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.....

1948 and a first love

I was reminiscing a little about my more formative years as a teenager last night and the year 1948 stuck out for so many reasons:

That year the Bicknell Bulldog’s Football Team won the SIAC Small Division Championship with a 6-0 record. The Bicknell Daily News filled the front page and headlines with this miracle. So of course that found all of us puffing out our chests in pride and walking with a swagger that told of our importance. I mean even if you didn’t play on the team you were from there!

If I remember his name correctly, the Principal was Mr. Herald Axe and at the time most of didn’t care a lot for him because he ruled the school firmly and without any shenanigans. In retrospect though I think he did his job well and was making sure we lived up to our potential as best he could. But that year we gave him a run for his money! After all we were the Bicknell Bulldog’s and we were invincible!

There was never a dull moment that year and in addition to the championship the year was filled with:

1)      Pranks that involved shoe polish, chickens, lard, ink and even a horse in the gymnasium.

2)      Minor fistfights with rival schools.

3)      Forgotten homework assignments

4)      Tardiness from running the back roads too late.

Great movies came out in 1948, including: The Three Musketeers (starring Lana Turner and Gene Kelly) and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (with Humphrey Bogart).

Books that changed my life hit the stands that year, especially Raintree County by Ross Lockridge, Jr.

But the other thing that stood out that year for me was the girl I met after one of the games. Cindy Schloger who was from Freelandville. I think we were in love but we never made it to that point. I guess at best we could be thought of as buddies. We ran the streets together, laughing and making a spectacle of ourselves.

I had the privilege of one kiss from her. Close to Christmas that year we had hot chocolate at a local dinner after an afternoon of homework, jokes and dreams and I was walking her home. She slipped on some ice and I caught her in my arms. Our eyes met as I pulled her up straight and we both mutually edged in for a kiss.

Oh the glory of it! The fresh washed scent of her hair, the glitter in her eyes, along with the lingering taste of chocolate on her lips. My heart stopped. Then we both seemed to realize what had happened, quickly pulled apart, adjusted ourselves and continued on to her home.

We never talked of it, though I think we both often remembered it. Cindy’s father relocated her and the family to Indianapolis that next spring as he took a better job there. I stayed in contact with her for a short while, then my life got complicated and I (sigh) lost track of her.

Preachers and Divorce

My favorite Preacher, Billy Sunday and while I never got to see him, I have always enjoyed hearing the stories of those who have and reading his sermons.

So I was standing in line at Walmart in Linton waiting to check out, listening to the two white haired ladies in front of me talking about their minister and his ex-wife. This totally floored me and immediately I thought of 1 Timothy 3 and began to question what’s wrong with this picture.

1 Timothy 3 (KJV)

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Look at the words of Paul wrote to Timothy, “…the husband of one wife…” and “(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

For years the church accused anyone who did not live up to the standards set biblically (Ever hear of being ‘churched’?). We never made allowances for people’s mistakes or for their learning a closer walk. We all come as babes into the family of God and like a child learning to feed itself or walk; we too must learn how to adapt to the life. But when it comes to a man who has dedicated his life and spent years learning the gospel and then finds himself at this great of a crossroads I would think that he would realize that he needs to step aside.

The Greek phrase here would translate as “a one woman man.”

Let’s face it divorce represents a failure in the home. And yes God can and does forgive for this. But this would disqualify a man for church leadership.

Second a marriage that ends in divorce should only prove that the man in question cannot run his house.

1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV) tells us that, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” A man of the cloth who sees his marriage end in divorce and watches his home life dissolve can no longer be an example to believers.

God’s truth is God’s truth. Don’t look the other way just because you like or feel sorry for someone. Love the person but hate the sin.

In the Old Testament we find the words of Malachi (2:14-16 KJV) 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

God hates those who do not care and nurture their wives.

God sat in place the qualifications of the Pastor, if those qualifications are not met then that man should not be a Pastor, for them to stand in the pulpit is a sin. And if a congregation decides to turn their head to the sin being committed they too are guilty of sinning.

Too many of my posts have been somber of late, I guess I need to lighten up and enjoy the countryside a little in the near future. 

Do you ever remember sleeping like this in church? I do! And the other vivid memory of church as a boy was my mother and grandmother fanning themselves (and me) with those handheld fans that had scripture on one side and a funeral parlor ad (Duesterberg / Frederick maybe?) on the other. I assume they finally air conditioned the First Baptist Church of Bicknell. I assume.

Honoring the Miners

So talking about Duke Power and their use of coal brought back some harsh memories of coal mine disasters that I can remember. I’m sure there were more but these are the ones that stick out in my mind:

1937 Baker Mine over in Sullivan. I think 20 died here. It is the earliest memory I have of a mine explosion and I remember it not because we lost family but some members of the family rushed there to help out and this of course left the women to wring their hands over their safety.

1941 Panhandle mine here in Bicknell. 14 died here after an explosion. What I remember most about this was that another group made it out by walking about two miles underground and up.

1961 Viking Mine in Terre Haute. 22 died here and while I was no longer in the area I still felt the horror of it when I reached out to home.

American Coal Mining Co. Bicknell

American Mine Bicknell

Freeman Coal Co. Bicknell

In their honor I would like to share this poem by David Ronald Bruce Pekrul:

The Coal Miner

His face is black, his cough is heavy,

He works far underground,

A breed apart, one-of-a-kind,

His type is hard to be found.

He works in the dark from nine to five,

And sees not the light of day,

And when he is done he stands in line,

Just waiting for his pay.

His wife and children are waiting at home,

They worry when he is away,

They hate that damned old coal mine,

And wonder why he wants to stay.

Then news of a cave-in spreads through town,

There's panic on everyone's faces,

The mine has been buried and so have the men,

They're gone and without any traces.

There's weeping and praying, there's cursing and more,

But everyone there pitches in,

They work through the evening and then through the day

Just looking for loved-ones and kin.

Now in the dark distance they see a small glimmer,

The light from a helmet is there,

And then in the rubble they see the coal miner,

Which causes the people to stare.

For over one shoulder he carries a miner,

And with his right hand drags another,

His life he would forfeit if they needed him,

He cares for them like they were brothers.

These days he just sits and thinks of the mine,

And tears overwhelm like a flood,

And often he wishes that he was still there,

For coal dust is still in his blood.

Sorry no Redneck picture today, just something to honor the miners…..

Have You Got That Ole Time Religion

7-30-13

Ran across this interesting tidbit while surfing the internet (http://www.city-data.com/city/Bicknell-Indiana.html), in Knox county in 2000 49.61% of the people living here claimed a religion. This broke up as follows:

• Catholic 29.2%
• United Methodist 12.1%
• American Baptist 10.1%
• United Church of Christ 7.8%
• Christian Churches / Church of Christ 7.2%
• Sothern Baptist 4.7%
• Christian Church / Disciples of Christ 4.1%
• Lutheran Church 4.1%
• Church of God 3.2%
• Other 17.5%

Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center

Now this concerns me cause half of this county don’t even admit to have a religious affiliation. But even worse is what the bunch of religious people are doing (Or not doing)? We are to take the Gospel to the world, but it is obvious that half our neighbors need some help who is helping them? Reaching out to them?

Now if you look at the list there are some heavy fundamental types in there, the ones that believe in the true old time Gospel. So where is the Good News?

I wonder about the story of Achan’s sin found in Joshua 7:1-13:

Joshua 7:1-13

New International Version (NIV)

Achan’s Sin

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

See Israel could not win the battle as long as sin was evident in their lives. Maybe we should clean up what we do and allow then step out to make a difference.

On a funny side check out the Redneck Mansion Trailer Park that was found near by…..

OK I have traveled the world and now have found myself back in the corner I started in (Bicknell, Indiana). Never thought I would return, but here I am. Hated this place back then and not so sure I’m happy with it today.

My disclaimer.

1. Fist and most of all nothing in this blog is meant to represent anyone or anything real or actual. In other words it is fantasy, jest and whimsical thinking.
2. Hence then and next of all, I am not liable for remarks found to be offensive just because the country you live in sees it that way.
3. Did I mention the following? Nothing written here is factual or absolute. If you listen to this rambling, it’s your fault not mine. Or in other words, ‘Don’t try this at home.”
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