Dear Editor,
Tuesday, Sept. 29, was a night of joy and celebration. It was a time of caring and sharing. It was one of the few times in day to day living when, for a brief shining moment, doubts and so many of the trying aspects of living, are cast aside.
On Sept. 29 at Star Hall, there was a Singspiration. A Singspiration is a time when people of faith unite as one through song, raising their voices to praise God.
Did you ever experience a time when you thought you had it all together? This was better. Were you ever stunned by the awesomeness of the world around you? This was better.
What made this better was the ability of Pastor Falke to ease the crowd into one fraternal body and the exceptional talent of Mark Humble, pianist who kindled the flickering flame of faith into a raging fire.
You ask with all this joy and inspiration why is this a note of apology? See, you weren’t there. You missed it. Had I been open enough to tell you what a Singspiration is about you might have been there.
The music was strong and powerful. The stories that were shared were honest with universal appeal. The lyrics, well, the lyrics go beyond religion. The lyrics go to the heart of life and the soul of existence. Here are two partial examples: “When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul my Savior God to thee, how great Thou art.”
And: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, o what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
I am sure that there are many reading this now that, with sincere heart and open mind, sense that there is more to life than mere existence. There is more to life than hedonism and fractured relationships. There is more to life than 70 years and a box of worms. You are right. There is more to life than those things. There is a peace that passeth all understanding. There is a God of the universe who loves you. You might have found Him at Star Hall on Tuesday night, but I never invited you to join me and for that I sincerely apologize.
