By ALLEN FARLEY
Last Sunday (Nov. 9), I received a tremendous blessing when I was given the opportunity to stand between Muriel and my 90-year-old mother and publically proclaim my “Oath of office” at the American Village in Montevallo. (Our three girls, their families, my brother and his wife were also standing at our sides). I placed my left hand on my Bible, raised my right hand, and recited the oath of office. Then I proudly and publically proclaimed “So Help Me God!”
From time-to-time, God has strengthened my Christian walk and given me a renewed hope by allowing me to feel his presence.  That’s what happened to me during the prayer service and oath of office ceremonies for the Shelby County legislative delegation at the American Village. God’s presence was everywhere.
John 6:63 states: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”
Eight of the 11 members of the Shelby County legislative delegation met on a Sunday afternoon with family and friends for a prayer service and public ceremony highlighting our oaths of office. But, before we stood to take our oaths of office, we listened to the “Cahaba River Strings” perform a wonderful “Amazing Grace.”  We listened to three Christian pastors read from the word of God. And, we all sang “Be Thou My Vision” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  At the end of the day, I walked down the hill to the parking lot with my family with absolute certainty that “I Am Blessed – So Help Me God!”
Matthew 5:14-15 states:  “You are the light of the world.” A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
God Bless America!!!
Allen Farley represents parts of Jefferson and Shelby Counties in the Alabama Legislature’s House District 15. Allen’s email is allenfarley@bellsouth.net