All-In [49613]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 30357
Joined: 12/10/98
|
Sunday sermon: Slaying the demon
Oct 16, 2011, 8:26 PM
|
| View Original Thread |
|
Good evening: My apologies for the delay, but I was traveling back from the Holy City from a weekend snake handling symposium (and BTW if you EVER get a chance to sit in on a Clemson game with the Charleston Clemson Club, grab it!)
Along the way, I wrestled between preaching about how the Sons of Clemson have slain perhaps the toughest demon of all, and whipping up a heaping helping of brimstone for the weak of faith who could not stand strong as the Tigers seemed doomed to fall.
In the end, I have decided to fall to the side of uplifting, to celebrating the faith that endured, rather than those who scattered in the face of tribulation. The Bible says those that endure will see the glory, and those who deny will be denied. And Lord knows tha last quarter of Saturday's turtle evisceration was glorious.
Besides, if you denied the power of the Sons of Clemson, you already know who you are. You are convicted by your own doubt, and you must attone for your own disbelief.
I promise, it's a lot more rewarding to watch this roller coaster from the front seat, hands up, screaming all the way in exhiliaration than it is to cover your eyes on the ground. The sheer joy of those believers who danced in the aisles at Byrd Stadium, or screamed themselves hoarse in the Shriner's Hall in Charleston or scared the dogs at home with their howling halelujahs ... they are reaping the harvest of belief.
And don't think that faith isn't felt on the field of battle. Don't think distance cools the power of conviction. Do not think you can't make a difference if you are not in uniform or in the stands.
The Sons of Clemson, for all the marvelous accomplishments seen this year, feel every heart, every prayer, every voice.
Your voice is felt, if not heard.
How else can you explain the slaying of the last great demon Saturday? Did anyone think it would be easy? Did anyone truly think that the enemies of the team that is laying claim to America's heart would simply let us walk off with that victory.
It takes a special breed to see themselves down by nearly 20 on the road, draw a line in the sand and say "Enough!" And it takes a special breed to believe that they can do it.
Last night, everything was aligned for history to repeat itself. It didn't. We're off the rails now. These young men choose not to live in the past. They aren't doing things the "ways it's always beenh done."
They are carving a new trail, and with any new trail there are no guideposts. Each step is a step in faith, in belief and trust.
And the demons that rise up will be slaughtered where they stand. Leave their stench and flies and entrails behind, wipe the prongs of our gore-clotted pitchforks on their matted carcases and march on.
If, after all these Sons of Clemson have shown you, you couldn't believe that they would endure, then nothing I can say will convince you.
And I don't need to convict you. You've wasted half of what could well be the greatest Clemson season this generation has seen worrying and doubting.
And in that, you have my pity.
This is a heck of a ride to glory. Wish you could join us.
|
|
50
