Death of Jody Powell

With the news of the death of Jody Powell, Press Secretary to President Carter, comes a flood of memories of my days in Vienna, GA. In the early seventies when the only Gray Matter I had was the brain, I went to Vienna, GA to serve the Baptist Church there. I say Baptist Church because that is the way we referenced the church. With seminary behind me, a wife and 2 children with me, we made the move with little understanding about small town life or those things that would challenge us.

I soon learned that politics, locally and nationally were at the core of life in this small town. Carter was soon elected to the Presidency. We got aquainted with national life by surprise. The media looked for ways to reveal the secrets of the south because of the rise of the Southern President Jimmy Carter. I soon got a aquainted with Mr. Grady Williamson who was the retired banker living in the nursing home in Byromville, GA. I was amused that each time I visited with him he was wearing a tie, a continuation of the expectations as a small town banker. Mr. Grady was the grandfather of Jody Powell. I soon became fast friends with June Powell, Jody’s mom, because she was grateful for my visits to her father. I participated in his funeral service soon after I got to Vienna, but not before I got aquainted with him. Jody’s father Joe got sick with cancer, and at his death I participated in his service as well. With so much grief so soon, and my interest in the process of grief, June and I shared in a couple of grief conferences. June, a retired teacher and matriarch of her family, lives now in Americus. Recently she lost her closest sibling, Claire Williamson. It’s breath taking that June lives with so much grief, doing the unnatural by burying your child.

The flood of memories come because of a different Gray that matters. The gray hair that adorns my head reveals that I’ve had my share of life experience, and Gray Matters. I’ve just put a birthday card in the mail for a 95 year old friend.

I warmly remember the days of campaigning and election of Jimmy Carter. My wife and I with our children were walking around Americus, GA the night that Carter accepted the nomination as President. We saw Jody and Nan Powell that we had seen through some tough times, briefly. Nan was friendly and nice to us, and wanted us to see Jody, who was very busy with the national press. She got Jody’s attention, and called him over. She turned to him, and asked, “you do remember the Robinson’s don’t you?” The Robinson’s were the former pastoral family in Vienna. I’ve often reflected on that occasion to remind myself of my importance to other people. And it has been an anchor to the importance of those nearest and dearest to me, my family. Perhaps they will remember my name, if not my name as least my presence.

Recently a church member died that requested no service. My wife upon hearing that said, “that’s it.” She’s gone and that’s it. All of us need a way to process the important presence of another person in our life. So, this is my way of sharing the grief of the Powell Family that I’ve known and loved through the years.

About

About.

Welcome to East Point First Baptist Church

Reblogged from East Point First Baptist Church:

We began a project some time ago preserving documents, pictures, and books about our church.  Our church has a rich and long history contributing to the city of East Point Georgia.  The history of this congregation should not be forgotten.  People who has left this life many years ago contribution to the good of this community and to the glory of God. This website serves as medium for not only preserving but bringing to life the contribution of so many forgotten servants of our Lord.  Perhaps you have …

Music is Important to the Church

Joe Moore, Minister of Music

In this post I will provide links to many photos that display the importance that the Ministry of Music contributed to the wealth of our church’s contribution to the kingdom of God.  Many of you have been a part of that history.  Take time to view the pictures, and to reflect on this important part of the life of the church now, yesterday and the future.  Music often is the view of the soul.

Links to Photos Etc.

• Choirs
• Choir 1985-1986
• Choir 1968-1974

Photos and Documents from East Point First Baptist Church

East Point First Baptist Church

It has been a project for the church to preserve and present the photos and documents from the rich history of this congregation which is nearing 125 years of history.  Recently the church took on the project of scanning these pictures and documents to  make available for viewing.  This has been done, and we want you to add to those documents if you have either pictures or documents that are a part of our church”s contribution to Christ and our community.  In individual posts I will add these documents so it will not be a overwhelming task to find them and review them.

• A Hundred Years of History by Ruby James
•  My Pastor, A Biography of Dr. W. A. Ducan  by   Donie Lone Brannan
•   In Their Own Word         A collection of writings from East Point First Baptist

Works of WO Wallis

Come Sit a Spell

My father didn’t start writing until he was near my age of 66.  Perhaps he wrote a few poems and many sermons before then, but his creative writings came later in his life.  He wrote to bring pleasure to others which in turn brought pleasure to him.  The links found in this post will take you to those writings which he shared with anyone who would take time to listen.  One of his favorite sayings to guests was “come and sit a spell.”

For me often the story begin a poem or a song heightens my curiosity.  One poem in particular that he wrote “Hug Me Don’t Push Me”  makes me wonder what happened between him and mother that prompted that response.  In our family we never learned how to talk through our feelings or issues.  We managed that through humor and other ways of diverting away from our feelings.  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it has produced a lot of lucrative careers.  However, I like the way young parents have brought into the parenting arena the idea that each of us should learn how to express our feelings through words rather than bad behavior.  I applaud the new ideas that our children are teaching me.

WO Wallis on his 90th Birthday Preaching at his home church

The Links Below are to His Works and Pictures of his 90th Birthday

Poems from the Heart

I Know the Miracle Man    

Photos of His 90th Birthday Party 

Bring Them Back Alive

Wake Up!

I was told when I was into antique cars that the phrase “bring them back alive” was a phrase used to describe the mission of those pursuing old cars.  To drive them home was the goal of those finding old cars.

I’m doing the same for this blog and my websites.  I’m pumping new life into these sites to share content mostly from the musings and writings of others.

In the process of bringing life to the content of this website, perhaps it can give life to the both of us.

Baby Boomers: Technology is Here to Stay, Embrace It!

How big is the internet and technology?  Every television, radio, or print media drives all their customers to a web address.  Every media wants us to interact with them in some way, by pursing our interests, or by answering a question or a survey.  Application is the greatest motivator for using the Computer, and other technologies.

Let me give you an example.  I observed my children in foreign countries learn the money system as well as the language when they went to a shopping center.  When they were given a reason to learn what was strange to them, they were on the fast track learning.  While they were shopping I sat somewhere reading a book because I resisted learning.

Today, I’m turning the teenagers to teach me things about technology that is foreign to me.  I soon learned that I knew more of the theory and applications than my teachers.  However, they got of the fast track learning because it was a way to keep in touch with their friends, to do a school project, or to get the most recent video.  I’m struck by the speed these kids can Text each other or get to an interesting website to them.  The application of the Interent should be enough to motivate my generation to flock to the Web.

Here are some reasons for you to learn computers and Internet application.  1.  You can keep in touch with family and friends through email.  Now, without cost at eyejot.com you can add video.  Perhaps the grandchildren don’t want to see you on video, but oh how you enjoy seeing them. 2. Want to learn without going to school.  You can find answers to the most obscure questions on the Internet.  I’ve failed only a couple of times in finding an answer to my questions including things like cutting angles for crown moulding, or repairing a dryer. 3.  There are social networks for our age.  You can fill lonely hours communicating with Internet friends. 4.  You can do most of your business transactions on the Internet.

The list for embracing the Internet is endless.

When I was a teenager I was a reporter for the Government on crops planted by the farmers.  I was surprised then how many people couldn’t read or right.  Many of those signing official documents could barely make an X, some could only “touch” the pen as I made the mark for them.

Today, not learning a functional usage of Computers is like those people in that day who couldn’t read or right.  Now, many of the had reasons, mostly no opportuntiy.  We’ve said through the years, if you can read you can learn most anything.

I assume you are reading this.  I challenge you to learn functional use of the Computer and the Internet.  I met a 90 year od recently who was shopping for her first computer.  How would you like to shop at home often cheaper than fighting your way through traffic and people?  You can do it on the Internet.

For now, visit my website at www.jwwallis.com

It just came to me.  Those I’m addressing will never see this unless those of you who know the power and pleasure through the Internet tell them.

Sully Sullenberger Breaks Silence Speaking 27 Seconds

My Hero

Sully Sullenberger broke his silence today at his home town welcome home ceremony.  His home town wanted to do it up big with a parade.  But the Sullenberger family said, “that’s too much for us.”  But they were welcome home with all the digniteries and political officials gathering to pay tribute to the pilot who only a week ago broke to a safe landing his plane with 150 people aboard.

You would think a person with that kind of skill and judgement would have blood as cold as the icy waters of the Hudson where he landed his plane.  But all reports indicate that he is a warm and humble bright person.  You think that he would just as awed by his hour of fame as all the digniteries coming to his light, but no.  When given an opportunity to speak Captain Sullenberger said: I speak for the plane crew saying, we simplyere doing what we are trained to do.”  When each speaker made glowing remarks about his heroism or judgment, he simply responded with a thank you.

It’s quiet unusual to have such humility in face of so much admiration.  But I guess that’s what makes him so unusual.  Friday he celebrated his 57th birthday.  I say, “Gray Matters.”

Gray Matter is more than hair

gray matter

Function:

noun

Date:

1840

1 : neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that contains nerve-cell bodies as well as nerve fibers and has a brownish-gray color 2 : brains , intellect

Well, it looks like we might have to wait up to a year before we’ll hear from Sully Sullenberger, the pilot that safely landed the plen in the Hudson.  The above definite is another reason to applaude senior adults.  The more I read about his mental strength it is evident that the collequial expression for “brains”  describes Captain Sullenburger.  He was described by his wife as “a pilot’s pilot and that he loved the art of flying.”

Once gray hair was seen as an indication of wisdom and strength, something to be honored.  Even the Presidents of the United States gray twice as fast as the average American.  It seems that stress increases the aging process.  I like to think that the graying of our hair is an indication of experience.

There’s an old saying:  “When a man with money  meets a man with experience, the man with experience gets some money and the man with money gets some experience.”  I worked on a Habitat project when a follow worker who is an experienced carpenter worked to President Jimmy Carter.  I was amazed that this experienced carpenter went head to head with the former president regarding how projects were to be done.  Mr. Carter suggested doing it one way, but the experienced carpenter stood his ground against the former President.  As I observed their conversations I was made aware how experienced wins out even in face of a former President.  I’ll take by chances with experience any time before youth untested.

Baby Boomers and others who have Gray hair or once had gray hair, we have something to say and do in this world, so since our body isn’t what it once was, let’s use the “gray matter” in our head because “gray matters.”