I took this photo inside Howard's Chapel church.  The pews are all empty and there is an unruffled stillness hanging gently in the air.  Silently I take a seat on the second row and try to imagine a choir singing in this small country church.  Howard's Chapel is one of the most unique houses of worship I have ever visited.  For years I have only known this as the Rock Church near DeSoto Falls on Lookout Mountain.  It is built around a huge boulder sticking out of the rocky soil and towering above the little church.  This massive stone stands directly behind the pulpit and makes up most of the back wall.

        So, here I sit, lost in my thoughts when my daughter Hannah takes a seat at the piano and asks if I have any request.  Slowly she begins playing Rock of Ages, cleft for me; Let me hide myself in thee…  She plays and I sing; and even though it is not quite the choir I had imagined, it was still sweet music to my ears.  She leaves to go back to school in New York tomorrow and as I stand before this enormous stone listening to her play a piano that is slightly out of tune my heart is filled with joyful music. 

        The song still vibrates and echoes in the halls of my heart.  Our tiny choir wore no robes, and our equipment may not be ready for prime time, but still we played and sang.  Our worship though not very polished and refined possessed an honesty and simplicity that stirred me to the core.  And as she played another request I took my camera and shot this photo of some flowers someone had left before the altar, yet another simple act of silent honest devotion. 

        How long has it been since you sang a simple song?  How long has it been since you have lifted up you heart and uttered a genuine honest prayer?  I believe the best moments of our lives are the times filled with openness, simplicity, honesty and silent devotion.  Too often we have sung only to impress and we do too many things only to gain the praises of important people.  Today let us forget the formalities and look beyond our need to impress and simply offer a cup of cool water to someone who is thirsty.  Let us search for a way today to lighten the load of a fellow traveler.  Let us offer the flowers of kindness to someone who needs an encouraging word.  Happiness is a choice; choose to live simply and honestly.

Something to think about:

• No one knows of your honesty and sincerity unless you give out some samples.

• The first virtue of all really great men is that they are sincere.

• Do what you can with what you have where you are.

• An honest and sincere man will find a way, or if he cannot find, creates one.

• The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere.

• Sincerity is an openness of heart; we find it in very few people.

• A commentary of the times is that the word honesty is now preceded by old-fashioned.

• Can a faith that does nothing be called sincere?

Thankful to those who have given me honesty
Rickey Moore