Westphalia Bound

(Apologies to Jerry Reed and Dick Feller)

I recently had a chance to visit with the good folks from the Salem United Church of Christ in Westphalia. Had a marvelous time talking about the old days. For all the churches in Knox and Davies Counties, I think this congregation does one of the better jobs at outreach.

I then stopped and had a late breakfast at Country Charms Cafe. When I left I drove around a little and was amazed at how little I know about this little community in my own backyard

.

When I got home I did as my great-niece DeeDee always  recommends and Googled it. Guess what? Hardly a thing there about Westphalia.

What I did find was:

From Goodspeeds History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana:

I would like to know what was this building originally?

And I found this great shot of the Post Office by one Cade Overton. This young man has some fantastic photography on his site. Check him out!

CADE OVERTON http://cade-overton.blogspot.com/

Finaly, I am not saying if this was seen in Indiana or not, but it could have been!

CADE OVERTON: 66

CADE OVERTON: 66: Austin, Texas. April 2012. One day, one roll of film. It's almost like you knew it was almost all o...

Just A Few Memories

I was going through one of the many cigar boxes of treasures that have accumulated over the years and found these items that I thought I would share…..

So we are getting close to the 150th of the city. Think we can make it?

I think my granddaddy left this to my mother. Kinda interesting huh?

Greetings.

And more greetings!

And now for a Redneck Moment.....

Stepping Out

One of the biggest song hits of 1950 was Mona Lisa by Nate King Cole. What a smooth voice he had. We were young, in love, full of vinegar, yet still innocent as we began to prepare to leave home for college.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIDX18Xl16s

A lot of things and a lot of people came together to make this trip into the world for me. I would not of had a chance to live the life I had if hadn’t been for a certain high school teach and a certain Baptist preacher who seen something in this good ole boy. They both (And I don’t believe they were working together) rode me to never give up and to keep pushing forward. To never except what was in front of me as the final answer. Rather question, explore, dig and search till you have seen all the options.

The Journalism studies at Franklin College just south of Indianapolis called and through some good people there and the workings of the two already mentioned things began to happen. There was no turning back once the boy left hicksville.

The Catcher In The Rye

In 1952 I became enthralled by  J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye. The book for the most part was considered a “Must Read” by the crowd I ran with. I was skim reading it until I reached the point where Holden meets with Sally Hayes, at that point I had to stop and reread the book from the beginning. Holden’s relationship with Miss Hayes struck me in the gut. I knew the story, I had felt the feelings!

He was obviously torn in trying to admit to himself that he loved this girl. He decides to call her and ask her out since she is intelligent and sophisticated, while on the other hand he thinks she is stupid. I remember in trying to define my love at this time I couldn’t make up mind. A joy? A pain? Want? Love? Lust? Why does the female do this to us? Even as a suave young man soon to turn 21 I felt crazy like Holden and unable to think straight when in their (most of all HER) presence.

She arrives late, but that’s ok because she has the looks! He wants to marry her, yet he hates her! He is crazy! They go skating and it is blatantly clear that he is checking her out. He thinks that she chose to do this only to provide the chance for her to wear a short skirt and how off her “cute ass”. And he admits that it looks good.

But then he makes an offer that speaks more to me than anything, he suggests they should run away to New England and live in a cabin together. I do not believe that this anything more than a ploy to either run her off or to run away from her. And that was my downfall in my earlier years. Either run off the people around me or get out of Dodge myself.

If I could erase time and change anything it would be to stop running from my fears and admit my loves…..

Doctrine

I have been asked to expound on some of the things I believe. Many could be controversial. That is not the reason for stating them, but rather to enlighten and awaken. I am not one to say that basic doctrinal teaching will keep you out of heaven, but I am one to say that as we grow in Christ we should look at all the things we believe and reevaluate them. We grow in Christ based on the Spirit’s guidance and our learning.

1) Hell: Yes there is a hell and it is the place you spend eternity if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior. I cannot believe that many today teach it does not exist. 

2) Baptism: Some teach that baptism is essential to salvation. It isn’t! Consider the following;

• Romans 4:5 (KJV) 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
• Matthew 6:33 (KJV)33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Romans 10:3-4 (KJV)3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
• Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
• Acts 10:43 (KJV)43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
• John 14:6 (KJV)6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3) Assurance: Yes you know in your heart if your saved and if your right with God

4) Trinity: Three in one. Father Son and Holy Spirit. Yes it is true!

5) King James Version: While I do believe the newer versions of the bible can be used as ‘commentaries’, you must always revert back to the KJV for a final reading. I am amazed at how many preachers today scoff at those using the KJV.

6) Communion: In remembrance. To have it every week takes away the specialness of it.

7) Book of Revelation: Yep it’s true.

8) Worship: 

• There is nothing wrong with good old gospel music. 
• While casual and informal clothing is becoming more accepted, I believe that you should honor God by dressing in your best (Sunday is not casual Friday). 
• Refreshments do not belong in the sanctuary. 
• Foot washing should make a come back
• Testify what God has done

Bringing In the Sheaves

Somebody asked me the other day about why he seemed to have no effect on those around him. He lives a decent life, obeys the laws is a model all around Christian.

Mark 4:26-29 (KJV) tells us; 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Here we find a farmer that sows his seed, he gives it no mind after that and goes about his business. The seed, influenced by the earth, sprouts and brings forth fruit.

Same for us when we try to take Christ to the world. We plant a seed and sometimes we get to see the whole cycle of it sprouting on through fruit bearing. But other times we plant the seed and may never know if it sprouted and if so to what extent.

I try to live my life remembering that to even those I do not speak to directly are influenced by me. Words, actions, inactions we are sowing seeds all day long. Are they good though?

It bothers me when the Church today is not doing the same. The gospel may be preached from the pulpit on Sunday, but is it lived from the membership the rest of the week?

Bringing In the Sheaves

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.