Taps

Every evening at sundown, 78 year-old Don Brittain stands on his back porch, places his trumpet on his lips, and plays Taps.  At the first sound of the 24 notes his neighbors stop what they are doing and walk outside to stand at attention.  Most of them have never served in the military.  Nor has Don who suffered polio as a child.  Yet, like this aerospace worker who chooses to honor our military veterans, they are gripped and inspired by the solemn music he so carefully plays.  And as much as his ritual is for the military, it is also for his neighbors.  Lyle shared reporter Steve Hartman’s story with me and you can view and listen as well if you go to
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7425136n&tag=strip.

Daily Mr. Brittain contends for the honor of those who uphold our liberty.  His unwavering commitment reminds me of the Old Guard who stand watch over the Unknown Tomb regardless of the weather conditions.  His thirty-six seconds of music wash over his Tacoma, Washington neighborhood every evening in the form of a sacred proclamation.
 
Meditation
Jude 3—Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.
 
Jude exhorts his readers to contend for the faith.  Evil men had come in and corrupted the gospel message.  No doubt the brother of Jesus, who knew firsthand the validity of his Messiah, was outraged to see a holy faith attacked by stealthy frauds (vs. 4).  It is no different in our age.  We constantly face those who distort the gospel truth or who deny Christ.  But in order to contend we must have a plan and methods and motivation.

If I could play the bagpipes I’d walk outside at dawn and play Amazing Grace.  There are many ways we can contend.  Now is not the time to get so busy in our hectic living that we miss opportunities to shine as lights.  Now is not the time to complain about leaders, to gripe about corruption, or to bury our heads in the sands of indifference.  Plenty of people already do these things.  
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Who will stand and play the notes?  Someone can write.  Someone can speak.  Someone can listen.  Someone can fix what is broken. Someone can give. Someone can bring food to the hungry.  Someone can pour water for the thirsty.  Someone can sing.  Everyone can pray.  Should we not always listen for the Master’s clarion note to contend?  If a song for the dead can be so powerful imagine what a choir for the living would do!  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
©2012 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB