Scripture

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10, NIV

Quote

Behold the SAVIOR of mankind, nailed to a shameful tree! How vast the love that He inclined to bleed and die for thee!

~Samuel Wesley, Sr.

We have all heard of John and Charles Wesley and their mother Susanna, but have you heard of Samuel Wesley, Senior? He was an Anglican pastor in the tiny town of Epworth, England. His wife Susanna’s kitchen bible studies were very popular, but his sermons were not. He and Susanna were polar opposites who rarely thought alike. They loved her and tolerated him. Several years ago, one of our Grace Point members who was dying with cancer called and requested that June and I come for a visit. She wanted us to know here COLS plans which by the way, were not honored. She told June, with me sitting there, “You are the best pastor’s wife we have ever had,” and then she looked toward me and said, “and you will do.” The Wesley’s had a simular situation.

Samuel was a hell, fire and brimstone preacher and he didn’t have many friends. Matter of fact, he was very unpopular. The fine folks of Epworth thought he was too dogmatic and harsh. They didn’t like him or his sermons. They burned his crops, killed his livestock and eventually torched his house. He and Susanna had to rescue their children {19} and a couple were almost burned to death. The Wesley’s house had a thatch roof and it basically exploded. It was a frightful experience. John was the last one rescued. At the age of five, he climbed upon a piece of furniture and pressed his face against the window. Instantly a human ladder was formed and John was saved just before the house collapsed.

Among the things lost was Samuel writings, mostly poem and hymns. Somehow one hymn was rescued, BEHOLD THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND. Thankfully, the gift of poetry and hymn writing was passed on to his son Charles.

Extra

The sun felt good yesterday but the wind was harsh: it is supposed to be warmer today. The boss says I am slowing the pace today. I messed my back up last fall and the nerves running down my left leg is giving me fits. Riding is a vehicle is difficult and I intent to attend the Roy Dean Woodard COLS in Cherokee this evening. May the LORD’s will be done.

I think today is Friday the 13th and one of our great grand son’s birthday. Gunner Cash {Seth} Fagan is a year old. He looks like his daddy and eats like his great grand daddy–all the time. Josie and the girls soccer team won their third in a row last night. We almost have the utility room finished and we start on the bath room next. Making progress but it is slow, because we are slow and getting slower all the time.

Have a great weekend. Thanks for reading the blog.

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Extra

I really enjoyed yesterday; the sun and the heat felt good. We will be on the road today. Two COLS at the same time, 11:00 and then LW I will be visiting the retirement homes. Mid-week worship tonight at 6:00.

Extra/Extra

A Tribute To Randy Lewis

I met Randy in the mid-80’s when he worked for Allied Paper in Decatur. Randy played basketball at Danville High. It was back in the day when Danville seemed to have a good team every year. When you heard some one speak of Danville, it usually had something to do with basketball. Randy went on to play at Jacksonville State. He knew a lot about basketball. Randy was a conversationalist and he took interest in the lives of others. You might say he gave preference to others. He put others first. In the last few years he had a Job experience, one thing after another but it never affected his marvelous attitude. He kept smiling through it all. I have never known anyone that handled adversity and suffering any better than Randy. The stroke a few months back rendered him helpless. He went to rehab and tried to walk again but it did not happen. Just a few weeks ago, he told me, “Bro. Jack, I am going to walk again!” When I prayed that day, I asks God to help Randy walk. He is doing better than walking now, he is no longer bound by gravity. He has been promoted from the egg stage and he now has his wings. We have more suffering to do but Randy’s is over. He gave his heart to Jesus several years ago. He attended a Revival at Tuncel Road and was later baptized by Bro. Wally at East Highland. When I heard about it, I had to go see him. I was delighted to hear his testimony.

Randy was inducted into the Morgan County Hall of Fame back in 2019. Randy was a 6’3″ guard which gave him a height advantage over most other guards at the time. His stats are impressive. What Danville fans got to see was a high-flying offense that believed in scoring points as quick as possible. That was perfect game for a player Randy’s size. Randy said, “Coach Bowling believed in letting us run a lot and we did.”

The running game mixed with Randy’s shooting ability allowed him to rack up some impressive numbers while being a three-time All-Morgan County selection. According to research done by Lynn Holladay for his book “History, Stats and Stories of Morgan County Basketball 1945-1973,” Randy scored 1,884 career points. For that time period, it ranks him behind only Robert Whisenant (2,411 points at Ryan) and Gary Winton (2,347 points at Cotaco and Brewer).

Randy averaged 20 points per game over his career. He averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds during his senior season in 1973. He scored 20 or more points in all but two games. In the two games he didn’t top 20, he scored 18. During his career he scored 30 or more points 10 times.

Randy was an encourager and a friend. He was also my neighbor. I will miss Randy. He was one of the most considerate people I know. Joe David’s last game as a Hawk was a heart breaker. We should have won that game. Randy is the only person who sensed my pain. He talked to me outside Allied Paper on MacEntire Lane. I will never forget that conversation and Randy’s compassion. That is the kind of man Randy is: he had that very rare gift of focusing on you instead of himself. Notice the verb, I didn’t say that is the kind of man Randy was…He is not was, He is. He is more than a memory, infinitely more. I will not get to attend his COLS due to a prior commitment but LORD willing Buddy and Vicki Beavers will be there to represent myself and Grace Point. I think Randy was in there wedding. I do know they are the same age and have been friends for life. It is frustrating to want to be two places at once but that is part of life. Randy would not have complained and neither should I. He would want me to keep my promise. Knowing he is my friend is a huge encouragement to me. Thank YOU Randy! Dance for Jesus with those new and glorified legs.