Castaways and Keepsakes

Castaways and Keepsakes

     Mickey Mantle was a switch hitter.  When batting left-handed it took him 3.2 seconds to run to first base.  When batting right handed it took him 3.3.  Ted Williams always hit towards right field to where the opposing team would shift the left fielder and center fielders away from left field and the shortstop behind second base and the third baseman to shortstop position.  Ty Cobb, in practicing for the new season, always ran bases slower than in the previous season because he practiced with a ten-pound weight on each leg.  The pitcher’s mound is 60’ 6” from the tip of home plate.  Ad Liska who pitched 111 games in the Major League completing his 20 years pitching for the Portland Beavers.  He was one of the most unique pitchers ever as he leaned to the right so far that his pitching arm nearly dragged the ground.  This gave him the distinction of having a fast ball that would drop as it approached the batter instead of rising like 99% of pitchers today.

 

 

     My mind is full of these baseball trivia because I loved it so much.  But when I became a Christian my love transferred to Jesus and His holy Bible.  Though I’m pushing 79 I still can remember sections of the Holy Scriptures I learned over 60 years ago but these are not trivia; these are the words of Eternal Life.   “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”  (John 6:68, NASB)

     The Lord’s brother (James) guaredly urged: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”   (Jude 20, 21, NASB)

     As I’ve tried to “keep myself in the love of God” I’m compelled to say ... I want to say “Thank You” to continuing Christian-faith mentors and  faith warriors.  Plus an especial “Thank You” to the Holy Spirit for the ones who’ve gone on ahead of me because of how they made my Christian walk begin or continue to this point.  Now at age 78 I’m just so appreciative I sometimes recall these faithful loved ones at night and pray about them to the Lord.  Hebrews 13:17 points out that Leaders will give an account of the congregants with which we minister, and or partner in our lifetime, so I pray for them as they meander across the screen of my mind.  Scripture abounds with person after person who mentored others.  One entire chapter, Hebrews 11, is devoted to superb examples.

     Some key mentors for me were: Don Rodda was my girl friend’s minister and urged her to challenge me to be a Christian.  Then he taught me the plan of salvation ~ ~ in a barn.  Don Rodda also urged me to go to Bible College to become a minister.

     Archie Word Sr. taught me several Bible College classes and later took me under his wing of support and encouragement.  When I preached in Missouri, he preached a 4-week revival where 126 new visitors attended.  Brother Word did many things far beyond which I expected and/or hoped for.  Exempli gratia in that Missouri stay he bought me a newer auto (complete surprise).  As life advanced he often dropped into my varied places of employment on his visits into the area.

     As he aged into his 80s many judged him too old to hold anymore Revival meetings.  But the leadership at Sunrise Church in Spokane, WA approved my recommendation to have him preach for us.  It turned out to be his final Revival meeting.  He was tremendously effective to the point that a Spokane Newspaper featured him with a comparison looking picture of Colonel Sanders from KFC with the caption, “Colonel Sanders Look-a-like Aint No Chicken In The Pulpit."  This photo was taken by the daily Spokane, WA newspaper the opening night of the Revival and later became the cover photograph of his heart-touching biography by Victor Knowles:

 

     During those Thanksgiving days the reporter even attended the first night of the Revival and wrote a lengthy, complimentary review.  I received sad notice that back home in Nebraska, Brother Word’s wife had fallen critically ill.  The Leaders made arrangements to fly him back home to be with Mrs. Word.   But, in what was probably the most dramatic moment I’ve ever seen in any church service he listened to the offer and marched to the stage and thundered, “We’re not shutting this meeting down for any reason.  I’m here to preach about eternal life.  Mom has family that will help her.”

     In preparation for his Revival meeting I had asked a local TV station to interview him.  They featured him for 30 minutes during lunch and it increased the audience size.  It has been stated that he never appeared on TV; yet I sat right there as he touched the souls of TV station staff and community-wide viewers.

     His influence impacted many, many people but perhaps for the most part there have been a number of young preachers who benefitted from his charisma.

     Charles Dailey was also on the staff at the Bible College.  He holds my salute as being the teacher of the two best classes I’ve ever taken:  Life of Christ 1 and Life of Christ 2  He also was a master at speaking and writing succinctly.  Joyfully, Charles is still teaching as many people as he can.  In fact here are two comments:

     On July 12, 2012 Charles wrote: “Life is such an ongoing joy.  I awaken each day with slightly improving health and enough memory to realize how wonderful the present truly is.  Thank you Lord.”

     Just a few weeks ago, July 2021, Charles posted this update: “Now, at 90, this is still true.”  This Faith Warrior, though his wife has gone on ahead, still has a keen and analytical mind, clear values, deep faith and tenacity beyond his peers.

     This is a few years back of Charles and Lois Dailey:

 

 

     Warren Bell was another preacher who taught at the Bible School.  I loved his rich, deep voice.  It seemed like the voice was coming from below his knees.  In my God Applause stories Warren Bell is mentioned in: Erasure Danger posted on Jan. 4, 2021.  Along life’s Pilgrim’s Path other significant people positively impacted my life and work for the Lord.  Some of them were: Myron Wells, George Kennedy, Paul Douglas, Faye Ballard, Donald Hunt, Gary Strubhar, and Tom Burgess.

     Here’s a lyric Gospel song that speaks to the hearts of people who are “keeping themselves in the love of God.”

Loving God, Loving Each Other

 

 

Gaithers, Oak Ridge Boys, Gatlins

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