Pastor Tommy Moore said it better than I, “You know your church is way out in the woods when you are fourteen miles from the nearest Piggly Wiggly”. I had my detailed directions in one hand and the steering wheel tightly gripped with the other. Drive north through Bonifay, turn left at the flashing caution light, ten miles to the school, and then right two miles and you will see the church. No need to bring the cell phone, there is no service.

As I followed the directions, I was impressed as I looked up to see not only a beautiful sanctuary, but a gorgeous, well groomed church campus…and a parking lot filled primarily with pick up trucks. My opportunity was to preach to more than 250 men at a weekend men’s conference provided by West Florida’s Carmel Assembly of God. The atmosphere was charged from the opening worship set as men hungry for God exceeded the expectancy I had experienced in more than one hundred youth camps.

In our culture that challenges men to be REAL MEN, this event redefined what that is. The room did not lack for big bruisers from all walks of life. Some older, some younger, some salesmen, some students, all hard working men, we had one thing in common. There was a genuine love for Jesus Christ and a respect for each other. And by the way, real men do cry.

I only wish you could have looked into the tearful eyes of Highway Patrolman Jason as he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was moved as he personally shared his commitment to follow through on the tough decisions of a young man giving control of his life to the Lord.

Look up to Jeffrey, the 6’ 9” deputy sheriff from Pensacola. You will see tears flowing down his cheeks as he intently worshiped God. Look around the room as grown men collapse at the altar overwhelmed by the presence of the Spirit.

We let society convince us that real men are only those who can sack quarterbacks, bring down the buck from 300 yards and press 300 pounds or more. That is impressive, but I had the honor of spending three days with real men…men of God.

We preach integrity. We look for integrity. We hope for integrity. Today, I experienced integrity. And it was in the most unexpected of places.

This past Sunday afternoon, Pam and I got in the car for the long ride home from DeQueen, Arkansas. We quickly discovered that the 108 degrees had turned the chip in my windshield into a crack across half of it. The Monday morning estimate was a pleasant surprise as less than two hundred dollars was requested to replace the auto glass. However, I must admit that my relief on the price was challenged by my cynicism concerning the quality of this inexpensive repair. Today’s experience not only eliminated the concern, but impressed me with the integrity of this business and its employee.

When I picked up my car, the repairman immediately informed me that he had bent the molding, repaired it to the best of his ability, and ordered the replacement molding to be installed next week. Sadly, I am not accustomed to the men of the 21st century doing the right thing just because it is the right thing. The truth is I never would have detected the mistake. He could have waited to see if I would. He could have pointed it out and asked me to tell him if replacement was necessary. Instead, he just did the right thing no matter the cost to him or the business. That is integrity!!!

May the Lord help us as Christians to follow the leadership of this sweaty, hard working auto glass specialist. Don’t ask, don’t tell…just do the right thing.