I'm not feeling terribly creative today.
I think I have writer's block.
So, here is one more, just for fun...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVtbFXm2E6Q&mode=related&search=
Have a great week.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tiny Tim (remember when?)
Lest you think this site is ALWAYS for serious stuff, I thought I would share something with you that my youngest brother, Carl, sent me to "start my week off right".
Hope you get a good yuk out of it.
Brings back a lot of memories for many of us...
but most likely absolutely confusing for younger folks.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0
Anybody here miss the late 60's?
Hope you get a good yuk out of it.
Brings back a lot of memories for many of us...
but most likely absolutely confusing for younger folks.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skU-jBFzXl0
Anybody here miss the late 60's?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tonight's Taste of Politics
I happened to catch the last half hour or so of the Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate on MSNBC tonight. Pretty much of a yawner as the questions and answers were the same as all of the previous debates I've seen this season. No new ideas. Lot's of criticism. No definitive solutions. Basically the same old same old. What should we really expect from these debates anyway?
However, it was the last question and the candidate's responses that I found most interesting.
"What's your favorite Bible verse?" Tim Russert asked the democratic presidential hopefuls.
Barack Obama was first. He seemed dumbfounded. He mumbled something about the Sermon on the Mount and then went into the usual talking points about brotherhood and social justice.
New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson agreed that The Sermon on the Mount was "his favorite verse". Seemed pretty obvious to me that neither of them was very familiar with the Bible in general or the Sermon on the Mount in particular.
Hillary Clinton didn't hesitate a second. "The Golden Rule", she said. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." To her credit, she did quote an actual Bible verse.
Mike Gravel didn't even try to quote a verse. He gave a short discourse on love. Period.
John Edwards quoted Jesus as saying, "In as much as you have done it unto them you have done it unto me." According to Edwards, that quote appears "many times" throughout the Bible.
Chris Dodd's favorite "verse" was "The Good Samaritan". He allowed that's the behavior we all need to model.
Dennis Kucinnich pulled a card out of his coat pocket and said he carries it with him at every event he attends. It quoted a prayer of St. Francis asking God to "Make me an instrument of thy Peace." I'm a little confused. What Bible book, chapter and verse is that from Dennis?
Delaware's Senator Joe Biden got a stern look on his face and said his favorite verse was "Jesus condemning the Pharisees". He explained that the Pharisees today are just as dangerous and have gotten us into much of this mess. "Beware of the Pharisees" Biden warned.
These folks are running for President, not "Theologian in Chief", but you would think that most of them might at least be able to quote an actual verse. Mrs. Clinton did and Edwards came close. They all sounded pretty sanctimonious but a little hollow. All are well read, but not many of them seemed to be too familiar with the best seller of all times.
Now, lest I be accused of only picking on Democrats, let me get an equal opportunity jab in on a Republican as well. Idaho Senator Larry Craig has sought to withdraw his guilty plea to the charges of trying to solicit bathroom sex in a men's room in the Minneapolis Airport a few months ago. A judge is considering allowing Craig to withdraw the guilty plea. His decision is due to come down in a couple of weeks.
What makes this all interesting is that Craig, under pressure from Republicans and Democrats alike, had earlier announced that he would leave the Senate at the end of September. Now today he says he will wait to see what the judge's ruling is before he decides whether or not to step down. So now we know that Senator Craig is not only a degenerate - but he's a liar too!
As an interesting footnote, a news agency revealed polling information today that indicates that the present Congress has the lowest approval rating (11%) than any Congress since polling has begun.
And so it goes on the political scene.
However, it was the last question and the candidate's responses that I found most interesting.
"What's your favorite Bible verse?" Tim Russert asked the democratic presidential hopefuls.
Barack Obama was first. He seemed dumbfounded. He mumbled something about the Sermon on the Mount and then went into the usual talking points about brotherhood and social justice.
New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson agreed that The Sermon on the Mount was "his favorite verse". Seemed pretty obvious to me that neither of them was very familiar with the Bible in general or the Sermon on the Mount in particular.
Hillary Clinton didn't hesitate a second. "The Golden Rule", she said. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." To her credit, she did quote an actual Bible verse.
Mike Gravel didn't even try to quote a verse. He gave a short discourse on love. Period.
John Edwards quoted Jesus as saying, "In as much as you have done it unto them you have done it unto me." According to Edwards, that quote appears "many times" throughout the Bible.
Chris Dodd's favorite "verse" was "The Good Samaritan". He allowed that's the behavior we all need to model.
Dennis Kucinnich pulled a card out of his coat pocket and said he carries it with him at every event he attends. It quoted a prayer of St. Francis asking God to "Make me an instrument of thy Peace." I'm a little confused. What Bible book, chapter and verse is that from Dennis?
Delaware's Senator Joe Biden got a stern look on his face and said his favorite verse was "Jesus condemning the Pharisees". He explained that the Pharisees today are just as dangerous and have gotten us into much of this mess. "Beware of the Pharisees" Biden warned.
These folks are running for President, not "Theologian in Chief", but you would think that most of them might at least be able to quote an actual verse. Mrs. Clinton did and Edwards came close. They all sounded pretty sanctimonious but a little hollow. All are well read, but not many of them seemed to be too familiar with the best seller of all times.
Now, lest I be accused of only picking on Democrats, let me get an equal opportunity jab in on a Republican as well. Idaho Senator Larry Craig has sought to withdraw his guilty plea to the charges of trying to solicit bathroom sex in a men's room in the Minneapolis Airport a few months ago. A judge is considering allowing Craig to withdraw the guilty plea. His decision is due to come down in a couple of weeks.
What makes this all interesting is that Craig, under pressure from Republicans and Democrats alike, had earlier announced that he would leave the Senate at the end of September. Now today he says he will wait to see what the judge's ruling is before he decides whether or not to step down. So now we know that Senator Craig is not only a degenerate - but he's a liar too!
As an interesting footnote, a news agency revealed polling information today that indicates that the present Congress has the lowest approval rating (11%) than any Congress since polling has begun.
And so it goes on the political scene.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Philippine Mission Work
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them". (Acts 16:9-10)
In February, 2000 I had the opportunity to do an overseas mission trip for the very first time. Now, understand that I didn't get a "vision in the night" of someone from the Philippines saying, "Come over here and help us", but I DID get an unmistakable calling from God to go. My desire through the late '90s was to go to Poland. I really wanted to have opportunity to go to a country that had been behind the "Iron Curtain" of Communism, and preach the gospel. Our Kentucky Baptist Convention was in partnership with the Baptist Convention of Poland, and I thought surely I would be able to get involved. Yet try as I might, the door of ministry there never opened to me. I had friends who had gone to Uganda, but I never did really feel a call from God to go there. Then God begin to use a fellow pastor friend in Ashland, KY to begin to talk to me about going to the Philippines. It sounded interesting, but I still had that feeling that I wanted to go to Poland. Finally, one night, God began to speak to me through reading Jesus' prayer, "not my will but thine be done." Not long after that a preacher from the Philippines sat at my dining room table and said the words - "Come over and help us." God began to move in my life.
I realized that God did have a foreign field for me to work, but it was far away from Poland. I put it before Him an said, "Lord, if it is your will for me to go to the Philippines, then you will have to make the way possible for me financially." I began to share this calling with friends and within 6 weeks, I had the money I needed to make the trip. After that first trip in the winter of 2000, I knew that God had a work for me to do here to help Pastor Dominador Valdez, a Filipino church planter in the province of Negros Oriental. The little church was 6 weeks old when I first visited. Bamboo poles were used for seats. There was a dirt floor. One light bulb to light it at night under a blue plastic tarp roof. Dogs and chickens roamed freely through the "church", and among the small core group of people who knew the same Jesus I did. God put them indelibly into my heart and I brought the needs back to the USA where others caught the vision as well. Now nearly eight years later, with the help of friends all around the US and the people of a number of churches in Kentucky and West Virginia, God has blessed this group of believers beyond any one's imagination.
Our "Beacon Ministries" mission teams have made 6 short term trips to the Philippines in the last 7 years. We have become acquainted with several wonderful native Filipino Church Planters and their families. Over the years we have shared in the work with Pastor Josue Cadiao and his wife, Christy; Pastor Jolly Ampong and his late wife, Anita; Pastor Benjamin and Emma Marcelino, Pastor Roberto Martin, and others. On my first trip there I stayed in the home of Pastor Reuben Allosa and his wife, Lolina. However, our primary partnership has been with Pastor Doming and Mrs. Villa Valdez in Dumaguete City and their young helpers, Pastor Joseph and Juvy Zerna at the mission work in Mayapusi in the high mountains of Mabinay.
God has blessed us to help raise the money to purchase real estate, the materials to build two church buildings and to furnish both churches with chairs, audio visual equipment, musical instruments, sound equipment, hymnals, and literature. Over the years we were blessed to purchase Pastor Valdez and later, Bro. Joseph new motorcycles for their transportation needs. We have distributed countless Gospel tracts and nearly two thousand Bibles and New Testaments. We have done music, sports, and youth ministry. We have preached in places of business, jails, schools and colleges and at open air crusades. The Gospel has been shared in home Bible studies and house to house evangelism and many classrooms in several schools.
Lord willing, we will be going again in January 2008. Along with our regular evangelistic activities, plans include holding a pastor/church leader seminar for 30 or more evangelical pastors on Negros Island. This will be a wonderful blessing to those precious pastors working for the Lord under a very difficult set of circumstances. We are praying that the text materials will be provided through the gifts of our friends here. We have a capable group who will be leading this seminar.
Please join me in praying that God will work every thing out according to His will.
In February, 2000 I had the opportunity to do an overseas mission trip for the very first time. Now, understand that I didn't get a "vision in the night" of someone from the Philippines saying, "Come over here and help us", but I DID get an unmistakable calling from God to go. My desire through the late '90s was to go to Poland. I really wanted to have opportunity to go to a country that had been behind the "Iron Curtain" of Communism, and preach the gospel. Our Kentucky Baptist Convention was in partnership with the Baptist Convention of Poland, and I thought surely I would be able to get involved. Yet try as I might, the door of ministry there never opened to me. I had friends who had gone to Uganda, but I never did really feel a call from God to go there. Then God begin to use a fellow pastor friend in Ashland, KY to begin to talk to me about going to the Philippines. It sounded interesting, but I still had that feeling that I wanted to go to Poland. Finally, one night, God began to speak to me through reading Jesus' prayer, "not my will but thine be done." Not long after that a preacher from the Philippines sat at my dining room table and said the words - "Come over and help us." God began to move in my life.
I realized that God did have a foreign field for me to work, but it was far away from Poland. I put it before Him an said, "Lord, if it is your will for me to go to the Philippines, then you will have to make the way possible for me financially." I began to share this calling with friends and within 6 weeks, I had the money I needed to make the trip. After that first trip in the winter of 2000, I knew that God had a work for me to do here to help Pastor Dominador Valdez, a Filipino church planter in the province of Negros Oriental. The little church was 6 weeks old when I first visited. Bamboo poles were used for seats. There was a dirt floor. One light bulb to light it at night under a blue plastic tarp roof. Dogs and chickens roamed freely through the "church", and among the small core group of people who knew the same Jesus I did. God put them indelibly into my heart and I brought the needs back to the USA where others caught the vision as well. Now nearly eight years later, with the help of friends all around the US and the people of a number of churches in Kentucky and West Virginia, God has blessed this group of believers beyond any one's imagination.
Our "Beacon Ministries" mission teams have made 6 short term trips to the Philippines in the last 7 years. We have become acquainted with several wonderful native Filipino Church Planters and their families. Over the years we have shared in the work with Pastor Josue Cadiao and his wife, Christy; Pastor Jolly Ampong and his late wife, Anita; Pastor Benjamin and Emma Marcelino, Pastor Roberto Martin, and others. On my first trip there I stayed in the home of Pastor Reuben Allosa and his wife, Lolina. However, our primary partnership has been with Pastor Doming and Mrs. Villa Valdez in Dumaguete City and their young helpers, Pastor Joseph and Juvy Zerna at the mission work in Mayapusi in the high mountains of Mabinay.
God has blessed us to help raise the money to purchase real estate, the materials to build two church buildings and to furnish both churches with chairs, audio visual equipment, musical instruments, sound equipment, hymnals, and literature. Over the years we were blessed to purchase Pastor Valdez and later, Bro. Joseph new motorcycles for their transportation needs. We have distributed countless Gospel tracts and nearly two thousand Bibles and New Testaments. We have done music, sports, and youth ministry. We have preached in places of business, jails, schools and colleges and at open air crusades. The Gospel has been shared in home Bible studies and house to house evangelism and many classrooms in several schools.
Lord willing, we will be going again in January 2008. Along with our regular evangelistic activities, plans include holding a pastor/church leader seminar for 30 or more evangelical pastors on Negros Island. This will be a wonderful blessing to those precious pastors working for the Lord under a very difficult set of circumstances. We are praying that the text materials will be provided through the gifts of our friends here. We have a capable group who will be leading this seminar.
Please join me in praying that God will work every thing out according to His will.
Monday, September 24, 2007
What's Wrong With This Picture?
Unless you have been under a rock somewhere you have probably heard that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in New York City today. The President of Iran is here to address the United Nations and, as per his usual M.O., he has stirred up quite a stink.
The diminutive populist leader of the largest terrorist sponsoring state in the world had the gall to request a police escort and taxpayer sponsored protection for a photo op of him laying a wreath at the former site of the now fallen World Trade Center's Twin Towers. The first report was that Mayor Bloomberg was going to allow it, but I was thrilled when I saw NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelley say, "No." That was not going to happen. The sawed off Islam-o-fascist former Mayor of Tehran was offended by the decision to keep him away from that hallowed ground. Can you imagine that? In this writer's humble opinion this character is not worthy to even step foot on American soil.
After all, some of his stated goals are to rid the world of the influence of "The Great Satan", (the USA) and to "wipe Israel from the map". He jails dissidents and critical members of the press in his own country. His country is pouring millions of dollars of arms into Iraq which are being used by insurgents to send our men and women home in body bags. He is pursuing a nuclear program which has an unsettling effect on that troubled region, and the whole world! Many western intelligence sources believe that Ahmadinejad, who denies the historic accounts of the Holocaust, is planning one of his own. What a guy! Hitler would be proud.
Even though Ahmadinejad's trip to ground zero was short circuited by common sense, Columbia University, in an act of unbelievable disregard for the memory of the dead of 9/11 and the sensibilities of our Jewish citizens and our Israeli allies, has extended him an invitation to speak at that great university.
Now don't get me wrong. I am all about free speech. I thank God for our Bill of Rights which allows me to speak freely on any subject, popular or not. While on American soil, the Iranian president (while he jails students and political opponents in Iran) has the right to be wrong. Furthermore, he has the right to express that wrong opinion. That being said, however, why should Columbia University offer him a forum for spewing his hate, or issuing false propaganda? Why dignify this low life with such a "bully pulpit"? Why insult our allies and our fighting men and women by giving him a single photo op - much less an open microphone? Free speech? Sure. Common sense? Far from it!
How ironic that the Holocaust denier be allowed to speak at Columbia. The thirteenth President of Columbia University was none other than Dwight D. Eisenhower, who as a five star General, was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II. After Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945 the country was divided up into four occupation zones governed by the US, Great Britain, France, and The Soviet Union. Eisenhower was made Military Governor of the US Occupation Zone. It was under Eisenhower's watch at Frankfurt that the full revelations about Hitler's death camps began to come to light. As Military Governor, General Eisenhower ordered camera crews to document the full extent of the atrocities and the horrors of the Holocaust, lest anyone (including this madman from Iran) should ever try to deny it's existence.
The very thought of Ahmadinejad being invited to speak at Columbia, where Eisenhower presided from 1948 to 1953, is enough to make poor old Ike turn over in his grave at Gettysburg!
Dr. Lee Bollinger, Columbia's President who issued the invitation should be ashamed.
The diminutive populist leader of the largest terrorist sponsoring state in the world had the gall to request a police escort and taxpayer sponsored protection for a photo op of him laying a wreath at the former site of the now fallen World Trade Center's Twin Towers. The first report was that Mayor Bloomberg was going to allow it, but I was thrilled when I saw NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelley say, "No." That was not going to happen. The sawed off Islam-o-fascist former Mayor of Tehran was offended by the decision to keep him away from that hallowed ground. Can you imagine that? In this writer's humble opinion this character is not worthy to even step foot on American soil.
After all, some of his stated goals are to rid the world of the influence of "The Great Satan", (the USA) and to "wipe Israel from the map". He jails dissidents and critical members of the press in his own country. His country is pouring millions of dollars of arms into Iraq which are being used by insurgents to send our men and women home in body bags. He is pursuing a nuclear program which has an unsettling effect on that troubled region, and the whole world! Many western intelligence sources believe that Ahmadinejad, who denies the historic accounts of the Holocaust, is planning one of his own. What a guy! Hitler would be proud.
Even though Ahmadinejad's trip to ground zero was short circuited by common sense, Columbia University, in an act of unbelievable disregard for the memory of the dead of 9/11 and the sensibilities of our Jewish citizens and our Israeli allies, has extended him an invitation to speak at that great university.
Now don't get me wrong. I am all about free speech. I thank God for our Bill of Rights which allows me to speak freely on any subject, popular or not. While on American soil, the Iranian president (while he jails students and political opponents in Iran) has the right to be wrong. Furthermore, he has the right to express that wrong opinion. That being said, however, why should Columbia University offer him a forum for spewing his hate, or issuing false propaganda? Why dignify this low life with such a "bully pulpit"? Why insult our allies and our fighting men and women by giving him a single photo op - much less an open microphone? Free speech? Sure. Common sense? Far from it!
How ironic that the Holocaust denier be allowed to speak at Columbia. The thirteenth President of Columbia University was none other than Dwight D. Eisenhower, who as a five star General, was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II. After Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945 the country was divided up into four occupation zones governed by the US, Great Britain, France, and The Soviet Union. Eisenhower was made Military Governor of the US Occupation Zone. It was under Eisenhower's watch at Frankfurt that the full revelations about Hitler's death camps began to come to light. As Military Governor, General Eisenhower ordered camera crews to document the full extent of the atrocities and the horrors of the Holocaust, lest anyone (including this madman from Iran) should ever try to deny it's existence.
The very thought of Ahmadinejad being invited to speak at Columbia, where Eisenhower presided from 1948 to 1953, is enough to make poor old Ike turn over in his grave at Gettysburg!
Dr. Lee Bollinger, Columbia's President who issued the invitation should be ashamed.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Family Tragedy, Half A World Away
Rowina Gantalao is one of the young ladies who attend the New Life Christian Church in the Philippines. We first met "Weng Weng", as she is known by her friends, several years ago on one of our short term mission trips to Oriental Negros in the Philippines. She was a student at The Asian College of Science and Technology (ASCAT) and very active in the youth group at New Life Church. We have watched Weng's progress from a member of the youth group to one of the active young leaders in the church, and a valuable companion to Pastor Valdez' wife, Villa.
Pastor and church planter Doming Valdez and his family had founded the New Life Church in the barangay of Batinguel, Dumaguete City in January 2000. Weng is one of the many young people whom they have led to Christ and discipled. A few years ago Weng was instrumental in getting the College to allow our mission team to visit each classroom to share the Gospel and give copies of the New Testament to every student who wanted one. A large number of college students made professions of faith in Jesus Christ that day, and we gave away over 150 New Testaments. Weng, along with the other faithful members of New Life Christian Church in Dumaguete and Mayapusi Southern Baptist Church in the mountains, have become like family to our team members.
Joseph Spurgeon, one of the young men who was part of our last mission trip to the Philippines, has stayed in touch with Rowina via email and an occasional telephone call. Joey left me a message last week to pray for Weng and her family because her father had died. I didn't know any details, but certainly felt a heavy heart for Weng and her family (none of whom I had ever met). Last night I received this email from Pastor Valdez' wife:
"We thank God for protecting us (Joseph,Juvy,andme)during our risky slippery trip to Guihulngan (homeplace of Weng, about 122 kilometers away from Dumaguete City) to tend to Weng and family.
Weng's father was stabbed to death last night at their homeplace at Guihulngan. We went there to assist Weng and family to file a case to that killer . He's now in jail awaiting for the hearing of the said case. We also proceeded to the funeral home where we held the funeral service in memory of Mr. Gantalao (Weng'sfather).
We didn't like to leave the grieving family but we need to get back home to Batinguel for we will be having our Sunday school and Sunday Worship Services tomorrow at NLCC and MSBC.
I will be leaving for Guihulngan tomorrow morning right after the morning worship service... Burial will be on Monday at 1p.m. at the Guilhulngan cemetery, PastorDoming will be the preacher at the funeral service as well as the graveyard committal service.
Please pray for God's comfort for Weng (Rowina Gantalao) and the Gantalao family. Weng has three brothers and two sisters.We have just arrived from Guihulngan and we're heading home now to get some sleep and to wake up early tomorrow for Sunday activities.
I need to go now and I am closing this with the hope and prayer that you are all well and blessed!!!
Your loving sister,
Villa"
What a shock! It is difficult enough to deal with the loss of a loved one, but one can only imagine the grief of having a loved one murdered. Everyone on our mission teams will feel touched by that tragedy. God has bonded our hearts together with those of the people that we have come to know and love over the past few years.
In my several trips to Oriental Negros, we have never been to Guihulngan, but I do know where it is located. Over the years I have regularly read the Oriental Negros online newspaper, "The Visayan Daily Star" and have noted that Guihulngan seems to be a very dangerous part of the province. There have been a number of murders, kidnapping and other violent crimes in that region. The rebel communist New People's Army (NPA) has a strong presence in that area, which adds to the lawlessness of that region. That may be why Pastor Valdez, as our protective host, has never taken us to that part of the island. I have no information as to the circumstances of Mr. Gantalao's murder (whether NPA related or not) but my heart is pained for the loss that must be felt by Weng and her family. They will certainly need our prayers during this difficult time.
As we say in this part of the country, Doming Valdez and young Joseph Zerna have a "difficult row to hoe". It is a hard trip for Pastors Valdez and Zerna and their families to go to Guihulngan (distance and expense wise) but I am not surprised at their faithfulness to minister to Weng and her family in their time of loss. But that's what God's people do. I have nothing but admiration and love for these precious servants of the Lord who minister to their people under very arduous circumstances.
I know that Weng will be OK. She has strong faith and knows that God's grace is sufficient for every need she has. I do not know about the rest of her family. My fervent prayer is that the surviving members of the Gantalao family will be able to see beyond the tragedy and respond the the message of Grace exhibited by the faithful believers who are seeking to minister to them during this terrible time.
Weng, when you read this post, please know that we love you and that your "American family" is lifting you up in prayer from half a world away.
Pastor and church planter Doming Valdez and his family had founded the New Life Church in the barangay of Batinguel, Dumaguete City in January 2000. Weng is one of the many young people whom they have led to Christ and discipled. A few years ago Weng was instrumental in getting the College to allow our mission team to visit each classroom to share the Gospel and give copies of the New Testament to every student who wanted one. A large number of college students made professions of faith in Jesus Christ that day, and we gave away over 150 New Testaments. Weng, along with the other faithful members of New Life Christian Church in Dumaguete and Mayapusi Southern Baptist Church in the mountains, have become like family to our team members.
Joseph Spurgeon, one of the young men who was part of our last mission trip to the Philippines, has stayed in touch with Rowina via email and an occasional telephone call. Joey left me a message last week to pray for Weng and her family because her father had died. I didn't know any details, but certainly felt a heavy heart for Weng and her family (none of whom I had ever met). Last night I received this email from Pastor Valdez' wife:
"We thank God for protecting us (Joseph,Juvy,andme)during our risky slippery trip to Guihulngan (homeplace of Weng, about 122 kilometers away from Dumaguete City) to tend to Weng and family.
Weng's father was stabbed to death last night at their homeplace at Guihulngan. We went there to assist Weng and family to file a case to that killer . He's now in jail awaiting for the hearing of the said case. We also proceeded to the funeral home where we held the funeral service in memory of Mr. Gantalao (Weng'sfather).
We didn't like to leave the grieving family but we need to get back home to Batinguel for we will be having our Sunday school and Sunday Worship Services tomorrow at NLCC and MSBC.
I will be leaving for Guihulngan tomorrow morning right after the morning worship service... Burial will be on Monday at 1p.m. at the Guilhulngan cemetery, PastorDoming will be the preacher at the funeral service as well as the graveyard committal service.
Please pray for God's comfort for Weng (Rowina Gantalao) and the Gantalao family. Weng has three brothers and two sisters.We have just arrived from Guihulngan and we're heading home now to get some sleep and to wake up early tomorrow for Sunday activities.
I need to go now and I am closing this with the hope and prayer that you are all well and blessed!!!
Your loving sister,
Villa"
What a shock! It is difficult enough to deal with the loss of a loved one, but one can only imagine the grief of having a loved one murdered. Everyone on our mission teams will feel touched by that tragedy. God has bonded our hearts together with those of the people that we have come to know and love over the past few years.
In my several trips to Oriental Negros, we have never been to Guihulngan, but I do know where it is located. Over the years I have regularly read the Oriental Negros online newspaper, "The Visayan Daily Star" and have noted that Guihulngan seems to be a very dangerous part of the province. There have been a number of murders, kidnapping and other violent crimes in that region. The rebel communist New People's Army (NPA) has a strong presence in that area, which adds to the lawlessness of that region. That may be why Pastor Valdez, as our protective host, has never taken us to that part of the island. I have no information as to the circumstances of Mr. Gantalao's murder (whether NPA related or not) but my heart is pained for the loss that must be felt by Weng and her family. They will certainly need our prayers during this difficult time.
As we say in this part of the country, Doming Valdez and young Joseph Zerna have a "difficult row to hoe". It is a hard trip for Pastors Valdez and Zerna and their families to go to Guihulngan (distance and expense wise) but I am not surprised at their faithfulness to minister to Weng and her family in their time of loss. But that's what God's people do. I have nothing but admiration and love for these precious servants of the Lord who minister to their people under very arduous circumstances.
I know that Weng will be OK. She has strong faith and knows that God's grace is sufficient for every need she has. I do not know about the rest of her family. My fervent prayer is that the surviving members of the Gantalao family will be able to see beyond the tragedy and respond the the message of Grace exhibited by the faithful believers who are seeking to minister to them during this terrible time.
Weng, when you read this post, please know that we love you and that your "American family" is lifting you up in prayer from half a world away.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Two Memorable Encounters
I always enjoy Joe McKeever's Blog (http://www.joemckeever.com/) and try to keep up with it daily. Joe is the Director of Missions of the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. I have had the pleasure of meeting Joe two or three times through his association with my son, Jay, who is one of his pastors in BAGNO. Joe's posts are always varied and run the gamut from SBC and local association news and information to sports, politics, and all things New Orleans. He often mentions the corrupt politics of Louisiana which rivals and probably even surpasses the corrupt politics of West Virginia.
In today's post, Joe mentions that former Governor Dave Treen is seeking to have President Bush issue a pardon for former Governor Edwin Edwards, who has served five years of his federal conviction on racketeering charges. Since I had lived in Louisiana, during one of Governor Edwards terms of office, the mention of his name caught my attention. I met the Governor once when he was a regular visitor to Coleman Oldsmobile, in Baton Rouge, where I worked as a sales manager. Mr. Bob Coleman, who was a native of Port Arthur, Texas was the owner of the dealership and a close friend and financial supporter of the Governor. "The little Cajun", as Mr. Coleman called Edwards, often stopped by the dealership at the corner of Goodwood Boulevard and Airline Highway to confer with our boss.
Actually Edwards was the SECOND Governor of the Pelican State that I had the pleasure to meet. The first was former Governor Jimmie Davis. In fact, I met Governor Davis twice - about eight months apart - both times in the Theater Barber Shop on Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Both were memorable encounters with a most interesting character.
Having just arrived in Baton Rouge in early October, 1978 I was living alone there in my rented home while Linda and the boys were still back here in West Virginia, tying up loose ends. They wouldn't move down there for another few weeks. I was badly in need of a haircut but had no idea where I might find a new barber who wouldn't butcher me. (As most guys know, finding a new dependable barber is one of the perils of moving) One of the fellows at the dealership suggested the Theater Barber Shop. It wasn't far away and it was easy to locate there beside the Broadmoor Theater. The owner of the shop, Jerry Johnson, was a personable fellow who, like most barbers, carried on a running conversation with the guy in the chair as well as with those who were waiting. The time passed quickly and soon I was in the chair.
While he had me turned toward the mirror someone entered the shop, out of the line of sight from the chair and took a seat in the waiting area. Jerry cheerfully greeted the newcomer with a "Hi Governor!" I thought that might be his standard greeting - much like Vernon Holbrook in Ashland, KY who greeted everyone by calling them "Cuz". The newcomer fell right into the conversation and I remember thinking what a melodious tone his voice had. The subject of the conversation centered around "the old days" and this fellow had a number of stories to tell about growing up in Jackson Parish in a large family the son of a sharecropper. He claimed he didn't have a bed to sleep on till he was nine years old. I sat there being clipped, fascinated by his stories, and captivated by his mellow voice.
When Jerry turned me around in the chair, I caught my first look at this guy and recognized him immediately. He WAS a governor! It was Jimmie Davis, the former "Singing Governor" of Louisiana. His face was recognizable to me as I had seen it for many years on record album covers in my Dad's Gospel Music collection. Jerry must have noticed the surprise on my face as he said, "C.J. I would like to introduce you to our former Governor, Jimmie Davis. Governor, this is C.J. Adkins who just moved here from West Virginia."
"West Virginia! Governor Davis said with a smile. "Home of my dear friend Robert Byrd." I mentioned that my grandfather had served with Senator Byrd in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1946 to 1952 and he listened with what appeared to be genuine interest. Naturally I told him that my Dad had a number of his records back home and I had been hearing him sing gospel favorites for years. He seemed pleased.
Jimmie Davis was the 43rd and 47th Governor of Louisiana - serving his first term from 1944 to 1948 and his second from 1960 - 1964. Interestingly, both times he was succeeded in office by Earl K. Long, the younger brother of "The Kingfish" Huey P. Long - the legendary Governor and U.S. Senator who was assassinated in the Capitol Building in Baton Rouge. Davis was probably most famous for recording "You Are My Sunshine" which incidentally was designated as the official Louisiana State Song in 1977. During his second term of office, Davis built the Sunshine Bridge, spanning the Mississippi, the new Governor's Mansion, and the Toledo Bend Reservoir. All of those were controversial projects at the time, but later were applauded as good for the state. He is also remembered for riding his horse, "Sunshine" up the Capitol steps on his inauguration. Davis, like many other southern governors of the day was a segregationist, but he apologized for his actions later in life.
It was quite an honor for me to meet the former Governor. I called Dad nearly immediately upon getting back to the office. He was surprised and pleased as I was. That was a memorable encounter, but as Paul Harvey says, "Here is the rest of the story." It was June of the next year when I next happened to meet Governor Davis. Again it was at the barber shop. I was sitting in the waiting area with my six year old son, Jay. The door opened and in walked Governor Davis. I smiled and nodded to him, certainly having no reason to believe that he would have remembered me from that first encounter eight months earlier. He took one look at me and said, "Well, it's the young man from West Virginia! What was your name - Adams?"
"No sir but that's mighty close" I replied. "It's Adkins."
"Oh yes" he said ruefully. "I should have remembered that. I must be getting old" he chuckled. (He was nearly 80 years old at the time).
He glanced about the shop and noticed the large number of men and boys waiting for the barber and allowed, "Jerry, I'll be back later or I'll catch you tomorrow." And with that he was out the door.
I was utterly amazed that having only met the man once - eight months earlier - he would even remember where I was from - much less nearly remember my name. After all we had only been introduced that one time. I expressed that feeling to the barber, Jerry, who said, "That's how a guy like him gets to be a guy like him. He never forgets anyone!"
I never saw Jimmie Davis again, but I will always remember those two encounters with "The Singing Governor". He must have been quite a guy!
It was with interest 21 years later, that I noted the news article of Governor Davis' passing in November, 2000. He was 101 years of age and had lived longer than any one who had ever inhabited a Governor's Mansion in any state.
The story didn't mention any details about the funeral service, but I would be surprised if "You Are My Sunshine" was not one of the musical selections.
In today's post, Joe mentions that former Governor Dave Treen is seeking to have President Bush issue a pardon for former Governor Edwin Edwards, who has served five years of his federal conviction on racketeering charges. Since I had lived in Louisiana, during one of Governor Edwards terms of office, the mention of his name caught my attention. I met the Governor once when he was a regular visitor to Coleman Oldsmobile, in Baton Rouge, where I worked as a sales manager. Mr. Bob Coleman, who was a native of Port Arthur, Texas was the owner of the dealership and a close friend and financial supporter of the Governor. "The little Cajun", as Mr. Coleman called Edwards, often stopped by the dealership at the corner of Goodwood Boulevard and Airline Highway to confer with our boss.
Actually Edwards was the SECOND Governor of the Pelican State that I had the pleasure to meet. The first was former Governor Jimmie Davis. In fact, I met Governor Davis twice - about eight months apart - both times in the Theater Barber Shop on Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Both were memorable encounters with a most interesting character.
Having just arrived in Baton Rouge in early October, 1978 I was living alone there in my rented home while Linda and the boys were still back here in West Virginia, tying up loose ends. They wouldn't move down there for another few weeks. I was badly in need of a haircut but had no idea where I might find a new barber who wouldn't butcher me. (As most guys know, finding a new dependable barber is one of the perils of moving) One of the fellows at the dealership suggested the Theater Barber Shop. It wasn't far away and it was easy to locate there beside the Broadmoor Theater. The owner of the shop, Jerry Johnson, was a personable fellow who, like most barbers, carried on a running conversation with the guy in the chair as well as with those who were waiting. The time passed quickly and soon I was in the chair.
While he had me turned toward the mirror someone entered the shop, out of the line of sight from the chair and took a seat in the waiting area. Jerry cheerfully greeted the newcomer with a "Hi Governor!" I thought that might be his standard greeting - much like Vernon Holbrook in Ashland, KY who greeted everyone by calling them "Cuz". The newcomer fell right into the conversation and I remember thinking what a melodious tone his voice had. The subject of the conversation centered around "the old days" and this fellow had a number of stories to tell about growing up in Jackson Parish in a large family the son of a sharecropper. He claimed he didn't have a bed to sleep on till he was nine years old. I sat there being clipped, fascinated by his stories, and captivated by his mellow voice.
When Jerry turned me around in the chair, I caught my first look at this guy and recognized him immediately. He WAS a governor! It was Jimmie Davis, the former "Singing Governor" of Louisiana. His face was recognizable to me as I had seen it for many years on record album covers in my Dad's Gospel Music collection. Jerry must have noticed the surprise on my face as he said, "C.J. I would like to introduce you to our former Governor, Jimmie Davis. Governor, this is C.J. Adkins who just moved here from West Virginia."
"West Virginia! Governor Davis said with a smile. "Home of my dear friend Robert Byrd." I mentioned that my grandfather had served with Senator Byrd in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1946 to 1952 and he listened with what appeared to be genuine interest. Naturally I told him that my Dad had a number of his records back home and I had been hearing him sing gospel favorites for years. He seemed pleased.
Jimmie Davis was the 43rd and 47th Governor of Louisiana - serving his first term from 1944 to 1948 and his second from 1960 - 1964. Interestingly, both times he was succeeded in office by Earl K. Long, the younger brother of "The Kingfish" Huey P. Long - the legendary Governor and U.S. Senator who was assassinated in the Capitol Building in Baton Rouge. Davis was probably most famous for recording "You Are My Sunshine" which incidentally was designated as the official Louisiana State Song in 1977. During his second term of office, Davis built the Sunshine Bridge, spanning the Mississippi, the new Governor's Mansion, and the Toledo Bend Reservoir. All of those were controversial projects at the time, but later were applauded as good for the state. He is also remembered for riding his horse, "Sunshine" up the Capitol steps on his inauguration. Davis, like many other southern governors of the day was a segregationist, but he apologized for his actions later in life.
It was quite an honor for me to meet the former Governor. I called Dad nearly immediately upon getting back to the office. He was surprised and pleased as I was. That was a memorable encounter, but as Paul Harvey says, "Here is the rest of the story." It was June of the next year when I next happened to meet Governor Davis. Again it was at the barber shop. I was sitting in the waiting area with my six year old son, Jay. The door opened and in walked Governor Davis. I smiled and nodded to him, certainly having no reason to believe that he would have remembered me from that first encounter eight months earlier. He took one look at me and said, "Well, it's the young man from West Virginia! What was your name - Adams?"
"No sir but that's mighty close" I replied. "It's Adkins."
"Oh yes" he said ruefully. "I should have remembered that. I must be getting old" he chuckled. (He was nearly 80 years old at the time).
He glanced about the shop and noticed the large number of men and boys waiting for the barber and allowed, "Jerry, I'll be back later or I'll catch you tomorrow." And with that he was out the door.
I was utterly amazed that having only met the man once - eight months earlier - he would even remember where I was from - much less nearly remember my name. After all we had only been introduced that one time. I expressed that feeling to the barber, Jerry, who said, "That's how a guy like him gets to be a guy like him. He never forgets anyone!"
I never saw Jimmie Davis again, but I will always remember those two encounters with "The Singing Governor". He must have been quite a guy!
It was with interest 21 years later, that I noted the news article of Governor Davis' passing in November, 2000. He was 101 years of age and had lived longer than any one who had ever inhabited a Governor's Mansion in any state.
The story didn't mention any details about the funeral service, but I would be surprised if "You Are My Sunshine" was not one of the musical selections.
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