From Dad . . .

Powerful Influence

I give God credit for reforming me, but some of his servants have helped me along. Buck Petty knew me before and didn’t fuss at me for sinning. Later he did say, “I’m glad you got saved and quit wrecking all those cars.” He was a body shop man; one of the best, and he’s still painting cars at age 82. He helped me become a Christian by acting like one. He was always grinning like he knew someone “in high places”.

A good musician, he taught me guitar. He was on the “Bluegrass Highway” with our singing group a few years playing mandolin. He said, “We’ll make their hair stand up and then make it lay back down.” He didn’t sing and he said, “I lost my voice crying after the doorknob when I was little. I thought it was a biscuit!” (Those old white ones).

He grew up in poverty. There were 12 in his family and he said, “There’s
not 12 pieces in a rabbit.” He grinned, “We had one old dog, but he had to make his own living. But he helped us out; when he caught a rabbit, we’d take it away from him.”

Don’t talk “hard times” with him. It proves embarrassing. One local quipped, “Yeah, we used to see the chickens through the cracks in the floor.”
Buck said, “We didn’t have any chickens!” It’s amusing to talk about the “good old days” now, but it wasn’t funny at the time.

He’s a faithful father and husband to his wife, Barbara, and has smiling children and grandchildren throughout the area. A regular at church, he went to Sunday School for 26 years without missing a day.

At the sunset of our earthly journey, we talk about going to Heaven a lot.

He says he wants us to go together. We’ll see, but one thing for sure, I wouldn’t mind riding with him.

FINALLY.....

“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.”

Incredible

This Producer traveled all over the world and recorded street musicians separately --then put their music together to raise money for underprivileged areas---It is fantastic..

From Dad...

My Wonderful Life
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a movie that I don’t care for. It’s because I’ve have a lot better life than “George”. Many of you like it because of the family atmosphere. Margie loves it. It’s pretty wholesome, but why did they take Champaign on their honeymoon. I’m thinking, “What for? I’d rather be sober!”
I’ve had a better life than 99% of all the people in history. Most of you have too. Only 8% of the world own vehicles. I’ve had as many as four in my yard during teenagers. We have indoor plumbing, electricity and all kinds of touch control conveniences. If you don’t think you’re blessed, better think again.
On top of all these blessing, I found something almost too good to be true, but it is. The Lord has got an even better deal. He moved in with me and showed what living was all about. He even let’s little ol me represent Him. He and I have done all kinds of wonderful things together.
I really love our latest endeavor, ministering in nursing homes. I cheer them up and we sing old hymns. The Lord always sees to it that I really enjoy it. It’s His “get back what you give” rule. I share my Merry Heart and get a big return. I’ll tell you one.
One of my “church members” in a nursing home called me on Christmas Eve. He wanted me to sing, “Pretty Paper” by Willie Nelson. I went on my Lord’s Birthday and sang if for him.
I thought he might need more than “Pretty Paper and Ribbons of Blue”. I shared God’s plan of salvation with him and he received it. All the way back home I laughed thinking, “‘Pretty Paper’ sure is a strange alter call song.”