tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40356837783387483732024-02-18T20:15:44.050-08:00Billy BeasleySpiritual Journeybillybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-83235651930194413302020-03-15T10:27:00.002-07:002020-03-15T11:48:27.459-07:00What If?This morning, with churches closed, I told my wife, Julie, that I was going to the woods to pray. Our Australian Cattle Dog, Teke joins me for these excursions. What began almost four years ago as a ritual to exercise my dog, has turned into not only a great time spent with her but my house of prayer. It has proven to be a great prayer closet. There is no physical door to close behind me. Just the world.<br />
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Julie chose to join us. We prayed for our families and our leaders. For those who have already lost loved ones to this virus.<br />
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I posted on Facebook this weekend that as for my family, we would be cautious but we refuse to live in fear. Psalm 91:1 came to mind. I posted this after we went to see <i style="font-weight: bold;">I Still Believe</i>, Friday afternoon. Jeremy Camp's story. One of my favorite songs is <b><i>Walk by Faith</i></b>. Imagine the pain he endured to write such a poignant song.<br />
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<img alt="Image result for psalm 91.1" 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" 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Each day, I want to walk in faith, and yes, I come up woefully short many days. But I do believe Jesus when he said this...<br />
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<img alt="Image result for i am the way the truth and the life" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRt-5GmZAsoSjY943-wbDpxBj6JLO8on4ZNqVaxelBe3HN5bGVY" /><br />
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I prayed particularly for people who are living in fear of the coronavirus. People who have chosen to hoard toilet paper and other supplies. They are taking from their neighbors in an attempt to calm their fears. I doubt very seriously that a supply room of toilet paper is going to abate your fears. And if this has you terrified, how many other things do you routinely live in fear of? I suspect quite a bit.<br />
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And while I am the least of the least in the Kingdom of God. I want to tell you that you don't have to live like this. There is another way and it is not through any religion or even a certain denomination that makes you feel comfortable. I have news for you. Jesus did not call you and me to be comfortable.<br />
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How can you not surrender to fear? Simple. Ask Jesus into your heart. Will you never be afraid again? No. But that moment when you feel his presence and you know that he is real. It shapes you for the remainder of your days. Regardless, of where you go or the choices you make.<br />
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One of my thoughts this morning is how we make God so complex. We forget how simple Jesus made it for all of us. Imagine if we lived this, especially today.<br />
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<img alt="Image result for love the lord with all your heart" 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" /><br />
<br />
<br />
What if today we chose to do the following?<br />
<br />
<b>Heed President Trump's declaration for a national day of prayer. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Forget about whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Turn off FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNN & all the rest. Just because the channel of your preference shares what you tend to think that does not mean they don't slant the news. Some people spend the majority of their lives arguing politics on social media. Calling each other names because you view politics differently. Is that your calling in life? What are you accomplishing? Have you changed anyone's viewpoint by name-calling? If you are indeed a believer is that loving your neighbor as yourself? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
What if we all chose today to put aside our differences and pray for our nation, earnestly and sincerely?<br />
<br />
Full disclosure I feel like Julie and I have been in a season of testing, in the desert, for over two years. I can recall the moment I knew it was coming. Have I been frustrated and shook my fist at God wondering where he is? Yes.<br />
<br />
<b><i>But I still believe. </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I am here today. I am praying for our nation and for the world. I am praying some good comes from this. I am praying for this virus to dissipate. What if we all unplugged from the news, from social media, for a time of your choosing and sought God, not just for ourselves, but for our nation? For the world?<br />
<br />
What if we let go of our fears and considered our neighbor?<br />
<br />
What if you even offered to share that toilet paper you have hoarded in the supply closet?<br />
<b><br /></b>
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<img alt="Image result for if my people will humble themselves" 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" 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And my comfort is this. If I contract the coronavirus tomorrow and I die before the week is out.<br />
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<b><i>I still believe.</i></b></div>
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-83616895686984953372019-12-18T18:42:00.000-08:002019-12-18T18:42:17.299-08:007 Days Before Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
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Christmas is such a time of reflection for me. I think of the years I loathed Christmas. I was broken-hearted, sad, and for a few of them mired in the black hole of depression. But mostly, I was just disappointed in my life. The season reminded me that I was once again in a place of unrealized dreams and I would spend one Holiday Season hoping that the next one would prove better.</div>
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I remember those that are no longer with us. Last year, my childhood friend, Nicky died two days after his 62nd birthday, less than one week before Christmas. The man that taught me more than he could know and would take no credit for. He spoke into my life that being encouraging to others was the greatest of the spiritual gifts. I believe that with all that I have. </div>
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It has proven a trying year in many aspects and I can't tell you how many occasions I wished I could have reached out and talked with Nicky about what was happening. To hear his wise counsel summed up in a few words after he listened carefully to what I had to say. </div>
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Even last night, when I mentioned to my wife, Julie, that it was Nicky's birthday, I began to cry. I told her his death continues to hit me harder than I thought possible. </div>
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Do you know what my wise wife said to that? She said, "How blessed are you to have a friend that you still are mourning so deeply over." Her point was everyone does not have even one person in their life like that. And I am blessed to share other close friendships with people who are still with us. As usual, my wife is right.</div>
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Last weekend, Teke, our Australian Cattle Dog and I were walking in the woods at a nearby park. It is a special daily time together. But it is also a time of devotion and has become my best prayer place. </div>
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As I thought about Christmas past and the times of sadness and disappointment, I began to thank God for rescuing me. Has the year been trying? Sure it has. It probably has been for most of us. But, I love Christmas again. It is no longer a time of disappointment. I have so much to be grateful for. My wife loves me. She believes I am far better than I can see. She believes in me when I don't. Yesterday, when I unexpectantly stopped by Julie's workplace-she was sitting in her car eating lunch and when she spotted me, she got out of her car and ran to hug me with this huge beautiful grin etched upon her face. How priceless is that?</div>
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I was grateful for the wonderful dog that was glad to be in the woods with me. For my wonderful son, Micah, who will arrive Christmas Day and make our immediate family complete and the close friends I have that are a phone call away if I need anything. </div>
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But I am most appreciative of a Savior, who never left my side, despite my decades of anger towards Him. I have cursed Him in more ways than I can recall. He was just waiting for that moment when I said, "Okay, Jesus, You take the wheel. I will go where you say go. Even if it is not what I want." At the time, I thought that meant my two biggest and longest dreams were possibly being relinquished. No, He granted both in less than two years. </div>
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I will not pretend to know how a relationship with God works for you. But for me, I knew He was waiting for the day I truly placed Him first. Now, do I fail at times in that endeavor? Absolutely, I do, but I return quickly to where I want to be. The best example I can think of is that I would love for my writing to lead to a real career. But I don't want any success or financial gain from it unless He is on board. I won't enjoy it otherwise. Believe me, that is a dramatic shift for the man in the mirror of almost nine years ago. </div>
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As I walked in the woods, reflecting upon all of this and thanking God for the happiness in my life, I began to cry with tears of gratitude. From all the broken pieces, He put me back together. </div>
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While I am most grateful I never want to forget how shattered my life once was. It is probably because of this that my heart is for the broken. Sometimes, I think our churches could do better at trying to encourage the broken, especially during the Holiday Season. Maybe instead of being concerned with putting on the best Christmas service-complete with the music and candlelight, the greater emphasis could be reaching out to those that are hurting. Some of those people may be walking through those church doors for the only time all year. Maybe they need to be offered prayer and encouragement more than a well planned Christmas Service. But then, I know I could do more to help as well. </div>
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It is easy for people to feel forgotten at Christmas. Even forgotten by God. They may feel this way even if they are surrounded by family. </div>
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In the hustle and bustle of the next week and during your Christmas Eve service at church. Let's keep an eye out for those that have the defeated look of life in their eyes. Offer a word of conversation. Let them know you have time to listen to them. Family and dinner plans can wait.</div>
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What could be more important than encouraging a broken person? </div>
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I know what my friend, Nicky would say.<br />
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Nothing...</div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-50476530734520099372019-01-13T08:21:00.003-08:002019-01-13T08:21:36.420-08:00Nicky<br />
<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/49123b_89bf43b27be3422fa2cb1fd7ecff3e03~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_350,h_259,al_c,lg_1,q_80/49123b_89bf43b27be3422fa2cb1fd7ecff3e03~mv2.webp" /><br />
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Here is my latest column. I hope in some small way I did justice to my friend.<br />
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2019/01/13/Sunday-Inspiration-Nicky" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2019/01/13/Sunday-Inspiration-Nicky</a><br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-1749208723955930152018-10-26T07:07:00.001-07:002018-10-26T07:07:44.537-07:00Getting Out of the Way<br />
My wife, Julie, has been faithful in her walk with Jesus for most of her life. I on the other hand, have spent decades chasing my own desires and in the process shook my fist at God in anger for much of it. I wanted what I thought I needed first without Him because deep down I trusted myself to know what was best for me far more than I trusted God.<br />
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One failed relationship after another and I still sought what I desired the most.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454;"><b style="font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Psalm 37:4 </b><b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I quoted this often back to God but like it often is with some of us we leave a key word out. In this case the word is <i><b>delight.</b></i> I asked two men that I respect what that term meant to them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #545454; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kim: </span>Dwelling contently and assuredly in His grace, mercy and love.<br />
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George: I think of how blessed I am that I have a close relationship with the Lord and that I find favor with Him and I can delight in knowing that He has found favor in me.<br />
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I was not experiencing this kind of delight because I continued to place myself first but early in 2012 I took a big step. There was no altar call or raising my hand in church to signify my coming home. I was driving on College Road when I simply stated this truth.<br />
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"Lord, I have messed up everything I have touched. I will follow you, even if it means it is not what I want." It was simple and it was sincere. My image of that moment is God calling the host around His throne and saying, "Okay, let's go to work. I have his attention."<br />
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Later that year, Friday, October 26 my life was altered with a first date. Julie and I had talked about getting together for coffee previously, but I never followed through. At the time she was 38 and I was 55.<br />
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It was a lot of age difference to me. I was dooming it as a failure before I even took a chance but each time we talked the conversations were so easy. But I kept thinking there is no way that this young, pretty, genuine, warm, woman had any real interest in me. Today, I joke with her that Match.Com would have never matched us up.<br />
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We met at Hugh Macrae Park by the pond area. Three hours later she asked what time it was. Three hours that seemed like thirty minutes. Coffee led to lunch. It was almost five that afternoon when we parted ways. Today it is referred to as the, <i><b>"Seven hour coffee."</b></i><br />
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We laugh today often about that first date. It was a beautiful fall day. Julie says the time by the pond was like a movie scene with the director saying cue the leaves falling and the rustling sound of the ones already on the ground. The ducks walking by.<br />
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We parted that day and Julie said, "If you ever want to do this again just call me."<br />
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I drove home and whispered to God. Is this it, Lord? I was finally at a place where I did not want to charge down any road that He was not part of. Before I made it home to Carolina Beach, Julie had sent a text. "This was the best day I have had since I can't remember." I tease her about playing hard to get but we never played games with each other.<br />
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We went to lunch two days later after church and again spent the afternoon together. But it was the following day, on our third date that God did something that I was most grateful for.<br />
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Back in May of that year, while I was in the shower, I heard as clear as day. "Get your house in order." I had no idea what it meant and in time I kind of forgot until that day of our third date.<br />
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We had met at Carolina Beach State Park and hiked to Sugarloaf. Later at my house, she was sitting at the kitchen table when I recalled what was spoken that day in the shower. I shared it with her. Her eyes grew distant and she said nothing until she said adamantly, "Say that again, just like you said it the first time."<br />
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I did and she began shaking her head. "Does that mean anything to you?" I asked.<br />
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"I have heard that same thing multiple times lately." She held back one little detail. Later, when we were secure in our relationship and where it was going. She said when she in frustration asked, "What does that even mean, Lord?"<br />
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She heard this. "Because the man I have for you is coming and he is coming quickly."<br />
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God was not telling us to run out and get married immediately. We had to walk things out. We had to share and at anytime we could have said this is not for me. But what I know without doubt is that God was saying, "If you merge these two paths to one. I will be with you."<br />
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The pressure was off. This would not be a mistake. God was showing us that He would be with us. It was okay for us to fall in love and boy did we fall in love. More so with every passing day.<br />
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Sometimes in the quiet of night as Julie sleeps soundly, I will look at her and I can't believe that God sent someone into my life that not only loves me when all is well. I have had that many times. She loves me when that dark hole starts pulling at me. She fights for me. She sees more good in me than I ever do.<br />
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And as I whisper my thanks to God. I thank Him also for the broken relationships that I thought I needed so badly. I thank Him for the heartache, as difficult as it was. Because Julie, exceeds all the dreams I ever had in a woman. And that is no small feat.<br />
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Happy Anniversary, Baby. I know you forgot this date again. Our wedding date is the anniversary that is most important to you but I think I will keep October 26 as mine.<br />
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The day it all changed.<br />
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Love,<br />
Billy<br />
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P.S. As for the past and the heartache. As Rascal Flatts sang, God Bless the Broken Road.<br />
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<div jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">I set out on a narrow way many years ago</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Hoping I would find true love along the broken road</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">But I got lost a time or two</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Wiped my brow and kept pushing through</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That every long lost dream lead me to where you are</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Pointing me on my way into your loving arms</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">This much I know is true</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That God blessed the broken road</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That led me straight to you</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Yes it did</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">I think about the years I spent just passing through</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">But you just smile and take my hand</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">You've been there you understand</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Every long lost dream led me to where you are</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">And others who broke my heart they were like northern stars</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Pointing me on my way into your loving arms</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">This much I know it's true</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That God blessed the broken road</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That led me straight to you</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Yeah</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">And now I'm just rolling home</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Into my lover's arms</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">This much I know is true</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That God blessed the broken road</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That led me straight to you</span></div>
<div class="UH8R2" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 13px;">
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That God blessed the broken road</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">Ooh, ooh</span><br />
<span jsname="YS01Ge">That led me straight to you</span></div>
billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-38169844485081359732018-09-22T04:06:00.000-07:002018-09-22T04:06:05.106-07:00Hurricane Florence <br />
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/09/22/Hurricane-Florence-September-20-2018" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/09/22/Hurricane-Florence-September-20-2018</a>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-89982017728438732692018-09-09T03:55:00.002-07:002018-09-09T07:52:03.466-07:00Finding Hope in the Darkness<br />
<img src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4432a4c385c44e609ac41982225b1669.jpg/v1/fill/w_192,h_153,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/4432a4c385c44e609ac41982225b1669.webp" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/09/09/Sunday-Inspiration-Finding-Hope-in-the-Darkness">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/09/09/Sunday-Inspiration-Finding-Hope-in-the-Darkness</a></span>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-69275532543101699522018-06-10T04:31:00.000-07:002018-06-10T04:31:25.258-07:00Hearts Have No Color<br />
June Column for Pandora's Box<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/06/10/Flash-Fiction-Hearts-Have-No-Color">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/06/10/Flash-Fiction-Hearts-Have-No-Color</a></span>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-44209535177808497212018-05-15T14:02:00.001-07:002018-05-16T05:14:44.410-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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THE PEACE OF AN ATHEIST </div>
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(Monthly column for Pandora's Box Gazette)</div>
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<h1 class="font_5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #030303; font-family: anton, sans-serif; font-size: 31px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday Inspiration: The Peace of an Atheist</span></h1>
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May 13, 2018</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Peace of an Atheist</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Billy Beasley</span></div>
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The year before I was offered a contract to publish <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Preacher’s Letter</span></span>, there was another publisher that was seriously considering publishing my story. During the process they expressed concern over my lack of social media. I have a decent following on my Facebook Author Page so I knew they were speaking of Twitter, which I really did not want to do. But with a possible publishing contract on the line I joined the masses.</div>
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On a given day if I tweet anything there are but a few viewers. But one day I made one simple tweet in response to an atheist trend. I believe it was something along the lines of, “me thinks thou does protest too much.” Suddenly my viewership grew dramatically. Of course the replies were not very favorable.</div>
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Why does it disturb atheists so much if you and I believe in God? If we believe that Jesus Christ was and is the son of God? I do not get angry with people who do not believe. But they often seem to take great offense if we believe. If they enjoyed a measure of the peace that I have with Jesus Christ, why can’t they just sit back and enjoy the peace that their nonbelief brings to them?</div>
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<img alt="" data-type="image" id="innercomp_txtMedia2xwimgimage" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/62cb270738724686a1a4d8667d0d5bee.jpg/v1/fill/w_226,h_151,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/62cb270738724686a1a4d8667d0d5bee.webp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; height: 151px; margin: 0px; object-fit: contain; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 226px;" /></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"The resurrection of Christ is either the greatest miracle or the greatest delusion which history records." - Philip Schaff</span></span></div>
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I wonder why they felt the need to respond. They are smart, accomplished, and highly successful by worldly standards. Why not just enjoy the peace and comfort that brings, leaving me to my delusions?</div>
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Because I do not believe they enjoy any peace in their belief of nonbelief. Maybe they were once wounded by religious behavior. That has turned many people off from Christianity. Perhaps if they would have dug a little deeper they might have realized that is not Christianity. Going to church does not make anyone a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes me a car. Why be angry at God for the actions of people?</div>
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A pastor once shared with me.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Billy, Jesus did not like hanging out with religious people.”</span></div>
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In fact, Jesus was criticized for spending time with people that the religious people thought should be shunned.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Jesus heard this, he told them, "It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17</span></span></div>
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We all have heard the saying that there is no atheist in a fox hole. My response has often been. “Don’t tell me when the plane starts to descend rapidly and you are plunging to certain death that you are not going to cry out to God for help.”</div>
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Another social media contact used to post of how we are foolish and unwise to believe in God. Why the need to label us as fools for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why not just accept a difference of belief and move on with the peace you find in your unbelief?</div>
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This same person also posted pictures of grandchildren that he obviously loved dearly. An image came to my mind. Picture the following scenario.</div>
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He is walking on a trail, hand in hand with his grandchild. There is a ravine on each side that is a precipitous drop. A slip would lead to almost certain death. He stumbles and in that misstep his grandchild falls over the edge. He manages to hold on with one slipping hand grasping theirs. His grip is loosening and that child is one second away from near death and in his moment of desperation he is not going to cry out, “God help me?”</div>
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I hope you are never in that situation but if you say to me I would not cry out for God’s help. Forgive me, but I don’t believe you.</div>
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You have every right to your nonbelief just as I have every right to believe that every human being created will speculate, will wonder about God.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My knowledge originated from my Damascus Road moment in my earlier years.</span></div>
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Regardless of how I ran from my calling—of how I tried to escape that night. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God was real and for reasons I still don’t understand. He showed up one evening on a long dark road for the likes of me.</div>
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Many people did not believe me back then. Many may not today. That is okay. I don’t feel the need to convince anyone. I was there. I know what occurred.</div>
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One of my social media friends constantly rails about religion and often in a very condescending manner to us that believe this myth of Jesus Christ.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I find it ironic that the passionate atheist acts almost religious in their belief of non-belief.</span></span></div>
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I would rather live my life believing in the hope of something and Someone waiting for me when my days are ended, than to simply exist, with no real purpose for being here, and no hope of anything beyond, disappearing like a mist that leaves no trace.</div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About the Author</span></div>
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Billy Beasley resides in Carolina Beach, NC with his wife Julie and their Australian Cattle Dog, Teke. They are active members of Lifepoint</div>
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Church in Wilmington, NC.</div>
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Billy is the author of The River Hideaway- a traditionally published work of faith based fiction and the newly published novel, The Preacher's Letter. He shares two simple beliefs with his favorite character in this novel. Faith in God and a conviction that ‘Hearts have no color’. </div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Please like his author page on <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-content="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley" data-type="external" href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley" rel="undefined" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span>. Check out his <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-content="http://billybeasley.blogspot.com" data-type="external" href="http://billybeasley.blogspot.com/" rel="undefined" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">blog</a></span></span>. Also, you can follow him on <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-content="https://twitter.com/AuthorBBeasley" data-type="external" href="https://twitter.com/AuthorBBeasley" rel="undefined" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span>.</span></div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-23704838337744991432018-03-11T05:25:00.000-07:002018-03-11T05:25:40.436-07:00A Tale of Two PastorsMy monthly column for Pandora's Box Gazette Magazine<br />
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/03/11/Sunday-Inspiration-A-Tale-of-Two-Pastors">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/03/11/Sunday-Inspiration-A-Tale-of-Two-Pastors</a>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-84978862822072132492018-01-26T05:21:00.003-08:002018-07-20T05:41:39.486-07:00A Christian in RageI am emerging from a week long full blown rage. I have said things & entertained images of how I wanted to handle a situation that were anything but Christ like.<br />
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Maybe I could cushion this by telling you I can't recall how many years it has been since I felt this way. Don't get me wrong I can be ridiculously impatient & become agitated over the simplest of things. This was different. This was an ugly rage & my mind played unpleasant scenarios out repeatedly at such a high rate that any sleep was difficult to find. My every thought adding anger much like throwing gasoline on a fire.<br />
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I could share that if the attack would have been on me I could have shrugged it off & I could have. But when my wife is in tears over a false attack & her confidence shaken this tiny little fire began to burn in me.<br />
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The following conversation actually took place.<br />
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My faithful wife says, <i><b>"You have to fight on your knees. God has my back. Read Psalms Chapter </b></i>35."<br />
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My response was- <i><b>"I don't want to wait on God. I want to take care of this matter right now."</b></i><br />
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Ironically, God warned me. I believe it was two days before the event. I heard. <i><b>"Be gracious to everyone." </b></i>He did not say just the people who treat you fairly. He said, <i><b>Everyone. </b></i><br />
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My new book, <i><b>The Preacher's Letter</b></i> had just been released so I assumed it was something to do with that. The devil coming at us because the good things we prayed & dreamed about were coming & he was not happy. But the attack came from a source that I never expected.<i><b> </b></i><br />
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My first column for Pandora's Box Gazette last year was about my year of being spiritually stretched. I was not bragging on me but God for bringing me to places I thought impossible. And in one event I took ten steps backwards. Yes, I understand there is grace even for someone who is always his harshest critic.<br />
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It is so easy to look away from God for just a moment in time. We or someone we love was treated unfairly. A relationship ended with someone you really believed in. We feel betrayed by someone we once believed in. Maybe we lost our job.So many challenges in this life.<br />
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As I read in Proverbs 25 this morning this verse jumped out & hit me in the head & though I know my limitations as a man, that being that I am not gifted to teach the word of God. I believe I have a good handle on what Proverbs 25:28 means.<br />
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<i><b><span class="text Prov-25-28" id="en-HCSB-17142">A man who does not control his temper</span><br /><span class="text Prov-25-28">is like a city whose wall is broken down.</span></b></i></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28">Several definitions for the word wall. I chose this one. <i><b>A</b></i></span><i><b><span class="text Prov-25-28"> thing perceived as a protective or restrictive barrier.</span></b></i></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28">When this offense began I could have & should have pressed into God. I should have not thought about how much I wanted to fight the accuser but as Julie said so correctly, <i><b>"You fight on your knees & you have not learned how to do this." </b></i> </span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28">Picture yourself in a fortified place where there is this huge solid wall encompassing you. As a fire so small that it appears to be like the pilot light on a gas stove begins to burn the wall around me. There are not fractures. It is not surmountable. But as my anger began to grow-to the point it turned to rage. My wall was being chipped away until a gaping hole knocked a portion of it down & the enemy was allowed access. Not because God was not defending me but because I turned away from Him & desired to do it my way.</span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28">We could play out this scenario in so many ways in life. We remove our eyes from the prize & we focus on money, things, entertain thoughts that can lead us to straying from our spouse. <i><b>We look the other way when an injustice is done to our brother or sister.</b></i> We rationalize. "I can take this from this person because I give money to church. I am in attendance every Sunday & I read my Bible daily." That is all good. </span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28"><b>But how do we treat our neighbor? The people you work with? Strangers?</b></span></div>
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<span class="text Prov-25-28">Matthew 22:39 ...</span><i><b>'Love your neighbor as yourself.'</b></i><span class="p"></span></div>
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<span class="p"><br /></span><span class="text Prov-25-28"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span class="p">Yikes, I guess this applies even if I feel betrayed by my neighbor.</span></div>
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<span class="p"><br /></span><span class="text Prov-25-28"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span class="p">It took a few days for it to sink in but a friend who heard about what transpired, while in no way excusing the person did offer, "You never know what someone else is going through."</span></div>
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<span class="p">That is true. It does not excuse the offense but it does lead me to where I should have gone to begin with. Praying over the situation. Praying for that person. Having hope that someone you once looked up to spiritually will come back & ask forgiveness. And much like Jesus is doing as I allowed anger to remove my focus for a season- my arms are open wide. I pray that happens & I believe it can. I want to believe in the goodness of people & not turn cynical & angry.</span></div>
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<span class="p">One of my favorite blogs that I wrote is about the path. I believe while not having a knock down vision from God I did have a more subtle vision that I believe derived from Him. Here is an excerpt & the link if you care to revisit or read it for the first time. I actually incorporated this into <i><b>The Preacher's Letter.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="p">I have thought about writing this blog for a week. I am glad I had the wisdom to not attempt it until I released my rage & fell back on my knees. I am not worthy of the grace of Jesus Christ but I sure am grateful for it.</span></div>
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<span class="p"><i><b>Maybe next time I will fight on my knees from the beginning.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="p"><i><b>Excerpt from The Path... </b></i><br /><b></b><i><b></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="p"><br /></span><span class="text Prov-25-28"><b> </b></span></div>
<i><b>I view my life as a path. Picture a huge forest with magnificent trees,
plants, and the natural floor of the forest. Next picture a clear
winding path through those woods.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9P5kB5L1jgT1TDkk-MnYUpdQQHaHHotfWTRYU43EqNF1-1Y4XMlqTzFI3ZZblQMfRVCrpLd8IzGX9DQ_-EAh_I8n78d9GM8hBcUUEL5dw-8AB28ScYKCHEP7nl3AIIrtZrpxld4jBU/s1600/Trail+through+the+woods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l9P5kB5L1jgT1TDkk-MnYUpdQQHaHHotfWTRYU43EqNF1-1Y4XMlqTzFI3ZZblQMfRVCrpLd8IzGX9DQ_-EAh_I8n78d9GM8hBcUUEL5dw-8AB28ScYKCHEP7nl3AIIrtZrpxld4jBU/s320/Trail+through+the+woods.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>This is my most visual image of relationship with my Father. I see us
walking easily and firmly on the path. We are talking and he is holding
my hand much like a Daddy would a small child. I choose at times when
the path is less clear to wander off the path. Does he punish me or is
he angry when I stray? No. Absolutely not. He waits patiently for me to
return to our walk together. Does this mean he pulled his spirit from
living in me because I strayed off the path? No, not even for a moment.<br />
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These times when I should just rest where I am with him but choose not
to and go it alone under the power of my own steam are when I feel
disconnect. As I navigate through the brush and find my way back to the
trail he is waiting graciously with hand held out ready to resume our
walk together. </b></i><br />
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<span class="text Prov-25-28"><b>https://billybeasley.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-path.html</b></span><br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-22801137128087061612018-01-14T03:46:00.002-08:002018-01-14T03:53:39.526-08:00Point A to Point B January Column for Pandora's Box Gazette <br />
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/01/14/Sunday-Inspiration-Point-A-to-Point-B">https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2018/01/14/Sunday-Inspiration-Point-A-to-Point-B</a><br />
<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-61023706165938662202017-12-21T14:23:00.003-08:002017-12-21T14:23:53.435-08:00A Few Thoughts at Christmas 2017I feel very blessed to be happy & eager about Christmas. One present that is constant is my wonderful wife, Julie. She will be off work from December 22 thru New Year's Day.We have a special Christmas & Holiday Season in general planned but nothing will top simply enjoying time together.<br />
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I also look forward to unplugging from social media for a few days. The first of the year will be busy enough with the release of <i><b>The Preacher's Letter </b></i>on January 9.<br />
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<i><b> </b></i><br />
This is a different type of blog than I usually write. It is just some thoughts to share. Please don't take them as being written to you but rather this is about us. Anything I write it is a safe bet to say that I struggle with the same, or I have at one time, or I will in the future.<br />
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1. <i><b>Hate-</b></i> Let's do away with this word regardless of how strongly our opinions can be.<br />
<span class="p"> </span><br />
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2. <i><b>Church Leadership- </b></i>It is easy to criticize those in leadership roles in our churches. Let's pray for our leaders far more than we find fault with them.<br />
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<i><b>"Criticizing others is not a calling. What are you doing to help and serve others?"</b></i></div>
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Louie Giglio</div>
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3.<i><b>Social Media- </b></i>We don't have to engage in endless arguments that solve nothing. I am no different in that I read something that makes me irate & I can't tell you how many times I have typed the comment & before hitting the send button the common sense portion of my brain kicks in & I have to ask what if anything am I going to accomplish.<br />
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4. <i><b>Before- </b></i>If you insist on ignoring #3 at least read & listen thoroughly before responding & verify your so called facts before issuing them. Don't use them as facts simply because they line up with your point of view. <br />
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5. <i><b>Introspection- </b></i>Be able to look inside & search yourself before going on the attack. I find it always helpful in any source of conflict to ask God how I might proceed. And always give yourself plenty of room to be wrong. <br />
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6. <i><b>Name Calling- </b></i>Don't resort to name calling just because someone does not see things the way you do.<br />
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7.<i><b> Division-</b></i> We live in a very divided country. It is not the sole fault of one political party. It is the fault of <i><b>both. </b></i>But we don't have to allow it to divide us as a neighborhood, work place, church..etc One of my favorite quotes. <i><b>We can disagree without being disagreeable.</b></i><br />
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8.<i><b>Fairness- </b></i>If we could care more about being fair than being right we can really put a dent in #7. No one wins an argument.<br />
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9. <i><b>One- </b></i>Never underestimate what we as one person can do.<br />
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10. <i><b>Kindness- </b></i>It doesn't have to be something big. You never know what a kind word or smile can mean to someone who is suffering. I have suffered mightily in my life at times with depression. Trust me when I tell you how much it means when someone is kind to you. It is a light in the darkest of places. Encourage others. It is the greatest of the spiritual gifts. <br />
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11. <b>Dismissive- </b>Don't be dismissive of others just because it is not part of your world.<br />
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12. <i><b>Understanding- </b></i>Try to understand someone's viewpoint even if you disagree. Your opinion is just that. Don't mistake it for truth. Warning- This could lead to real conversation.<br />
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13. <i><b>Grow- </b></i>Regardless of our age- never cease trying to grow.<br />
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14. <i><b>Simple- </b></i>The simple things in life are truly the most valuable. A dog that insists on touching you while she sleeps. A sunset over the nearby river. The quietness of the beach that you find this time of year. Sometimes while walking Teke in the woods at the nearby State Park I will stop & just listen to the stillness. Holding hands in church or anywhere else with your spouse. <br />
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<i><b>15. Peace- </b></i>If you have this there is not anything I can think of that is worth giving it up for. Let the conflict go. Life is fast paced enough. Hold on to any stillness that you may be blessed enough to enjoy.<br />
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<b>Hebrews 12:24</b> <i><b>Pursue peace with everyone...</b></i><span class="p"><br /></span> </div>
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16. <b>Competition- </b>Run your own race. Don't waste time measuring yourself against others. <br />
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17. <b>God hurt me. </b>No, He did not. It was probably some religious person or even a wayward church that caused the pain. Don't judge God by them. <br />
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18. <i><b>One thing-</b></i> If there was one thing I would want people to understand about Jesus Christ. It is about <i><b>relationship</b></i> not religion. Your head knowledge of religion will always miss the mark. How is your heart? <br />
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<i><b>Luke 12:34</b></i></div>
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<i>For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</i></h3>
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<i>Jeremiah 29:13</i></h3>
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<i>You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.</i></h3>
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The last scripture. It does not say you will find me by perfect church attendance. By living a certain way. By following a set of rituals. </h3>
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<i> </i></h3>
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<i><b>May God's peace that passes all understanding flow down on you without measure.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Merry Christmas </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Billy, Julie, & Teke</b></i></div>
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<i> </i></h3>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-33925876492239056052017-12-10T08:26:00.002-08:002017-12-10T08:27:36.908-08:00<div class="flex_display c1" id="ppPrt7-8uz_SinglePostMediaTop_MediaPost__0_0_def_1" style="-moz-box-orient: horizontal; box-sizing: border-box; flex-direction: row; position: relative;">
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i style="font-style: normal;">Sunday Inspiration: Christmas Reflections</i></b></h1>
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December 10, 2017</div>
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/home/author/Billy-Beasley" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; height: 100%; width: 100%;">Billy Beasley</a></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Christmas Reflections</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">By, Billy Beasley</span></span></div>
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Christmas
proves to be a time of reflection for most of us. Christmas memories
tug at our heartstrings and those that are no longer with us frequent
our thoughts more often.</div>
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There
was a time I truly hated Christmas. It was a memory that I even wrote
in a story about a character that finds his solace during the Holiday
season to escape to an isolated cabin in the mountains. I never did that
but I wanted to.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">That is not the case now. I love Christmas. I love that my wife, Julie transforms from a woman in her forties to a small child. </span></div>
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The
Christmas movies, songs, and shopping for the tree. The photos and
picking that perfect shot for your personalized Christmas card. Yes, I
am even part of one of those families now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What
stands out to me this Christmas, as I reflect back over this year and
my life in general, is if you would have told me that at age twenty,
thirty, or even a few years ago that my best year would be the year I
turned sixty-one-I would have asked if you had temporarily taken leave
of your sanity.</div>
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But it is
true that while I am in the Fall of my life this has proven to be the
most happy and peaceful year of my life. There are several factors that
add up to this being the best one yet. One very nice luxury is that for
the first time since I was fourteen years old I did not work a job at
anytime this year. Julie and I decided late last year that rather than
continuing to work low paying jobs that I did not really derive
satisfaction from that it was better to supplement my pension with some
savings and enjoy life. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="font_8">
I
even have enjoyed a year in which, thanks to a mild winter, I was able
for the first time in my life to take pleasure in the beach days at
Carolina Beach, every month of the year. I even found it warm enough to
venture into the ocean on those days.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">Julie
and I also have enjoyed our best year of marriage. We look forward to
celebrating our fifth anniversary next April by returning to the same
cabin we honeymooned in. All our years have been good but this is the
best. </span></div>
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We
have fewer arguments and we know each other better. Julie would add
that we have learned to fight fair. Now, if I have disappointed any of
you by sharing that our wonderful marriage is not always perfect than I
apologize. It is really good and I am happier with Julie than I ever
dreamed I could be in a relationship.</div>
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Despite
my rocky road in life in regards to relationships I am not surprised
that we have such a good marriage. I took comfort going into it that we
had two wonderful things in our favor. We both did not seek our
happiness in each other. That is too big to put on anyone, anyone but
our Father that is. He was and still is first in our lives. I also knew
that we understood what was important in this life. That it was truly
the simple things in life that count so much more than chasing things.
The trappings of this world, be it bigger houses, fancier cars, larger
bank accounts will never bring you peace and happiness. You will enjoy
them for a season but soon you will desire something bigger, faster,
sleeker, and younger. It is like the hamster on the wheel. Running
relentlessly but winding up in the same place.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">And
while not being tied to a job I don’t care for, or enjoying my
wonderful wife, and being free to enjoy working with our dog, Teke</span>—she and I are in the Park woods, near our home, so much that the staff knows us by name.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Add
in the unseasonably warm beach days that I have enjoyed. All of this is
not the main reason for this year being the happiest and most peaceful.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="font_8">
It
would be because this was the year I allowed God to stretch me
spiritually to places that at the beginning of this year I would have
said, “No way. I am not going there. I am not your man, God.” </div>
<div class="font_8">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_8">
I
would have stood by this being the best year of my life even without
something occurring late in the year that has been so important for so
long. The second paragraph of this column, I mentioned a character that
chose to hide in the mountains during the Holidays. It is no longer just
a story but a story that a publisher has said yes to. The Preacher’s
Letter will be traditionally published next month.</div>
<div class="font_8">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_8">
I
get out of sorts at times and my wife always wants to know why. Lately,
during those times she has quizzed me. “Is it about the book?” And I
can scarcely believe I can honestly answer each time, “No.” I will work
at it and give it my best chance for success but ultimately God holds
the final decision on where it goes or does not go and I am okay with
that.</div>
<div class="font_8">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_8" style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Because
even if The Preacher’s Letter sells thousands of copies and is turned
into a major motion film, it will not alter the following. I am happy. I
am at peace. I am loved. What more does a man really require?</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Meet the Author</span></span></div>
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Billy
Beasley resides in Carolina Beach, NC with his wife Julie and their
Australian Cattle Dog, Teke. They are active members of Lifepoint
Church in Wilmington, NC.</div>
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Billy
is the author of The River Hideaway- a traditionally published work of
faith based fiction. He shares two simple beliefs with his favorite
character in this novel. Faith in God and a conviction that ‘Hearts have
no color’. </div>
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Like his author page on <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a data-content="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley" data-type="external" href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span>. Check out his <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a data-content="http://billybeasley.blogspot.com/" data-type="external" href="http://billybeasley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></span></span>. Also, you can follow him on <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a data-content="https://twitter.com/AuthorBBeasley" data-type="external" href="https://twitter.com/AuthorBBeasley" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px;">You can read Billy's "Sunday Inspiration" column here at Pandora's Box Gazette the 2nd Sunday each month. </span></div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-10452729257925085702017-09-10T09:20:00.000-07:002017-09-10T09:31:37.111-07:00Sunday Inspiration-StretchedThis is my first column for Pandora's Box Magazine. Click the link below.<br />
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<a href="https://www.pandorasboxjt.com/single-post/2017/09/10/Sunday-Inspiration-Stretched">Sunday Inspiration-Stretched</a>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-87146021735142940992017-08-13T15:44:00.000-07:002017-08-14T10:00:12.707-07:00What Color Christian Are You?As a little boy, growing up in the South in a Southern Baptist Church. I recall one Sunday morning sitting in church, our city gripped in racial turmoil. I can't recall any message that day though I would venture a guess that restraint & prayer was part of the message. What was not a part of the message was let's open our doors to anyone regardless of the color of their skin. Let's go meet with other churches of the area that are just as segregated as we are & talk.<br />
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I remember sitting in that long uncomfortable pew thinking isn't this where we should seek peace? I knew in my heart we were talking about the same God & even as a child it resonated with me that church should be a place of peace & not division. Specifically I remember thinking, "Isn't this where we should all come together?"<br />
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I told no one of course. I was after all a small child & I grew up in the South as a white boy & I was guilty of many of the same stereotypes that if not taught directly certainly were not discouraged.<br />
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It still disturbs me that in my childhood the church taught racism-again if not directly-they certainly did nothing to discourage it. I recall my mother telling about a traveling choir coming for a visit with one person of color & people left-even some of the deacons of the church. People that perceived themselves as very religious. They had followed all the steps to salvation. They held positions in the church yet held this notion of separation in their hearts. I even heard it said many times, "Well, of course Jesus loves them but we are to stick to our own kind." I guess they taught us to sing Jesus loves the little children but we were not suppose to live it.<br />
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Why was this in me as a little boy to make such an observation? Coming together in church? God knew one day that He would reach out & touch me in dramatic fashion. I emerged from my Damascus Road in my nineteenth year & without explanation I knew & accepted in my heart that God sees no color. He does not view me as his white, Christian child. He views me as his child. Period. That is who I am. I am a child of God. Scripture, if you believe in that & I surely do, substantiates that.<br />
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Fast forward to today & like many I am troubled by the events in Charlottesville this weekend. Hate has no part of Christianity. How can anyone in their right mind say I love my God while hating another person? </div>
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What disturbs me greatly & not just this weekend but for quite some time now are these statements by Christians saying the White Evangelicals or the Black Evangelicals, White Christian Church, Black Christian Church needs to do this or that. People I love have said this. It breaks my heart. Should we not follow God in the way He does things? Do you think our Father in Heaven looks down upon this mess & says, "My White Evangelical Church, My Black Evangelical Church. My White, Black, Church." There is no way that can be true. Not the God I know intimately. We are His children. End of sentence. No other descriptions & for the love of our God no labels.<br />
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I love to tell the story about a visiting minister we had at Lifepoint a few years back. He is pastor of a church in Baltimore. God told him to integrate his church. He followed that direction & he was met with quite a bit of resistance. Some members departed. Some in his family left. He proudly stood before us & stated that their church is now 20% integrated. You with me? Here is the part that I love to tell when people are listening. He was pastor of an African-American Church.<br />
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Great story but I wish we were beyond stories like that. Are we still a church of a certain color as we were in my youth? Why have we all not moved beyond that time? </div>
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I don't have all the answers but I know division & labeling is not a cure for anything. I do know who has the answers & we should be seeking Him for guidance. Forget any wrong teachings we were raised in. I have. </div>
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My most proud line in <b>The River Hideaway</b>, <u><i><b>"Hearts Have No Color." </b></i></u>I believe it & I will live it till the day I die. </div>
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If you feel the need to label me as a White, Evangelical Christian, feel free but that is not how God sees me & it is certainly not how I view myself. <u><i><b>I am a child of God.</b></i></u></div>
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Be part of the solution-not part of the division. <u><i><b> </b></i></u></div>
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Let's remember who the Church belongs too. It belongs to Jesus Christ. </div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-58358933934838583262017-08-06T14:39:00.000-07:002017-11-29T05:02:54.470-08:00FREEDOM CONFERENCE (Past, Present, Petty) Many years ago, my director was new in her job & it was also her first stint as a manager. She would go away to seminars & return like the next Tony Robbins. Upon her return an immediate staff meeting was called & she would be gushing about all she learned & what changes we were making. None of the changes that I recall made it to the end of the work week & truthfully by Friday she was on to the next thing. Maybe booking her next conference. It reached a point where one day I pleaded with her. "Please don't go away to any more of those motivational conferences & return to make all these changes that won't last two days." Believe it or not she laughed. <br />
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One of her first moves as a young director was to take a veteran staff & put them through one of those team building classes. Full confession. I hate those things. I am pretty certain she was the only one excited about it. It sure didn't improve morale as we had more issues in a dysfunctional work environment than a Ropes course was going to repair.<br />
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Don't we as Christians do this as well? We go to the next big teaching & everything is going to change for us. Sometimes months later I can't even remember the name of the conference/teaching I attended.<br />
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This spring I attended a 13 week work shop at our church, Lifepoint. It was the Freedom Conference offered through the Church of the Highlands. I heard terms like what a game changer it would be. Full disclosure I hear that term & I immediately think about all the times I have heard that before in church & it turned out not to be true. It is like when someone views a new movie & goes on & on about how great it is. By the time you see it you might walk away thinking it was really good but it had been built up so big that in essence the movie is a let down.<br />
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I won't say that about Freedom Conference. The first twelve weeks were good, not earth shattering but the final day was the culmination of it all & that day did not fall short. In fact, it met the conference build up for me. No small task.<br />
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I attended the last day with the attitude of I have come this far. I might as well take the final step even if it means all day on a Saturday when the beach weather was great for the first time in days. But my attitude as I arrived that morning was if this is suppose to be a big purge of my soul with a bunch of strangers they can forget me participating. Hold that thought.<br />
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Someone like my group leader Randy could explain just what Freedom entails far better than I. It has been hard to put into words when I have been asked. My attempt to explain here is probably lacking terribly but I will give it a try.<br />
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Empty your spirit of any past things that may still be hindering you. At the end ask for a filling of the Holy Spirit to replace what God has removed completely. Walk away that day ready to make the Word of God more prevalent in your life as you encounter situations.<br />
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As I went through the steps that day my attitude shifted. My heart was open. There were things in my past that while not bragged about they were spoken about with my wife, Julie. She has lived a good Christian life for all of her life. I have done anything but that. My past far more checkered. I probably did more bad in one day than all her days combined. That is not meant to be an overstatement. It has not been a real problem for us but it has been joked about, especially in regards to my sexual history.<br />
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By the time we reached that step. Remember this is the guy that went there to reveal little. I approached one of the prayer leaders & with tears streaming down my face I said, "I really want all this gone. I want to feel as if I belong to Julie & her alone in this lifetime. I want my past gone."<br />
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We had been encouraged to write down names of our past before the prayer. Where as I once would have wrote down those names in a bragging way. This was anything but. (Disclaimer- no one looks at what you write. It is between God & you what you reveal & what you don't.) After the prayer we were to tear them into little pieces & leave that part of our past scattered on the floor. I went one step more. I walked to the Cross in the room & tore it up at the foot of it.<br />
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I came home exhausted. Collapsing in my bed. I found out the next day I was not alone in that act. I told Julie there were to be no more jokes about my past in that regard. It was in the <i><b>past </b></i>& we were going to live in the <i><b>present</b></i>. I belonged with her, to her, & to her alone.<br />
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As I moved forward I wrote three things on the chalkboard we have mounted on the wall by the front door. <i><b>Past, Present, Petty.</b></i><br />
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<i>We </i>were allowing ourselves to get way too bogged down in the pettiness of this life. It is easy to do & I am pretty sure we all do it. The word <i><b>petty</b></i><b> </b>means- <i><u><b>of little importance; trivial.</b></u></i><br />
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If we believe in our God to be so colossal isn't much of what troubles us-petty? I am not discounting real struggles by any means. At this moment when I pray there are four people I know in a battle with cancer. But what about the other stuff? Unexpected car repairs. How about driving? How about that driver that in a traffic jam can't clear the intersection drives forward anyway because the light is green? They sit in the middle of the intersection unable to move & the light changes to red & then the other people can't drive because the intersection is blocked. That probably should be a capital offense. But regardless of how strongly I feel about it, isn't it a minor thing in our day? Even a petty thing to get upset about?<br />
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So I came out of Freedom, shared all this with Julie, & we have just been so above being petty now for weeks. Yeah, right. I knew as soon as I made that declaration we were going to be tested & boy have we been. Right away there was a situation with Julie where we felt like one set of rules had been applied to her & a different set for a newcomer. I can take being slighted, well I try anyway but don't slight my wife. The gloves come off then. But we recognized it as a test & we pointed out all the valid reasons why her situation was handled differently.<br />
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As I look back we have allowed many petty items to return. I don't like it. I want to always remember that one word, <i><b>petty,</b></i> that I came out of Freedom with.<br />
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I have been traditionally published once for my novel, <i><b>The River Hideaway</b></i>. There were countless rejections along the way. I have other stories written & I remember long ago an author I read saying that they were disillusioned by the thinking that once they were published one time it would get easier.I guess there was a reason that has stuck with me all these years.<br />
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A few weeks ago a writing friend told me of a publisher in North Carolina that might be a good fit. I followed directions. I shared of the successful book signings at Barnes & Noble & how I had an open door to return to their stores. I shared of the magazine article that was published nationally last year. I tried not to but I got my hopes up. They asked for the first twenty pages. The rejection letter came this week & I was not in the area they are interested in. This one hit harder. Maybe I am losing hope. Maybe I am beginning to think no matter how much my heart's desire is to be a writer it may not be God's plan for me. Is the writing a big deal to all of us that write? Yes it is. But my reaction of going into a funk was <b><i>petty</i></b>. Julie knew when she came home what was wrong even though I share little of my writing world with her. I don't want to disappoint her so if I ever land another book deal she will be the first to know but only after it is a done deal. Contracts signed.<br />
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Today at Lifepoint as I was listening to Pastor Jeff the story of Mary & Martha came to me.<br />
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<i><b><span class="text Luke-10-40" id="en-AMP-25404"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup>But Martha was very busy and
distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached
Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left
me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” </span> <span class="text Luke-10-41" id="en-AMP-25405"><sup class="versenum">41 </sup>But the Lord replied to her, <u><span class="woj">“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;</span></u> </span> <span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">42 </sup>but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part</span> [that which is to her advantage], <span class="woj">which will not be taken away from her.”</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">Couldn't Jesus just as easily be saying, "Billy, Billy, you are worried & anxious about many things? Or insert your name into the scripture. Maybe we should do that more. Insert our name into the passage. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">A wonderful friend in our small group, Dennis has shared his story about coming to Jesus. The preacher was quoting, "Lazareth come forth," as he sat in church. That is not what he heard. He heard clearly, "Dennis, come forth." </span></span><i><span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"></span></span><b><span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"> </span></span></b></i><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">This morning I was reading Mark Batterson's book, <i><b>Play the Man</b></i>. There was one line that jumped out at me & reminded me of how petty I can be. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><b><i><u>One of the dragon's most insidious lies is that God is holding out on you.</u></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">That will probably leave a mark. I could easily say, "Well great for you to write that. You have the writing break you desired." Truthfully, I have thought that about others but never in jealousy. What someone else has is of little concern of mine & it will add nothing to my statue by resenting their success. It cost me nothing to be happy for them & I am particularly glad that Mark received his break because I have read almost every book he has written. He is my favorite Christian writer. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">Believe it or not my one deal being traditionally published & all the money I made :( (maybe $1500.00) brought out jealousy in other writers that never have been able to be traditionally published. Some would hint to Julie & to me. "Now did Billy pay the publisher anything?" It reached a point where I thought about producing my contract which stated I would never be asked for $$$$. But then my pettiness might match theirs. Let people think what they want. There is a short list of people I need approval from & as long as I keep God at the top of that list everything else will fall into place. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">I do not know if I will ever be published again & it is my heart's desire. That is nothing small for any of us. But the way I react is. I can take it in stride & believe God has other plans for me or I can act petty. The choice is mine. I can continue to seek & follow God's path or go my own way as I have most of my life-telling God just how He should use my gifts along the way. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">During a particularly frustrating time, I exclaimed, "Rather a thousand copies with You God than a million without You." It shocked me that I meant that. I still do. In fact, I will add, "Rather no publishing contract ever with You, than a million without You." I have learned things gained without His hand will never be what I desire them to be. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">I think it is time for those three words to go back on the chalkboard as a reminder. Our God is bigger than any words to describe.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><b>Past- Leave it there. Don't bring it back up.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><b>Present- Each day is a new day with our Lord. Let's treat it that way & not get too far ahead. (I am guilty of that one as well.)</b></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><b>Petty- Keep the small stuff small. Don't let it interrupt our walk with our God. </b></span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<b><span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj">Update- One month later I signed a publishing contract for The Preacher's Letter.</span></span>
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<span class="text Luke-10-42" id="en-AMP-25406"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-14777611994272921542017-08-04T10:52:00.001-07:002020-04-03T08:00:03.523-07:00A Letter to my SonIt is hard to believe that my son, Micah, will turn 30 next month. Last week I had a long ago memory visit of my one goal as a parent that I often said when he was a child. It was not that he would be rich, educated, a ballplayer. I had one very simple goal that I don't think I ever shared with him until I wrote it in a card for him this week.<br />
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As an adult, will he when faced with a troublesome issue think I can talk to my Dad & he will listen? He will help me sort this out. My thinking was that if he did that than I had done okay as his Dad. <br />
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I knew even when he was little I would not be that parent with a desire to control my adult child's life. That kind of defeats the purpose. You raise a child & then you let them go, or at least that is my philosophy. You will always be their parent. Always be there for them but it is their life. Will they fail at times & make wrong choices? You bet they will but didn't we as well?<br />
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I wrote my son this week, not asking for a pat on the back but an honest answer. Did I meet my one goal? Do you think that my Dad can help with this problem? Do I listen thoroughly to you or do I start dispensing advice before you finish?<br />
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Lots of parents routinely do that with their adult children. Some are even a big part of failed marriages because their children are not wise enough to live out <i><b>all </b></i>of Genesis 2:24..<br />
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup><i><b>For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">I always loved the part of the two becoming one...the intimacy. But after one particular failed relationship I realized the importance of the first part of this scripture. There comes a time to leave your parents & forge your own way. A husband & a wife need to run their own race as a couple. Seek advice from your parents-yes. Allow them a voice in your marriage-no.</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">I wrote to my son that if I am failing in this regard both now & in the future, <i><b>tell me</b></i>. I will correct it. Life is to short & often the things allowed to remain unchallenged in a family become the very matters that construct walls that imprison families. It is difficult to break habits & often hard to see our own bad habits in how we interact with our family. Some find it easier to fashion the Norman Rockwell painting that they know did not ever exist. I never could buy into that. It is only with dealing with the truth in any relationship that we can break down the barriers & reach a better place. Pretending things are better than they are is like putting a band-aid on a deep wound. </span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">There is another thing I wrote in that card. I want Micah to learn not only from the good things I have taught him but I want him to learn from the things I did wrong. There are many important life long lessons I have taken to heart from my Dad that were anything but positive. The things he did I knew were wrong & even as a child I swore I would not be that way with my own child when that day came. </span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">My Dad was a good man but he was like a lot of men in that era. They left the parenting to the Mother. But I still learned because they were still failures on his part. He could not apologize & admit to being wrong. Never once to me in my entire life. But I learned. Maybe in reverse but I learned & I am grateful. Grateful that I often said to my son, "I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me." </span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">Micah also never went to bed at night without hearing I love you. Even to this day. Every phone call, visit, ends often in multiple I love you's exchanged. Again I learned this in reverse from my Father & Micah it is okay that you learn in reverse from me. I failed often. I realize that. I own it. </span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">As I have written before that my idea for <i><b>The River Hideaway </b></i>came from watching one of my favorite movies. <i><b>A Time to Kill.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55">There is a wonderful exchange between the young attorney, played by Matthew McConaughey & his mentor, Donald Sutherland.</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-2-24" id="en-NASB-55"><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span class="character">Jake Tyler Brigance</span>:
<u><i><b>I can't be you, Lucian. </b></i></u></div>
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<span class="character">Lucien Wilbanks</span>:
<i><b>Don't be me, Jake. Be better than me.</b></i> </div>
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I have thought of that line often in regards to Micah. Don't be me. Be better than me.<br />
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I love you son.<br />
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<i>My adult son. My best man on Julie & my wedding day. </i><br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-91020225019667202092017-06-01T09:45:00.001-07:002020-07-05T11:57:43.003-07:00Kathy Griffin...& Fairness<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="3fdfa" data-offset-key="6qcaa-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="6qcaa-0-0"><span data-text="true">I place no value on being Democrat or Republican. What I value is fairness. What Kathy Griffin did was wrong & I would feel the same regardless of whose image was displayed.If you think that it is okay because you dislike Donald Trump so much than in the sense of fair play how would you feel if it were Hillary, Obama, Bernie...take your pick? Be honest. Honesty, especially the ability to be honest with yourself is something I value greatly. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6qcaa-0-0"><span data-text="true">There are people who excuse her actions because of their hatred of President Trump. I hesitate to write anything even remotely political. Last year during the craziness of election time I posted nothing on the race. I made a couple of comments on other people's page. Nothing in support of one candidate. I was mistakenly called a liberal & another told me they were disappointed in me. Both mistook my comments to mean something they did not. That is what happens when you become zealous about politics or anything else for that matter. You react first..You think later..One person apologized. One did not. That is okay. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">At one point this year I took several weeks off from Facebook. I grew weary of the ugliness. One astute poster wrote that they found they were spending so much time on blocking or deleting people because of their comments. I found myself doing the same.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">Post about politics if you must but try to be fair. If it is okay that a bloody photo of a dead Trump is posted than I expect you to feel the same if it is Obama, Hillary, etc. If you are okay with it being one of them but angry if the same thing is done to someone else than you have lost me. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">Occasionally, I think about posting something political, not in support of a candidate but just in a sense of fair play. The edge people perch on is so precarious that no doubt I would be called names & judged even if they thought for a moment that I did not agree with their entrenched stance. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">For instance if I were to comment about people who say if Trump is elected I am leaving the country. My comment would be, "No you are not. You are being overly dramatic." </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">But I feel the same way if anyone was to say if Hillary were elected I am leaving the country. But when people are just waiting to engage they don't take time or at least ask if that is what was meant. Shoot first. Ask questions later.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">Personally, I find it hard to believe that you could look at our state of politics today & be proud of either party. I am still waiting for one of our senators or representatives to say we receive way too many perks & that money could be better spent. Where else can you spend such a short amount of time & receive benefits for life? </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">So take time to think before you respond. Being a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent like myself does not make you right. It is your opinion. Don't value it more than you should. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fc3vm-0-0"><span data-text="true">I don't know if someone has said this before or maybe said it better but I posted a short comment on my Author Page not long ago. I would like to think it contains some wisdom. </span></span></div>
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<i><b>"Imagine if we respected other's opinions as much as we value our own."</b></i><br />
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I wish we could all live by the above statement. Be kind to each other. Respect other people's opinions even if they don't coincide with our own. <b></b>Imagine if our politicians would try to live that way. <br />
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As for me I will return to posting puppy photos or trying to encourage people. During my absence from Facebook I was touched that a few people contacted me & said they missed my encouraging posts. That was very humbling. My dear friend, Nicky, once said that being encouraging is the greatest of spiritual gifts. There is a lot of wisdom in that & I have come to agree with my wise friend.</div>
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But I sure wish we could start a Facebook Friendly Friday. No politics. </div>
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Teke says, "Hi."</div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-70166506503143544442017-01-24T10:13:00.002-08:002017-01-27T06:05:29.995-08:00My RegretsHave you ever met someone that stated boldly that they have no regrets? It sounds good to say that but do you believe it? I don't. Oh, I get the thing about experiences shaping us & how we learn from our mistakes. All of that is true. But I made some ill fated choices that hurt people. Am I forgiven by them, by God? Yes. Do I regret the pain I inflicted? Yes!<br />
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Turning 60 has brought so much to light. Don't get me wrong. I believe my best days with God are in front of me. I hope one day to look back 20 years from now & say, "Wow, God. What a journey. The final chapter of my life was the greatest." My prayer is that I will be a living example of the scripture. Corinthians 1:27. <br />
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<span class="search-term"> <i><b>But God has chosen the foolish things of the
world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty;</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" id="en-KJV-28391">My regret today is that I hung on to what I wanted-what I thought I needed & despite a dramatic Born Again experience at the age of 19 I never really let go of the wheel of this life & placed God above all else. I was always holding on to something. My hopes, my dreams...for many years even holding on to my anger toward Him. My disappointment in Him. </span></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" id="en-KJV-28391">I marvel at people at Lifepoint Church who are decades younger than me. They are so sold out for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A young couple we know scrapping it all to go into the mission field in a far away country. Leaving behind all the comforts of home. A young man who has befriended a homeless man & devotes his time to helping him be clean, offering him encouragement...hope..friendship. So many examples. They humble me.</span></div>
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<i><b>First above all. Not a relationship you cling too that you know you need to let go of. Not religious practices that grant temporary comfort but not real relationship. Not money, things. If only I had this or that. First let me get this. I was the poster child for that line of thinking. No...First....surrender...</b></i></div>
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<span class="text 1Cor-1-27" id="en-KJV-28391"><i><b>I only wish I would have started sooner. </b></i> </span></div>
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https://billybeasley.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-is-holding-you-back-dad.html<br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-4261478680470487572016-12-21T06:00:00.001-08:002016-12-21T06:00:54.242-08:00Christmas 2016It is that time once again that can bring us to such glorious highs & lows. Our memories that occasionally visit during the year seem to arrive at a precipice for the Holiday season. Many of those memories are bitter sweet. Last night, as I sat home waiting on my wonderful wife, Julie, with our new addition for this Christmas, Teke- I had the overwhelming desire to pick up the phone & call my Mom. She has been gone now for over three years & that is one of the things I miss most. A simple phone conversation.<br />
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Christmas has often been a very low point in my life. There was a time when I truly hated Christmas. The broken/failed relationships. The dreams that never materialized. The many failures. The many bad choices I made. The unfairness of this life. I have a story I wrote long ago that I hope a publisher says yes to one day that the main character leaves before Thanksgiving & stays in a small cabin in the mountains away from everyone until after the first of the year. I never did that but I wanted too.<br />
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I remember those days & though I am grateful today to enjoy Christmas. Julie with her childlike excitement brings so much to the season & my life-as well as family & the wonderful friends God has blessed me with. Still, I don't want to lose sight of the people who struggle mightily at this time of year just as I once did. <br />
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We are also blessed to be part of a dynamic church. Lifepoint Church in Wilmington, NC. This weekend we have three Christmas Eve services. One on Friday night & two on Saturday afternoon. All the services are the same. Julie will be part of the worship team. I will be serving at the booth for first time guests.<br />
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I realize that of my own wisdom, my knowledge, that I have little to offer. What I ask of God, particularly for this season is for me to be aware of the people who walk into church-maybe for the only time this year. Those that are beaten up by life. Those that are weary & want a new way. Those that are truly alone. Those that desperately need some hope..some encouragement. I ask of God to lead & help me encourage them. To be quiet & listen to their stories. We all have one. <br />
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Initially, I did not plan to serve for three services but as I thought about it--what an honor it is. To remember my struggles & hopefully help others with more than just information about our wonderful church. <br />
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It is way to easy for people to get caught up in thinking about what they have to offer. I have nothing but as my team leader, Randy, so aptly put it when I shared these feelings last week. "But we can make ourselves available." And in the process my hope is that I can do & be what our Pastor Jeff Kapusta taught earlier this month.<br />
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<i><b>"My purpose is to illuminate Jesus."</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Merry Christmas</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Billy </b></i></div>
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billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-48338079859479993252016-11-06T06:25:00.000-08:002016-11-06T06:53:16.028-08:00That Is Your Opinion (It is neither right or wrong)<br />
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The title of this blog derived from numerous conversations with a very young Micah Beasley. I know this will shock some of you who know him but Micah pretty much arrived into this world with many strong opinions. He was quite animated as he shared just what was what. Many times I would calmly state to him.<br />
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<i><b>"That is your opinion & it is neither right or wrong.</b></i> <i><b>It is what you think."</b></i><br />
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Of course he challenged me on this but I kept on....Wash, rinse...repeat.<br />
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Those of you who have followed my journey on this blog site have become pretty accustomed to my honesty about the mistakes I have made. How I have been my own worst critic throughout my life. So allow me this time to actually pat myself on the back.<br />
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I have opinions. We all do. But I don't state my opinion with disdain for those that dare to have a different one. I am pretty respectful of others thoughts & I don't make the assumption that just because I think a certain way that makes me right & the opposing view wrong. We all like different things & I often say, "It would be a boring world if we all liked the same things."<br />
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I think it is a habit-a very bad one & many people don't realize how rude they are being by dismissing someone & what they think just because it does not align with their thoughts.<br />
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My two cents since this is my blog. Is it possible that when we really love something that we just can't believe someone else can't see how great it is? A food.. a place to live..to visit..an activity. My friend, Ray (my age) shared with me recently that he had people make fun of him because he has really got into Frisbee Golf. I didn't make fun of him & in fact I told him next time we have our quarterly meeting that I would join him in his favorite activity. People criticize so easily something that they are not interested in.<br />
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I worked at Wrightsville Beach for over 32 years & I love it & many of the people there but when I moved to Carolina Beach..boy the comments.."the redneck beach..." "Well it is not Wrightsville Beach.." (Picture that statement said with nose perched in the air) & the list goes on. Honestly, I got kind of weary of it & most the people that offered these statements had not visited Carolina Beach two times in ten years. Now I could never have afforded a home at Wrightsville Beach but if I had 30 million in the bank I still would want to live here...a little closer to the water perhaps but I prefer Carolina Beach, however I would not make a disparaging remark to someone that lives at & loves Wrightsville Beach.<br />
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In fairness, I worked at Wrightsville Beach while living at Carolina Beach the last nine years of my career. I heard a lot of unkind comments at Carolina Beach when they saw my Wrightsville Beach P&R staff shirt. I didn't care for those comments either, especially when the assumption was that anyone living at Wrightsville Beach had to be a snob. Nothing could be further from the truth. <br />
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While I am on the subject of homes-I was a single man for a very long time & boy regardless of where I lived a woman that was I dating would inevitably walk in my house & say, "This place needs a woman's touch." Why would we decorate the house like women lived there when they didn't? Somewhere I wrote once that a home is to be respected & I don't care if I enter a house for the first time & they have a 8' by 10' mural of NASCAR in the living room. Would I do it? No. I don't even like NASCAR. I know you can't believe a southern boy like me who grew up around it & had a cousin next door that raced NASCAR for a couple of years but I don't care for it. But I don't look down my nose at people who do enjoy NASCAR.<br />
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Don't disregard someones home-where they choose to live. I think that is
pretty sacred to people. I respect that. There is no better. It is what
we prefer & that is not a right or wrong answer. <br />
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When you have a strong opinion about something you can tend to make every story play your way to the point of not even verifying the authenticity of the story. No better example than politics. Sometimes you become a zealot with your opinions & it is easy to rule out rationale.<br />
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How about a hot topic item? Global Warming. Honestly, is the weather changing? Yes. Do I know if it is related to fossil fuels or just a change over time that will revert back? I really don't. But both sides are so absolute in their beliefs that they want to be right regardless if their data is fudged. <i><b>I think people are often more concerned with being right than getting at the truth & a possible solution. </b></i><br />
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"<i><b>We can disagree without being disagreeable." </b></i>I don't know
the origin of this statement but the first time it really sunk in for
me was hearing it when President Gerald Ford died. It was one of his
favorite quotes. Some of his best friends were Democrats & often a
beer was shared after debating on the Senate floor all day. I don't
think that is happening too often these days. Stay divided seems to be
the theme of political parties. Both parties are guilty. Horribly
guilty. <br />
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I don't know if anything can be accomplished here. There is another word in play called <i><b>introspection </b></i>& some people don't seem to have any of that..<br />
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It is far too easy to take what we love..what we enjoy...& just disregard what others like...not even really listen to what their opinion is because they have the audacity to have a different opinion..<br />
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Care to see examples of this at its worst? Read comments after any article/story online. The ridicule...the arrogance of people.. Calling people stupid & worse just because they don't agree with them. If this is what your life is about...spending each day calling people names...over a difference of opinion...people you don't even know...well to me that is one sad existence. <br />
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I am certain God does not desire us to behave that way. We can make following God so complex. But how about this one rule for how we treat each other?<br />
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Galatians 5:14<i><b> For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."</b></i><span class="p"></span><br />
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<span class="p">Imagine if we lived this scripture each day to the best of our ability. If we love our neighbor as we love our self. We won't lie, cheat, steal, covet, be jealous of, look down upon...ridicule them because they are Republican, Democrat, a different race...live a different lifestyle.......& the list goes on..I will add one more..<b>We would be happy for our neighbors triumphs. </b>If they win the lottery we would not say, "I am more deserving. Why did that not happen for me instead of them?" </span><br />
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<span class="p">A great example of this would be my best friend, Jack. He is not a reader. Not a writer. His passion is boats, fishing...salt water. But I can't even begin to tell you how happy he was & is for my getting <i><b>The River Hideawa</b><b>y</b></i>, published. Even now as I struggle to find a second publisher for my other stories he told me recently he did not think that it was over. He knows writing is my passion & he could not be more encouraging. We both love the salt water. He loves it from a boat with a fishing rod. I love it sitting on the beach with a good book in hand. </span><br />
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<span class="p">Recently I watched as a young kid in the mountains met Jack. Jack mentioned fishing & the kid just lit up. He started talking about fly fishing & reel fishing & how the creek needed running water to catch trout. Jack obviously knew more about salt water fishing but the connection made by the two of them. I enjoyed watching the exchange...the passion the two of them hold for fishing. It doesn't matter that it is not something I care to participate in. </span><br />
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<span class="p">The danger is becoming so convinced of our opinions & disdain those daring to think-feel differently we can become quite judgmental about it. We judge others who do not like what we like. Pretty sure the Bible covers not being judgmental on a couple of occasions. </span><br />
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<span class="p">So try to respect other people & their opinions even though gasp they may differ from yours. Who knows in the process maybe you can learn something & view things in a slightly different way & maybe, just maybe we could even choose to show grace to people regardless of who wins the election Tuesday. My world will not end one way or the other. </span><br />
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<span class="p">....Of course all of this is just my opinion I guess..Have a great day..</span><br />
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<span class="p">Or what Toby Mac said....</span><br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-80824453746543735672016-09-30T09:28:00.002-07:002020-04-10T08:18:52.708-07:00Writing World Update<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_3">
Little Update..<br />
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Occasionally I get asked if The River Hideaway is still available &
the answer is Yes. It is contracted for another two years but that may
or may not be the case. The owner of the Publishing Company has been
very sick & plans to be back but many things are on hold right now. <br />
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I was looking for a different publisher before this news for works that
I have already completed. Many of you realize that getting traditionally published is about a 99% rejection rate. Having no name recognition makes the journey very difficult. No complaints.. That is just how it is. Knowing someone helps in any job related search. I was able to get a novel in front of a publisher that only allowed it because of a dear contact. They liked it but their finances at this time concerned them. It is a tough world for Publishers as well as authors. I
appreciated their honesty. <br />
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Of course, so many people suggest self publishing & that is a good format for some people & their works, however, I would encourage any writer to research any publisher very carefully as there are a lot of shady book publishers. Some say they are traditional & the next thing you know they want $$$ from you. Be careful..Some of the self-publishing companies lure you in &
the next thing you know they are charging you thousands.I certainly did not sign any great contract for The River Hideaway but I also did not fork over any of my hard-earned money to see my book in print. <br />
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I will not consider self-publishing & I mean no offense to those that have. It is just not for me. <br />
At the end of the day this is all in God's Hands & believe it or
not I am getting much better at really letting go of my desires &
trusting Him.<br />
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My answer for what is a Christian & by no means do I think this is the right view for everyone. It is just my answer for my walk. I knew that to really call myself a Christian I had to seek what God wanted more than what I desired. It was not there for the majority of my life-even after a Damascus Road experience almost 40 years ago to the day. Today, though I fail at times-for the most part I am there.<br />
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Do you ever shock yourself with something you say? One day I was frustrated over book
sales & I exclaimed to no one..as I was alone.."Rather a thousand
copies with You than a million without You." I realized I meant that
& for most of my life & this writing adventure I would have chosen the million with the attitude that I would catch up with God on the flip side. Isn't it easy to do that in so many areas of our life?
Relationships, living a lifestyle we know God did not call us too. The
list goes on. <br />
<br />
So this is an update for those that ask if The
River Hideaway is still available. I do have a few copies of The River
Hideaway at home if you want a signed copy. I can mail them or if you are local I can find a way to get a copy to you. Also for those of you that enjoyed The River Hideaway & want more. God bless you. The kind words from many of you are treasured. The River Hideaway touched people.
Made people told me that they reflected about their faith-if they were still harboring any prejudices..Their words-not mine. To tell a story that touched people-made them think about their relationship with God.. That is the
good stuff & I am deeply humbled.<br />
<br />
One exciting thing did happen in my writing world this year. I had an article published in
Optimist International Magazine about my Coach & the man who rescued from the scrap heap of this life many years ago. It is in the
Summer Issue 2016.<br />
<br />
Thank you & God bless each & every one of you.<br />
PS For digital readers The River Hideaway is available on Kindle & Nook..<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/River-Hideaway-Billy-Beasley/dp/1610091361/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473685126&sr=1-1&keywords=the+river+hideaway" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/River-Hideaway-Billy-B…/…/ref=sr_1_1…</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMiqsEsAEGu3m3hPNN3iONsSBf7HkpRirv8Qpr6rJLn3stg2_6jmyDIZtkMNDJ9IH7RSgoaqw2zIJNRfp3Um-jkfaRv0nIhfki0R-JDQ-Rdw7MjWIh8HEexm-mDiOzkQPahIadY1ymv8/s1600/BCJeana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMiqsEsAEGu3m3hPNN3iONsSBf7HkpRirv8Qpr6rJLn3stg2_6jmyDIZtkMNDJ9IH7RSgoaqw2zIJNRfp3Um-jkfaRv0nIhfki0R-JDQ-Rdw7MjWIh8HEexm-mDiOzkQPahIadY1ymv8/s320/BCJeana.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Once again this beautiful photo was taken by my friend, Robbie Johnson.</div>
billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-82072748656249048422016-08-20T10:14:00.000-07:002016-12-01T12:32:14.814-08:00JOURNEY (Pre Blog Time)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>I wrote this before blogging-before I turned the wheel over-before I would attend Passion 2012 (I did not even know about the event at the time) Before I knew who Julie was. </i></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>I have no idea why I wrote this other than God knew real change was coming for me & he wanted me to see where I had been before he took me to the next step. </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">December 18, 2011</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It
was nearing the end of summer in 1975 as I walked that night in my
neighborhood. I was nineteen, troubled, and the walk much like my life had no
particular destination. A girlfriend that I treated badly walked away and decided
to fill her own emptiness with someone else. It was not until she was out the
door that I realized that I actually loved her, though that was the last thing
in my life I desired. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It
was strange that I would be out on a night as this and not be high on some
substance, but for whatever reasons I was not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
don’t recall a thought as I walked the street I lived on and turned left on to the
next road. What I do recall is that I walked gazing at the sky for much of the
walk. I can point to the place I was at today all these years later when what I
can only describe as a whoosh that began in the top of my head and permeated
throughout my entire body. I hear a whisper with unmistakable clarity. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Come
and admit that you are wrong. Come and sing my glorious song.”</i></b> One lone
tear dribbled down my left cheek. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A
few steps later I gazed up again to the dark sky and asked, “Is that You God?”
I did not need an answer because I already knew. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over thirty five years later I still don’t
know why this happened to me. My family referred to it as my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Damascus
Road</i></b> and indeed it was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It
would be pleasant if this story was a happy one and that I turned from my life
immediately and walked a different path with happiness and harmony. I did turn
from my life of promiscuity, drugs, parties that saw the sun rise on a regular
basis. My life began with that supernatural moment and I thought that there
would be so much more to come but I had to learn to live in the natural, and by
faith which proved an obstacle I could not overcome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
made a rash of hurried decisions and the worse was a marriage born of a small
church group that had all the answers and from my loneliness. Remember the girl
that found solace in another? Well I blocked all that away. I married someone
while still in love with another. It was a not so great start for a lifetime of
happiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
spent ten years unhappily married-never letting go of my Damascus Road
completely but at the same time when your home is misery for both of you how
can you walk a fruitful path? I could not. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">At
age 32 I was single, alone, and seemingly never able to escape the fight over
our child, property, and money. I longed for fairness in an unfair world and
when it became apparent that I was not going to get it I lashed out at God and my
festering anger toward him grew exponentially for the next twenty years. Often
my prayers turned to cursing at a God powerful enough to whisper to me on a
dark road and change my life but who was miles away when I needed him most. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
had several failed relationships after divorce. I sought love and intimacy and
found it, however fleeting it proved to be. I was flawed, vulnerable and I
found the same in partners. Some of the experiences were enthralling but the
downside grew too steep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Depression
loomed but I could always flip the switch and walk out of any dark places but
then twice the darkness became so severe that I reconciled myself to the
awareness that I was not Superman after all. One night as I drove around
listening to Bruce Springsteen and drinking heavily I drove into the garage and
left the music playing and the car running. I was playing a game. It won’t
really be suicide if I just fall asleep drunk never to wake again. I don’t know
if I fell asleep or not but at some point my beautiful son’s face appeared and
what I could not do for myself I had to do for him. I cut the car off and
walked inside, wondering if I could outlast this particular debilitating bout
of darkness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">During
this time I went to a Saturday night church service with my son Micah. The
minister was talking about what is holding you back? What is keeping you from turning
your life completely over to God? Micah has a recall for details of his
childhood that are incisive. He turned to me and asked softly but with
conviction not expected from a young teen ager. “What’s keeping you Dad?” He
has no recollection of this event. It was God speaking through him but still I
had my plans, my dreams, and my desires. Let me achieve those first and then
maybe I will get around to God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It
was a Saturday night, March 2007 and I was talking to my mom on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the course of our chat she mentioned that
Jim Glasgow was back at Myrtle Grove. I was a member at Myrtle Grove but I had
not been to a service in many years. I was not attending church anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attended a few but none felt right. I had
always liked Jim. He is a humble man with a heart for the broken. Something
clicked when Mom said that and I decided I am going to Myrtle Grove in the
morning. I knew that once while it thrived under the leadership of my dear
friend Horace Hilton it had fallen on harder times. It was no longer the church
that people lined up at to get in the door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
did not know that it would become a church home for me. That it would feel
right. I went sporadically for the first three years. My anger at God for
circumstances that he refused to change would surface and I would in my mind
defy him and refuse to attend for several weeks. Still I kept returning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">There
was no life changing voice this time but as I reflect back now I see a few
events that did not seem big at the time but have had a profound effect on my
life. I witnessed them not realizing that they would stick with me as major
teachings in my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
first I can recall was sitting alone at the end of the pew-as usual refusing to
reach out to anyone. I had to keep a distance and protect myself from any religious
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was before church began and I
without thought picked up the Bible in front of me. I opened it to Galatians 5:7.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You
were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the
truth? </i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
second event was when a man brought his potter’s wheel to church and began to
mold as a woman spoke. I don’t recall if the man ever spoke and I can’t recall
any word spoken during that service. Something however gnawed at me. What I
sensed was God saying, “You have tried to mold me into what you think I should
be. I am the potter you are the clay and it is not the other way around.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
don’t recall thinking to much that day about the service but it has been a few
years now and that is still my lesson. I think it always will be. I see it not
only applying to my life but often in our church of today. I resist religious
behavior. The tightly held religious person with their ordinances often seem
hard and cold to me. It is about our heart isn’t it? The best examples that I
lean on were Horace, and today </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">David
Foster and Steve Wallin. They are men who live the gospel in their hearts not
with pointed finger but rather a hand up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Still,
as our world has become extremely liberal haven’t we assumed God has moved with
us? I know I have. But I return to the reminder of the potter and the clay. I
need to not only understand but accept that I am the clay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Jim
shared a message and the part I remember was about small groups and the need to
belong to one. I had attended one and it never felt right to me. Nothing
against the people involved. It was just not the right fit for me. I felt
pressure when I began to break away from the group. I don’t react well with
pressure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
talked to Jim about this and asked, “Do you really think every member should be
in a small group?” He thought for a few seconds and replied, “I think you need
to be known.” Now that was big for me because I am introverted and I came each
Sunday but I sat in my corner alone and while cordial I refused to reach out to
anyone. God has slowly changed that in me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Steve
Mattis also returned to Myrtle Grove where he assumed the role as senior
pastor. The recurring theme in all messages by Steve is we can’t make it by
being good. We can’t make it with our religious behavior and rituals. It is
only with grace that we have hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">One
example that Steve used one Sunday with Jerry Cannon also resonated with me and
does to this day. It also tied into what Jim shared about being known or in my
case I believe God speaking softly for me to get out of my corner. Steve quoted
a scripture about how we are to exalt or encourage one another. He said
something about Jerry that was very true and then asked how he felt. Jerry
replied awesome. It got a little emotional for both of them because it was
heartfelt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">What
I took away from that was certainly not to false flatter someone but how hard
this life can be at times. You never know what one kind true word can mean to
someone unless you speak it. It was an easy way for me to slowly get out of my corner
that I am so darn comfortable in. I have certainly been on the other end of it
when I felt like I was at that last strand of rope and someone offered kindness
and hope. I remember during the darkest times of depression my mom saying,
“Billy, you have to have hope. Without hope you have nothing.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
am self centered-stuck in what I do not have. My failed dreams, emptiness, but
from that one little message there have been many times since then when I have
prayed, “Lord if I can offer someone some encouragement today who is struggling
led me to that opportunity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Horace
once told me that each Sunday on each pew there was someone with a broken
heart. Often it was me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Steve shared a poignant message several months
ago about how we should literally die to ourselves. That sounds so harsh. I can
only tell you what it means to me. The more of my heart that I allow to die the
more room there is for Jesus to come and replace my self centered desires. And
if Jesus fills my heart more with his spirit and his love then I won’t need
ordinances to tell me what to do. I will do it because of who has taken up
residence in my heart. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
spent so much time in darkness that I could not even imagine being happy in
Heaven. I often would ask God to take me now and I will opt out of any
afterlife. “You can have it God,” as if I had anything to bargain with. Steve spoke
of Heaven recently and how being in the presence of God we will be so full we
will overflow. He used the example of a cup is not overflowing until too much
water is added. It must go beyond full. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">But
I am not to wait for that but to long for that while I am here. Again it goes
back to my heart. How much is me? How much will I let go of to have it replaced
with something better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It
is a journey, and one in which I struggle mightily. Listening to Michael Mattis
in his message December 18 caused me to explore my nights. That is the time when
it can rain down on me the most with negativity. The times I feel so alone and
it is as if all that I face comes together as one mighty weight to crush me. The
dreams unrealized, the mom such a spiritual force and suffering now with
dementia, and the one person I want brought into the fullness of God more than
me but as the spirit calls holds on to that last entrapment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Often
these nights are so bad that it influences darkly the next day. This brings
times when faith is so very difficult for me to find. What did the man say to
Jesus when asked if he believed? Yes Lord I believe. Help me my unbelief. Mark
9:24. I love the raw honesty that I find in that scripture.</span></div>
<h6>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A
few weeks ago I was looking for a scripture to post on my Facebook status.
Something inspiring but fresher than one I would typically turn too. I found
Jeremiah 32:27</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> “Behold, I am the LORD,
the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me?”</span></h6>
<h6>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I
believe that was a scripture to take root and prepare me for hearing about the
night. Last night as I prayed and as the obstacles came to me one at a time I
named each one and said, Lord you are bigger than my loneliness. You are bigger
than mom’s dementia. I continued to name each one and I followed it with Lord
you are bigger than ….</span></h6>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">One
thing in my favor as I walk down this road is I returned to Myrtle Grove over
four years ago with an honest heart. I resist when people judge me because I am
my worse critic. I know the good, the bad, and the ugly. I will not give in to
church speak, tradition, clichés, religion, or rituals. I won’t say I believe
it if I don’t. That does not make me right, and I could well be wrong. But God
will have to show me and I am more than willing to be wrong. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">There
is no Damascus Road this time and the process slow but the foundation more
sturdy and I have more hope in finding the path God calls to me. As I search
for the next step what I feel is in a world of outwardly trappings that God
wants to make me beautiful from the inside out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A
few years ago Jim suggested a book for me to read. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s So Amazing about Grace by Phillip Yancey. </i>It seems to be
appropriate to end this letter of journey with a quote from that book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="textexposedshow"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"As a child, I put on my best behavior
on Sunday mornings, dressing up for God and for the Christians around me. It
never occurred to me that church was a place to be honest. Now, though, as I
seek to look at the world through the lens of grace, I realize that
imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the
cracks.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="textexposedshow">May
we all leave our religious clothes at home and come each Sunday with an honest
and open heart. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke 12:34 </i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">"For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”</span></i></b></div>
billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-53044790040771243732016-07-21T08:03:00.001-07:002016-07-22T05:05:14.553-07:00Fishhook, Teke & Was it a Miracle from God?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5ut8PtIFGzCoBk4sy_OUa76hEM6mVvE_Z6V5jPxeGswKOKYwL6Lvhu2m3hPyHca5heBMzoQd_2BX99uwgcbo42PQYKCPTzJ4UCN9yJU_GB3lnKV5LemprJSgxGp272u8hfgE9UYePEg/s1600/Teke+River+July+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5ut8PtIFGzCoBk4sy_OUa76hEM6mVvE_Z6V5jPxeGswKOKYwL6Lvhu2m3hPyHca5heBMzoQd_2BX99uwgcbo42PQYKCPTzJ4UCN9yJU_GB3lnKV5LemprJSgxGp272u8hfgE9UYePEg/s320/Teke+River+July+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Teke, our Australian Cattle Dog, turned five months old yesterday. We have had her since she was two days shy of eight weeks. It has been an eventful three months to say the least. It had been decades since my wife Julie & I had dealt with having a puppy. I forgot the joys of it. ;)<br />
<br />
We have been over protective & I have been a chronic worrier over her safety. It has been just shy of two years ago that we lost Sydney-Julie's rescue Chihuahua mix that I fell deeply in love with when he came to live with me. It was a two way street. I can't seem to escape the worry that came from Sydny dying hours after surgery to remove a pit that lodged in his intestine. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyi-7XLVaf24FFOOK3WdCXXrGr22xz2GZOLdlUs6eihgDREfC_e-8n2wgS8_9Guu8Mm_d9YBFmDvyqKbQ5OegwJ1JQLI_uhll44Tf3TjS3wCHy5a6MV0Annvav-NInw-emS5WVcuZHHE/s1600/syddevotion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyi-7XLVaf24FFOOK3WdCXXrGr22xz2GZOLdlUs6eihgDREfC_e-8n2wgS8_9Guu8Mm_d9YBFmDvyqKbQ5OegwJ1JQLI_uhll44Tf3TjS3wCHy5a6MV0Annvav-NInw-emS5WVcuZHHE/s320/syddevotion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There was the day that I was walking Teke in our neighborhood on her leash when a large dog-maybe 100 pounds charged Teke with intent to maim. I had no time to think-only to react & spin her away from his charge into my arms. Fortunately the negligent owners of the aggressive dog got there in time to prevent a second charge. I had bad images for a long time over what could have been. The part that got to me the most & that I choked up about when I told Julie later that night was when I was still holding Teke long after the incident & discovered my shirt was wet with my then 14 pound puppy's urine.<br />
<br />
The fish hook incident I will leave for you to decide. Miracle, luck that either can or can't be explained. I am all ears. For the record, I don't go around claiming everything is a miracle or the devil is hiding behind every bush.<br />
<br />
It was several weeks ago & Julie had taken Teke to Carolina Beach State Park & allowed her off lead near the river. No big deal I had done the same thing the week before. Teke found a dead fish in the marsh & you know how a little puppy will eat about anything. She ate a big chunk of the fish before Julie could catch her. Julie came home & washed Teke & herself to remove the rancid smell. Julie called the Vet & they said to keep an eye on her & if she started to vomiting or got diarrhea to bring her in.<br />
<br />
Fast forward about 14 hours later to the next morning at sunrise. We wake up to the sound of Teke throwing up. Julie reaches her first & ask me to take her outside to see if she has finished. She had. Julie cleaned the kennel.<br />
<br />
As Teke & I reentered the house I hear Julie sobbing loudly in the bedroom. I rush to her & this was the following conversation.<br />
<br />
Me: <b>What is wrong?</b><br />
Julie: <b>She swallowed a fish hook.</b><br />
Me: <b>What? </b>I am pretty sure there was a head shake of disbelief at one point. <b>Is it all there?</b><br />
Julie is holding a pillow from the kennel & presses it toward me. <b>Yes. Look.</b><br />
<br />
Was it my prayer over Teke the previous afternoon that she would not be sick or injured from the fish? Could it be traced back to the day we picked her up at Sleepy Hollow Cattle Dogs where my son, Micah drove to meet us? Before we left the farm & Micah was to return to Raleigh & Julie & I to Carolina Beach<b>-</b>I retrieved the bottle of anointing oil I had placed in the side door of my truck & prayed over her protection. I even reminded God that the last time I did this over a dog that it was Sydny & he died. Why one prayer granted & the other not I have no clue. That is why He is God & I am not. His ways far higher than mine- even if I don't always care for the result. And I don't always care for the result. <br />
<br />
Julie called the Vet with the update. They asked the same question many of you have. She swallowed the entire fish hook & it all came back up in tact? Yes & yes. They even called twice the next week to check on Teke. I think they had a hard time understanding.<br />
<br />
Later as we had time to process & this is the part that makes me believe it was a miracle from God & not ridiculous luck. I ask Julie who has a good medical background. "Did you check her tongue, gums, cheeks, throat-basically everything you can see?"<br />
<br />
She had as I knew she would & what she found was not one scratch. Not one drop of blood. That is so much like God because when He does something He does it completely. Perfectly. I probably would have still believed it was a miracle-if say she got a nasty cut on her tongue in the process but for there not to be one mark. Not a moment after throwing that entire fish hook back up that had been inside of her for approximately 14 hours did she show the first sign of anything other than complete wholeness.<br />
<br />
You take from this what you will. I know what I believe & in case you have to ask she is not allowed off lead near the river any longer.<br />
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<br />billybeasleyblogspothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969418453741948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035683778338748373.post-60148970402836493392016-07-11T06:48:00.003-07:002016-07-11T06:48:55.751-07:00Coach<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> This is an article I wrote about "That One Person" that is featured in the Summer Issue of Optimist International Magazine. http://www.optimist.org/magazine/Summer2016/TheOptimist-Summer2016.pdf </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Ed
Wilson was a baseball legend. He coached Little League Baseball for over twenty
five years. His team, Hanover Center, won over fifteen league championships,
ten county championships, and at one time enjoyed a winning streak of fifty
games which </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">set a
world record for the most consecutive victories by a baseball team at any
level. He also guided two All-Star teams to North Carolina State titles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
was my coach for three years of my youth and a few years later as a young man I
was an assistant coach on his staff. Coach’s teams set records that will never
be approached and yet that pales in comparison to why this man was so loved by
so many of his ‘boys.’ He impacted lives and none more so than mine. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
perplexed rival coach once said to him. “I don’t understand why your teams are
better than mine. I have players just as good as yours and I know as much about
coaching baseball as you do.” </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Coach’s
response summed up a lot about his philosophy as a coach. “That’s because you
are coaching baseball and I am coaching boys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
morning after receiving the news that Coach passed away at the age of ninety
eight, I found myself outside the gate to the Little League field. My thoughts
drifted to a time when I stood in the same exact spot when he would alter the
course of my life forever. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
was an early spring day forty years previous. I was nineteen. That morning I
noticed in the local newspaper the Little League tryouts information. Each team
was listed with the boys that were to report to the team that selected them. I
filed away in my mind the four p.m. time that the boys were to report to Coach
and went about my day.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometime
after four I stood outside the gate to the baseball diamond. I had no plan. I
had told no one I was going but I was there none the less. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Coach
was businesslike as ever as he conducted practice. Still, he walked over a
couple of times to inquire about how I was doing. I was not in school or
employed and far worse I had no positive direction in my life. I had gotten
myself into trouble the year before and he knew about this because he came to
visit me when he heard the news. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
was nearing six p.m. and tryouts were about to conclude. He walked over one
last time.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You
need any help, Coach?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked sheepishly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Coach
had a gruff, no nonsense demeanor. He looked at me and said, “You want to help
me? Be at the school tomorrow at four.” He turned abruptly and walked away. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
was at the school the next day before four o’clock as I knew he would be. He
already had a full coaching staff. I have come to realize that he did not need
my help as much as he knew that I might be in need of his. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
time, I would look back to that one moment as being the crossroad of my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered a love for the kids and for
coaching. I began to realize the chance he had taken on me and I did not want
to disappoint him. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
spent the next four spring and summers coaching with him before taking my own
path. I taught basketball to the same age boys for the next twenty years. The
lessons I learned from my mentor were with me always. They remain so because
Coach taught all of us a lot more than baseball. He taught us life. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">His
son, Bob, asked me to speak at Coach’s funeral. It was one of the greatest
honors of my life. I shared that day as I have many times that for some of us
there is that one person who God places in our life that makes all the
difference. Ed Wilson was that man for me. I shudder to think where I might be
if not for a chance a ball coach took on a lost young man on a late spring
afternoon. </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Winter
Park Optimist was formed in 1954 at Hugh MacRae Park, located in Wilmington,
North Carolina. Coach and his brother Glenn ‘Doc’ Wilson, who also was a
successful Little League baseball coach, were instrumental in the early days
and for years to come in the shaping and guiding of Winter Park Optimist Little
League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two press boxes that
were named in their honor many years ago. On April 6, 2013 there was a day held
in their honor on the very field they coached on long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Winter
Park Optimist is still going strong to this day over sixty years later. The baseball
fields are still located in Hugh MacRae Park but there are now four baseball
fields, which is twice the number when I was with Coach. They also have three
fields nearby at John T Hoggard High School for girls fast pitch softball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Written by Billy Beasley. Author of
The River Hideaway. You can contact him at </span></i><a href="mailto:billybeasleyauthor@gmail.com"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">billybeasleyauthor@gmail.com</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> or on Facebook at </span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBillyBeasley/</span></i></a></div>
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