Not Everyone In The 1960s Wore Beads!

NOT EVERYONE IN THE 1960s WORE BEADS!  ~  That is from a graphic posted on the "Blast from the Past" in that Facebook group a couple of days ago by my Friend, Jerry Teets - and it brought a happy, yet sad deja vu memory for me, from the 1960s. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I responded:

Hi Jerry Teets, This brings a beautiful, yet sad, memory from the late 1960s.  My girl friend and I lived in Van Nuys, California.  Her hometown friend's fiancé, an Army Captain, had lost both legs below the knee in Vietnam.

An IED bomb was exploded as his squad was passing.  He and one other survived the attack and when he was released from the VA hospital in Santa Monica, the first thing on his agenda was to visit his comrade, who had lost his eyesight, at the VA hospital in San Diego.

Then they came to visit us for a weekend, my first time to meet either of them - and I was nervous.  What do I say to a man who has lost both legs?  Yet both of them put me at ease right away.  You would have thought nothing had happened to him.

How well I recall, just a few minutes after they arrived, they were sitting on the sofa and he made a light hearted comment - smiling.  She kicked him on the shin (which was now a prosthetic leg) and with a smile, warned him.

That weekend they went to a movie alone - and they chose the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.  At the theater he chose to sit in the upstairs section.  You can imagine a man walking with crutches on new prosthetic legs - struggling up those stairs. 

Was he doing it to gain pity? Absolutely not!  He was determined to be as normal as anyone else - in spite of his loss.  I never saw one moment of anger, regret, of self-pity from the man, and I emphasize "man!"

I learned a lot that weekend about what is truly important - and what makes a real man.  His courage and his strong concern, not for himself, but for his squad mate in the VA hospital in San Diego - left an indelible mark on me.

I respect all Vietnam Vets and feel sad at the way they were treated when they came home - home from fighting a politically frustrated losing war, home to abuse by their fellow Americans.

Jerry, thanks for the memories, the good, the bad, and the ugly. God bless, Bill

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Paul Kocourek told us:  My number was coming up for the draft, when then President Nixon killed the draft.  I drew a breath of relief.  Had my number been picked, I would have gone to Vietnam.  But, the thing I will never know, is whether I would have come back alive?  I salute all the soldiers who did go!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another gentleman, Edward Goodwin, merely wrote:  "Thanks for sharing!"

And a simple "Thank You" is all our returning Vietnam Vets wanted to hear.  Vets coming home from World War 2 and the Korean War were greeted with love, thanks, and respect, even though Korea was not a total success. 

Why do I say that?  Because even though we had a Cease Fire in 1953 - no Peace Treaty, actually ending the war, has ever been signed.  Technically we are still at war with North Korea.

But when our Vietnam Vets came home - it was to jeers, cursing, abuse, and even being spit on by beads and flower wearing local heroes.  That is the meaning of the graphic on the left shared by Jerry Teets.

Those are not medals on the chain, they are called Dog Tags.  Are you curious about why all of our military wears two Dog Tags?

It has a very useful and necessary purpose.  When a GI is killed in battle, his squad leader or fellow soldier, takes one dog tag to turn in as proof his friend has been killed - and he leaves the other dog tag, normally in the mouth or jammed between his teeth - so that his body can be later identified and his next of kin notified.  Useful, yes.  And necessary so that our brave soldier is not forever lost in oblivion.

Think about that the next time you meet an American Soldier - smile, and tell him/her, "THANK YOU!"  That is all they want from you. 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge:

Edmund Winston Gray - "Mr. Ed" (to neighbors) - Grandpa (to me)

EDMUND WINSTON GRAY - "MR. ED" (to neighbors) - GRANDPA (to me!)

FAMILY SEARCH ID:  2:2:QXBC-KT9

Family Members:

Parents:  William Simpson Gray - 1816-1900 and Julia Anne Jarman - 1844-1900 •

Spouse:  Cora Irene Sockwell -  1885-1963

Marriage:  24 Sep 1905, Franklin County, Alabama

Citation:  "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:QXBC-KT9 : accessed 17 December 2023), entry for Edmund Winston Gray; "Birth Mother Tree" file (2:2:2:MMXN-FRY), submitted 2 August 2020 by James Turgeon [identity withheld for privacy].

• When Edmund Winston Gray was born on April 4, 1881, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, his father, William, was 64 and his mother, Julia, was 37. 
  
  He married Cora Irene Sockwell on September 24, 1905, in Franklin, Alabama.  They had three children during their marriage.  He died on August 27, 1961, in Colbert, Alabama, at the age of 80, and was buried in his hometown.
  
  Family Biological Parents - William Simpson Gray 1816-1900 and Julia Anne Jarman 1844-1900
  
  
• Spouse & Children: Cora Irene Sockwell 1885-1963:  Children: Elvin Hamilton Gray 1912-1974 - Lula Bell Gray 1915-1949 - Anne Irene Gray 1918-1995
  
  Facts, Name, and Gender:  Birth 4 Apr 1881 • Tuscumbia, Colbert, Alabama 
  
  Death of Half-Sister, Ivanora Lou Ellen Nora Gray (1855-1895), 1895 • Colbert County, Alabama
  
  Death of Mother, Julia Anne Jarman (1844-1900) 07 Mar 1900 • Lawrence, Alabama
  
  Death of Father,  William Simpson Gray (1816-1900) 12 May 1900 • Tuscumbia, Colbert, Alabama
  
  Marriage:  24 Sep 1905 • Franklin, Alabama to Cora Irene Sockwell (1885-1963)
  
  Death of Half-Brother, William Charles Gray (1844-1909) 16 August 1909 • Jack, Texas
  
  Death of Half-Sister, Jemina J Gray (1842-1910) AFT 1910
  
  Death of Half-Sister, Martha Ann Gray (1838-1911) 7 April 1911 • Isbell, Franklin County, Alabama
  
  Birth of Son, Elvin Hamilton Gray (1912-1974) 24 Feb 1912 • Tuscumbia, Colbert, Alabama
  
  Death of Half-Brother, John Simpson Gray (1842-1913) 20 May 1913 • Franklin, Osborn Hill Cemetery, Colbert County, Alabama
  
  Birth of Daughter, Lula Bell Gray (1915-1949) 12 Feb 1915 • Alabama
  
  Birth of Daughter, Anne Irene Gray (1918-1995) 12 Oct 1918 • Tuscumbia County, Alabama
  
  Death of Half-Sister, Mary E Gray (1846-1919) 13 Oct 1919 • Provencal, Natchitoches, Louisiana
  
  Death of Sister, Fedonia C Gray (1876-1924) 1924 • Alabama
  
  Death of Daughter, Lula Bell Gray (1915-1949) 25 Nov 1949 • Rural, Lawrence, Alabama
  
  Death of Brother, Robert Hardy Gray (1878-1950) 5 August 1950 • Alabama  (Bill Gray: his name was: Robert Elvin Hardie Gray - ID: K4B2-JDG)
  
  Death: 27 Aug 1961 • Tuscumbia, Colbert County, Alabama
  
  Burial:Tuscumbia, Colbert County, Alabama
  
  

Submitted on Family Search by:  James Turgeon

Click on image to enlarge:

Why Do I Share My Faith?

WHY DO I SHARE MY FAITH?  ~  The original graphic below and that question came together within hours of one another, a coincidence?  Really?  Or could it be the work of the Holy Spirit?  I like the latter.

Recently on YouTube a pastor I do not know, but who initially appeared to be on track, for the first minute, was in a video we found.  Then he began to tell us, "The Lord told me .  .  ." and, "Last night God told me.  .  .  ."  I stopped watching and said to Dory and Lana, "I believe he is a false prophet."  And they asked why I feel so strongly about pastors, or anyone, who declares that God has spoken to them - except in prayer or in the Bible?

My answer was that in the Old Testament God did speak to the people through prophets.  "Thus saith the Lord" occurs time in 413 verses in the KJV translation - all in the Old Testament, none in the New Testament.  Why?

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ and His apostles performed miracles of raising the dead and healing the sick.
                        
Jesus raised the dead:  Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40–56). - Lazarus of Bethany (John 11).  In Matthew 27:50–53 the Bible tells us that many saints, people of faith, were raised from the dead en masse at the time of the death of Christ and went into the city.

In John 20:30-31 we read, "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

Apostles:  In Acts 9:36–43, Tabitha, whose Greek name was Dorcas, was a believer.  The apostle Peter raised her from from the dead, returned her to life.

In Acts 20:7–12, Eutychus, a young man who lived, died, and lived again in Troas - was raised from the dead by the apostle Paul.

The purpose of those miracles was to authenticate the divine nature of Jesus Christ, Son of God.  Acts 2:22 declares, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.”

The same was true of the apostles: "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles." (2 Corinthians 12:12).

That raises the question: "How does God speak to us today?"

And my answer will always be:  "Through prayer and in the Bible."  Based upon that we should all be spending a lot of time in both prayer and studying the Bible.  Notice that I did not say, "Reading the Bible" - but instead I say, "Studying the Bible."

"Come on, Bill, what is the difference?"  Glad you asked.  You read a novel, you read magazines, newspapers, etc. - and most of it is "in one ear and out the other" for most folks.  But in studying the Bible, alone or in a Bible study, we read a verse or passage, then ask ourselves or the group, "What is God telling us here?  What in that verse/passage is God's message for us today?

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 tells us, "Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds .  .  ."   In other words, we should store up, treasure, and live God’s Word in our hearts.  That is what we do when we study the Bible.

Does God speak to us audibly today?  Hey, He is God - He can do anything He wants.  I sincerely believe He wants to be in our hearts, minds, and souls through prayer, Bible study, and our daily Christian walk - not waiting for Him to speak to us like we listen to music and zoom.

But, on the other hand, I have a confession.  Those Friends who know me, know that I am a very, very conservative person and Christian.  Yet I do know that one time in my life God, through the Holy Spirit, has spoken audibly to me. 

For over 20 years my step-father had my mother in a cult church - and when I became a believer in 1987, that began to really bother me.  Several times when I visited her in Alabama, I shared the Gospel with her, but could only do so much with her in Alabama and me in California. 

In early 1990s, following several strokes, my step-father moved her to Arkansas to be near his daughter - which upset me and the family, for mom had been in the same home for over 50 years - same address, same phone number, same neighbors. Then she was uprooted to Arkansas.

A few months later, he and his daughter put her in a nursing home - and that made me furious.  Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me through prayer, telling me, "You have been praying for her salvation, this is your opportunity."  Right away I called the nursing home and asked, "Is there a Baptist church near the nursing home?"  Her answer, "Yes, there is one next door and they do Bible studies here."  Praise God!

I called and spoke with the pastor - who then took my mom a Bible and included her in their Bible study.   A few months later he told me, "Bill, I led her in a prayer of salvation - but I am not sure she understood."   In the past couple of years mom had several strokes and was not always thinking clearly, so I understood.  I told him, "I know, pastor, that is why I have not tried to do it over the phone."  

In February 1994 mom had a stroke which left her in a coma.  I flew to Little Rock to be with her and two days later she passed away.  My problem, I was still not sure of her spiritual relationship with God.  We transported her back to our hometown in Alabama - and on Thursday evening we had the viewing. 

Before people arrived, I wanted time alone with her.  As I stood with her, I heard a voice, very clear, very audible, which said, "Don't worry, she is with Me now."   Those were His exact words, which I will never forget.  And at that moment I began to celebrate.  Shortly my cousin arrived and I knew she was going to start crying, then others would follow - and it would be group mourning - when it should be a celebration of her eternal life.

Later, I asked my brother, Bob, if he had heard the voice, and even though he was nearby, he had not.  But he told me, "Boy, you sure worked the room that night, making a party of it."  And I had a great reason to party, for I knew - beyond all doubt - that my mother was in heaven the moment she passed.  God, the Holy Spirit, told me - audibly.

So, yes, God can and does, on rare occasions of His choice, speak audibly to us.  But not like that YouTube pastor suggested when he kept declaring, "The Lord told me.  .  .  . " and "Last night God told me.  .  .  ." - when he should have been declaring, "In the Bible, God's Word, we find.  .  .  ."  

No pastor in our modern time has been more effective than Pastor Chuck Smith, in living the Great Commission and planting Christian churches, thousands of them worldwide, through Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.   Before his death, Pastor Chuck was also on the Pastor's Perspective talk show on KWVE Christian Radio most afternoons. 

I remember one caller asked a question of Pastor Chuck about modern day prophets.  His answer, and I am paraphrasing, was similar to mine above, "I have no doubt that God can do what He wants and raise up who He wants to share His message - but speaking personally, God has never spoken audibly to me."  If not to Pastor Chuck, who has caused thousands of very effective churches to be planted around the world - then who?

Am I being too critical when I question a pastor?  No, for I truly believe every believer should always be ready to "test the message and the messenger" - in other words we should all be as the Bereans:

Acts17:11, "Now these (the Bereans) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."  Testing the message and the messenger!

In closing, that night in our discussion Dory worried that some might find me over-bearing, too pushy, too religious, or that I talk too much - when I question a teacher, pastor, theologian, or other believer.

I am reminded of a visiting missionary from the Philippines, Steve Houston, who spoke in our Corona Fil-Am church about 20 years ago.  Steve shared his view of Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Steve explained that he views our Jerusalem as our immediate family and very close friends.  Our Judea is our local community, city, state.  Our Samaria is our nation.  And "to the ends of the earth" is self-explanatory.

Last night I told Dory and Lana, "Even if my comments on false teachers, false teaching, pastors or churches which are preaching a weak or erroneous theology - may at times be aggravating - I would be remiss, maybe even sinning, if I do not raise a red flag on such people and issues."   As my Friend, Steve Houston, told us some 20 years ago - "my Jerusalem" is my family and loved ones.  To not share my beliefs with them at such times - would be sinning against them and the Word of God.

Many thanks to my Friend and Christian brother, Gil Andrada, for sharing his graphic encouragement below.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill  

Click on the image to enlarge: