God's sentence upon the rebellion of Israel was captivity in Babylon. The persians were the super-power of that day, and deliverance did not look humanly possible--and it was not. But time was ripe with God. And Babylon, the chastening nation of Israel would find themselves being chastened--their evil way of treating Israel was not counted as righteousness. Babylon, too, was doomed--as prophesied--to fall, and be left in rubble forever (Jer. 51:26). They would suffer everything they had made Israel to suffer. It was marvelous how Babylon fell.
For the first four years of the reign of Darius, rebel leaders stored in supplies for war. Darius had moved the capital to Susa. In the fifth year the flag of revolt was raised. Darius responded immediately with everything force and statagem could devise. The river water supply was diverted. Darius almost despaired of taking Babylon. Then--one day Zopyrus, his nobleman and friend came in his presence with his nose and ears cut off. Bloody wounds covered his body. "What on earth." "You did it sir," was the reply. "The desire I had of serving you put me into this condition for I was sure you would not consent, so I have consulted no one but my zeal for serving you."
A plan evolved between the two by which Zopyrus would defect, with his infallible marks of Darius' wrath, to the other side. The leaders of the revolt fell for the trap. Three battles were fought in the ploy which cost Darius 7000 troops. (Wonder where we got that W.W. II term, They Were Expendable.") Then, on the pre-arranged signal, Zopyrus opened the gates of Babylon and Darius marched in without a shot. Generalissimo Zopyrus's deception had worked. He had been above suspect. Upon entering Babylon, Darius promptly ordered the gates torn down, and the entire walls leveled so the proud city would never again revolt against him. The people had killed off their own population in their fight against Darius. And thus did God recompense his own people because the Babylonians had greviously treated them. No wonder the historian Paul would emphasize that we "reap what we sow."
Several lessons for us emerge. 1. That God will avenge the "apple of his eye."; 2. That he will fill his promises to the letter. 3. That the chastening nation will itself be chastened. B. Loe
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
ALONENESS (10/4/1981)
The earliest net result of the sin of Adam and Eve was loneliness, and ever since that time mankind has been devising various ways of coping with loneliness.
Several years ago, as a new Rotarian, I attended a Fireside meeting; a meeting to orient new Rotarians, only to be shocked to hear the host address the meeting by saying: "Gentlemen: welcome to the lonely, professional men's club!" I hadn't really connected my new venture with loneliness, but as I meditated, it was certainly true.
Over Eaters Anonymous in attracting new members stress that it is for persons who express their loneliness through over eating.
Then there are the really lonely. Houses, noisy from silence shout at them. Others, guilty of misconduct, feel alienated from man as a race. It is all a legacy of our proto-parents--Adam and Eve.
God, merciful to our alone-ness, has gone to every length to heal aloneness. First, he provided the idea of home--a place for children to be born into where love is to be given freely as water flowing downhill, just because we exist.
He provided the nesting it takes to make a home when two decide to put an end to the aloneness and become one. Ideally that will take care of heart-loneliness for decades to come. Unfortunately, however, many do not bring the commitment to the union to keep the oneness. It then becomes aloneness again.
Then, for a rounding out of a person's needs for being a part of and not apart from, came the ecclesia--the called out. Those who form the oneness of the Lord's body. BL
Several years ago, as a new Rotarian, I attended a Fireside meeting; a meeting to orient new Rotarians, only to be shocked to hear the host address the meeting by saying: "Gentlemen: welcome to the lonely, professional men's club!" I hadn't really connected my new venture with loneliness, but as I meditated, it was certainly true.
Over Eaters Anonymous in attracting new members stress that it is for persons who express their loneliness through over eating.
Then there are the really lonely. Houses, noisy from silence shout at them. Others, guilty of misconduct, feel alienated from man as a race. It is all a legacy of our proto-parents--Adam and Eve.
God, merciful to our alone-ness, has gone to every length to heal aloneness. First, he provided the idea of home--a place for children to be born into where love is to be given freely as water flowing downhill, just because we exist.
He provided the nesting it takes to make a home when two decide to put an end to the aloneness and become one. Ideally that will take care of heart-loneliness for decades to come. Unfortunately, however, many do not bring the commitment to the union to keep the oneness. It then becomes aloneness again.
Then, for a rounding out of a person's needs for being a part of and not apart from, came the ecclesia--the called out. Those who form the oneness of the Lord's body. BL
THE DAY THE LORD HATH MADE (10/18/1981)
One morning, Frank Duckworth and I had our little taxi stop so we could watch the sun rise. We had already been travelling an hour so as not to be late to our preaching appointment in a remote village. We had been in India about a month and I had more than two to go, and the prospect was very burdensome. Then, a verse of scripture came to my mind and I said it out loud for tue use of us both. "This is the day the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24). Our spirits were noticeably lifted, as they usually are when we recall the word of the Lord--his will on a given subject. It is wise to savor the moment and enjoy them to the most.
I oft wonder what I would do if I had my days to do again? There would be many changes! I'd go barefoot earlier in the spring! I'd ride more merry-go-rounds and pick more daisies. Yes, I'd plant more trees, and befriend more children. Forget more injuries and gossip injuries to others. Write more letters, and seek more wisdom. I'd give more generously, trust more quickly, and forgive more easily. I'd love more warmly, act more courteously and live more simply. Judge more charitably and pray more expectantly. BL
I oft wonder what I would do if I had my days to do again? There would be many changes! I'd go barefoot earlier in the spring! I'd ride more merry-go-rounds and pick more daisies. Yes, I'd plant more trees, and befriend more children. Forget more injuries and gossip injuries to others. Write more letters, and seek more wisdom. I'd give more generously, trust more quickly, and forgive more easily. I'd love more warmly, act more courteously and live more simply. Judge more charitably and pray more expectantly. BL
Saturday, December 10, 2011
BABE RUTH: "When he struck out it was not failure--it was was effort! (8/24/1980)
Each week, this page is designed, hopefully, to help someone who has experienced a setback, or who feels lower than a snake's belly from guilt or fear or sorrow. This week's story is from a champion who struck out 1330 times and had 851 homeruns. That's a a failure rate of 479 more failures than 'successes.", yet we remember him as a champion. Why?
One day he had been mercilessly booed as he struck out twice successively on three balls thrown. But, "each time," said Frank Bettger, who was observing him closely, he went over and doffed his cap and smiled at the crowd. Late in the game he came up to bat again. ON second strike he flailed so hard he fell to the ground. But he got up! Dusted off and knocked the third pitch out of the ballpark and over some houses! One of the longest hits ever. Bettger, remembering the drama of that great moment in baseball, said: "He went over and doffed his hat again, smiled that same little smile, and the expression on his face was exactly like the one he wore on the first two occasions." Someone asked this man who struck out more times than anybody else, "What do you do when you get in a batting slump?" "I just keep goin' up there and swinging at 'em. I know the law of averages will hold good for me the same as anybody else."
'Brother Gilbert' who discovered him, said: He looked better striking out than he did hitting home runs!" What a statement to be made about someone! In the homeruns, the talent showed. In the strikeouts, the man showed.
Any of us can look good in success, but it is in adversity that we can show ourselves the be the tower of strength we are. For some, that testing comes in aweful sorrow. For others, its tolerating grevious sickness. Still others find their character showing in financial adversity. Or dreams crushed in the ground.
Christianity is that way. It shows most beautifully when undergoing tribulation, when almost casually giving up rights or privileges for peace and principle.
BL
One day he had been mercilessly booed as he struck out twice successively on three balls thrown. But, "each time," said Frank Bettger, who was observing him closely, he went over and doffed his cap and smiled at the crowd. Late in the game he came up to bat again. ON second strike he flailed so hard he fell to the ground. But he got up! Dusted off and knocked the third pitch out of the ballpark and over some houses! One of the longest hits ever. Bettger, remembering the drama of that great moment in baseball, said: "He went over and doffed his hat again, smiled that same little smile, and the expression on his face was exactly like the one he wore on the first two occasions." Someone asked this man who struck out more times than anybody else, "What do you do when you get in a batting slump?" "I just keep goin' up there and swinging at 'em. I know the law of averages will hold good for me the same as anybody else."
'Brother Gilbert' who discovered him, said: He looked better striking out than he did hitting home runs!" What a statement to be made about someone! In the homeruns, the talent showed. In the strikeouts, the man showed.
Any of us can look good in success, but it is in adversity that we can show ourselves the be the tower of strength we are. For some, that testing comes in aweful sorrow. For others, its tolerating grevious sickness. Still others find their character showing in financial adversity. Or dreams crushed in the ground.
Christianity is that way. It shows most beautifully when undergoing tribulation, when almost casually giving up rights or privileges for peace and principle.
BL
WHERE WOULD YOU BE WITHOUT PAUL? (2/26/1972?)
Let's pretend for a moment.
We are members of the Lord's church in Antioch. We are showing some signs of growth in godliness and in numbers. We have some excellent teachers among us, we need them--here at home. But the Holy Spirit says, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." "We can't afford it" some one cries, "We need them at home," comes the cry. "I know those Europeans, they'll sell their soul for Hershey bar. The whole mess of em are not worth one man." But Barnabas and Paul had the blessing of the majority--God--and they went.
Here are two questions: Did that missionary journey help or hurt Antioch? Their name, was it helped or hurt? Outside of Jerusalem (which was also a missionary church) who can you name that was more blessed of God? Is the name "Antioch" a blessing after 2000 years? Antioch had the rare and unparalleled privilege of being the host and backer of three missionary journeys. The other question I want to ask is simply this, don't run away from it--face it, WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY IF PAUL AND BARNABAS AND SILAS AND OTHERS HAD NOT BEEN SENT TO THE GENTILE? The plain fact is this, brother, you would be an idol worshipper! You would be in the shape of the Hindu today. To accept the grace of God, to accept the gospel of God with the attitude "I was worth it all, but the Hindu is worth none of it" is to be sub-Christian. Beware, if you are against missionary enterprizes, you have become as the dead sea, taking in the fresh, life-giving water, and keeping it, turning it to brine, and dying in the process. The missionary has to die before he goes. He has to settle that ahead of time. Do not be surprised, then, at what other prices he is willing to pay...The Bible says that "One soul is worth more than the whole world." The question reduces itself to this: DO WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE? B.L.
We are members of the Lord's church in Antioch. We are showing some signs of growth in godliness and in numbers. We have some excellent teachers among us, we need them--here at home. But the Holy Spirit says, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." "We can't afford it" some one cries, "We need them at home," comes the cry. "I know those Europeans, they'll sell their soul for Hershey bar. The whole mess of em are not worth one man." But Barnabas and Paul had the blessing of the majority--God--and they went.
Here are two questions: Did that missionary journey help or hurt Antioch? Their name, was it helped or hurt? Outside of Jerusalem (which was also a missionary church) who can you name that was more blessed of God? Is the name "Antioch" a blessing after 2000 years? Antioch had the rare and unparalleled privilege of being the host and backer of three missionary journeys. The other question I want to ask is simply this, don't run away from it--face it, WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY IF PAUL AND BARNABAS AND SILAS AND OTHERS HAD NOT BEEN SENT TO THE GENTILE? The plain fact is this, brother, you would be an idol worshipper! You would be in the shape of the Hindu today. To accept the grace of God, to accept the gospel of God with the attitude "I was worth it all, but the Hindu is worth none of it" is to be sub-Christian. Beware, if you are against missionary enterprizes, you have become as the dead sea, taking in the fresh, life-giving water, and keeping it, turning it to brine, and dying in the process. The missionary has to die before he goes. He has to settle that ahead of time. Do not be surprised, then, at what other prices he is willing to pay...The Bible says that "One soul is worth more than the whole world." The question reduces itself to this: DO WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE? B.L.
IF not, what is wrong? (7/20/1980)
ARE YOU HAPPY?
What does your heart of hearts say to that question? What do I say to it? Well, yes, I am happy. I get my share of unpleasant experiences. But, on the whole, life is a wonder to me! It is interesting and exciting and satisfying.
But, people who have a back-slapping, cheer sometimes leaves me cold. There is an excessive 'happiness' that seems to be a facade. Such people are looking for happiness while pretending they have it.
Well, how does one find happiness? What does one do? In my case, I savor the moments. I notice the things that give me the deepest joy and keep company with them. It may be a work, a hobby, a friend, a book. These give me pleasure, but the things that offer me most happiness--pure joy--are those things I do for other people--things that I could have let slide, but didn't, and brought unexpected happiness to someone else. That's when I feel so good inside that my soul sings for joy. Things we do for ourselves may bring justifiable pleasure, but things we do for others are the ones that bring unbridled joy.
If life gets boring, that's time to start working on self--not someone else. The problem of the unhappy is inside--not outside. It is then time to start thinking some interesting thoughts. It is time to think some creative thoughts. One can lie in bed and rehash the problems and disappointments of the day, or he can start over with fresh, creative thinking and praying. On bed is as good a time to think about good things as it is bad things. Meditate on the goodness of god and his world. "Pleasure' your thoughts by "thinking on whatsoever things are lovely...
BL
Thursday, December 8, 2011
THREE MEN AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE (2/12/1967)
Betrayal night had dropped a heavy mantle of darkness on the hills of Jerusalem, and Jesus, aware that this was his hour to glorify his Father, had been in prayer agony across brook Kidron in Gethsemane. Judas was in the temple area, fitting price to purpose. Suddenly the night air -- electrified by heavy footsteps and harsh voices; clattering swords and rattling sticks -- was a cacophony of mob sounds. The yellowish glow of the torches revealed black grimy bearded faces bent on violence. It must have been a little incongrous to see them stop silent while one of their number planted a kiss on the cheek of the passive face of omnipotence.
As the mob seized Lord Jesus, Peter's heart, like others, did a turnover...this couldn't happen. This must not happen. "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" But, before Christ could answer, Peter had already taken affairs in hand. Whack...! Off flew Malchus' right ear! The high priest's servant. Peter missed cleaving Malchus' head right down the middle by about three inches. Peter meant business.
A Christian fighting religous battles with a sword...Peter? "Put up thy sword in thy sheath; for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt. 26:52).
Jesus placed the ear back on the head just like a child mends her doll, while and uncomprehending but startled group of people looked on. What a manifestation of Glory!
As the company crossed the Kidron and went back over into Jerusalem that night, three people especially had things to ponder in their hearts...Peter, Malchus and Judas.
Judas just could not stand the remorse and he went out and hanged himself. The man he had death-kissed had put an ear back on...tenderly. Judas flunked the test of repentance and obedience.
Peter, having bumbled so badly, would ponder those words about fighting with swords and profit from having had his carnal nature so greviousy exposed to public eye. I, too, know what it is to have inner-most being stripped naked before public eye. I know a little of how he must have felt. Wonder what Peter did with that sword? Don't you know that sword was as big, heavy and cumbersome as a throbbing thumb? But still, Peter missed the lesson. He was not yet perfected. One more failure loomed large and close before him. He would deny his Lord.
But the man who must have had the most profound revelation was Malchus. In the name of religion, Malchus acting on orders of the high priest, had come out to help take Jesus prisoner. But instead of taking a prisoner, Malchus suffered the indignity of having an ear cut off. One flash of the fisherman's sword and Malchus could understand the full meaning of seeing his ear in the dust...but I wonder if he really understood what it was to have that ear stuck back on again, stitched by kind words and healed with tenderness. He had had an incounter with God and this would awaken to gratitude any but the insensate.
If Malchus became a Christian, did he quibble about a virgin birth? Or theorize about the "God is dead" kick? Or question how many of Jesus' commands demanded obedience? I rather think that he would have said, "Speak Lord, thy servant heareth."
+++Baxter Loe
As the mob seized Lord Jesus, Peter's heart, like others, did a turnover...this couldn't happen. This must not happen. "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" But, before Christ could answer, Peter had already taken affairs in hand. Whack...! Off flew Malchus' right ear! The high priest's servant. Peter missed cleaving Malchus' head right down the middle by about three inches. Peter meant business.
A Christian fighting religous battles with a sword...Peter? "Put up thy sword in thy sheath; for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt. 26:52).
Jesus placed the ear back on the head just like a child mends her doll, while and uncomprehending but startled group of people looked on. What a manifestation of Glory!
As the company crossed the Kidron and went back over into Jerusalem that night, three people especially had things to ponder in their hearts...Peter, Malchus and Judas.
Judas just could not stand the remorse and he went out and hanged himself. The man he had death-kissed had put an ear back on...tenderly. Judas flunked the test of repentance and obedience.
Peter, having bumbled so badly, would ponder those words about fighting with swords and profit from having had his carnal nature so greviousy exposed to public eye. I, too, know what it is to have inner-most being stripped naked before public eye. I know a little of how he must have felt. Wonder what Peter did with that sword? Don't you know that sword was as big, heavy and cumbersome as a throbbing thumb? But still, Peter missed the lesson. He was not yet perfected. One more failure loomed large and close before him. He would deny his Lord.
But the man who must have had the most profound revelation was Malchus. In the name of religion, Malchus acting on orders of the high priest, had come out to help take Jesus prisoner. But instead of taking a prisoner, Malchus suffered the indignity of having an ear cut off. One flash of the fisherman's sword and Malchus could understand the full meaning of seeing his ear in the dust...but I wonder if he really understood what it was to have that ear stuck back on again, stitched by kind words and healed with tenderness. He had had an incounter with God and this would awaken to gratitude any but the insensate.
If Malchus became a Christian, did he quibble about a virgin birth? Or theorize about the "God is dead" kick? Or question how many of Jesus' commands demanded obedience? I rather think that he would have said, "Speak Lord, thy servant heareth."
+++Baxter Loe
Untitled Letter (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)
*on Christian Relief Fund stationary
Ms. Katherine Ketchersid
9010 Briarcroft Ln. Apt. 101
Laurel, MD 20708
The last time I was in your home it was in Houston! What did you mean moving to Laurel, MD?
You sent money to my West Amarillo account which I depend upon for my salary. How about that? I humbly thank you for that gesture.
I get anxious to walk again. But so far God has not seen fit to make it possible. I would just as soon go on if it were possible. I suppose I am stuck in this situation for now.
Ruby Nell is about the same, however she is older than any woman I have lived with--she has turned 70. I am 74 years old.
The old Ketchersid farmhouse is re-habible, so Tony Denn's father's pronounced it. He has been in the homebuilding business longer than I have been alive.
All us heirs are going down there on our vacation's and re-hab it. We will have to start over. There is nothing but the well to start over.
R.N. visulaizes it with a screened-in back porch along the entire east side. And, remove the wall between the living room and the kitchen. And, remove the outside wall on the south end, and take the entire end and encorporate it in the remander of the building.
That is about it.
Your son-in-law,
Baxter Loe
Ms. Katherine Ketchersid
9010 Briarcroft Ln. Apt. 101
Laurel, MD 20708
The last time I was in your home it was in Houston! What did you mean moving to Laurel, MD?
You sent money to my West Amarillo account which I depend upon for my salary. How about that? I humbly thank you for that gesture.
I get anxious to walk again. But so far God has not seen fit to make it possible. I would just as soon go on if it were possible. I suppose I am stuck in this situation for now.
Ruby Nell is about the same, however she is older than any woman I have lived with--she has turned 70. I am 74 years old.
The old Ketchersid farmhouse is re-habible, so Tony Denn's father's pronounced it. He has been in the homebuilding business longer than I have been alive.
All us heirs are going down there on our vacation's and re-hab it. We will have to start over. There is nothing but the well to start over.
R.N. visulaizes it with a screened-in back porch along the entire east side. And, remove the wall between the living room and the kitchen. And, remove the outside wall on the south end, and take the entire end and encorporate it in the remander of the building.
That is about it.
Your son-in-law,
Baxter Loe
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Little Things Count (10/26/1980)
*formerly titled 'I WAS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE'.
MINISTERING TO HUMAN NEED IS SUCH A REWARDING JOB: Yesterday I visited with a big black man whom I had not seen for several months. Many times I have urged him to worship with us at Forest Hill. Till now he has not but he and I are friends -more than friends we have a genuine affection for each other.
Yesterday, when I met him, he sat down to tell me, "Mr. Loe, I want to thank you again. I am ashamed to tell you, but that day when you asked me if you could help me, I was near suicide. I was so frightened and desperate that I could only think of getting out of it, but since that day, things have been getting better every day. I now have a savings account; my own home with a two-car garage and my family is happy. It would not have been so, if it were not for you. That kind of talk, whether it is true or not, really gets one's attention.
The deed he refers to is a letter--to Congressman Jack Hightower. I had asked the man if he would like for me to attempt to get him government a id for he has one lifeless arm and a crippled leg -for handling TV's . He said, "Yes, I have been trying for ten years, but I cannot get anywhere." He was obviously in need. So, off went a letter. We had a return on it in a week asking for more information. Inside of a month this man had been able to get food stamps, get enrolled in Amarillo College electronics school, and had been provided with a huge tool case full of tools--enough to make the best craftsman jealous. He would report to me, "I am at the head of my class." All he needed was an opportunity. He finished that electronics school to become a good TV technician. And yesterday he told me, "Mr. Loe, Five weeks ago I enrolled in radar electronics school. I will go for 6 years. I already have people asking me to work for them from as far away as San Diego. I can name my price when this is completed, and I owe it all to you."
I would like to take some glory about this, but do you know what my total effort was? Two letters. That's all. It would be so wonderful if more efforts paid dividends like that. BL
MINISTERING TO HUMAN NEED IS SUCH A REWARDING JOB: Yesterday I visited with a big black man whom I had not seen for several months. Many times I have urged him to worship with us at Forest Hill. Till now he has not but he and I are friends -more than friends we have a genuine affection for each other.
Yesterday, when I met him, he sat down to tell me, "Mr. Loe, I want to thank you again. I am ashamed to tell you, but that day when you asked me if you could help me, I was near suicide. I was so frightened and desperate that I could only think of getting out of it, but since that day, things have been getting better every day. I now have a savings account; my own home with a two-car garage and my family is happy. It would not have been so, if it were not for you. That kind of talk, whether it is true or not, really gets one's attention.
The deed he refers to is a letter--to Congressman Jack Hightower. I had asked the man if he would like for me to attempt to get him government a id for he has one lifeless arm and a crippled leg -for handling TV's . He said, "Yes, I have been trying for ten years, but I cannot get anywhere." He was obviously in need. So, off went a letter. We had a return on it in a week asking for more information. Inside of a month this man had been able to get food stamps, get enrolled in Amarillo College electronics school, and had been provided with a huge tool case full of tools--enough to make the best craftsman jealous. He would report to me, "I am at the head of my class." All he needed was an opportunity. He finished that electronics school to become a good TV technician. And yesterday he told me, "Mr. Loe, Five weeks ago I enrolled in radar electronics school. I will go for 6 years. I already have people asking me to work for them from as far away as San Diego. I can name my price when this is completed, and I owe it all to you."
I would like to take some glory about this, but do you know what my total effort was? Two letters. That's all. It would be so wonderful if more efforts paid dividends like that. BL
REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING (3/6/1982)
This gem of instruction came from a nursing supervisor to one of her nurses. The nurse came into the supervisor's office almost unable to unbend. "What's wrong?" "Than man in the room down the hall must weigh 300 lbs. Lifting him almost broke my back." To which the supervisor replied, "Honey, remember your training; it is not the weight of the burden but how you lift it that counts."
My, but how we need to remember this! Likely, most of us have had adequate teaching on how to carry our burdens, but we have to do our own training, for training is putting theory into practice. And if we have not attended to the training, then when heavy burdens come, we may falter under them.
It is difficult to remember our teaching if we skip the training til the time something crashes in on us. A death in the family, a rebel child, rejection by an employer, a checkbook suddenly found to be floating in red; these can really put us in a tailspin if we have not been practicing what we preach.
We have such wonderful heroes to imitate in courage! It was when enemies surrounded him like a pack of hungry wolves that David sat down and calmly composed those famous lines: "The lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
When he could scarcely tell which enemy was worse, the one in the church or outside the church, Paul bent over his parchment and calmly dipped his quill: "Forgetting those things behind, I press forward to the mark."
Then night of nights when Jesus was in Gethsemane he prayed "Not my will, but thine." For 2000 years people have looked at how he bore burdens and became inspired. BL
My, but how we need to remember this! Likely, most of us have had adequate teaching on how to carry our burdens, but we have to do our own training, for training is putting theory into practice. And if we have not attended to the training, then when heavy burdens come, we may falter under them.
It is difficult to remember our teaching if we skip the training til the time something crashes in on us. A death in the family, a rebel child, rejection by an employer, a checkbook suddenly found to be floating in red; these can really put us in a tailspin if we have not been practicing what we preach.
We have such wonderful heroes to imitate in courage! It was when enemies surrounded him like a pack of hungry wolves that David sat down and calmly composed those famous lines: "The lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
When he could scarcely tell which enemy was worse, the one in the church or outside the church, Paul bent over his parchment and calmly dipped his quill: "Forgetting those things behind, I press forward to the mark."
Then night of nights when Jesus was in Gethsemane he prayed "Not my will, but thine." For 2000 years people have looked at how he bore burdens and became inspired. BL
JEAN JAMESON - 1948-1982 (3/6/1982)
It is Wednesday morning, March 3, 1982. The bulletin that would have been has been scrapped. Jean was found dead in her bed this morning. As late as yesterday evening she had talked to her sister by phone and had responded to queries about her health with: "OH, I feel fine." But, she had told her moth last evening, "I think the end is very near." Bravely and cheerfully she had braved hodgkins and other forms of cancer for years. She was most ready to drop the curtain on this act.
Left to mourn her are her mother and sister and brothers and her step-father. Left also is her church family that had grown to love her.
This preacher watched her form leave her mother's home for the final time and felt an ultimate helplessness while his soul searched the deepest depths it could fathom for meaning, for appropriateness. Emotions too deep to express remained captured in a heavy mass of grief. Too heavy to move.
What shall I say, Oh my soul? Like the black marker on an electricity meeter turning, turning, turning: "What shall I say, OH my soul?"
Well! Goodness has diminished from the earth! The goodness of one woman. That's what!
From our midst goodness, mercy, faith, patience and love have diminished.
Therefore, the most fitting thing we can do today and tomorrow is to have a bit more good-ness in our lives. A bit more mercy, a bit more faithand patience and love. For her sake let us begin anew to embody those traits for her memory's sake.
BL
Left to mourn her are her mother and sister and brothers and her step-father. Left also is her church family that had grown to love her.
This preacher watched her form leave her mother's home for the final time and felt an ultimate helplessness while his soul searched the deepest depths it could fathom for meaning, for appropriateness. Emotions too deep to express remained captured in a heavy mass of grief. Too heavy to move.
What shall I say, Oh my soul? Like the black marker on an electricity meeter turning, turning, turning: "What shall I say, OH my soul?"
Well! Goodness has diminished from the earth! The goodness of one woman. That's what!
From our midst goodness, mercy, faith, patience and love have diminished.
Therefore, the most fitting thing we can do today and tomorrow is to have a bit more good-ness in our lives. A bit more mercy, a bit more faithand patience and love. For her sake let us begin anew to embody those traits for her memory's sake.
BL
HOW THE COWBOYS BECAME GREAT (9/14/1980)
In every season and in every game there are heart-stoppers while the game hinges on one play. BUT can you imagine what kind of team the Cowboys would be if they did not have to meet such players as the Rams and Redskins? They would never amount to much, and they would not thrill us.
Likewise can you imagine what Christianity would have been had it not been born in adversity. Suppose, for a moment that Christ was welcomed into every home in Israel. We would have missed those vivid scenes where his divinity showed. We would have had no back-drop against which to judge his wonder. The events that produced his grandest moments would have been denied us. We would be unable to affim him to be the Messiah.
Likewise, suppose Paul had been well received every-where he went? There would be no soul-stirring records of his mighty deeds to inspire us. And sustain us, and give us hope, for these records give us hope. Others had it said of them, "they were tortured, refusing to accept release; mocked, scourged, in chains and in prison. Stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, ill treated...of whom this world was not worthy. With these we identify. From these we draw our strength. From these we gain our hope. Because our time, too, is not a bed of roses.
Creative living--creativity--is born out of adversity! It stems from thwarted impulse that has to achieve and perform in order to keep from turning cynical or revolutionary. Creativity flourishes when one meets with immoveable obstacles, and brings to the fight a passionate desire to achieve. It shines best when striving in dead heat; laboring to overcome; working with face flushed and heart a'flutter, and mind-birthing ideas. Creativity is born of tension,. There is no music to be had from a sagging string, but it has too be finely tensed. Likewise the human spirit. That's one reason for America's hope--we are tensed for action. So is the church! strive on!
bl
Likewise can you imagine what Christianity would have been had it not been born in adversity. Suppose, for a moment that Christ was welcomed into every home in Israel. We would have missed those vivid scenes where his divinity showed. We would have had no back-drop against which to judge his wonder. The events that produced his grandest moments would have been denied us. We would be unable to affim him to be the Messiah.
Likewise, suppose Paul had been well received every-where he went? There would be no soul-stirring records of his mighty deeds to inspire us. And sustain us, and give us hope, for these records give us hope. Others had it said of them, "they were tortured, refusing to accept release; mocked, scourged, in chains and in prison. Stoned, sawn in two, killed with the sword, destitute, afflicted, ill treated...of whom this world was not worthy. With these we identify. From these we draw our strength. From these we gain our hope. Because our time, too, is not a bed of roses.
Creative living--creativity--is born out of adversity! It stems from thwarted impulse that has to achieve and perform in order to keep from turning cynical or revolutionary. Creativity flourishes when one meets with immoveable obstacles, and brings to the fight a passionate desire to achieve. It shines best when striving in dead heat; laboring to overcome; working with face flushed and heart a'flutter, and mind-birthing ideas. Creativity is born of tension,. There is no music to be had from a sagging string, but it has too be finely tensed. Likewise the human spirit. That's one reason for America's hope--we are tensed for action. So is the church! strive on!
bl
Untitled (3/30/1980)
By gait; by size; by color; by smell
THE SHEPHERD KNOWS THE SHEEP. AND KNOWS HIM VERY WELL.
There were ninety and nine that safely lay,
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold,
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender shepherd's care.
Ira Sankey
Sometimes the stories behind the famous hymns are as inspiring as the hymns themselves. Those famous lines were discovered by Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey as they were looking at a newspaper while riding a train between appointments. Sankey showed it to Moody who was unimpressed, but a few nights later Moody spopoke on the subject of the Good Shepherd. He turned to Sankey for music after his sermon and Sankey heard those words roaring through his head. Now was the time for such a song. Suddenly those strains that have some to mean so much to Christians everywhere, came to him, and he began to play. That must have been a night at the foot of the cross!
That beautiful hymn portrays beautifully the love and compassion of our lord. One cannot read those words or hear those strains without being reminded of that laden parable of the Ninety and Nine that comesto mind in Mat. 18:11-14. It tells us how important to Him every one of us is. Pity the wanderer who expects the shepherd to come with a chastening rod and raving, YOU FOOL! YOU INGRATE! YOU ARE NOT FIT! YOU ARE TOO DIRTY! It is at that time we need to review the parable of the lost sheep with them. BL
THE SHEPHERD KNOWS THE SHEEP. AND KNOWS HIM VERY WELL.
There were ninety and nine that safely lay,
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold,
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender shepherd's care.
Ira Sankey
Sometimes the stories behind the famous hymns are as inspiring as the hymns themselves. Those famous lines were discovered by Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey as they were looking at a newspaper while riding a train between appointments. Sankey showed it to Moody who was unimpressed, but a few nights later Moody spopoke on the subject of the Good Shepherd. He turned to Sankey for music after his sermon and Sankey heard those words roaring through his head. Now was the time for such a song. Suddenly those strains that have some to mean so much to Christians everywhere, came to him, and he began to play. That must have been a night at the foot of the cross!
That beautiful hymn portrays beautifully the love and compassion of our lord. One cannot read those words or hear those strains without being reminded of that laden parable of the Ninety and Nine that comesto mind in Mat. 18:11-14. It tells us how important to Him every one of us is. Pity the wanderer who expects the shepherd to come with a chastening rod and raving, YOU FOOL! YOU INGRATE! YOU ARE NOT FIT! YOU ARE TOO DIRTY! It is at that time we need to review the parable of the lost sheep with them. BL
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
BE BOLD (11/9/1980)
A man was talking to an older brother about a certain desire to do a certain thing: "I would go ahead if I werecertain I could succeed." That older brother looked at him a moment then gave him ten words of advice that changed his life --"BE bold--and mighty forces will come to your aid.
Boldness is not a foolhardy state--boldness mean deliberate decision, from time to time you bite off more than you can chew. The mighty forces are things we mostly posess: energy, skill, sound judgment, creative ideas and physical endurance beyond what most of us suspect we possess. Boldness creates a state of emergency within us. Not only that, it sets in motion cosmic forces that come to our aid. When God is convinced we are going to give our everything, then, if our cause is just and right, we have obligated Him to be our guide and our good energy.
Boldness has its hero stories all though history. Centrifugal force in a slingshot hurled a pebble that killed Goliath. But it was courage that enabled David to be the champion. He was willing to risk failure.
It is curious how spiritual laws often have their counterpart in the physical world. Small football players often are the most feroucious fellers of the large men. They know that the- have to hit very hard so that velocity will make up for mass. The harder they hit, the less likely they are to get hurt. So, if you are bold enough, even the laws of motion come to your aid.
Confidence is a cumulative thing that is built up by constantly stretching ourselves beyond our normal powers and succeeding
Fear is the opposite of boldness. If boldness electrifies, fear stupefies. Boldness stems from faith. "Be it unto you according to your faith." Mat. 9:29
Boldness is not a foolhardy state--boldness mean deliberate decision, from time to time you bite off more than you can chew. The mighty forces are things we mostly posess: energy, skill, sound judgment, creative ideas and physical endurance beyond what most of us suspect we possess. Boldness creates a state of emergency within us. Not only that, it sets in motion cosmic forces that come to our aid. When God is convinced we are going to give our everything, then, if our cause is just and right, we have obligated Him to be our guide and our good energy.
Boldness has its hero stories all though history. Centrifugal force in a slingshot hurled a pebble that killed Goliath. But it was courage that enabled David to be the champion. He was willing to risk failure.
It is curious how spiritual laws often have their counterpart in the physical world. Small football players often are the most feroucious fellers of the large men. They know that the- have to hit very hard so that velocity will make up for mass. The harder they hit, the less likely they are to get hurt. So, if you are bold enough, even the laws of motion come to your aid.
Confidence is a cumulative thing that is built up by constantly stretching ourselves beyond our normal powers and succeeding
Fear is the opposite of boldness. If boldness electrifies, fear stupefies. Boldness stems from faith. "Be it unto you according to your faith." Mat. 9:29
Untitled (3/20/1983)
"Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil."
(Psalm 56:5)
One Saturday this month this writer was down at Lubbock at a preaching seminar and heard Roy Osborne say of the critics of Jesus, "They never let Jesus' words mean what he intended them to say."
That triggered a flashback! It sounded like the president of the United States--any president--complaining about what the reporters do to his words. The mind of David reminds us that the twisting of words is not a new thing! It is not only disturbing but dangerous--conspiratorial, if you will--for the presidtnt's words to be so oft twisted.
Here in Potter county, one of the county commissioners complained to this preacher a few weeks ago, "if I had to depend upon what is printed and otherwise reported on what goes on in our sessions in order to know what was siad, I would not know it was the same meeting I had been in." THOSE ARE CONDEMNING WORDS.
Jesus encountered the same thing everywhere he turned. Oft reported were these words: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said: "
If he healed a blind and dumb man, they
said: "He does it by the power of Satan."
Matthew 12.
If he claimed to be the Son of God they called it blasphemy.
If he preached about the coming of the new Kingdom, they represented it to the authorities as an advocacy of overthrowing the governfment. Word perversion is not new, so Jerry Falwell, or Billy G, nor this preacher for that matter, should be surprised when misinformation is spread about us. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN MEDIA, MEDIA SHOULD TAKE HEED. BL
(Psalm 56:5)
One Saturday this month this writer was down at Lubbock at a preaching seminar and heard Roy Osborne say of the critics of Jesus, "They never let Jesus' words mean what he intended them to say."
That triggered a flashback! It sounded like the president of the United States--any president--complaining about what the reporters do to his words. The mind of David reminds us that the twisting of words is not a new thing! It is not only disturbing but dangerous--conspiratorial, if you will--for the presidtnt's words to be so oft twisted.
Here in Potter county, one of the county commissioners complained to this preacher a few weeks ago, "if I had to depend upon what is printed and otherwise reported on what goes on in our sessions in order to know what was siad, I would not know it was the same meeting I had been in." THOSE ARE CONDEMNING WORDS.
Jesus encountered the same thing everywhere he turned. Oft reported were these words: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said: "
If he healed a blind and dumb man, they
said: "He does it by the power of Satan."
Matthew 12.
If he claimed to be the Son of God they called it blasphemy.
If he preached about the coming of the new Kingdom, they represented it to the authorities as an advocacy of overthrowing the governfment. Word perversion is not new, so Jerry Falwell, or Billy G, nor this preacher for that matter, should be surprised when misinformation is spread about us. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN MEDIA, MEDIA SHOULD TAKE HEED. BL
Sunday, December 4, 2011
"The Teen-ager's Lot at 15" (May 1972)
So you have one of those of the mystery-moods at your house! Sometimes he seems to have rebellion for a back-bone and moods changable as the winds. One day he (or she) is as proud as a peacock sporting two tails, and the next he looks as disheveled as if he had been drug by a bull through a thicket. He knows only two moods, hilarity and depression. Besides what's going on inside his body (and there is plenty) consider his outward circumstances.
The only legal thing he can do is go to school--it is illegal not to!
He cannot do so many things adults do, and he is disinterested in things little children do.
Cigarette sales are illegal (to him).
He (in Texas) cannot drive a car.
It is illegal for him to possess alcohol.
It is illegal for him to work (on most jobs.)
He has a fat chance of being able to marry.
He can not vote to change anything.
He cannot enlist in the armed forces.
Granted that there are some things listed here that Christians do not engage in, PARENTS, how rich would life be for you under those conditions?
Would you get sulky, moody, discontented and unhappy?
Let us remember that good deprived of adventure and excitement becomes demonic. We have given some reasons for the young feeling disconnected. It beooves us to provide moments dripping with life for them. BL
The only legal thing he can do is go to school--it is illegal not to!
He cannot do so many things adults do, and he is disinterested in things little children do.
Cigarette sales are illegal (to him).
He (in Texas) cannot drive a car.
It is illegal for him to possess alcohol.
It is illegal for him to work (on most jobs.)
He has a fat chance of being able to marry.
He can not vote to change anything.
He cannot enlist in the armed forces.
Granted that there are some things listed here that Christians do not engage in, PARENTS, how rich would life be for you under those conditions?
Would you get sulky, moody, discontented and unhappy?
Let us remember that good deprived of adventure and excitement becomes demonic. We have given some reasons for the young feeling disconnected. It beooves us to provide moments dripping with life for them. BL
"Blessings/Curses" (8/23/1981)
The odd thing about handicaps is that they frequently propel people to height they could never have attained without them.
There used to be a doctor in Amarillo (perhaps he is still here, I never knew his name) who was reared on a farm down off the caprock east of here, who had a crippled arm from polio. Always, there was instilled in him during childhood, "John will have to be a doctor because he will be unable to farm." Sure enough, the others of the family farmed, but he is reported to have often said, "Thank God for my crippled arm." For without it he would never have been a man of healing.
Norman vincent Peale in his efforts to overcome excessive shyness wrote a bestseller, "The Power of Positive Thinking." "It came out of my own struggles to find myself." he wrote. I have often wondered what kind of a person he would have been if making friends and small talk had been easy for him.
Was it Demosthenes, who placed the rocks in his mouth to overcome speech impediment to become the great orator?
Most of us have some kind of handicap to overcome. We may be shy, or have been raised 'poor'. May be we have to compensate for a mediocre brain with extra work effort. maybe we are fearful when we would like to be a person known as brave.
Whatever our personal handicap, as long as we have a modicum of brains and energy, we can overcome tremendous obstacles. Some of the most prosperous people I know are not really extra bright. Some of the most talented speakers are not really all that deep. Some of the college profs are eggheads who kept on trying. As somebody said, "it not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." That's right. God never gives us the spirit of fear, but rather the spirit of power. BL
There used to be a doctor in Amarillo (perhaps he is still here, I never knew his name) who was reared on a farm down off the caprock east of here, who had a crippled arm from polio. Always, there was instilled in him during childhood, "John will have to be a doctor because he will be unable to farm." Sure enough, the others of the family farmed, but he is reported to have often said, "Thank God for my crippled arm." For without it he would never have been a man of healing.
Norman vincent Peale in his efforts to overcome excessive shyness wrote a bestseller, "The Power of Positive Thinking." "It came out of my own struggles to find myself." he wrote. I have often wondered what kind of a person he would have been if making friends and small talk had been easy for him.
Was it Demosthenes, who placed the rocks in his mouth to overcome speech impediment to become the great orator?
Most of us have some kind of handicap to overcome. We may be shy, or have been raised 'poor'. May be we have to compensate for a mediocre brain with extra work effort. maybe we are fearful when we would like to be a person known as brave.
Whatever our personal handicap, as long as we have a modicum of brains and energy, we can overcome tremendous obstacles. Some of the most prosperous people I know are not really extra bright. Some of the most talented speakers are not really all that deep. Some of the college profs are eggheads who kept on trying. As somebody said, "it not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." That's right. God never gives us the spirit of fear, but rather the spirit of power. BL
"Ministers Are Messengers Not Judges" (no date provided)
*from a published Amarillo Globe-Times 'Letters to the Editor' Baxter sent in.
DEAR EDITOR:
In your sensitive series of articles about the hospice, there was mention of one confrontational event that, as a minster, troubles me. It concerned the perception of the homosexual community toward gospel ministers. In a moment laden with emotions, the homosexuals are quoted as saying to a room full of pastors, "You are the people we fear. You are the people that condemn us." There is enough truth to that statement to make me, as a minster, uncomfortable. But there is some explaining that needs to be done.
The role of a minster is not that of a judge, as he is often perceived, rather he is a messenger -God's messenger. His duties can be compared to the man who sees the house fire; the fire should be reported if the house is to be saved. And the one doing the reporting is a friend, not an enemy. The minster's attitude, if he is true to his calling is to love the sinner and hate the sin. That's what Christ did. The crux of the minister message has to be, "we cannot break God's laws; God's laws will break us if we flaunt them." One danger to the soul of a person who rebels against God's laws is that the minster will become his conscience rather than the objective word of God.
The Apostle Paul, in speaking of unnamed people of the past, said: "...God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error (Romans 1: 26-27)."
It would be wrong for me to bring to mind these scriptures except it be with the intent of informing and lovingly warning, and offering hope to the penitent. Judgment does not belong to us poor preachers, rather it is God's word that judges. I have no apology for that.
If I could be allowed to draw a conclusion about AIDS, which is part of the thrust of your series, I would like to state -warn is a better word- that it appears to me that we are seeing the beginning of a scourge that is without parallel in history. Not even the numbers in the black plague of Europe can compare with what appears to be looming ahead -unless a cure is found. This means that a cleansing of the world is about to take place; one that will claim many innocent lives along with those who have refused to practice chastity. Now, morals aside, it behooves parents to warn their children that their very lives depend upon the practice of chastity.
As a minster, I have never seen graver problems than those facing the world and neither have I ever been as optimistic about the future.
BAXTER LOE
4606 River Road
DEAR EDITOR:
In your sensitive series of articles about the hospice, there was mention of one confrontational event that, as a minster, troubles me. It concerned the perception of the homosexual community toward gospel ministers. In a moment laden with emotions, the homosexuals are quoted as saying to a room full of pastors, "You are the people we fear. You are the people that condemn us." There is enough truth to that statement to make me, as a minster, uncomfortable. But there is some explaining that needs to be done.
The role of a minster is not that of a judge, as he is often perceived, rather he is a messenger -God's messenger. His duties can be compared to the man who sees the house fire; the fire should be reported if the house is to be saved. And the one doing the reporting is a friend, not an enemy. The minster's attitude, if he is true to his calling is to love the sinner and hate the sin. That's what Christ did. The crux of the minister message has to be, "we cannot break God's laws; God's laws will break us if we flaunt them." One danger to the soul of a person who rebels against God's laws is that the minster will become his conscience rather than the objective word of God.
The Apostle Paul, in speaking of unnamed people of the past, said: "...God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error (Romans 1: 26-27)."
It would be wrong for me to bring to mind these scriptures except it be with the intent of informing and lovingly warning, and offering hope to the penitent. Judgment does not belong to us poor preachers, rather it is God's word that judges. I have no apology for that.
If I could be allowed to draw a conclusion about AIDS, which is part of the thrust of your series, I would like to state -warn is a better word- that it appears to me that we are seeing the beginning of a scourge that is without parallel in history. Not even the numbers in the black plague of Europe can compare with what appears to be looming ahead -unless a cure is found. This means that a cleansing of the world is about to take place; one that will claim many innocent lives along with those who have refused to practice chastity. Now, morals aside, it behooves parents to warn their children that their very lives depend upon the practice of chastity.
As a minster, I have never seen graver problems than those facing the world and neither have I ever been as optimistic about the future.
BAXTER LOE
4606 River Road
"A Loe Family Proclamation"
*not from a bulletin but, in fact, a blown-up, hand-made poster that seems intended to have hung in (my) great-grandmother Loe's nursing home room.
Dear Service Provider,
Please let us recount to you how the frail, wrinkled little body you labor over in this bed is worthy of your most diligent ministrations.
She is but a shadow of her former self, making her family all the more solicious of her tender and safe keeping.
Though there is a Higher reason she is worthy, we want to mention a few of the reasons.
In January 1991, she will enter her fiftieth year as a citizen of Terry County, where she has served well in making a better life for citizens of the county.
In 1942, the first crop year she and her husband farmed here -a frightening time of mobilization for war, they and their family produced enough cotton to give a change of shirts and perhaps a change of underwear for the entire then city of Lubbock, including airmen at the air bases. This is at least approximately correct, for they produced about 63,000 pounds of baled cotton. Additionally, they raised and sold grainsorgums by the carloads. There was also a full range of produce from the animals and the gardens in the fields. Then, as now, the contribution of farmers does not show up in the prices people are willing to pay.
We saw them raise and give away vegetable produce literally by pickup truck loads-with sideboards! This was for poor residents of the towns.
Additionally, she served Terry County as county welfare officer for fifteen years. In dealing with welfare cases she was a splendid mixture of velvet and steel. She had twin interests -keeping free-loaders off the rolls, and ministering to those genuinely in need. Hers was a position of not only giving away surplus commodities, but it was also one of constant search for ways of meeting special needs of hurting people. In the same week these services, provided by private citizens, could include used clothing for some, or an airline ticket to the burn hospital in Galveston. She knew every kind-hearted pocketbook in the area, and many around here can testify that she worked them.
This particular statement is a contradiction of sorts: during eight years of those fifteen years, she was a sheriff's deputy! In this capacity she served without pay. There were twin reasons why she was deputized: one, she had bought a house in a dangerous part of town -the best she could do. Second, she peddled Avon products in the most dangerous part of town! Though the sheriff was uneasy about her, she was unfazed by danger.
Mr. or Mrs. service provider: recounted here is an incident of which her family is supremely proud of her; her humanity showed all the way through.
On the day her youngest son, Rals Jr. was buried, June 7, 1962 following an automobile accident, she looked at the mountains of fancy food on her table when she arrived back at the house after the funeral. .She said, "son, this food will ruin if left here; I know a lot of hungry people in this town. let's load it up and take it to the hungry people. That day, we went into places where the people had never seen fancy salads like the ones we were delivering to them.
Then, just a few days before her disabling accident, she remembered the house located in a big sand pile where we went and where the kitchen was floored by deep sand. And she said, "Do you remember how the little children clapped their hands when they saw us drive up?" Her very presence was good news.
Then, in the early 1980's, at the urging of columnist Billie Norman, she sat down and wrote the chronicles of her life. They are a story of how, as a fifteen-year old girl, it was to move to west Texas in a covered wagon. She recounted the excitement of falling in love and establishing a family, and how hard the times were, especially in the 1930's during the Depression.
This prejudiced scribe was amazed that this woman who counted her schooling in months, could do such a good job of organizing her material. Her family were not the only ones who thought she did a good job in telling what it was like during the first half of the twentieth century in west Texas, but there is evidence others thought so, too! The Texas Tech Library sought and obtained the story, and now her account is a part of the permanent Southwest Collection at the Texas Tech Library!
She met all the good traits of a Godly woman mentioned in Proverbs 31. We are proud to call her Mom.
So, we, her family petition you for your tenderest ministrations, and we thank you for them. For your care was manifest during even the first ten minutes after her arrival.
Her Family
Dear Service Provider,
Please let us recount to you how the frail, wrinkled little body you labor over in this bed is worthy of your most diligent ministrations.
She is but a shadow of her former self, making her family all the more solicious of her tender and safe keeping.
Though there is a Higher reason she is worthy, we want to mention a few of the reasons.
In January 1991, she will enter her fiftieth year as a citizen of Terry County, where she has served well in making a better life for citizens of the county.
In 1942, the first crop year she and her husband farmed here -a frightening time of mobilization for war, they and their family produced enough cotton to give a change of shirts and perhaps a change of underwear for the entire then city of Lubbock, including airmen at the air bases. This is at least approximately correct, for they produced about 63,000 pounds of baled cotton. Additionally, they raised and sold grainsorgums by the carloads. There was also a full range of produce from the animals and the gardens in the fields. Then, as now, the contribution of farmers does not show up in the prices people are willing to pay.
We saw them raise and give away vegetable produce literally by pickup truck loads-with sideboards! This was for poor residents of the towns.
Additionally, she served Terry County as county welfare officer for fifteen years. In dealing with welfare cases she was a splendid mixture of velvet and steel. She had twin interests -keeping free-loaders off the rolls, and ministering to those genuinely in need. Hers was a position of not only giving away surplus commodities, but it was also one of constant search for ways of meeting special needs of hurting people. In the same week these services, provided by private citizens, could include used clothing for some, or an airline ticket to the burn hospital in Galveston. She knew every kind-hearted pocketbook in the area, and many around here can testify that she worked them.
This particular statement is a contradiction of sorts: during eight years of those fifteen years, she was a sheriff's deputy! In this capacity she served without pay. There were twin reasons why she was deputized: one, she had bought a house in a dangerous part of town -the best she could do. Second, she peddled Avon products in the most dangerous part of town! Though the sheriff was uneasy about her, she was unfazed by danger.
Mr. or Mrs. service provider: recounted here is an incident of which her family is supremely proud of her; her humanity showed all the way through.
On the day her youngest son, Rals Jr. was buried, June 7, 1962 following an automobile accident, she looked at the mountains of fancy food on her table when she arrived back at the house after the funeral. .She said, "son, this food will ruin if left here; I know a lot of hungry people in this town. let's load it up and take it to the hungry people. That day, we went into places where the people had never seen fancy salads like the ones we were delivering to them.
Then, just a few days before her disabling accident, she remembered the house located in a big sand pile where we went and where the kitchen was floored by deep sand. And she said, "Do you remember how the little children clapped their hands when they saw us drive up?" Her very presence was good news.
Then, in the early 1980's, at the urging of columnist Billie Norman, she sat down and wrote the chronicles of her life. They are a story of how, as a fifteen-year old girl, it was to move to west Texas in a covered wagon. She recounted the excitement of falling in love and establishing a family, and how hard the times were, especially in the 1930's during the Depression.
This prejudiced scribe was amazed that this woman who counted her schooling in months, could do such a good job of organizing her material. Her family were not the only ones who thought she did a good job in telling what it was like during the first half of the twentieth century in west Texas, but there is evidence others thought so, too! The Texas Tech Library sought and obtained the story, and now her account is a part of the permanent Southwest Collection at the Texas Tech Library!
She met all the good traits of a Godly woman mentioned in Proverbs 31. We are proud to call her Mom.
So, we, her family petition you for your tenderest ministrations, and we thank you for them. For your care was manifest during even the first ten minutes after her arrival.
Her Family
"searching for treasure" (5/31/1981)
Recently I read a story written by a woman who made her first metal-detector treasure hunt with her son and husband.
They were anxious for her to have a try at it. So, detector in hand she started a sweep of a 'new' area they were anxious to try out. But quickly the son cried out, "Mother you are going too fast! You've got to go slow or you'll miss the deeper things; the most valuable stuff is buried the deepest!"
Well, you are already ahead of this preacher, for you know the application that follows.
In all areas, of life we are admonished, "haste makes waste." Or, "slow down and live." "Slow down and smell the flowers along the way." "Fools are swift too run into trouble." On and on one could go with our aphorisms. After looking, shall we leap?
These are admonitions that may be applied to our every day lives. It is difficult not to make hasty judgments; it requires self discipline; to check the child's behavior before spanking; to see if it is a problem in his personal life that makes a neighbor, a husband or wife so grouchy. Elders in the church are required to look before leaping in their running of public church affairs or, for that matter, the workings in the church family. Every person they have contact with has a bearing on the whole.
In preaching, the minister who would feed a congregation must search as the men looking for treasure. One has to move slowly and methodically. Else he will have one scripture pitted against another. Or he will be emphasizing one facet of doctrine to the neglect of the others. He has to go through the scriptures sentence by sentence and word by word and letter by letter. Truly he is looking for buried treasure, and the slower he covers the ground, the better chance he has of finding the buried treasure.
bl
They were anxious for her to have a try at it. So, detector in hand she started a sweep of a 'new' area they were anxious to try out. But quickly the son cried out, "Mother you are going too fast! You've got to go slow or you'll miss the deeper things; the most valuable stuff is buried the deepest!"
Well, you are already ahead of this preacher, for you know the application that follows.
In all areas, of life we are admonished, "haste makes waste." Or, "slow down and live." "Slow down and smell the flowers along the way." "Fools are swift too run into trouble." On and on one could go with our aphorisms. After looking, shall we leap?
These are admonitions that may be applied to our every day lives. It is difficult not to make hasty judgments; it requires self discipline; to check the child's behavior before spanking; to see if it is a problem in his personal life that makes a neighbor, a husband or wife so grouchy. Elders in the church are required to look before leaping in their running of public church affairs or, for that matter, the workings in the church family. Every person they have contact with has a bearing on the whole.
In preaching, the minister who would feed a congregation must search as the men looking for treasure. One has to move slowly and methodically. Else he will have one scripture pitted against another. Or he will be emphasizing one facet of doctrine to the neglect of the others. He has to go through the scriptures sentence by sentence and word by word and letter by letter. Truly he is looking for buried treasure, and the slower he covers the ground, the better chance he has of finding the buried treasure.
bl
"Days of the Lord" (6/8/1980)
The day dawned hot. We had been traveling one and one half hours at daybreak. We were halfway to our destination, having made about forty miles. Frank Duckworth and I were lonesome. I had one month in India behind and two more to go. He was nearing the day to come home, and I would be a lone American. As we stopped to view and photograph the sun coming up I remembered a Psalm: "This is the Day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad." Frank said "Amen." Needless to say, remembering that this, indeed, was the Lord's say, lifted our spirits away from concentrating on how lonely we were. I cannot remember a more exhausting day of preaching. We were out in the Indian villages, we had for food a piece or two of fruit--bananas, and little water.
The world is full of people with weighty problems. Sometimes we would cheer someone but instead of cheer we hear a rebuttal: "I'm about to lose my house," or "my car", or "my family." Others have lost their job. Someone else is seriously ill, and another is lonely. On and on go the maladies that rob people of happiness.
There is a sure-fire cure for what ails the spirit, however, and that, of course, is concentrating on the scriptures. There, we find out that God is in charge, and that he will ultimately square all things, and right all wrongs. There, in the Bible, we find those who suffered being thrown to the lions, lived in caves for fear of their lives, were put to the sword and sometimes saw their babies empaled on soldiers spears.
Then, we can say, "I don't have it so bad." One of our children had a car ruined by hail a couple of nights ago. It made us all sick for awhile, then we remembered, we have our health. WE are not in fear of a booted heel. We are not afraid of being hungry. Ah, yes, we have only to look for it, and life is good. "He who began a good work in you will perfect it." (Phil. 1:6)
The world is full of people with weighty problems. Sometimes we would cheer someone but instead of cheer we hear a rebuttal: "I'm about to lose my house," or "my car", or "my family." Others have lost their job. Someone else is seriously ill, and another is lonely. On and on go the maladies that rob people of happiness.
There is a sure-fire cure for what ails the spirit, however, and that, of course, is concentrating on the scriptures. There, we find out that God is in charge, and that he will ultimately square all things, and right all wrongs. There, in the Bible, we find those who suffered being thrown to the lions, lived in caves for fear of their lives, were put to the sword and sometimes saw their babies empaled on soldiers spears.
Then, we can say, "I don't have it so bad." One of our children had a car ruined by hail a couple of nights ago. It made us all sick for awhile, then we remembered, we have our health. WE are not in fear of a booted heel. We are not afraid of being hungry. Ah, yes, we have only to look for it, and life is good. "He who began a good work in you will perfect it." (Phil. 1:6)
"Laughter" (8/3/1980)
Laughter has a spiritual value. Men miss it when they think religion is melancholy. Abraham named his promised son "Laughter". We know him as Isaac.
Laughter has constructive power. Let one laugh heartily and well and his body pains leave. His troubles fly away while he laughs.
Laughter can be such a release of tension. How oft we have seen tenseness melt away when someone breaks the tension with hearty laughter.
Laughter binds people together in secret signals. Sometimes you can hear it 'travel around the globe' but notice--however large the circle may be, it is a closed circle.
Laughter makes men brave. I have seen men facing dire danger break out in laughter when someone was witty to make fun of our plight.
Laughter at a proper time can devastate profanity.
Laughter can return a sense of proportion to a troubled mind. For it erases self pity, self-justification, self-importance.
But, perhaps, the most wonderful thing laughter can do is to bring back the will to live.--And, when the times comes, give us the courage to go with cheer.
The Psalmist said, "Laughter doeth good like medicine."
I have seen preachers go into wards where everybody was hooked up to tubes, hoses, and tractions and blurt out "Oh! Don't get up for me." One has to see it to know what medicine that can be for a tortured body.
The power works both ways, the healthy person is sustained by the appreciation that comes back to him.
There is a kind of geniality that brings mirth and confidence. There are two kinds of people, those who have to lean on others and those who have to prop the others up. It is wonderful to be around one of those lifters. Geniality might be described as strength to spare. The power of laughter lies in its ability to lift the spirit. It cannot fly with clipped winger. BL
Laughter has constructive power. Let one laugh heartily and well and his body pains leave. His troubles fly away while he laughs.
Laughter can be such a release of tension. How oft we have seen tenseness melt away when someone breaks the tension with hearty laughter.
Laughter binds people together in secret signals. Sometimes you can hear it 'travel around the globe' but notice--however large the circle may be, it is a closed circle.
Laughter makes men brave. I have seen men facing dire danger break out in laughter when someone was witty to make fun of our plight.
Laughter at a proper time can devastate profanity.
Laughter can return a sense of proportion to a troubled mind. For it erases self pity, self-justification, self-importance.
But, perhaps, the most wonderful thing laughter can do is to bring back the will to live.--And, when the times comes, give us the courage to go with cheer.
The Psalmist said, "Laughter doeth good like medicine."
I have seen preachers go into wards where everybody was hooked up to tubes, hoses, and tractions and blurt out "Oh! Don't get up for me." One has to see it to know what medicine that can be for a tortured body.
The power works both ways, the healthy person is sustained by the appreciation that comes back to him.
There is a kind of geniality that brings mirth and confidence. There are two kinds of people, those who have to lean on others and those who have to prop the others up. It is wonderful to be around one of those lifters. Geniality might be described as strength to spare. The power of laughter lies in its ability to lift the spirit. It cannot fly with clipped winger. BL
"Acceptance of a Dream" (11/7/1982)
Two of the loveliest characters of all the Old Bible are Joseph and David. The characteristic they held in common, as noticed here, is that they had a sense of destiny. At early ages David was annointed to be future king of Israel, and Joseph had a vision of all his kinsmen bowing before him. Planted in each of their hearts was the concept that he was to be somebody. With the sense of destiny implanted in their hearts, each of them withstood aweful trials in their lives. Joseph the indignity of being sold into slavery, then prison. David--being hunted out over the hills of Judea like a partridge. Without cause. Neither of them ever cracked. Each of them held course of moderation, patience and diligence. Joseph made his master number one. Then he made the prison superintendent to be number one, and then, finally, the Pharaoh he made number one. David would never countenance any thought but that king Saul was number one in the kingdom. He would not revile him, he would not threaten! How can people be so tolerant, so diligent so pure, so Godly?
They had a lot of things going for them, but the thing noticed here is that they had a healthy self-esteem! They were somebody! They had a dream! A God implanted dream!
What do you suppose they would have amounted to if they had visioned themselves as no-bodies? What if they had gone around beating their breasts: "I must be humble! I Must not show evidence of wanting to be somebody!"
They had accepted the dream of service. They had had their egos purified by their own sacrifices. We have entered into Christianity from the wrong end--trying to abase ourselves to nothingness. Christ said, "If I make you free, you will be free indeed." BL
They had a lot of things going for them, but the thing noticed here is that they had a healthy self-esteem! They were somebody! They had a dream! A God implanted dream!
What do you suppose they would have amounted to if they had visioned themselves as no-bodies? What if they had gone around beating their breasts: "I must be humble! I Must not show evidence of wanting to be somebody!"
They had accepted the dream of service. They had had their egos purified by their own sacrifices. We have entered into Christianity from the wrong end--trying to abase ourselves to nothingness. Christ said, "If I make you free, you will be free indeed." BL
"It Might as Well Be Me" (12/15/1974)
The adoptive parents waited with glee for the phone call that would tell them to come and get their newborn baby. The phone call did come, but with an apologetic tone: "We are sorry to inform your prospective baby has been born with deformities: a cleft palate, a twisted arm and leg, and a hare-lip." With little hesitation, they exclaimed, "We'll take it."
A series of operations reformed limbs and repaired facial and other deformities, till at last the little girl had a healthy and pretty body. Needless to say, the process was a trial of ordeal and expense.
One day, came a casual question from a friend, "Why on earth did you put yourself through such an ordeal when you could have had a healthy baby by waiting a while?"
The proud mother replied, "Well, somebody had to love her, and I decided it might as well be me."
Here at Forest Hill we still have some 'deformities' that need mending. We are not reaching the local lost as we should. More effort would help. More money would help. Perhaps some of the blame could be traced to the leadership not finding enough meaningful work for us to do, but we have an acute deformity of having much of the BODY missing from our assemblies. (Last Sunday was a good and notable exception; may it be an inspiration to us). The rest of the body that attend worship misses you, and senses a very real emptiness when you are away. Some parts of the body are carrying a disproportionate part of the load because of those 'bent legs' who do not carry their own part.
The only ones we have to look to, as we face a new year, are ourselves and God. Somebody has to care enough. Somebody has to be the one. We should ask a question: "Would it might as well be me?" It might as well be me!
A series of operations reformed limbs and repaired facial and other deformities, till at last the little girl had a healthy and pretty body. Needless to say, the process was a trial of ordeal and expense.
One day, came a casual question from a friend, "Why on earth did you put yourself through such an ordeal when you could have had a healthy baby by waiting a while?"
The proud mother replied, "Well, somebody had to love her, and I decided it might as well be me."
Here at Forest Hill we still have some 'deformities' that need mending. We are not reaching the local lost as we should. More effort would help. More money would help. Perhaps some of the blame could be traced to the leadership not finding enough meaningful work for us to do, but we have an acute deformity of having much of the BODY missing from our assemblies. (Last Sunday was a good and notable exception; may it be an inspiration to us). The rest of the body that attend worship misses you, and senses a very real emptiness when you are away. Some parts of the body are carrying a disproportionate part of the load because of those 'bent legs' who do not carry their own part.
The only ones we have to look to, as we face a new year, are ourselves and God. Somebody has to care enough. Somebody has to be the one. We should ask a question: "Would it might as well be me?" It might as well be me!
"False Start and Dead End" (1/31/1983)
So you have come up against a dead end. All efforts seem to have come to zero. What now?
First of all, it almost seems to be a rule of life that one come up against the insurmountable if he is to ever amount to much! There seems to be time in life for most successful people that they have had to do the impossible before the possible.
You are in good company. Laban tried to cheat Jacob out of his labor, then Jacob has to face an angry, powerful Esau when he went back to Palestine. But he made it.
Joseph, unlike his father, never knowingly did anything to deserve being sold into slavery, nor did he deserve being thrown in prison, but, ultimately he triumphed as the prime minster.
Moses at age forty goofed it big and was chased as he fled the palace of Egypt to live on the back side of Sinai herding sheep as his wife's husband. But, it was also moses who returned and led God's people out of bondage of Egypt.
David was annointed to be king over Israel while still a boy. But, instead of becoming king, he was chased by Saul out over the Judean hills like a wild partridge for 20 years. He almost despaired of life, let alone becoming king. But, in God's good time he was literally placed on the throne without so much as lifting a finger!
Peter. Ah, Peter! he was so far down he could only look up after denying Jesus. Then how about Naomi and Ruth? Ruth, the little pagan took the quiet meek role to eternal fame. Cheer up! Any direction is up when you are on your back! BL
First of all, it almost seems to be a rule of life that one come up against the insurmountable if he is to ever amount to much! There seems to be time in life for most successful people that they have had to do the impossible before the possible.
You are in good company. Laban tried to cheat Jacob out of his labor, then Jacob has to face an angry, powerful Esau when he went back to Palestine. But he made it.
Joseph, unlike his father, never knowingly did anything to deserve being sold into slavery, nor did he deserve being thrown in prison, but, ultimately he triumphed as the prime minster.
Moses at age forty goofed it big and was chased as he fled the palace of Egypt to live on the back side of Sinai herding sheep as his wife's husband. But, it was also moses who returned and led God's people out of bondage of Egypt.
David was annointed to be king over Israel while still a boy. But, instead of becoming king, he was chased by Saul out over the Judean hills like a wild partridge for 20 years. He almost despaired of life, let alone becoming king. But, in God's good time he was literally placed on the throne without so much as lifting a finger!
Peter. Ah, Peter! he was so far down he could only look up after denying Jesus. Then how about Naomi and Ruth? Ruth, the little pagan took the quiet meek role to eternal fame. Cheer up! Any direction is up when you are on your back! BL
"Through the Window of a Soul" (3/2/1975)
While I preached in Brownwood, the city built a huge new domed stadium whose beautiful concrete dome, weighing millions of pounds, was poured entirely on the ground and jacked up into place. Sidewalk superintendents clucked their tongues, "They'll never get 'er up." When the dome was up into place, the observations changed, "She'll never stay there!" That's the stance a disturbing, if somewhat small, number of brethren over the country have taken about the missionary work in India. Some not only do not support it, but for some cock-eyed reason feel they should find fault with it to others. Because we have a lot of good supporters outside this local congregation, most of what is said here is for outside consumption.
I had a part in setting the Lockney Church, Box 343, Lockney, Tx., 79241, involved in the attempt to evangelize part of India. Therefore I feel responsible to them to help them in any way I can in their efforts. For months now they and I have been talking about the possibility of my return to India to try and help out in the preachers school they are founding. Last Thursday, Feb. 20, 1975, they called me telling me that once again Rolland McLean had run into visa problems, even on a tourist basis. That meant that, as a standby I was to get ready as soon as possible. I had prayed numerous and fervent prayers that Rolland would get to go. He did not.
I had a part in setting the Lockney Church, Box 343, Lockney, Tx., 79241, involved in the attempt to evangelize part of India. Therefore I feel responsible to them to help them in any way I can in their efforts. For months now they and I have been talking about the possibility of my return to India to try and help out in the preachers school they are founding. Last Thursday, Feb. 20, 1975, they called me telling me that once again Rolland McLean had run into visa problems, even on a tourist basis. That meant that, as a standby I was to get ready as soon as possible. I had prayed numerous and fervent prayers that Rolland would get to go. He did not.
LIKE A FICKLE LOVER
Now, loving the Hill much as I do, and desiring to take advantage of new evangelism opportunities that have lately arisen here, I reluctantly announce that I am booked for passage to India on March 10. I feel fickle, even guilty for hinting that the Hill could come second to anything, but, you see, as far back as the late 1950's I was praying for a place in the ministry, which finally did materialize in late 1961. Most men, I thought, receive overwhelming opportunities that demand their taking. But not me. I had only real good qualification--I desired to preach--more than anything in the world. I prayed, "Lord, just use me. I will go anywhere you tell me, any time you tell me, for any reason you tell me." And I have not been able to find a way to get out of that vow! So, you can see, my commitment is unto God, and not to any man or group of men, and never shall it be. You are seeing deeper into my soul than I like for people to see. But, I feel a need to let you know some of the compulsions that drive me.
I wish I could stand before you boldly and confidently declaring, "This is God's doing, and because it is, he will attend our efforts with glorious success." "This is going to be the start of an evangelism explosion." But I cannot. Does that sound weak? If it does sound weak, it is because I know that such characters as Abrahm went out "Not knowing where he was going." Or Paul would later be saying that he did not know what lay before, except that there was trial and hardship. But the fact is, though we believe this has to be God's will, and will act as though we know it is, it is still by faith we walk, and not sight. I have no way of knowing that this entire effort will not fly back in my face like spittle in the wind, then the skeptics can add, "I tried to tell you" to their forecasts of gloom. They enjoy it devilishly. So, since I cannot forecast this will be a successful mission, I simply ask your prayers and those of your praying friends. God, thankfully, does not hold us responsible for results, he only holds us responsible for the trying.
To make this as painless as possible for Forest Hill, we ask only one material consideration. We would like the use of your home for those three months. We will pay you for its use. If it is the concensus of the congregation that you have had too much of this, and you want another, we will understand. In the event you want us to have another go at it, we will thankfully begin again--with renewed zeal. We just now have all the things we need for for revival. We do have several new prospects now.
I wish to say kindly, but without equivocation that I will not argue the merits of the mission in India with anyone. For Jesus himeslf went to those who were desolate and hopeless. That's India today. I have to honestly say that I will insult the integrity of any supposedly mature Christian who denies we have a responsibility to the unsaved. I believe those who refuse to look upon the WHITE fields of harvest have, for all practical purpose, denied the faith. And nothing this side of eternity can change that frame of mind. To those who proclaim, "I have a responsibility to the man across the street first," I answer with a hearty, "Amen". What are you doing about it.
"English Spoken Here" (no date given)
"...let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God." (I John 4:7)
There are parts of the world that one can go where one seldom finds anybody who speaks English. If it is on the well beaten tourist path there will be an occasional shop that has a sign in front, "English Spoken here." (When I was hunting elastic socks for Ruby Nell when she had nearly broken both ankles in Rome, one would have been handy.)
But it is said that there is a church in South Carolina with a new twist on the phraseology, with a sign in the front yard, "LOVE SPOKEN HERE". Ah, what an oasis! A place where a kind word and a pat on the shoulder might be expected. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if there was one of those signs on every block of the city?
We have one, but it is hidden behind the bricks. One has to hunt for it. That sign speaks to the deepest need of the human heart. The child, the farmer, the doctor, the educator, the blacksmith, the mother, the father, the candlestick-maker. We all wither and die without it. Sometimes, if we can only find someone who will love us as we are, warts, freckles, calluses and all, it helps make the difference of faltering and carrying on.
We do not grow up full grown into loving persons over night. Even a tomato has to have time to grow. To be sure, being a loving person starts with a desire to be that kind, and with special grace of God. But the development comes with day by day by day work.
BL
There are parts of the world that one can go where one seldom finds anybody who speaks English. If it is on the well beaten tourist path there will be an occasional shop that has a sign in front, "English Spoken here." (When I was hunting elastic socks for Ruby Nell when she had nearly broken both ankles in Rome, one would have been handy.)
But it is said that there is a church in South Carolina with a new twist on the phraseology, with a sign in the front yard, "LOVE SPOKEN HERE". Ah, what an oasis! A place where a kind word and a pat on the shoulder might be expected. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if there was one of those signs on every block of the city?
We have one, but it is hidden behind the bricks. One has to hunt for it. That sign speaks to the deepest need of the human heart. The child, the farmer, the doctor, the educator, the blacksmith, the mother, the father, the candlestick-maker. We all wither and die without it. Sometimes, if we can only find someone who will love us as we are, warts, freckles, calluses and all, it helps make the difference of faltering and carrying on.
We do not grow up full grown into loving persons over night. Even a tomato has to have time to grow. To be sure, being a loving person starts with a desire to be that kind, and with special grace of God. But the development comes with day by day by day work.
BL
" ----one life to give." (11/2/1980)
The blood of Nathan Hale hallows the ground upon which the United Nations buildings set. How it would have thrilled that noble soul to have know that one day his blood would be vindicated by the establishing of that symbol of the quest for peace among men. That man who regretted that "I have but one life to give for my country" has been vindicated. His name reverbrated throughout every history class further than the eye could see, and his kind dictated that such a development, however feeble, must come about.
When you go to vote, you are doing more than voting for a man. You are doing more than voting for a party! You are ratifying history! You are saying, "Thanks" to every last one of those heroes who laid down his or her life in the name and on the altar of freedom. "Thank you for caring enough to give the very best--your life."
Freedom is such a fragile thing. All it takes for it to irretrievably die is for good men and women to do nothing. All we have to do is take it for granted and it will go away--be snatched from us.
In the lifetime of this writer we have been called upon to offer everything upon the altar of freedom. He and his compatriots were the first Americans to be called to such distant lands that we could oft times not spell the names of the places we were. One out of every four of those boys that I played with in school spilled his blood and lost his life on foreign soil. Others were permanently maimed in body and mind. Our freedom was so direly threatened that each of us thought the risk was worth it. We came near not preserving it.
Now, the question that is raised here is, if these were willing to make that supreme sacrifice that they handed to you to enjoy in these ensuing thirty-five years, is that freedom so common--is it so little valued that you feel no compulsion to get out and show your thanks to God and to them? You can register your thank you by exercising your privilege at that hallowed hall--your voting place. Please.
B. Loe
When you go to vote, you are doing more than voting for a man. You are doing more than voting for a party! You are ratifying history! You are saying, "Thanks" to every last one of those heroes who laid down his or her life in the name and on the altar of freedom. "Thank you for caring enough to give the very best--your life."
Freedom is such a fragile thing. All it takes for it to irretrievably die is for good men and women to do nothing. All we have to do is take it for granted and it will go away--be snatched from us.
In the lifetime of this writer we have been called upon to offer everything upon the altar of freedom. He and his compatriots were the first Americans to be called to such distant lands that we could oft times not spell the names of the places we were. One out of every four of those boys that I played with in school spilled his blood and lost his life on foreign soil. Others were permanently maimed in body and mind. Our freedom was so direly threatened that each of us thought the risk was worth it. We came near not preserving it.
Now, the question that is raised here is, if these were willing to make that supreme sacrifice that they handed to you to enjoy in these ensuing thirty-five years, is that freedom so common--is it so little valued that you feel no compulsion to get out and show your thanks to God and to them? You can register your thank you by exercising your privilege at that hallowed hall--your voting place. Please.
B. Loe
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