MONDAY MOMENTS

Southern Indiana Amish

2011-05-29T05:33:00.001-05:00

Southern Indiana Amish

Southern Indiana has some of the most beautiful farmland in the country. And where there are good farms you will usually find the Amish. While visiting in this area we visited the Gasthof Amish Village for a remarkable lunch. Their 92 acres include a hotel, a restaurant, antiques and craft shops, and access to a 25 acre lake.

When we arrived it was sprinkling, and first stopped at a building with things from yesteryears. Because of our hunger, we viewed this building but for a short few minutes and moved over to where the restaurant was.

The large buffet with the authentic Amish recipes prepared by Amish women was fantastic and worth the trip. The meal is served in a rustic building, constructed by Amish carpenters in traditional mortise-tenon joints and pegs style, using Indiana oak and poplar timber. Their bakery had fresh homemade pies, bread, noodles, cookies and cakes every day.

The gift shop has locally produced Amish crafts and food. And the lodging and meeting facilities offered a distinctive banquet and retreat space for most any kind of group.

A visit here will give you the experience of a blend of Amish history and heritage found only at Gasthof Amish Village.

Amish tradition is alive and well in the growing Amish community of Daviess County, Indiana. Theirs is a story of tradition and faith; of family and time-honored values, with roots running deep into the very soil that sustains them.

The young Amish girl who waited on us told us that just north of the village were at many Amish homes, farms and businesses. She gave us a map of many in the area. After leaving we decided that we would drive into this area and to our amazement saw many buggies and men working in the fields.

We also found a store owned by an old order Amish family with many Amish coming in to buy. This was a very interesting experience as we assimilated it with people of another culture.

Many Amish consider themselves to be of the Anabaptist religion, a group which participated in the Christian reformation. Originating from the teachings of Menno Simmons of the Mennonite faith, the Amish parted ways with the Mennonites in the 17th century.

The history of the Amish in this area is very interesting and I will share some of the things I learned. An Amish gentleman at the store and I struck up a conversation, whose his name was Wagler, which is a common name in this area. History reveals that Eli Wagler, an Amish preacher in Daviess County, holds fast to his Amish roots and is considered a kind of historian of this community. “The Amish grew out of the Anabaptist religion,” said Wagler. “We believe in a simple life; we have little use for the modern technology and conveniences used outside of our community.” He added that the Amish school of thought also promotes the separation of church and state, and dictates standards regarding clothing and method of worship.

According to Wagler, ancestors of Daviess County’s original Amish settlers came from Canada to settle in Northern Indiana in the early 19th century. In this 20 square mile area is now home to some 7,000 Amish people living a mostly Old Order Amish life. Names like Stoll, Graber and Wagler are common in the community and they can trace their ancestors back to France, Switzerland and other areas of Europe in the 19th century and earlier. However, another lady of whom I conversed said she was Mennonite and not Old Order. Only the color of her dress and prayer covering was different.

Amish families observe a strict adherence to not conducting business on Sunday. Church services are held in different Amish homes twice monthly and use a liturgy that is centuries old. Along with churches and businesses, Amish schools are scattered about the community to serve its educational needs. Students study in private Amish schools through the eighth grade. The Amish of Daviess County treasure their German heritage, with German often the first language learned by many Amish children.

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” -Isaiah 58:12 (KJV)

No Sunday this week

2011-03-06T07:38:00.002-06:00

WHERE DID SUNDAY GO?

The most remote area of the world I've ever visited was an island known as the Republic of Kiribati. Six years ago my wife and I arrived on this island that had no electricity, no running water, and no sanitation. The people were unaware of most advances in the world.

Kiribati lies 228 miles north of the equator. That's 153 miles northwest of Christmas Island, 260 miles a little east and north from Jarvis Island, 75 miles southeast of Washington Island, and 200 miles southeast of Palmyra Island. That didn't help you with its location, did it?

Try this. The first dawn over land to begin our new Millennium just 11 years ago, was to break near remote Dibble Glacier in icy Antarctica at 12:08 a.m. local time, but Kiribati was to be the first country to witness the sunrise of the third Millennium at 5:43 a.m. on January 1, 2000.

Sometime on Saturday, a group of people on the ship learned that I was a minister and asked me to conduct Sunday services. I made the necessary preparations. When we arrived for service, I was surprised to see the island was filled with activity by the local population, but the church was empty. The problem? We had crossed the International dateline the night before. That was the first time in my 70 years that I lost a Sunday because we had docked on Monday.

After a day on the island, we started our trip back northward and re-crossed the date line. We left on Monday and the next day we had another Monday. It appeared unusual as I recorded in my notebook the notes of my journey: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Monday, etc. But, no Sunday! A day I will never regain. However, they did get a Sunday service. But it was on Monday.

Since I have traveled much of the world, I have a hobby of always mailing myself a card. So on Sept. 26, 2004 I mailed it with a Kiribati stamp, but did not receive it until Feb. 26, 2005. That means it took 153 days or just over five months to arrive to me in Farmington, Missouri where I now live.

This caused me to remember that every day passes and what we have done cannot be redone or relived. This should remind us that we should live everyday like there is not going to be a next day.

Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.”

The Lord’s Prayer below is in the language of these little islands add to the remoteness of this area of the world:
Tamara are i karawa, a na tabuaki aram. E na roko ueam: E na tauaki am taeka i aon te aba n ai aron tauana i karawa. Ko na añanira karara ae ti a tau iai n te boñ aei. Ao ko na kabara ara buakaka mairoura n ai arora ñkai ti kabara te buakaka mairouia akana ioawa nako ira. Ao tai kairira nakon to kaririaki, ma ko na kamaiuira man to buakaka; ba ambai te uea, ao te maka, ae to neboaki, n aki toki. Amene.

Dreams Still Exist

2011-02-27T20:05:00.003-06:00

Dreams still exist

Returning to Ohio has afforded me the opportunity to see many of my dreams started in the decade of the 70's, not only continuing, but many times larger than when I left.

One such event is the annual Minister’s and Laymen retreat started in 1975 where a small group of 45 attended at Big Prairie at an older winterized camping facility. Our speakers were Henry Van Kluve, Herman Hersey and Roy Thomas. The latter two have moved on to their reward, but I remember this meeting well. Men from our Akron church prepared the meals and the services were in an informal fashion, but it was the beginning of something that would bring our men together. And it has!

This year this continuing event, now called Ohio Men’s Retreat, had 518 (Shown Above) who attended at Heartland Retreat Center in Marengo, Ohio.

Over these 35 years this retreat has had great speakers and continued growth. It grew steadily in those early years until 1993 when I moved on. To say the least, God has honored this

yearly event.

I am so thankful that my successor, Rev. Edwin Hayes, has had the remarkable growth he continues to have.

This event is made up mainly by Christian laymen from every stratus of employment

-Bankers, Insurance executives, plant employees, ministers and down to bikers and those retired. But since everyone is casual no one knows the others role in life, but that his spiritual responsibility is the same before the Lord.

For 18 years I have been away from Ohio and was amazed at the new retreat facilities that house this growing group. As in times past the preaching and music were fabulous creating a closeness of all the men and bringing an in-depth inventory of their spiritual condition.

The speakers this year were both friends of mine and for whom I have great respect. This made me want to go even more.

The speakers were the Rev. Henry Horne, a native of North Carolina, who attended Bob Jones University and Free Will Baptist Bible College. In 1987 he became the Pastor of Union Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Chocowinity, North Carolina, where he has served the past 23 years. He has had a remarkable ministry at this church.

Dr. Danny Dwyer has been pastor of the Cramerton Free Will Baptist Church (North Carolina) since 2004. He holds a B.A. from FWB Bible College, a M.A. and PhD from Columbia Pacific University. Dr. Dwyer is a founding board member of Southeastern Free Will Baptist College. Not only have I known them for a long time, I have also had the privilege of speaking in both their churches. Their ministries have been fruitful ones giving them the credibility to be heard.

Even though my health was weak, I called my son and asked him to go and he prepared by leaving his successful insurance business to take me. We were both blessed.

These services were filled with many surprises. One was the testimony of Jose Luis Rivera, a former light heavyweight champion of the world, who gave his testimony at the retreat.

Jose Luis Rivera grew up in the Cleveland FWB Church. He started boxing when he was very young, becoming the light heavy weight champion of Ohio and then world champion. What a great 18 minutes of acknowledgement this was. To hear his commitment to Christ was well received after being introduced by my lifelong friend, Robert Pritchard of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Cleveland where I have spoken countless times. Likewise, I have served with him in state leadership roles for many years.

At the last nights service, the Executive Secretary requested every group gather together in their room and discuss the retreat and what it had done in changing their lives.

As I entered one of the two large rooms where the men of our church slept, I immediately noticed the soberness of the occasion. As I sat down, looked over and noted a retired banker friend of mine as he gave his testimony. Another, an insurance agent responded and wept pleading with God to help he and his family. An engineer expressed his nearness to Christ because of the meeting, while a commercial painter was filled with the goodness of God. Thereafter, in a spontaneous review, many stated their blessings and later many began to reveal their spiritual needs and asked each to pray for them.

What a blessing for me to listen and feel these responses and what the retreat was to them.

Yes, what was started years ago has grown to endear the hearts of these men who return year after year and bring new men every year to share in His abundant grace. And this is because everyone knows he will one day meet a righteous God.

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”-- (Ruth 2:12)

Largest Pottery in the United States

2011-02-20T16:30:00.002-06:00

Our Senior group takes monthly trips and our leader has always come up with usual place to visit.

Recently we visit the largest remaining pottery plant in the U.S. A. It is in Zaneville, Ohio which was among the first areas of the nation’s interior to be settled in the late 1700’s following the Revolutionary War. The Ohio River Valley was a path for early pioneers and a birthplace for pottery given its accessible water transportation and availability of essential raw materials, clay and sand.

Ohio’s pioneer farmers, construction of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and the production of pottery shaped Zanesville, a river town founded in 1797. Zanesville’s pottery industry grew out of necessity, the pioneer farmers’ need for inexpensive containers and tableware, made possible by rich local clay and sand deposits. Watertight containers were necessary to transport crops, grains, and other farm products up the Ohio & Erie Canal destined to the eastern markets of Philadelphia and New York, and as far south as New Orleans.

By 1850 as many as 41 potteries owned my farmers were producing in the Muskingum County area, at which time full-time commercial pottery manufactures began to emerge.

During the early 20th century, the Industrial Revolution took hold of Zanesville, coal-fired steam operations developed, electricity became available and the ceramics industry grew. Factories producing all types of household stoneware products grew rapidly, feeding a consumer demand across the nation.

Hartstone was first produced in 1976 in Chatham, New Jersey. Pat and Sharon Hart’s goal was to create beautiful, handcrafted quality articles for the preparation and presentation of food. Hartstone’s first product was the stoneware cookie mold. This product allowed home cooks to create beautifully shaped, three-dimensional cookies. The Hartstone cookie molds were an instant hit, and Hartstone grew quickly.

In 1983 Mr. Hart moved his manufacturing facility to Zanesville, Ohio because of its known pottery heritage and the availability of a facility to expand his growing business. In 1983, Hartstone began producing hand-decorated gift and tableware. As with the cookie molds, this segment of the business grew quickly and now makes up the majority of Hartstone sales.

Hartstone Pottery now operates in a building that was once operated by the JB Owens Pottery
Company, built in 1902. This beautiful old post-and-beam building, fleeced in brick, shows the scars of many alterations, including that of fire.

In the mid-1990s, the Harts sold the business to Carlisle Home Products, USA, Inc. Carlisle operated the business for approximately eight and a half years. Carlisle stopped plant production in the spring of 2005, and most factory employees found themselves without jobs.

In June, 2005, the pottery was reborn. A group of investors from Zanesville and other locales around the country, having heard the story of Hartstone, and recognizing the plight of its employees, negotiated with Carlisle for the purchase of the 12 acre pottery and all of its equipment. In the next few days rehired former employees, restarted the manufacturing processes, and reopened the on-site factory store where people can buy their pottery at reasonable prices.

Within days, loyal Hartstone customers returned to the factory store, some of them just wanting to share their enthusiasm about the reopening of a treasured landmark.

Today, one company with 1100 stores keeps the company busy producing for them along many other stores purchasing as well.

Our group enjoyed this trip and so did I.

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. --Proverbs 17:3 (KJV)

Ashlawn Home of James Monroe

2011-01-30T13:46:00.002-06:00

Since we had visited the home of James Madison the previous time we were in the area. We decided that we would visit the home of James Monroe. Of the three presidential homes in this area, it seems to be the house that is the least impressive.

Also located near Charlottesville, Virginia, and adjacent to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is the estate of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. Purchased in 1793, Monroe and his family permanently settled on the property in 1799 and lived for twenty-four years. Personal debt forced Monroe to sell the plantation in 1825.

President Monroe simply called his home "Highland." It did not acquire the additional name of "Ash Lawn" until after his death.

Encouraged by his close friend, Thomas Jefferson, Monroe purchased a deed for one thousand acres of land adjacent to Monticello in 1793 for an equal number of pounds from the Carter family. The land formerly had been a part of the Blenheim Plantation owned by Champe Carter. In 1800, Monroe described his home as: "One wooden dwelling house, the walls filled with brick. One story high, 40 by 30 ft. Wooden Wing one storey high, 34 by 18 ft."

Following I am including some of the history of this estate.

Over the next 16 years, Monroe continued to add on to his home, adding stone cellars and a second story to the building. He also expanded his land holdings, which at their greatest included over 3,500 acres However, by 1815, Monroe increasingly turned to selling his land to pay for debt. By 1825, he was forced to sell his home and the property.

Edward O. Goodwin purchased Highland from Monroe at twenty dollars an acre and often referred to the property as "North Blenheim." At the time of the purchase, Monroe described Highland as containing: "a commodious dwelling house, buildings for servants and other domestic purposes, good stables, two barns with threshing machine, a grist and sawmill with houses for managers and laborers . . . all in good repair."

Goodwin sold the house and six hundred acres in 1834 and it was sold again in 1837 to Alexander Garrett. Garrett gave the property its second name which remained with it to the present day, "Ash Lawn." Over the course of thirty years, Ash Lawn–Highland was sold numerous times until 1867, when John Massey purchased it. It remained in the possession of the Massey family for the next sixty-seven years. In that time period, the family added to the house, whereupon it took on its present day appearance.

Ash Lawn–Highland was sold for the last time in 1930 to philanthropist Jay Winston Johns of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Johns family soon after opened the house to public tours and upon his death in 1974, Johns willed the property to James Monroe's alma mater, the College of William and Mary.

This house seems to be more remote than the other two presidents, but I am glad I can say we visited it. The drive is a few mile farther for the Jefferson house but was a beautiful route.

While another couple, who travels with us often, viewed the interior of the house, I soon departed the tour to sit down and later walked the grounds.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.-- John 14:2 (KJV)

Charlottesville is a Must see

2011-01-23T06:36:00.001-06:00

A trip to Charlottesville, Virginia offers you the opportunity to visit the homes of three early American Presidents, namely; James Madison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson. No one should ever visit this area without taking two or three days just to visit the homes and plantations.

This was my second trip to the area, and we had planned to stay at a local hotel near the University of Virginia so we would be able to see this unusual city and the beautiful surroundings.

The first day we took an intimate look at the extraordinary house Thomas Jefferson built and furnished for himself and his family. The guided house tour covers the rooms on Monticello’s first floor and lasts about 30 minutes. The entrance hall contains recreations of items collected by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition. The floor cloth here is painted a "true grass green" upon the recommendation of artist Gilbert Stuart in order for Jefferson's 'essay in architecture' to invite the spirit of the outdoors into the house. Your admission ticket also includes access to the grounds and two optional outdoor guided tours, of the Plantation Community and of the Gardens and Grounds, which are offered daily. The main house was augmented by small outlying pavilions to the north and south. A row of functional buildings (dairy, wash houses, store houses, a small nail factory, a joinery etc.) and slave dwellings known as Mulberry Row lay nearby to the south. A stone weaver's cottage survives, as do the tall chimney of the joinery, and the foundations of other buildings. A cabin on Mulberry Row was, for a time, the home of Sally Hemings; she later moved into a room in the "south dependency" below the main house. On the slope below Mulberry Row Jefferson maintained an extensive vegetable garden. The house was the center of a plantation of 5,000 acres tended by some 150 slaves.

It is a historical site and was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia. Because of his importance in our early history, this place is a must see.

It is situated on the summit of an 850-foot peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap. Its name comes from the Italian "little mountain."

Work began on what historians would subsequently refer to as "the first Monticello" in 1768. Jefferson moved into the South Pavilion in 1770. Jefferson left Monticello in 1784 to serve as Minister of the United States to France. During his tenure in Europe, he had an opportunity to see some of the classical buildings with which he had become acquainted from his reading, as well as to discover the "modern" trends in French architecture that were then fashionable in Paris. His decision to remodel his own home may date from this period. In 1794, following his service as the first U.S. Secretary of State (1790–93), Jefferson began rebuilding his house based on the ideas he had acquired in Europe. The remodeling continued throughout most of his presidency (1801–09).

Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, and Monticello was inherited by his eldest daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph. Financial difficulties led to Martha selling Monticello to James T. Barclay, a local apothecary, in 1831. Barclay sold it in 1834 to Uriah P. Levy, the first Jewish American to serve an entire career as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Levy greatly admired Jefferson. During the American Civil War, the house was seized by the Confederate government and sold, though Uriah Levy's estate recovered it after the war.

Let me mention a few tid-bits you may have forgotten. An image of the west front of Monticello has been featured on the reverse of the nickel minted since 1938 (with a brief interruption in 2004 and 2005).

Monticello also appeared on the reverse of the two-dollar bill from 1928 to 1966, when the bill was discontinued. The current bill was introduced in 1976 and retains Jefferson's portrait on the obverse but replaced Monticello on the reverse with an engraved modified reproduction of John Trumbull's painting Declaration of Independence instead. The gift shop at Monticello hands out two-dollar bills as change.

Monticello, the only private home in the United States, along with the nearby University of Virginia, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

This stop is always a highlight for me due to its historical significance.

Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places. Job 25:2 (KJV)

Oldest Church in America

2011-01-16T13:17:00.002-06:00

I love to visit old churches and learn there was one in Hampton near us. We set the GPS and soon found St. John’s Church, alleged as the oldest English-speaking parish in America, founded in 1610. The church of St. John’s is a 1728 worship building displaying beautiful colonial brickwork. It celebrated its 400th anniversary along with the City of Hampton, Virginia in 2010.

English settlers from Jamestown established a community and church on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula on July 9, 1610, one month after Lord De La Warr arrived at Jamestown with supplies that effectively ended the Starving Time in that settlement. This new settlement was named Kecoughtan after the Algonquian Native Americans living in the area.

Excavations in the Church Creek area of Hampton indicate that the earliest English settlements were near present-day LaSalle and Chesapeake Avenues. The first minister of the new parish was the Reverend William Mease who was appointed by the Bishop of London to lead the church at Kecoughtan. A historical marker on LaSalle Ave marks the approximate location of the first site.

In 1619 the settlement was renamed Elizabeth City. By 1623 the town had re-established itself east of Hampton River, where the second church of Elizabeth City parish was built. The site is included within the grounds of what is now Hampton University. Abandoned in 1667 after a third church was built, the foundations of the second church were discovered in 1910. It was a small wooden structure to which a vestibule was added later. Today, the original foundations and some of the brick floor have been excavated and can be seen at the second site, along with information, conjectural paintings, and a historical marker. Artifacts found during the excavation are on display in the St. John's Parish House museum.

The third building of the parish was constructed more than a mile to the west of the second church at "Westwood’s Town Quarter", indicating that there was growth of the town on the west side of Hampton River. Like the previous structure, it was made of wood and was of similar size. This building continued in use for about 60 years. The site is located off West Pembroke Avenue east of LaSalle Avenue and features a historical marker, building foundations outlined by bricks, several 17th and 18th-century gravestones, and a protective brick wall.

In the early 18th Century, activity centered about the busy port which has become downtown Hampton. The parishioners petitioned the Governor for permission to relocate their place of worship closer to the population center. It was granted, and construction of the fourth church on one and one half acre on the outskirts of Hampton began. Henry Cary, Jr. of Williamsburg completed the present cruciform building in 1728. A belfry was added to the west front in 1762. The building was damaged in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. After full restoration, on Saturday, 6 March 1830, Bishop Richard Channing Moore, Bishop of Virginia, consecrated the church with its new name St. John's.

The building was damaged again during the Civil War on 7 August 1861. In an attempt to keep the town from Union occupation, Confederate soldiers set fire to homes, businesses and the church. The great bell was destroyed, and only the blackened walls remained by the time Union soldiers occupied the town and camped in the churchyard. As a result of the fire, St. John's is the only surviving colonial structure in downtown Hampton. Restoration was finished around 1869/1870. Although the exterior's colonial appearance was restored, the interior reflects the late 19th-century Victorian influence. Early in the 20th century, the rear tower was added, the west gallery was built in 1957, the chapel completed in 1985, and the current manual tracker organ installed in 1993.

The 1618 Communion Silver used today has the longest history of continuous use in America of any English church silver. The pieces were brought from England in 1619 and used in a church founded in 1618 located in Smith's Hundred in Virginia, which lay in the point between the Chickahominy and the James Rivers, eight miles northwest of Jamestown. The church was nearly destroyed in the Indian Massacre of 22 March 1622. The silver was carried by Governor George Yeardley to Jamestown and afterward, approximately 1628, given to the second Elizabeth City Church, which had just been built. St. John's continues to use communion silver on special occasions. The chalice has inscribed the London date-letter for 1618-1619 and the text THE COMMVNION CVPP FOR SNT MARYS CHVRCH IN SMITHS HVNDRED IN VIRGINIA. There are two patens with the same London date-letter. The first paten has the inscription Whosoever shall eate this bread and drinke the cupp of the Lord/unworthily shalbe gilty of the body & blood of ye Lord Cor Ixith. The second paten has written If any man eate of this Bread he shall live for ever John VIth.

In 1887 the Native American students from the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute made a stained glass window depicting the baptism of Pocahontas for their Church, although Pocahontas was not baptized there.

On the chapel wall to the left as you face the main altar is an Aumbry. The door panel consists of pieces of the 13th century stained glass from St. Helena Church, Willoughby Parish, Lincolnshire County, United Kingdom - the parish in which Captain John Smith was baptized. The panel was presented to the St. John's Parish by the rector of Willoughby St. Helena on Sunday, 14 July 1985, as part of St. John's 375th anniversary celebration.

We arrived at the church too late to enter into it, which was a disappointment to me. The ladies decided to remain in the car while my traveling buddy, Jim Lowe, and I walked into the graveyard that surrounded the church. The oldest grave site I saw the person was buried in 1701.

After getting back to the resort we were staying I gathered much of the facts for what I have recorded above.

It was indeed an eventful day for us.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:5 (KJV)

Fort Monroe

2011-01-10T17:29:00.000-06:00

Because of our interest in Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis we stopped at the old and famous fortress called Fort Monroe.
Fort Monroe is a Hampton, Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula. Along with Fort Calhoun, later renamed Fort Wool, it guarded approach by sea of the navigational shipping channel between the Chesapeake Bay and the entrance to the harbor of Hampton Roads, which itself is formed by the confluence of the Elizabeth River, the Nansemond River, and the James River, the longest in Virginia.
In the earliest days of the Colony of Virginia, the site was identified as a strategic defensive location. In May of 1607, they established the first permanent English settlement in the present-day United States about 25 miles further inland from the Bay along the James River at Jamestown. The land area where Fort Monroe is located became part of Elizabeth City in 1619, Elizabeth River Shire in 1634, and was included in Elizabeth City County when it was formed in 1643. Over 300 years later, in 1952, Elizabeth City County and Fort Monroe's neighbor, the nearby Town of Phoebus, agreed to consolidate with the smaller independent city of Hampton, which became one of the larger cities of Hampton Roads.
Beginning by 1609, fortifications had been established at Old Point Comfort during Virginia's first two centuries. However, the much more substantial facility of stone to become known as Fort Monroe were completed in 1834. The principal facility was named in honor of U.S. President James Monroe.
Robert E. Lee also served here, married here, and had their first son here. The quarters occupied by 1st Lt. Robert E. Lee in 1831–34, and the quarters where President Abraham Lincoln was a guest in May, 1862 are still in use as military family housing.
During the Civil War, Fort Monroe was quickly reinforced so that it would not fall to Confederate forces. In cooperation with the Navy, troops from Fort Monroe extended Union control along the coasts of the Carolinas. Several land operations against Confederate forces also were mounted from the fort, notably the battle of Big Bethel in June 1861, Major General George McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign of 1862 and the siege of Suffolk in 1863. In 1864 the Army of the James was formed at Fort Monroe. Fort Monroe is also the place at which Major General Benjamin Butler made his famous “contraband” decision, by which escaping slaves reaching Union lines would not be returned to bondage.
Throughout the American Civil War, although most of Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, Fort Monroe remained in Union hands. It became notable as a historic and symbolic site of early freedom for former slaves under the provisions of contraband policies and later the Emancipation Proclamation.
After the last Confederate cabinet meeting was held on April 26, 1865, at Charlotte, North Carolina, Jefferson Davis was captured at Irwinville, Georgia, and placed under arrest. He was briefly confined in an unheated, open casemate until the Union Surgeon John J. Craven recommended more humane care for Mr. Davis. General Nelson A. Miles approved changes and even moved Mr. Davis to more hospitable quarters. He was held at Fort Monroe for two years.
In poor health, Davis was released in May, 1867, on bail, which was posted by prominent citizens of both Northern and Southern states, including Horace Greeley and Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had become convinced he was being treated unfairly. The federal government proceeded no further in its prosecution due to the constitutional concerns of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase.
Completely surrounded by a moat, the six-sided stone fort is the only one of its kind left in the United States that is still an active Army post. Fort Monroe is one of several posts selected to be closed by September 2011.
Not far from here was where one of the most notorious pirates to haunt Virginia waters, William Teach, better known as Blackbeard was found. Teach, like many other pirates, was attracted to the lower Chesapeake Bay by the lucrative Virginia-England tobacco trade. It was here at the sight in Hampton, Virginia, where Blackbeard's head had its final resting place.
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Deuteronomy 30:15 (KJV)

Famous grave yard in Richmond, Virginia

2011-01-01T08:58:00.001-06:00

Previously on our trip we had seen the gravesite of Thomas Jefferson, and I had already seen the burial place of James Madison, therefore, a visit to the Hollywood cemetery was something we had looked forward to from the very beginning of our trip.

From the offset I was surprised of the beauty of this place because the Hollywood Cemetery is a large, sprawling cemetery located in Richmond, Virginia. Characterized by rolling hills and winding paths overlooking the James River, it is the resting place of two United States Presidents, James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as the only Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis. It is also the resting place of 25 Confederate generals, more than any other cemetery in the country. Included are George Pickett, Fitzhugh Lee and J.E.B. Stuart. I had especially wanted to see the gravesite of Jeb Stuart. Since I had gone to school with some of his descendents whose name was also J.E.B. Stuart. He also had a brother named Billy in the same high school with me in Arkansas. However I was impressed by the gravesites of all the Presidents and the Confederate section.

Founded in 1847, Hollywood is one of the oldest cemeteries in Richmond. Besides the Presidents, novelists James Branch Cabel, Ellen Glasgow, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers, 11,000 of them unknown, are a few examples of the historical figures buried here. Hollywood has the city's best view of the James River, and what a view of the river and city it was.

The monuments of CSA General George E. Pickett (of Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg) and his wife, Lasalle Corbell Pickett. Mrs. Pickett was relocated from an Arlington, Virginia mausoleum to Hollywood Cemetery in 1998. In announcing the move, the Richmond Times Dispatch said, "For the first time, a woman is to be buried in the soldier's section of Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. The wife of Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett will be buried in an area known as Gettysburg Hill, since casualties from the Battle of Gettysburg are buried there. Gen. Pickett earned fame during the Civil War for "Pickett's Charge" at Gettysburg, Pa., a crucial battle in 1863 that helped turn the tide of war in the Union's favor. At his death in 1875, 10 years after the war's end, Gen. Pickett asked to be buried among his men in his native Richmond."

The James Monroe's grave is particularly stunning as it is a cage of beautifully sculpted iron work that is like nothing I have ever seen before. Some of the stained glass is also worth coming to visit to see. Most notably, the tomb of famous Richmonder and philanthropist, Lewis Ginter is blessed with stained glass designed by famed Tiffany Studios.

The Cemetery was designed in the rural garden style, with its name, "Hollywood," coming from the holly trees dotting the hills of the property.

The Cemetery is one of Richmond's major tourist attractions and one can buy a book and map noting the location of where the famous are buried. There are many local legends surrounding certain tombs and grave sites in the cemetery, including one about a little girl and the black iron statue of a dog standing watch over her grave. Other notable legends rely on ghosts haunting the many mausoleums. One of the most well-known of these is the legend of the Richmond Vampire.

The first memorial in Richmond, Virginia to the Confederate soldiers, this 90 foot granite pyramid was completed in 1869 for 18,000 enlisted men buried there. Although it cost over twenty-five thousand dollars to erect, the pyramid was constructed without mortar, making the construction very dangerous.

In early 1862, CSA General James Longstreet suffered a serious personal loss when three of his children died of scarlet fever during an epidemic in Richmond. The children are buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

This cemetery was awe-inspiring in its vastness and history. We loved meandering through the streets and looking at the dates on the stones of the folks buried below us. The monoliths, headstones, crypts, tombstones - all in a vast array of design and size. Several times I was overwhelmed. We found the Confederate army section and many of the greats in history from the war.

Hollywood was one of the most fascinating sites we saw in Richmond.

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. -- Genesis 23:4 (KJV)

Yorktown a disappointment at first

2010-12-18T16:51:00.002-06:00

Attracted to my eyes was the tall Monument at Yorktown, celebrating victory in the American Revolutionary War. I later learned it had been installed in 1884.

Yorktown is situated along the York River in southeastern Virginia. Yorktown has several distinct areas. Yorktown Village or Historic Yorktown is set on the York River, near the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge that spans said river to reach Gloucester Point. The area of Yorktown is one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634. Yorktown, named for the ancient city of York in Yorkshire, Northern England, was founded in 1691 as a port for shipping tobacco to Europe. The lawyer Thomas Ballard was the principal founder of the city along with Joseph Ring. It was called "York" until after the American Revolutionary War, when the name "Yorktown" came into common use.

While I expected many old buildings due to its history, there were few. Historic Yorktown is comprised first of a small strip along the beach of the York River, Water Street, which contains several small restaurants, a park, a hotel, a pier, that has small shops and restaurants. These Shops and eateries make up the "Riverwalk" section on the waterfront and were opened May 2005. It was a delightful place to sit and view the area. One of the restaurants inside was a very good place where we ate.

From this vantage point we saw a cutter that had ported. A sign welcome us to board the ship and look through it at no cost. We discovered after boarding it was from Brazil and had sailed there after many days at sea.

Main Street sits above Water Street on a bluff, around which the architecture is almost exclusively original. The old court house, several small shops, the Nelson House, and the Yorktown Monument all sit along this road. Around the center of the town are residential streets. Also, architecturally of note is Grace Episcopal Church, situated on Church Street near the old courthouse of Yorktown. Colonial National Historical Park, which contains Yorktown National Battlefield and Yorktown National Cemetery, is located on the outskirts of the town. President's Park is a new attraction displaying large outdoor statues of the heads of each American President accompanied by biographical plaques.

However, the town is most famous as the site of the siege and subsequent surrender of General Cornwallis to General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. Although it would last for another year, this British defeat at Yorktown effectively ended the war. It was the base of British General Charles Cornwallis during the 1781 siege, which was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The Americans had tricked the British, led by Cornwallis, into thinking they were in New York; however, Washington's army mounted a surprise attack in Yorktown and cut off their escape path on the York River.

Yorktown also figured prominently in the American Civil War (1861–1865), serving as a major port to supply both northern and southern towns, depending upon who held Yorktown at the time. During the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, the town was captured from the Confederacy following the Siege and Battle of Yorktown and was then used as a base by the Union Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClellan.

Very little of the recent growth of York County has occurred close to Yorktown, which at this point is becoming much more of a historical colonial village, much like Williamsburg, under the guidance of the National Park Service.

In his Notes on the State of Virginia published in 1781–82, Thomas Jefferson noted that the York River at Yorktown "affords the best harbour in the state for vessels of the largest size. The river there narrows to the width of a mile, and is contained within very high banks, close under which the vessels may ride." During World War I, the western shore above Yorktown became a location of choice for the U.S. Navy, as about 13,000 acres, which straddled York, Warwick County and James City County were appropriated to create what was originally termed a "naval mine depot". The Navy continues to use it 90 years later.

After spending much of the day in Yorktown, we decided to drive to the place where the final battle between Washington and Cornwallis was held and where Cornwallis surrendered. To be honest to you I did not think the National Park Service has made a sufficient monument first such an event. There is nothing there but just a sign. Since this was the beginning of the birth of our nation and the ending of the Revolutionary War I expected more.

Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Exodus 1:10 (KJV)

2010-12-12T21:27:00.002-06:00

Most all of my life I wanted to visit the first settlement in America. We were staying the week in Williamsburg, we made sure that we had at least one day to see many of the places in this area that we wanted to visit.

Today, visitors to Historic Jamestowne can view the site of the original 1607 James Fort, the 17th century church tower and the site of the 17th century town, as well as tour an archaeological museum called the Archaearium and view many of the hundreds of thousands of artifacts found by Jamestown Rediscovery.

It is a long walk from the visitors center on a bridge over marsh land to reach the location. The first site you see is a very high tower as a monument to the location. Farther into the are is a large Statue of Captain John Smith and of Pocahontas. You will immediately see the ruins and the old church that the people worshipped in with a cemetery behind it.

Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 13th 1607. It is the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States of America, following several earlier failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke. It was founded by the London Company (later to become the Virginia Company), headquartered in London. Located in James City County when it was formed in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia, Jamestown was the capital of the Colony for 83 years, from 1616 until 1699. At that time, the capital was relocated to Middle Plantation, about 8 miles distant. (That small community, which had also become home to the new College of William and Mary in 1693, was renamed Williamsburg in 1699). The London Company's second settlement, Bermuda, claims the oldest town in the English New World, as St. George's, Bermuda was officially established (as New London) in 1612, where James Fort, in Virginia, is said not to have been converted into Jamestown until 1619. Jamestown ceased to exist as a settlement after the transfer of Virginia's capital to Williamsburg in 1699, existing, today, only as archaeological remains, whereas St. George's has continued in use throughout.

Jamestown, which was originally also called "James Towne" or "Jamestowne", is located on the James River in what is currently James City County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The site is about 40 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay and about 45 miles downstream and southeast of the current state capital city of Richmond. Both the river and the settlement were named after King James I of England, who was on the throne at the time, granted the private proprietorship to the Virginia Company of London's enterprise.

Despite the leadership of John Smith, Chaplain Robert Hunt and others, starvation, hostile relations with the natives, and lack of profitable exports all threatened the survival of the Colony in the early years as the settlers and the Virginia Company of London each struggled. However, colonist John Rolfe introduced a strain of tobacco which was successfully exported in 1612, and the financial outlook for the colony soon became much more favorable as colonists developed a profitable tobacco monoculture. Two years later, Rolfe married the young Indian woman Pocahontas, daughter of Wahunsenacawh, Chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, and a period of relative peace with the Natives followed. In 1616, the Rolfes made a public relations trip to England, where Pocahontas was received as visiting royalty. Changes by the Virginia Company which became effective in 1619 attracted additional investments, also sowing the first seeds of democracy in the process with a locally-elected body which became the House of Burgesses, the first such representative legislative body in the New World.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, various European countries were competing to establish colonies in the portion of the "New World" presently known as North America.

Throughout the 17th century, Jamestown was the capital of the Virginia Colony. Several times during emergencies, the seat of government for the colony was shifted temporarily to nearby Middle Plantation, a fortified location on the high ridge approximately equidistant from the James and York Rivers on the Virginia Peninsula. Shortly after the Colony was finally granted a long-desired charter and established the new College of William and Mary at Middle Plantation, the capital of the Colony was permanently relocated nearby. In 1699, the new capital town was renamed Williamsburg, in honor of the current English king, William III.

For the 350th anniversary in 1957, Jamestown itself was the site of renewed interest and a huge celebration. The National Park Service provided new access with the completion of the Colonial Parkway which led to Williamsburg, home of the restored capital of Colonial Williamsburg, and then on to Yorktown, the other two portions of Colonial Virginia's Historic Triangle. Major projects such as the Jamestown Festival Park were developed by non-profit, state and federal agencies. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Philip attended. The 1957 event was a great success. Tourism became continuous with attractions regularly updated and enhanced.

During 2007, Jamestown commemorated America's 400th Anniversary, with new accommodations, transportation facilities and attractions. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip joined America's festivities on an official state visit to Jamestown in May, 2007.

I continue to be fascinated with the history of our marvelous country and found this area to add greatly to my knowledge of our early days in North America.

¹⁴O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (KJV)

Williamsburg

2010-12-05T18:55:00.001-06:00

Williamsburg a must for history buffs

I had always wanted to go to Williamsburg, but must tell you from the offset that I was disappointed at the beginning I was going to see. First, I felt the rebuilt community was somewhat artificial, but later saw how much the city fathers had sought to restore the city to what it was originally.

The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg stretches over 301 acres, and includes 88 original 18th-century structures. Hundreds of houses, shops and public outbuildings are reconstructed on their original foundations. Some buildings are open to the public, while others are private residences and administrative offices. A flag at a building's entrance indicates that the site is open

Mere brick and mortar contained the combustion of ideas that were catalyst to the American Revolution. The opulent Governor's Palace was the embodiment of British order in the colonies. The Capitol was witness to the vote for America's move to independence. We entered into this building and hear a lecture on the times it was active and found he really knew what he was talking about and listened intently to his information.

We went through the homes viewing the furnishings with knowledgeable costumed interpreters making history surround us. We even saw where Virginia's first signer of the Declaration of Independence, George Wythe, slept.

In the 18th century, Williamsburg’s taverns provided comfortable lodgings for travelers but today, Colonial Williamsburg’s historic dining taverns carry on these traditions by providing a relaxed and comfortable setting for diners to experience some of the flavor of the 18th century—through atmosphere, entertainments, and food.

As you walked the same streets as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry— you imaged walking alongside them.

Due to my inability to walk I rented a wheelchair and was wheeled about my Jean Lowe, who with Jim, whom we had traveled with for a long trip to Virginia. As we slowingly spaced our way saw practicing tradesmen make Colonial Williamsburg a living town, ringing with clanging hammers and tinged with the smoke of industry.

Nearly half way through the area we heard a preacher preaching. We stopped and listened for awhile thinking this was part of the tour. Then we saw his shirt and two fellows with him were from a local church. He was calling for a return to the convictions of the early era of the village.

It was very hot so we found a place where we could get out of the sun and eat as well. It was one of the buildings that belonged to the 18^th century and the food reflected that period. The servers were also dressed for that period and a man visited each table with some historical information.

Williamsburg was originally known as Middle Plantation, a 1632 fortified settlement located on high ground on the Peninsula between the James and York rivers, it was renamed Williamsburg after the capital of the Virginia Colony was moved there from Jamestown in 1698. The town received a royal charter as a city in 1722, and was the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution.

Colonial Williamsburg is also know for the College of William & Mary, established in 1693, the second-oldest university in the United States. The Historic Triangle of Virginia, which also includes Jamestown and Yorktown, is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with Williamsburg located in the center. The three are linked by the National Park Service's Colonial Parkway, a 23 mile-long National Scenic Byway which is carefully shielded from views of commercial development.

Prior to the arrival of the English colonists at Jamestown in the Colony of Virginia in 1607, the area which became Williamsburg was largely wooded. It was well within the territory of the Native American group known as the Powhatan Confederacy. In the early colonial period, the navigable rivers were the equivalent of modern highways. For ease of travel, and security from conflicts with the Native Americans, early colonial settlements were established close by the rivers.

Jamestown was the original capital of Virginia Colony, but was burned down during the events of Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. As soon as Governor William Berkeley regained control, temporary headquarters for the government to function were established about 12 miles away on the high ground at Middle Plantation, whilst the Statehouse at Jamestown was rebuilt. The members of the House of Burgesses discovered that the 'temporary' location was both safer and more pleasant environmentally than Jamestown, which was humid and plagued with mosquitoes.

At the outset of the American Civil War (1861–1865), enlistments in the Confederate Army depleted the student body of the College of William and Mary and on May 10, 1861 the faculty voted to close the College for the duration of the conflict. The College Building was used as a Confederate barracks and later as a hospital, first by Confederate and later by Union forces.

At the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862 the defenders succeeded in delaying the Union forces long enough for the retreating Confederates to reach the outer defenses of Richmond.

In the early 20th century, one of the largest historic restorations ever undertaken in the US was championed by the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin of Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Church. Initially, Dr Goodwin had just aimed to save his historic church building. This he accomplished by 1907, in time for the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Episcopal Church in Virginia. However, upon returning to Williamsburg in 1923 after serving a number of years in upstate New York, he realized that many of the other colonial-era buildings which remained were also in deteriorating condition: their survival was at stake.

Goodwin dreamed of a much larger restoration along the lines of what he had accomplished with his historic church. A cleric of modest means, he sought support and financing from a number of sources before successfully attracting the interest and major financial support of Standard Oil heir and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.

I really enjoyed the old church and visited a number of the graves, mainly because some of those early members were named Tucker which was the name of my grandmother. Interestingly, I had their genealogy on my Tucker database.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is Virginia's largest tourist attraction a century after Dr. Goodwin's work began, this masterpiece of Virginia and United States history remains a remarkable work-in-progress.

2010-11-27T14:51:00.001-06:00

In His Steps

In my travels I have had many opportunities to meet great men. One such person was Garrett Shelton, a professor at the University of Virginia-Wise and pastor of the First Baptist church in Big Stone Gap.

He wrote What Would Jesus Do which paralleled the WWJD excitement a few years ago.

However, Garrett’s additional claim to fame is he is the great-grandson of the infamous Charles Sheldon who wrote In His Steps.

In 1889 Charles moved west to become pastor of the fledgling Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. He announced he would preach "a Christ for the common people. A Christ who belongs to the rich and poor, the ignorant and learned, the old and young, the good and the bad . . . a Christ who bids us all recognize the Brotherhood of the race, who bids throw open this room to all."

The most successful series, In His Steps, concerned the inhabitants of a town who pledged themselves to live for a year as Jesus would live. It was first published serially in 1896 and in book form in 1897. The unifying theme of these sermons was based on posing the question, "what would Jesus do?" when facing moral decisions.

In 1900 Dr. Sheldon, proposed that the local newspaper should be operated as Christ would operate them. The owner allowed Dr. Sheldon to serve as "editor" for a week in March. The "Sheldon Edition" sent circulation from 12,000 daily to 387,000. The Capital's pressroom was swamped, and other printing facilities, one in New York and one in Chicago, each printed 120,000. The Daily Capital printed the other 120,000 papers by using an extra work force.

The Advance, a Congregational weekly magazine in Chicago, purchased the story for $75.00 and published it serially in thirty-one installments beginning November 5, 1896. Sheldon offered the manuscript to three book publishers who turned it down. Finally J. C. Kilner, manager of the Advance Publishing Company, which had never before published any fiction, decided to bring out In His Steps in book form. The first printing of a few thousand copies consisted of cloth and paper bound volumes, the former priced at one dollar; the paperback, twenty-five cents. Two years later a ten cent paperback edition was published. By 1900 Advance had published nearly 600,000 copies in five editions.

Because "In His Steps" was in the public domain virtually from the beginning, companies could print copies of it without the author's permission, not owing Sheldon a cent. More than a century later, some 50 million copies had been published, making it second in sales among religious books behind only the Bible. Sheldon did not receive any royalty for his work which would have left his family well to do. But this would have run contrary to the desire he intended for man in his book.

Dr. Eric Goldman of the Saturday Literary Review singled out In His Steps as one of eight books which have changed America

Charles Monroe Sheldon was born in 1857 and grew up in the Dakota Territory, where his parents homesteaded in a log cabin he helped build. His father, Rev. Steward Shelton, was the Territory's first home missionary superintendent, founding 100 churches in 10 years. Young Sheldon "hunted with the Dakotas, fished with them, slept with them on the open prairie, and learned some of their language."

Sheldon graduated from Andover in the class of 1879.

One of the remarks I recall by my friend Garrett Sheldon was, "By the time he left home to go to school, he had heard the entire Bible read aloud five times. Now think of that!"

Besides the Bible this is one book everybody should read.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” -- Proverbs 22:1

Man's man meet The Man

2010-11-19T21:00:00.001-06:00

Ben Johnson was a man’s man but he met more than he could handle

Behind my desk on the ledge of my bookcase is a prized photo of Ben Johnson and me. It is a constant reminder that God can take a man out of a small unknown town and will make him something. His early days were rough and his running pal’s tough, but in the end he saw a greater star.

A long tall 6' 3" western star that was born in Oklahoma was about all I knew about Ben Johnson on the day I met him. He was in his 70’s, but still a large western type.

I learned he had been a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California. He decided to stick around (the pay was good), and for some years was a stunt man, horse wrangler, and double for such stars as Wild Bill Elliott, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and James Stewart. His break came when John Ford noticed him and gave him a part in an upcoming film, and eventually a star part in Wagon Master in 1950.

He left Hollywood in 1953 to return to rodeo, where he won a world roping championship, but at the end of the year he had barely cleared expenses. A prize belt buckle that he won for calf roping was stolen from his car when he visited Houston in 1976; but on a repeat visit a decade later he was on radio station KIKK when a caller returned the buckle to him.

The movies paid better, and were less risky, so he returned to the west coast and a career that saw him in over 300 movies. Johnson's weather-beaten features made him an icon for any filmmaker chronicling the American West.

He initially turned down the role in The Last Picture Show (1971), for which he won an Academy Award, because the script contained too many curse words. He later changed his mind when with the permission of the director, Peter Bogdanovich; he rewrote his part with the offensive words removed.

Ben received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994

He died on April 8, 1996, in Mesa, Arizona, of an apparent heart attack while visiting his mother in the 'retirement community' where not only she but he himself lived. His wife of 53 years had preceded him in 1994.

"You know, I'd say that aside from Mr. Ford's help in my career, I'd lay any success I've had to not expecting too much. I never expected to become a star and was always content to stay two or three rungs down the ladder and last awhile. When I do get a little ahead, I see what I can do to help others," he had once said.

I met Ben and Carol Johnson at my former pastor’s church in Gilbert, Arizona, only a few years before they died. The Johnson’s had a beautiful home in Scottsdale but had no problems in attending the small mission church near them in Mesa where another friend, had befriended them and told them of a greater success. My young friend preached the funerals of both to a host of their Hollywood associates and friends who had watched him from his humble beginning until he became a true western star.

Many amass millions in this life only to leave it in a bank or invested away never to see it again. But what is laid up in heaven is forever. Their days were blessed on earth but they have a brighter forever.

Matthew 6:19-20

“ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: “

Come with me to Rio

2010-11-13T22:03:00.001-06:00

Rio de Janeiro a city of delight

I should have known better than to take a cheap airline flight from Columbus to Miami, but like many I tried to save on a self funded mission trip. As fate would have it the plane was detoured at Orlando via Fort Lauderdale instead of direct to Miami causing me to miss my plane for Brazil.

When I finally arrived at Miami the connecting plane had been gone for over four hours, but my chief worry was my friends in Brazil were to pick me up, and they had been on the road for more that seven hours to meet me. Since there was no way to contact them, I was hoping they would check on other planes coming from the states.

To farther complicate things my Varig airline tickets would not be accepted by Pan Am airlines so I had to pay dearly to get a roundtrip on the next flight which was about five hours later. Thank goodness for trip interruption insurance which later repaid me.

Finally, I was in the air and trusting nothing else would mess up this trip since I was scheduled to speak for a week at a missionary’s conclave about six hours north of Rio. My prayers were answered because my friends had checked with Pan Am and knew I was on their coming flight. Being a seasoned traveler I knew customs awaited me immediately on deplaning and hoped it would not be a problem. I was glad when I got a green light and was able to proceed without stopping to open all my luggage, etc.

Since this was a night flight my friends asked if I had ever been to the Rio (River of January) and I said no. My friends had known me for nearly 25 years and knew I was a scenery lover and suggested a few places before we headed north.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, justly bearing the nickname Cidade Maravilhosa - "the wonderful city". It was not long until we were high above the beautiful bay viewing the most familiar statue of Christ the Redeemer which stands on top of Corcovado Mountain. The statue stands 30 meters tall and is one of the worlds largest and most photographed. Then we hastened on to take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for a most grand view of the bay and city of Rio.

From here we could see the famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca and even the Maracana Stadium which is the largest football (soccer) stadium in the world. On our return we noticed an open café across the street from the base of the cable car. Here we had my first Brazilian meal which was a large steak prepared for all of us and cut later into the size we wanted. The favor was outstanding and cooked to perfection.

Before leaving Rio I was advised that Brazil has the largest population in Latin America and ranks sixth in the world with most living in urban cities like Rio that has a population between seven to ten million. Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas. It was a surprise to me that Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting system.

With the morning spent and we had to leave this spectacular area. Reaching our destination late in the afternoon, we checked into the hotel where missionary families from Brazil and Uruguay had assembled. The beautiful hotel was set on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Barbacena known as the world’s largest producer of roses. You could see field after field of roses as far as you could see. From the hotel height it was breath taking. Not only did the beauty abound but the hotel is a training hotel from people who come from around the country to be trained the hotel trade in every area. Not only did we get the best treatment but the food was great and beautifully designed for our delight.

Following this week of teaching and training, I was able to stay for three more weeks speaking in many churches and visiting some of the most beautiful areas as we moved from state to state in the interior of the country. The beauty of this country is only exceeded by the wonderful people I met.

Rio is a beautiful city and so is the country, but one is yet to come that will exceed it.

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, “-- Revelation. 21:10

The Other Lexington

2010-11-05T11:53:00.001-05:00

The Other Lexington
There are so many things to see in Lexington, Virginia. I will list only a few of them. First, you will find a Virginia military Academy, which was the first public, all military Academy in the country; a cemetery where Stonewall said he is buried; and beautiful Washington, and Lee University, where Robert E. Lee is buried in the campus chapel.
Being an avid Civil War student, always a background searches on a specially the famous general’s. Since, I had already been a number of years ago to Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia, where Robert E. Lee was born; I sought for more information on him at the visitor’s center. He was the son of Major General Henry Lee III "Light Horse Harry" (1756–1818), Governor of Virginia, and his second wife, Anne Hill Carter (1773–1829). One of Lee's great great grandparents Henry Lee I was a prominent Virginian colonist of English descent. His mother grew up at Shirley Plantation, one of the most elegant homes in Virginia. Lee's father, a tobacco planter, suffered severe financial reverses from failed investments.
Little is known of Lee as a child; he rarely spoke of his boyhood as an adult. Nothing is known of his relationship with his father, who, after leaving his family, only mentioned Robert once in a letter. When given the opportunity to visit his father's Georgia grave, he remained there only briefly, yet while president of Washington College, defended his father in a biographical sketch while editing Light Horse Harry's memoirs. In 1809, Harry Lee was put in debtors prison; soon after his release the following year, Harry and Anne Lee and their five children moved to a small house on Cameron Street in Alexandria, Virginia, both because there were then good local schools there, as well as several members of her extended family. In 1811, the family, including the newly-born sixth child, Mildred, moved to a house on Oronoco Street, still close to the center of town and with the houses of a number of Lee relatives close by. In 1812, Harry Lee was badly injured in a political riot in Baltimore, and Secretary of State James Madison arranged for Harry Lee to travel to the West Indies. He would never return, dying when his son Robert was 11. Left to raise six children alone in straitened circumstances, Anne Lee and her family often paid extended visits to relatives and family friends. Robert Lee attended school at Eastern View, a school for young gentlemen, in Fauquier County, and then at the Alexandria Academy, free for local boys, where he showed an aptitude for mathematics. Although brought up to be a practicing Christian, he was not confirmed in the Episcopal Church until age 46.
While traveling through Lexington, we passed by here’s home and the Episcopal Church where Robert E. Lee was a devoted member.
Lee entered West Point in the summer of 1825. At the time, the focus of the curriculum was engineering; the head of the Army Corps of Engineers supervised the school and the superintendent was an engineering officer. Cadets were not permitted leave until they had finished two years of study, and were rarely permitted to leave the grounds of the Academy. Lee graduated second in his class and did not incur any demerits during his four-year course of study. Lee was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.
One of the highlights four may wish to be able to visit the Chapel at Washington and Lee and to view the tomb were Robert E. Lee is buried just behind the pulpit area. In the basement of the Chapel is the Museum of many of the historical items of Lee’s. Also, there is a bookstore where one could buy books on the life of Lee and other related material. Just outside of the Chapel is the gravesite of “Traveler” Robert E. Lee’s horse.
Washington and Lee University is a great now school whose curriculum is well respected. The school is named after George Washington, who donated to keep you from ceasing to exist, and Robert E. Lee to after the Civil War came as its president.
As we continue to drive to the city we came to the cemetery where Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) was buried with a large statue stone above his grave. He was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, and probably the most well-known Confederate commander after General Robert E. Lee. His military career includes the Valley Campaign of 1862 and his service as a corps commander in the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee. Confederate pickets accidentally shot him at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, which the general survived, albeit with the loss of an arm to amputation. However, he died of complications of pneumonia eight days later. His death was a severe setback for the Confederacy, affecting not only its military prospects, but also the morale of its army and of the general public.
The Virginia Military Academy, while it is an old-school, has many beautiful buildings and adds to the beauty of the city and is worth the visit.
Since there are sure many historical places in the city we decided to take a carriage ride, which lasted nearly 2 hours. We agreed to later that this was the way to go.
Afterwards, we went to a coffee nook for a delightful lunch before leaving.
Just north of the city are the birthplace of Sam Houston, of Texas fame, and the home of McCormick, the inventor of the McCormick reaper.
No one should visit this part of the Virginia without a stop in Lexington.
“And there was great joy in that city. “ -- Acts 8:8 (NKJV)

Greenbrier Resort

2010-10-29T19:48:00.002-05:00

Greenbrier a Favorite Stop

On a recent trip driving through West Virginia, we came to a beautiful area where the famous Greenbrier hotel and resort is located.

Since it was nearly lunchtime, I asked if anyone was ready to eat, which was answered by all with a resounding, yes! Unbeknown to the others, I called and asked if we needed a reservation to eat in any of their restaurants, and received no as an answer.

In about 25 minutes we departed the interstate at White Sulfur Springs, and headed toward the resort, leaving them in wonderment.

When we finally drove into the entrance of this famous resort, which is one of the largest hotels in the eastern United States, it soon came into view, surprising my wife and friends since we had been in mountainous and rural West Virginia for miles.

The Greenbrier is an award-winning resort located in the Allegheny Mountains and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The Greenbrier's classic architecture, exquisite interior design, abundant scenic beauty, and outstanding amenities have hosted distinguished guests from around the world since 1778.

A spring of sulphur water is at the center of the resort property. It issues forth below the green dome of the white-columned springhouse that has been the symbol of The Greenbrier for generations. Mrs. Anderson, a local pioneer, came to follow the local Native American tradition of "taking the waters" to restore her chronic rheumatism and for the first 125 years the resort was known by the name White Sulphur Springs.

The property soon fell into the hands of a prominent Baltimore family, the Calwells. Under the Calwells, the resort would begin to take shape. They sold cottages to prominent Southern individuals, many of which still stand today. Notable guests of the time included Martin van Buren and Henry Clay.

This renowned hotel offers 721 rooms, including exquisite guest and estate houses and more than 50 recreational activities including three championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts a 40,000-square-foot spa and more.

To many travelers, this property is unknown, which is surprising because of the history and age of this famous hotel. Since I had been here before, a number of years ago, I have spent some time researching its history, and I’m including it below.

In 1857, a hotel was built on the property. This original hotel, The Grand Central Hotel, known by the moniker "The White" and later "The Old White", was torn down in 1922, several years after the addition of the current building. During the Civil War, the property changed hands between the Confederate Army and the Union Army, who almost burned the resort to the ground.

As a Civil War student I found it interesting that at White Sulphur Springs in1870, following the Civil War, the resort reopened. It became a place for many Southerners and Northerners alike to vacation, and the setting for many famous post-war reconciliations, including the White Sulphur Manifesto, which was the only political position issued by Robert E. Lee after the Civil War, that advocated the merging of the two societies. The resort went on to become a center of regional post-war society, especially after the arrival of the railroad.

In 1910, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway purchased the resort property, building additional amenities and The Greenbrier Hotel in 1913. At this time, the name officially changed to The Greenbrier, as the neighboring town adopted the name White Sulphur Springs. During World War II, the resort served both as an army hospital and as a relocation center for some of the Axis diplomats interned as enemies of the United States.

After the war ended, C&O bought back the property from the government and reopened the resort, now redecorated by Dorothy Draper. Its reopening was a social event of the season, attracting such luminaries as the Duke of Windsor with his wife, Wallis Simpson, Bing Crosby, and members of the Kennedy family. In recent history, the resort has hosted several presidents and vice-presidents, foreign dignitaries such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Debbie Reynolds, and Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Twenty-six presidents have been hosted at The Greenbrier. The Presidents' Cottage Museum is a two-story building with exhibits about these visits and the history of The Greenbrier. The building is open seasonally. The last U.S. president to stay at The Greenbrier was Dwight Eisenhower.

On March 20, 2009, the resort filed for bankruptcy, listing debt of up to $500 million and assets of $100 million. The resort lost $166 million in 2008. On May 7, 2009, the Justice family of West Virginia publicly claimed that it had purchased the resort for $20 million. The Justice family, headed by patriarch James Justice, has extensive farm and milling operations in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina including 50,000 acres that it farms through its Justice Family Farms group headquartered in Beckley, West Virginia. In early 2009, it sold its Bluestone Coal Corporation network of West Virginia coal mines to Mechel.

Due to the proximity to Washington DC an interesting development occurred in the late 1950s, when the U.S. government approached The Greenbrier for assistance in creating a secret emergency relocation center to house Congress in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. The classified, underground facility, named "Project Greek Island", was built at the same time as the West Virginia Wing, an above-ground addition to the hotel, from 1959 to 1962.

Although the bunker was kept stocked with supplies for 30 years, it was never actually used as an emergency location, even during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The bunker's existence was not acknowledged until The Washington Post revealed it in a 1992 story; immediately after the Post story, the government decommissioned the bunker. The facility has since been renovated and is also used as a data storage facility for the private sector. It is once again featured as an attraction in which visitors can tour the now declassified facilities, now known as The Bunker. For a fee one can tour it, but due to our time we forfeited it.

This whole area is beautiful and has many stops for a traveler, but one should never be near the Greenbrier without stopping as we did for lunch or to stay in this spacious and beautiful hotel. I will remind you that the accommodation expense far exceeds the Holiday Inn.

Today, extremely expensive homes surround the hotel and resort grounds and are a beautiful tour in itself.

After a tour of the hotel and a sitting to eat a tasty meal, we drove around the grounds before leaving for Virginia to spend the night.

“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” -- John 14:2 (NKJV)

Unexpected Grave

2010-10-23T17:50:00.002-05:00

A Grave by Surprise

One of my desires in London was to visit the tomb of John Wesley near his home and the church where he preached many years ago. As my wife and I viewed the home, and then found the grave behind the church and the house, I inquired of the groundskeeper, where Mrs. Wesley was buried, after which he suggested that I go to the street and looked to the right and cross the street and go down through the Bunhill Field cemetery, where I would find her gravestone. Not only was I to find her stone, but would find the stones of other notable religious people whose history reflected itself in America.

I find it interesting to note that all the grave stones were small and just above the ground. I saw only two that were above the ground tombs. One was that of Daniel Defoe, who wrote Robinson Crusoe and the other John Bunyan, who had been imprisoned for twelve years for preaching without a license. It was while in prison, he wrote Pilgrim's Progress, an allegory of a man named Christian fleeing the City of Destruction and directed by Evangelist to follow a narrow path to the City of Zion. Unknown to many, it was the friends and dangers he meets along the way inspired the modern story Wizard of Oz.

This classic of John Bunyan, who died August 31, 1688, was translated into over a hundred languages and found in nearly every colonial American home.

Pilgrim’s progress has been read by many because it is such a classic and has been quoted by many great leaders, such as Ronald Reagan, when greeting Australia's Prime Minister, said: "Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, 'We are all travelers in what John Bunyan calls the wilderness of this world. And the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend-they keep us worthy of ourselves.'"

Also Franklin Roosevelt said: "When Theodore Roosevelt died, the Secretary of his class at Harvard, in sending classmates a notice of his passing, added this quotation

from Pilgrim's Progress: 'my sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and

My courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.'"

I have visited the graves of many great men but this memorial to one of Christianities great writers was a real blessing, especially since I was not searching for it but rather the grave of Susanna Wesley.

Afterwards, I found this bit of history and thought you might like a brief on this great man.

John was tried by magistrates in Chapel of Herne for not attending the parish church and for holding unlawful meetings. He was jailed for 3 months but, after just one month, he was visited by the magistrate’s clerk, who sought to persuade John to give a promise to cease preaching at 'private gatherings'. He told John that what the magistrates were concerned about was not the fact that John was not a licensed preacher but that he was preaching at conventicles) A secret or unlawful religious meeting, typically of people with nonconformist views.) These were private gatherings around England which the authorities suspected were being used as a cover for meetings where plots were being made to overthrow the King.

John argued that he had a higher obligation than to the king, that he had an obligation to God, to preach His word wherever and whenever he could. John argued that, if he promised not to preach in private places, this would prevent him - for example - from preaching to his neighbor in the privacy of his home and thus John would be failing in his obligation to God.

And there he remained, mostly, for the next 12 years. I find it interesting that in history people have done many great works, because in that same year Bunyan published “Profitable meditations”. In the years to follow he wrote and published “Praying in the Spirit”, “Christian behaviour”, “Serious meditations” , “Ebal & Gerizm”, “The Holy City”, “Resurrection of the dead” , “Prison meditations” , “Grace abounding” ,“Confession of faith” , “A defense of the doctrine of justification by faith”

In 1672 under King Charles' Declaration of Indulgence, John is released from prison and May 9^th was licensed as a teacher. He was officially pardoned by Charles in September. John was elected church pastor and a barn at end of Mill Street, Bedford was purchased and this becomes his new chapel, but in 1675-6 John's preaching licenses are recalled was imprisoned for six months in Bedford County Goal where and he wrote the first part of “Pilgrim’s Progress” and in1684 the second part of “Pilgrim’s Progress” was published.

Of his works, “Grace Abounding”, “The Holy City”, and “Pilgrim’s Progress” are my favorites.

On August 31st, during a visit to a friend, John Strudwick, in London - John Bunyan contracted pneumonia and died. He was buried in Struthwick’s family tomb in Bunhill Fields, City Road, London.

^“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" -- Romans 10:15

From my weekly column.

Dr. Alton Loveless is the former CEO/President of Randall House Publications, Nashville, Tn.; He is a freelance writer and has written for assorted publications printed both nationally and internationally. To see photos and read other stories click on http://altonloveless.blogspot.com/

Columbus Washboard Company

2010-10-15T17:21:00.001-05:00

Washboard Company

More than 60 years have passed since I have even seen a washboard like my mother used to keep our garments clean while scrubbing in the wash kettle.

While I have a complete recollection to what the washboard looked like, I did not have knowledge of how it was made, nor the properties in which it was made until recently when the Golden Seniors group of our church, visited the Columbus washboard factory that was started in Columbus Ohio in 1895.

With the passing of the years, this factory was moved to Logan, Ohio, where it still manufacturers for many hardware chains throughout the country as well as ships all over the world that is not as mechanized as we are in the United States.

I was amazed to learn that one of the places where many of the scrub boards is shipped is to our military boys in Afghanistan and Iraq, in which they are able to use to keep their garments clean.

The Columbus Washboard Company is the only manufacturer of this type still operating in the United States. They still make the boards in the traditional construction methods for the normal washboard uses and even produce for an annual Washboard Music Festival.

While the washboard of my grandmother and mother was galvanized, the company offers washboards with a variety of rubbing surfaces including spiral metal, galvanized, stainless steel, brass, and glass. The company also offers chalk, cork, and mirror surfaces. All of these boards are hand assembled one at a time with equipment dating back to the 1900's and can be assembled in just 45 seconds.

Today’s washboards are still used for hand scrubbing just like our Grandmother did. They are also used as decorative pieces for laundry rooms and kitchens, as furniture accents, and as a musical instrument.

While the building is very old so is the equipment, with some of the original 1800s machines kept around for posterity. Although, the present equipment is not much better than the older ones, they still produce the needed amount of washboards now manufactured for the company’s purchasers.

While you are here you can buy a washboard souvenir, listen to some of the employees do a washboard musical, and then help as washboards are passed out to each of us so we can join in. It was fun but didn’t match my genre of music.

When you are leaving the building, you can check out the world's largest washboard at 24 feet positioned high on the multi-storied building.

While it may have been a necessary item in the days of our parents, this instrument is still used by more than I realize today for their necessity.

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2

Largest Washboard Factory in U.S.A.

2010-10-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

Washboard Company

More than 60 years have passed since I have even seen a washboard like my mother used to keep our garments clean while scrubbing in the wash kettle.

I was amazed to learn that one of the places where many of the scrub boards is shipped is to our military boys in Afghanistan and Iraq, in which they are able to use to keep their garments clean.

When you are leaving the building, you can check out the world's largest washboard at 24 feet positioned high on the multi-storied building.

While it may have been a necessary item in the days of our parents, this instrument is still used by more than I realize today for their necessity.

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2

55th Class Reunion not better than the Big One

2010-10-10T14:16:00.002-05:00

Going Home

The small lake in front of our home is always full of Canadian geese making their way south.

I kept looking for the day come for us to go south to my class reunion where I would see many of my classmates that graduated with me in 1955.

Finally the early morning came and we flew from Columbus to Little Rock where we first attended the 1956 class gathering. It was indeed a privilege to visit with many friends that I had not seen for 55 years.

However, it was the for next day that we had taken the trip. And un-estimated gathering of our class and their spouses met at the home of one of our classmates at 10:30 a.m. and then at 2 p.m. we met at the building which was where we had classes until our graduation. At the end of the tour of the building we had our class photo. That night we met in a building at the University of Central Arkansas for a banquet.

I had been asked by the planning committee to address the class and do a memorial for the 25 of our classmates that had already made their journey beyond this life.

The following are some of my remarks:

“Since 2005; I lost a friend, you lost a friend, and we have all lost friends. This Bible verse reflects our status, “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. Psalm 37:25

“If your life has been like mine it has been a good journey. One thing I know for sure is that life is more than what you make It.--It is more often what God does for us that make things better to live with.”

Afterwards I recited a poem I wrote as a senior that had directed my life for these 55 years entitled, “The Bible.”

“As I grow older I am often drawn back to my youth in my memory and to recall the “good ole days” and wondered what life would be like. Remember what we wrote for our life’s testament before we graduated? My was, “I will be driving my 1938 Cadillac to Seminary.” It was 15 years old then and would be 72 years old today. Boy! What would it be worth today.

“Today the future is not as far as it used to be when I wrote that, and many aspirations changed.

I thought I had been a fairly good fellow in school until I read what two had recorded in my class annual in 1955.

“Mrs. McHenry, an English teacher; wrote in my annual in 1955, “Congratulations to my sweetest headache.”

“Mary Elizabeth Lewis, who had sat by me for four years in assembly, wrote, “Try to stay out of mischief. You know you are a little devil.” Recently she wrote me a note, “I would have been as rough on you if I had have known you would have done so well with your life.”

“This year is another milestone in our life as the high school senior Class of 1955 celebrates its 55^th reunion.

“Today it has been great to visit with classmates and their mates. To say with great compliment it is a classy group of 73 year olds.

“I cannot begin to relate the many things each has accomplished over the years. Three have been ministers for over 55 years, one a city mayor, college professors, school teachers, medical doctors, salesmen, farmers, successful businessmen, a NASA researcher, Airline pilot, printers, Fire chief, insurance providers, lawyers, store owners, a boxing promoter, author, columnist, along with a number of widows and widowers. I believe we have some of the most beautiful woman and handsome men still in the class of 1955. And can honestly say our class was a class of achievers.

“It is sad that eleven have died since the last meeting five years ago and 14 previously during 1955 – 2005.

“And I could have been another, looking back at a total of 5 months as I struggled for my life. However, like me, we are all here tonight by the Grace of God!

“For a total of 25 since 1955 and it is unknown how many mates have died during these years and losing your partner is also sad.

“It will never be the same again, and will change faster, as we get farther into the journey since demographers say 78 is the life expectancy for men and 82 for women for those that have reached 73 already.

“For a believer what made the small obituary page here - made HEADLINES THERE.

“ I like what a Swedish chemist read as he woke one morning to find his obituary which read: “Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, had devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and He died a rich man.”

“It was not his, but his brother. But the idea of reading his own obituary changed his life and he set up the Nobel Prize for those who seceded in their field of endeavor.

“He said, “Everybody ought to have the chance to read their own epitaph in mid-stream and then write a new one.”

“I am grateful for the promises in the scriptures that reveal God’s concern for all of mankind. While these verses apply to another in the Bible, they are truths for us as well.

“ And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.” - Genesis 33:12

““Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning: The LORD is his name:” - Amos 5:8 “

“Prayer of Memorial
We did not know the time that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you, in death we remember you. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our class chain has broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. It is my prayer no link will be missing in Heaven.”

After the 10 p.m. program we headed back to the motel to finish packing and leaving my boyhood hometown at 3 a.m. for a 5:30 boarding in Little Rock to travel back home.

All the way back I rejoiced at hearing the “Amen’s,” but wondered about those who do not rejoice in the permanent home God has prepared for them that love Him.

^“In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”-- John 14:2-6 (NKJV)