The other night, I was at a Nashua Pride baseball game and an amazing thing happened. At the beginning of the game, two high school girls came out and sang the national anthem. While that may not seem all that amazing to you, one girl singing melody and one singing harmony, it was nevertheless quite striking. I don't think I've heard the national anthem sung for years, at least not by anyone other than me. It was very moving and emotional, to the point that it brought tears to my eyes.

That probably sounds like I am loony. After all, since 911 the country has had a huge resurgence in all things patriotic. However, just being patriotic isn't good enough these days. Everyone has to be patriotic-something, at least when it comes to singing this hallowed song. I have heard the national anthem sung "gospel" style, "rap" style, "country" style, "hip-hop" style, and of course the ever popular "expressive" style where people turn the words around or the melody all around in whatever way suits them. I have heard it turned into a medley of other American songs, and I have experienced it used to promote things other than freedom and our star-spangled banner.

These two gals, though, were flawless. No instruments to help them, although that would have been OK with me (and they did use a pitch pipe, very nice to put the song on pitch). No strange rhythms or words. Not too fast, not to slow. Their voices were not strained to be "loud enough." Instead they sung at apparently a comfortable volume. As it was, they were plenty loud as a hush fell over the crowd. They sang it with expression, they sang it to the right tune, and with the right timing. They sang the right words, and they made them believable, and it was wonderful. Simply wonderful.

There's a lot of things I could draw a conclusion from here. Why does a mere song, an old drinking song's tune to boot, cause stirring of such strong feelings in me? Do I feel the same way, when I sing songs about God and things holy? And why do I feel so patriotic, anyway? How does that mesh with being a servant of the Holy One?

But what sprang to mind the other night after hearing the song was a more obvious point. Why did I enjoy the singing so much? Because it was pure, proper, and unpolluted with any hidden agenda. It was exactly what it suggested it was - our nation's anthem, a moment to remember our flag, our veterans, and remind ourselves that freedom is fleeting if we are unwilling to defend it. Does that banner yet wave? Yes, the song sung as it was intended to be was something I have not heard for years and was precious to me.

And when we serve God, is our religion pure, proper, and unpolluted? Or do we have agendas? Are we something-Christians? Are we Baptist-Christians, or Calvin-Christians or some other such strange combinations? How does God feel about that, when we pervert his word for our own agendas? I know it may seem "improved" to some when people add words, or rhythm, or "soul" to the national anthem, but frankly that is not how it is written, and as soon as you change it it's no longer the national anthem. It may be a close facsimile, but it's not the real thing. And when we add even one bit to the word of God, or change its intentions, or hey change it in any way, it's no longer God's word but our own invention. Sure, it may seem "improved" to us, but do you really think it's acceptable to God?

It may seem harmless to you to play around with a nation's anthem. I reckon in some places it could get you beat up. Play around with God's word, however, and the twilight's last gleaming will be the last thing you ever see!

Randy