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This Tripod blog has just gotten too slow for me to work with. I have a new blog home at http://burruss.blogspot.com Drop by for a visit. I'll leave the video monitor light on for you.
ah the foolishness of preaching
there was this guy
the orginal preacher
who conjured wine at weddings
walked upon the water
made the blind man see
he too was quite the showman
i am sure there were quite a few
who laughed too
made a lot of people mad
the things he said
i've met a few preachers
without veneer
nice to find the authentic ones
from time to time
mankind
such imperfect vessels
for such a perfect love
good to know that the Gospel is real
inspite of us
-david finlayson
would you believe this old Christian soldier
if he told you
that most of these wounds etched here
the really bads ones
were dealt by friendly fire
when my back was turned
and words were spoken
judgement passed
i can only guess
while i wasn't looking
counting on my brother to watch my back
give me a little cover fire if needed
so i could crawl from the clearing
yet sadly
rarely
my fortune
the world i have discovered isn't near as dangerous
as you
from those who share my faith
remember the time i asked you for bread
and you gave me a stone
your lips smiled
when i asked you to believe me
and you shrugged your shoulders
and your eyes turned away
the only thing i learned from you
my dear brother
is to forgive
and to watch my back
among the saints
i have managed the slings and arrows of the world
but i suppose it will always be the most difficult
to take the blow from those i love so dearly
i am not a very wise man
i know that is too plain to see
but i am no fool
yes
i'll turn the other cheek
forgive and forgive
but i'll keep an eye on you
I ran across this old postcard today. It's downtown Gadsden, AL in the early to mid sixties. I hadn't seen one of those old green city buses in ages. This picture really took me back.
I remember a particular trip downtown. There was a new John Wayne movie playing at the Pitman called El Dorado. My older brother Brooky and I would make such trips together and I anticipated them. We were living on Noccalula Mountain at the time. City buses would make runs from Scenic Hwy to town. It was a Saturday morning and I needed money for the adventure. Mom said I could go if I earned the money for the trip. I washed windows and vacuumed the floors that morning quickly in order to pay for the bus fair and movie. My movie candy of choice at that time was a Tootsie Roll.
It was a great movie and Brook and I would hit all of the five&dimes up and down Broad Street before taking the bus back up the mountain. My favorite store was Grants. They had a huge toy section downstairs. You'd have to walk down two flights of stairs, passing the popcorn guy (Tommy Parks) half way down. We'd hit Murphree's and McLellans too. Nelson's is where McLellan's (great hotdogs) used to be. That building is a time machine, walking down those wooden floors with the smell of popcorn in the air. It's a hint of what Gadsden stores used to be when I was a kid. Go there and you'll see what I mean. It's a treat for my ten year old daughter to go to Nelsons.
We'd also check out Horace's (sp?) Hobby Shop and The Little Army Store. I loved The Little Army store. You could buy all kinds of cool used stuff for playing army. Helmet's, web belts, bayonets, dummy grenades and the like. We'd make the day of it, walking the length of each side of the street before hoping on a bus for home. I believe that particular trip Brooky bought me a plastic yellow handled pistol (much like The Duke's) with his own money. I took very good care of it for the longest time. Golly gee, a gun like John Waynes. Everytime El Dorado comes on I think of that trip downtown with my big brother. Hmmm...1967...that would make Brook 15 years old. Different world then than now. No way would I send 15 and 9 year old boys on a trip to town alone together.
Little things mean a lot to kids. Katie loves trips to downtown. She loves for me to take the time and walk with her downtown among the city lights at night. Last Christimas holiday I parked the van and took both my little ones for a walk and took the time to pause and look at the window decorations.
Nice looking back, but nicer here with a wonderful family. Thank you God!
This article is a reprint of a newspaper article first published in the NATIONAL TRIBUNE in 1859 and reprinted in 1880 (vol. 4, no. 12, Dec. 1880). Later reprinted in THE STARS AND STRIPES newspaper owned by the NATIONAL TRIBUNE, in 1931 and the latest printing on December 21, 1950. This article is printed in its entirety by permission of the NATIONAL TRIBUNE. The vision was related to a reporter named Wesley Bradshaw by an officer who served under General Washington at Valley Forge, named Anthony Sherman. In the vision, Washington sees three great trials to overtake the Union. These were the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the greatest threat, a war fought on the soil of the United States near the time of Jesus' return to reign on the earth. It is this third battle, that hold's our interest as the day draws near.
Washington Had Vision of Trials Facing Nation
For many years copies of Washington's vision at Valley Forge as related by one Wesley Bradshaw, told to him by Anthony Sherman, have been in existence. The earliest publication was in 1859, 1880, in 1931 and is being printed once more. THE STARS AND STRIPES, December 21, 1950.
The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the Fourth of July, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more. "Let us go into the hall," he said. "I want to tell you of an incident of Washington's life -- one which no one alive knows of except myself; and if you live, you will before long see it verified.
"From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to spend the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander's care-worn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington's going into the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.
"One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly, he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of the officer I mention, who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, said to the latter:
The Vision
"I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire into the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes. By this time I felt strange sentiments spreading through me. I would have risen, but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become useless, even thought itself had become paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor. Gradually, the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations and luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarify, the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy, and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move; all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion.
"Presently I heard a voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn,' while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world -- Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. 'Son of the Republic,' said the same mysterious voice as before, 'look and learn.'
"At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel floating in mid-air, between Europe and America, dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand. He sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a dark cloud raised from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning passed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.
"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again I heard the mysterious voice say, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.'
"At this the dark, shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word "Union," bearing the American flag, which he placed between the divided nation, and said, 'Remember ye are brethren.' Instantly the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons, became friends once more and united around the National Standard.
"And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: from each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns, and cities that I beheld were springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' When the voice had ceased, the dark, shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast.
"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel, upon whose head still shone the word "Union," and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens, attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.
"Then once more I beheld the villages, towns, and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice, 'While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.' And taking from his brow the crown on which was blazoned the word "Union," he placed it upon the Standard, while the people, kneeling down, said, 'Amen.'
"The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, 'Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, passing which the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land, and the Union.' With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat, and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States."
"Such, my friends," concluded the venerable narrator, "were the words I heard from General Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them."
Gina went to bed less than an hour ago. She said that she had a wonderful day. There really wasn't much to it other than the family spending the entire Sunday alone together amid a messy house and a burnt meatloaf. It doesn't take much toomake Gina happy. She deserves more good days than she actually gets.
Last Sunday was Kelsey's 4th Birthday. We went to the park and let her play to her hearts content. The days are brisk but not bitter. Most of the leaves are down and Kelsey loves to shuffle her little feet through them. She has a wonderful laugh. I tell her stories at bedtime and she listens to them with glee. Tonight I told her a story about Puff (the Magic Dragon), Tow-Mater (CARS), marshmellow roasts, and hide-and-go-seek. I left her in her dark bedroom. It was the first time she ever clapped when the story was over. She loves books and storytime.
I should appreciate my life more. In spite of the tired aching feet. I seem to tire too easy these days. I would probably fair better if I could take a nap during the day. Life is hard right now but I am surrounded by such a sweet family. The old Farquharson motto reads I force nae freen, I fear nae foe. That is a good motto as family mottos go, meaning I fight no friend and I fear no foe. Nevertheless, when I create a new crest for my family, it will proclaim, I LOVE MY FAMILY.
I am tired though. This weekend brought a little rest because I opted to just stop. I woke up this morning and cleaned my gutters first thing. There's a hole up there beneath the eave. With all this rain, I am grateful that water didn't come down into the house. I need to get up there with a can of tar real soon.
Jose' is coming after Thanksgiving to work on the trim downstairs. I still have doors to prime and paint...and window in my office to strip. I told Gina that I want to skip the office work that day and just work on the house a little.
Monday is coming, Thanksgiving is very near. There's a list of work to do till then. God give me the energy to do what I need to do and THANK YOU Lord for my sweet wife and incredible kids. I really do, I LOVE MY FAMILY!
Both Tommy and Scott are wondering where I am. LIfe has been so fast and hard. I check everyone elses blogs but haven't had it in me to tend to my own. Sorry guys.
OTG is eeking through and growing slowly. It takes so much from us but it's nice to spend more time working side by side with Gina. Working together has been our dream.
I am also churning out political cartoons for www.playingpolitics.com. It's nice to work on the illustrations while at OTG. Always something to do. I enjoy doing cartoons and have been churning them out.
Last night, Thursday, I lead worship at GRACE. I asked my pal Bruce Cornut to join me and it was very pleasant. Time flies when you are having fun, especially during worship. Practice was hard but the actual time of worship was a breeze. I chose some standards and none of my own. That, I guess was a good thing because the overhead lamp didn't work.
I just got my van out of the shop. I had to have a lot of work on it and thus had to spend A LOT. Brake pads were worn out, tie rods needed replacing, bearings needed to be replaced and I needed new struts. I must say, It drove great tonight after I left Micky Putman. He's a very nice guy and I enjoyed our conversation.
I miss conversations. I don't spend much time with friends like I would like.
Jose' is coming over early afternoon to help me hang trim. Gina was complaining about our abandoned basement. I had to remind her that we had to take all our renovation money and throw it into the business. Jose' offered to help me hang the trim. Nothing would be happening it it weren't for my pal Jose'.
The trim will change the look of the basement. I still have doors that need to be primed and painted. I've got a good start on them a few weeks ago but haven't had the time to finish them before Jose' gets here tomorrow. Gina hopes to have the basement finished by Christmas but it's just not going to happen. Maybe I can get the doors painted by then but between, OTG, FC&D (designwork) and tending to children, it's just overwhelming.
Last year we put the tree up amid the construction debris. Jose got the trim up in the downstairs bathroom and I got the toilet and sink have been installed since the begining of the year. We will be inviting family over during the holidays for Chili and sandwiches. It's my hope that the basement will be more presentable this time around. We'll see.
Gina just came home from a very long day of work. We all left the house together this morning at 7:00am. She is just now getting home at 10:30. I'm going to close for now and spend a little time with her before she drops off.
I haven't had much to say lately. I have had much to do. I've even been having a difficult time finding time to read favorite blogs, let alone blog myself. Please excuse me.
I recieved and interesting quote today:
If the Muslims put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.
It would be a great thing if Muslims would convert to the authentic and real religion of peace. I do not believe the Islam is a religion of peace. In there unholy book, there peace is when all infidels are dead. Allah is not God and the faiths are not equal. I am sure that there are peaceful muslims out there but very few of them have spoken against the acts of terrorism inflicted against America and the rest of the world. Pardon my lack of political correctness. There is an enemy out to kill us.
Stuff in general:
We are getting ready for a huge yardsale in Glencoe with other family members. I don't do yard sales that often. I want to have a big one and purge as much stuff from my life as possible in one day. Katie will be setting up a lemonade stand to boot. Jerry's going to be there with a ton of computer equipment. Lots of stuff and I look forward to hanging out with family and friends.
The highlight of the month was getting to play with my brother Brook Finlayson and my dear old friend Michael Bynum as The Guise for Vineyard Gadsden's Celebration Sunday. I had been looking forward to it so much and it passed by too quick. I miss playing with them.
I have discovered a new show that I really like on HNN. I am actually suprized that Ted Turner would allow a guy like Glenn Beck on one of his cable networks. I don't agree with Glenn 100% but I like how this guy thinks.
There's really not that much on TV that I care to watch these days. I listen to the radio as much as I can. I am thinking about getting an ipod to download Rush Limbaugh. I miss hearing him and average about 20 minutes a day of his show. I'd like to download his show and listen to it while folding sheets, driving around town on errands etc. I don't know what they cost but chances are it's out of my current price range. We'll see.
God bless you guys.
I led worship last night for Vineyard Gadsden's GRACE recovery meeting. My old friend Richard Moon asks me to head down there about once a month. Last night, Thursday, Richard put on a CD after I plugged in and tuned. What I heard over the P.A., Crazy To Believe, caught my full attention. I asked Richard who what CD he was playing. ETOWAH by Duquette Johnston. Richard said that he was one of the Rapha guys (drug rehab place that Vineyard Gadsden loves on) that had graduated and moved on a changed man (ain't God good). Though I've been in a bunch of Vineyard meetings, GRACE and HOUSE OF BLUE, I had never met Duquette. Richard kept the CD playing while folks walked in and I was simply blown away by each song that followed.
I asked Richard if that was the only copy of the CD on the premises, if the church bookstore had any in stock. That night, I packed my guitar in the car and couldn't wait to unwrap and stick Duquette's audio-masterpiece in my player. I listened to it several times through and only took it out this afternoon to give it to my brother Brook as a birthday present. Brook was going on a trip and I was itching to share the find with someone. Have you ever discovered an artist or album that just blew you away and you just had to share it with someone? I gave ETOWAH to Brook so he could take it on his trip this weekend. I called him a few hours later and said, "WELL?" He too thought it was the best thing he'd heard in a very long time.
Yeah, you could compare the guy to Neil Young but I happen to think he'd make a better Neil Young than Neil Young. But it's not fair to compare him to anyone. This is a unique talent. These are great and powerful songs. ETOWAH has been haunting my mind all day long and I can't wait to get back down to the bookstoare and shell out another $12.00 for another copy. I think I'll duct tape it inside my van's CD player and never take it out again.
There is nothing slick about this production but it's the kind of sound and album that I would love to make. Duquette's songs and presentation reminds me of what Jesus music used to be, and what I feel should be. I loath slick over-produced muzac music of today. ETOWAH is such a powerful work.
Duquette, I hope you come back to Etowah and play sometime. If you do, I hope you won't mind hearing blues harp blarring from the audience.
The kids slept elsewhere Friday night. Gina and I went Top Of The River and then caught a movie. Gina expressed interest on the way home that she'd like to catch a few yard sales in the morning before picking up the kids. I scored at the first yard sale. I got the Tim Burton movie ED WOOD for $4.00. It's not a very easy movie to find and the DVD was mint. Gina and I didn't go to many places, nor did we buy that much.
We enjoyed our morning having each other to ourselves. We ended up checking out the breakfast bar at Ryans. They've got a GREAT bar but it was pricey. We could have spent less than half the price by going to Western Sizzlin on 77 but we wanted to see what Ryans had to offer. Which reminds me, if you're ever in Birmingham one morning and looking for the best breakfast ever, go eat at THE GOLDEN CORRAL. It is awesome.
We picked up the kids at Granddaddy Hale's (Gina's dad) and all went to a yard sale together. After staying for a while, we ended up coming home around 2:00. I folded some sheets for the office while watching some of the Daniel Boone marathon on TVLAND. Gosh, it had been a long time since I'd seen that show. I remember coming home from school and watching that show on WTCG back in the early seventies. They quit showing Daniel Boone and started showing THE WILD WILD WEST. I also caught STAR TREK reruns on through Jr. High. I remember seeing WW West and Man From Uncle during the first runs (Friday nights). Anyway, I'd pretty much forgotten about old Fess Parker.
So I tried to clean house, wash dishes, worked on the car, and worked on the yard as the day cooled off. My yard was starting to look pretty bad since all that rain we had last week. Katie and Kelsey climbed into bed with mother tonight and I decided last minute to head down to the office for a few minutes. They have no idea that I drove away.
It's been a very busy and productive day. Gina on the other hand took a three hour nap with Kelsey. I am happy for her. She works so much and glad that she slept so much of the day.
I guess I better get doing at what I came down here to do. I'll get home and put the kids back in their own beds and crash. I am aching from a very busy but pleasant day.
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