December 12 – “To Lanny”

We had a farewell lunch today at our dinner on the grounds.  Our worship pastor Lanny is moving to Waco to be closer to his family.  It is going to be hard to lose him.    I appreciated the way Lanny "got it" – the "Seaside Way" - right off the bat, and jumped in with both feet.  He was raised in a First Baptist Church atmosphere, and it was an adjustment for him to be in a laid-back, informal environment.  He always liked that we tried to keep things real and gave people permission to take off their church masks.   He is dedicated to Scripture, so it was second nature for him to look in his personal study for discoveries that would affect how we "do worship."  He was so excited when he told me about the folks in the Old Testament always hearing from the Word of God first, then responding in praise and worship.  So we switched the order of worship to do the teaching first.   One thing I remember about Lanny and Christmas is the way he led Christmas carols.  Whether we did Caroling at the Corner or riding around in a trailer, we sang true Christmas carols rather than the hodgepodge of melodies usually included in that repertoire (Like Jingle Bells, or Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer).   He was amazing when it came to listening to God in his preparation for worship.  I never had to give him the sermon titles weeks in advance.  He prayed and I prayed, and even when I was led to change the teaching at the last minute, God saw to it that the worship time was honoring to him.  And most of the time the songs were perfect for the teaching.  He was a master at blending hymns with praise and worship choruses.  That's what I have always mentioned when I have talked to people about Seaside's music style.  He always responded to my requests to change the order of worship or add a song with a grin and those wonderful words … "We're flexible!"  Ah, music to my ears.   Lanny gave us a model of an inspirational man of prayer.  When he said he would pray, it was not a flippant thing for him.  It meant that if he had to, he would get up even earlier to make sure that prayer happened.  I want to stay on his list!   Lanny always encouraged me during the times of craziness we have gone through.  His support has been a powerful sustaining factor in my own personal struggles with pain and surgeries and … well, people.   So.  I love this guy.  May God walk with him always.   Psalms 36:5-7 says, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.  O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.  How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."   Father, allow Lanny to find refuge in you wherever he is.  Amen.