it makes the point that the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost ... so that Christ's church would have the power to be both bold and faithful. Being bold means being more concerned with ministry than religion, and being faithful means that everything we do and say is centered in and connected to Christ. Amen.

      

IS THE CHURCH THE ANSWER (TO HIS PRAYER)?

      There's a time to say hello, and a time to say goodbye. There's a time to teach, and a time to empower. There's a time to lean on the source of our strength, and a time to BE a source of strength. There's a time leading to a moment, a time for the moment itself, and a time to grow from the moment... and the moment I'm talking about is his crucifixion. Before he died at Golgotha, Jesus lived among us, full of grace and truth. He called followers to walk with him, and as they walked, he revealed the wisdom and the power of God to them. He taught God's priorities, and he showed them God's ways through many signs and wonders. He was their good shepherd, but he couldn't stay with them forever... and in the 13th chapter of John, they gathered together for their last supper.
      As it is today, suppertime was a time for fellowship and conversation, for stories and words of wisdom, and after he washed their feet and Judas left to do what he had to do, Jesus began to speak. He spoke of his glorification and of Peter's denial. He told them that he would prepare a place for them in heaven, and he promised to send his Holy Spirit so they would "not be orphaned." He reminded them that real love is obedient, and commanded them- and believers in all times and places- to love one another as he loved them. He reminded them- and us- that they should manifest the relationship that he shared with his Father. The church's job, it seems, is to connect the empowering and forgiving love that it receives from God with the world at large. We are his hands and feet, his ears, his eyes, and his heart here on earth. We are the culmination of his earthly work. Thus, it is important that we grow in faith... and that our love for one another glorifies Christ.
      There's a time to look your neighbor in the eye, and a time to lift your eyes to heaven, and that's exactly what Jesus did as he offered his farewell prayer to his Father. Everyone else is now on the outside, just watching and listening, as Jesus prays to his God.
      Father, he said, the hour has come. I have made your name- that is your character and your ways- known to those whom you gave me. (God is our Father, or as one of my seminary profs said, our Mother if you insist, but never... and impersonal force or a higher power). Father, Jesus went on, protect them. Keep them safe, as I have done while I lived among them. Protect them... so that they will be one... just as you and I are one. Protect them from the evil one. Protect them from the temptations and threats that come from a world that does not know you. Sanctify them by your word, Father (where sanctification means to be nourished as we grow within the work we've been set apart to do). Father, these Spirit-empowered sheep are the culmination of my work, and I will send them to people and places, just as you sent me! I have commanded them to travel lightly- in faith- so protect them as they go. And it's not just for these for whom I pray, but for all believers- including those who congregate in Rock Island. I pray that they may be one, as you and I are one. Righteous Father, I want those whom you give to me to be with me. O, may the love you have for me be in them and may I myself be in them too. Amen!
      Wow! What a moving prayer. A prayer that is filled with love and which is surprisingly direct. In essence, Jesus asked his Father to protect us because 1) we are the only hope that an unbelieving world has of knowing God, and 2) that the love we share will be like the love that the Father and Son share with one another. It seems to me that, when you get right down to it, making God know to a broken and hurting world, is our only job. So, how about it? Have we been an answer... or an obstacle... to our Lord's personal prayer?

PART NEANDERTHAL- PART GERMAN

      Recently, I sent a DNA sample to "23 and Me." I went through the same process with Ancestry.com earlier, but the Y Chromosone research that 23andMe does caught my interest.

      When I received my results back from Ancestry,com, they showed more ancestry from Norway and Sweden than I expected, but still, I am predominantly a child of Europe- if one includes Germany, Poland, France, Spain, and Great Britain. History buffs will know that even the Scandinavian effect can be traced to a) Vikings and b) Sweden's presence in 16-17th century Europe. I was glad to get the results, but they showed no trace of the Jewish heritage I thought I might have had.

      Now, from 23andMe, I learn that I am part of the R1b1b2 haplogroup which originally included populations that were Irish, Basques, British and French. It is a group that includes Malcolm Gladwell, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Stephen Colbert. My maternal line is H6a1, which identifies populations that migrated into western Europe over the last few thousand years, and includes areas like the Urals, Arabia, and Europe. Frankly, 

      I don't understand most of this, and I will most likely go back to my Shedenhelm-Simmons- Sylvester-Hunt genealogical tree. However, I did discover that I am 2.7% Neanderthal! No kidding. I am part Neanderthal... which may explain my "heavy eyebrow ridge; long, low, bigger skull; prominent nose with built-in cold-air protection;" and generally feisty attitude. According to 23andMe, it's uncertain if having too much Neanderthal DNA will make one extra brawny, short, or boorish. 

      I can only apologize to my family and encourage them to get the little ones tested before they procreate.