c. 2026 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(2-26)
By the time of their revival meeting in Morgantown, spring conditions had begun to flourish. This buoyed everyone with a sense of nature being reborn, and the possibilities for a spiritual renewal. Many speakers were scheduled to address the gathering, each from a different denomination or fellowship assembly. But when Shepherd Narvel Adkins stood at the pulpit, in their grand outdoor tent, there was a moment of confusion. Instead of opening with a prayer, and a lesson from the scriptures, he turned to a member of his entourage.
“Friends, you’ve heard me preach from the gospel on many occasions. I dare say that my name is known all around this part of West Virginia, and beyond. But today, I’ve got something else in mind. I’d like you to hear from someone who we have called a brother for only a short while. I ask you to judge him on his heart, and not necessarily any outward appearances. He is the son of a Christian pastor from the old school. I think that you’ll find his take on the Holy Word to be unique, and insightful...”
Parker Redman took his place at the microphone, with a tone of humility and reflection. His tattooed, muscular arms were outstretched in a gesture of inclusion and fellowship.
“We’ve heard some good preaching today. And I’ve got to admit that maybe, I feel a little out of place being here with many of the other participants. Because, brothers and sisters, I want to admit to you, a truth that cannot be denied. I am a humbled sinner, like the penitent thief on the cross beside Jesus. I am stained and dirty, but I believe, reclaimed by grace. It is that gift of love from God that I want to speak about here and now.”
The crowd seemed puzzled at first. Then, a lone voice shouted from the masses.
“Amen, Feeshtail! Amen, Amen!”
The repentant biker was surprised by this exhortation. But upon scanning the crowd, he saw someone who seemed familiar. A former patron of the Stumble Inn and Coal Bucket taverns.
With a gentle inflection of his voice, the lesson continued.
“Now, I don’t mean to cast aspersions on anyone. I don’t mean to judge. Because we know that our Father in Heaven is the final adjudicator. He alone will look into our hearts, and determine what we have done on this earth. But I want to proclaim the truth as it is written in this book. Good news for all of mankind...”
He held up the Bible for Bikers edition from Cousin Bodean’s garage. Greasy fingerprints were visible on its tattered cover.
“Whoever made this volume available to people like me gave us a great blessing. Because, you see, there are folks outside of the mainstream, separate and apart from the realm of everyday people. And they... and we... need to hear the gospel just like anyone else. We need to hear about the kingdom. We need to hear about grace. Because without that grace, we are lost...”
More people in attendance began to raise their acclamation, vocally.
“AMEN, BROTHER. FEESH! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!”
Parker paused for a moment, then continued his straightforward sermon.
“In Acts, Chapter 2, it talks about the day of Pentecost, and those present being filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, I want to relate a story to you which is in keeping with that important event. Years ago, I was attending a Methodist service in Ohio. Their clergyman carried a glass of water out to us, but spilled it as he approached the lectern. Everyone was silent for a moment, because we thought that he had goofed on his demonstration. Perhaps made a mistake in what he wanted to portray, visually. Yet after regaining his footing, he asked everyone, ‘What made the water spill?’ That question had us whispering and wondering. Some simply observed that he took a step in the wrong direction. Or that his legs were stiff because of the weather. Even that he might not have paid enough attention to an incline at the front of their dais. But then, he laughed loudly, raised his refreshment, and exclaimed something so plain and profound that I have remembered it until this day. ‘The reason water spilled was because of its presence in the glass! When life bumps into us, or we stumble, and our souls are full of the spirit, what we spill will be some of that for others to receive!’”
The audience was visibly stunned. A moment of introspection passed, as this example was processed mentally, and reviewed. Then, a cheer of joy echoed across the big tent, and along the university concourse.
“AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!”
Parker held up his Bible as a symbol of light and salvation.
“I have spent years spilling out other things, when life bumped into me. Anger, doubt, rebellion, and in the end, sorrow. Because I never found happiness in rejecting the way of my bloodline. But even more importantly, I never found happiness in refusing the grace of our Heavenly Father...”
The reaction to this confession was immediate.
“AMEN!”
The unconventional scholar then underpinned his remarks with a passage from his garage manuscript.
Galatians 5:13-18, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spiri, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
With his head bowed in prayer, Parker concluded these remarks.
“Father, we know that to be filled with the Holy Spirit is to receive your message. And to claim the victory, through your grace. I ask for strength and guidance in these things, but most of all, I give to you my failings, my weaknesses, my scars and wounds, my dissension and darkness. Make me a new creation, in your image. Heal me, heal all of us, bring us to the point of an awakening for the gospel truths. Let us serve you in righteousness. We are your children. You are our Father in Heaven. Amen!”
A hymn of invitation was sung, as their revival finished for that day. Members who huddled under the canvas tent began to stream forward, toward the pulpit. Some sought a laying-on-of-hands, and restoration by evangelists who were present. Others were seeking a baptism for the first time. One declared that he was ready to take up this cause, and preach from the Bible on his own, in rough, urban areas where regular churches did not usually appear.
Shepherd Narvel stood silently, with members of the Exiles collective. They were overwhelmed with emotion, yet sure of what had transpired. A new era had begun in the shadow of their beloved university.
Now, it was their challenge to sustain that flame of faith, for the future.
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