Because I am an American history buff, I pick up lots of historical data that may never help me unless I'm caught in a tight game of trivial pursuits. For example, what would you think was the most dangerous position on a Civil War battlefield? No, it was not the company or brigade commander. It was the regimental flag-bearer, the one who carried the colors. After all, he had no weapon and his flag attracted lots of enemy attention. The casualty rate for flag-bearers was horrendous. But note this. There was never a shortage of volunteers for this dangerous position. Why? Because the soldiers regarded that task as almost a sacred honor--- flying the colors, holding high the standard for which they were fighting.

Today I am proclaiming the high privilege of flying the colors for Christ. We …