Voices out of the past…
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The precious times continue. Last evening the phone rang and I recognized a voice from the distant past. Charles Meyers was passing through Pineville and decided to give me a? call.? (Oh yeah? The Lord decided for him.) Charles and I were the best of friends? back in the 60s. Actually I brought him into the insurance business and helped train him. Our families? became? close.? It was such a pleasure to share with my old? friend from long ago. Charles is now 63. Still rough as a corn cob. (He? knew nothing about my condition. Isn’t God good!)
Guess what? Right behind that call came another call out of the blue. One of Betty’s classmates from her High School Class of ‘61 phoned her from Nevada. They had a wonderful time of sharing. Isn’t the Lord good!
But that’s just a scratch on the goodness of the Lord. This was the first Sunday for me to be in church services in my pajamas. Yep, me and my sweet thing just made ourselves comfortable. Didn’t care what anyone thought. Course we were in church via the? computer.? 
I? was simply awed? by the morning service. Worship was beautiful beyond words. And when? Jessica Hazmark? sang, it was like listening to the voice of an angel. What a beautiful and wholly consecrated young woman. I’ve deeply admired the Hazmark family from the first time I met them.
Startled is not the word for it! As the camera? panned the congregation during greeting time, Betty said, “Isn’t that Alan Stroud?” “Sure looks like him.”? “Can’t be.” “Must be someone else.” But Alan Stroud it was. Right beside Alan was his son, Benjamin.
What a? special treat.? Alan was one of? our? early disciples. He was sort of? my right hand man for eleven years. (I’ve had several right hand men at the same time.) Alan later became a pastor near Anacoco. (Pastored his first church for 12 years.) He is now? assisting a new church in San Antonio, Texas. Nathan handed the mike to Alan. He and I both wept a bit. (Me at home.) This brother has always had the heart of a true disciple of Jesus.
Wish there was another word besides ‘awe struck.’ When Nathan took the pulpit, I heard the most marvelous sermon that I? have ever heard concerning God’s Lamb. As I listened to Nathan, my thoughts were, “I could never do that. That boy took the? heart-message of the Bible and left the congregation stirred to the deep of their soul!? ” I continue to stand amazed at Nathan’s ability to preach the word of God with such clarity and with such passion.
Back to Alan - Well, I couldn’t let Alan and Benjamin leave without a personal visit. Put on my mask and invited them in for a bit. Benjamin is the youngest son of Alan. He is now in the marines. What a handsome young man. He carries himself with plenty of dignity. I am so proud to see him in the military. (During the service Nathan? let the congregation see a video clip with a greeting from a? Christian chaplain in Iraq. It fit the service wonderfully, especially with Benjamin being with us.)?
I’ve always had a special love in my heart for Alan and? his family. I asked Benjamin if he remembered my final words to the three boys before they left Christian Challenge to pastor Beech Grove Congregational Methodist Church. He said yes. “You told us to change our underwear.”
(Sorry - Its that Carver blood again.) Yes, I did tell them to change their underwear every day. Then I pointed to each one in turn, and? said, “You change with him. You change with him. And you change with him.” (Now folks, if you are offended by my? humour, all I can say is? ‘too bad.’ I’m 66 years old and I’m gonna say just about what I please.)
If you will remind me, I have a true story to share. Most of the old timers have heard it, but I think it will make you laugh. It’s about my days of faith and? power. Anyway just remind me to tell the story of ‘The cat who wasn’t happy.’
Guess I’d better close. Is it alright if I share a joke? Good. I didn’t think you would mind. Here goes — “The prospective father-in-law asked his daughter’s fiance, ‘Young man, are you able to support a family?’ The surprised groom-to-be replied, ‘Well, no. I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves.’”
See - That didn’t hurt did it.
Love all you guys.
Buddy
