Barbara Grace - Grateful to have sat at her piano bench

My time of thanksgiving begins with the falling of the leaves. The color of fall reminds me that change can be a beautiful thing. In the song "The Rose" we are reminded that underneath the winter cold lies a seed that in the spring becomes a rose. The hope of life and even eternal life are sometimes easily seen and at other times they are simply hidden waiting to bloom. Talents and skills are the things that everyone hopes that they have. Some talent is truly gifted while other talents we can see have been developed or in the developmental stages even now. Skills are the tools we use to perfect our talent or they are the fundamental equipment needed if we are ever going to survive the road ahead. Playing the piano is a talent and a skill. It can be that which you just naturally have or develop, and it can be that resource which is necessary to help motivate and move us from one point in life to another. Barbara Grace was my piano teacher. I know I was asked if I wanted to take piano lessons and I know I said yes, but I believe that was a decision my mother made for me and with my father paying for each lesson by journey to the piano bench and keys began. My parents thought I had a talent to sing and while already on the course to develop that gift, learning to play the piano seemed like a natural fit. The two instruments, voice and the keyboard, compliment each other after all. Learning to play the piano was sometimes like a chore. And like most kids, who likes to do chores? The older I have gotten the more I wish I had spent a little more time doing my music chore. Music is a vital part of life and Barbara Grace has been the musical influence in the lives of countless students, although I am figuring that Mrs. Grace has never forgotten a single student she taught from her piano bench. She herself graduated from Georgetown College with a double degree in music and business. Her parents believed in education and that it is the key to opening up doors and opportunities. Her father was Dr. J. M. Brooks, Sr., and Barbara's parents were married in 1953. Her father was a a part of the creation of the Pineville Community Hospital and her dad also served as Mayor of the Gem City of the Cumberlands, Pineville. Maybe a part of her love for music came from the old camping meeting day she attended as a child at what was then known as the Clear Creek Preacher's School, now we know it as Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. Her inspirations came from being a part of what others were doing. She has accompanied on the piano hundreds of singers. She was a gift teacher in leading students but she was also a dedicated follower who allowed soloist to create their own tempo's and expressions and she gladly kept playing doing her part to may the selection as awesome as possible. I led children's choir and the congregational singing at the First Baptist Church of Pineville throughout my youth, high school and some of my college days too. With Barbara at the piano and with first Mary Asher Wilson and then Annette Walden at the organ, it was hard for me not to sound good! Gifted, talented musicians who love listening to music and even better yet, making music. Music speaks to our heart, to our mind and our emotions. There is no doubt some of you who are thinking about someone you are grateful for, even if you didn't turn out to play the piano like they did or still do. Musical influences, are just a few of the folks we should find some time to say thanks to during this time of 'thanksgiving'. It has been said that music is the only gift on earth that we take to heaven. We know there will be harps and all kinds of stringed instruments in heaven and while most of us are in no rush to get there quickly, it is a thought that I often ponder upon. How beautiful heaven must be, and won't it be wonderful there. Until then

America - "thankgivings"

Being a person of 'thanksgiving' may require you to do some work. Thanks seems so easy to give and in many situations it is easy and requires no thought at all. However, life sometimes can present situations that require you and I to go digging for thanks. Sometimes life will require us to do serious reflection as to the self-discovery of genuine reasons we find ourselves thankful. My patriotism and love for the United States is well documented. My personal appreciation for the men and women who have served our armed services begins with my knowledge and understanding of my family members and friends who have served. There have been times in our nations history that our citizens have not been forthcoming in honoring and showing respect toward those who were called to duty through the draft of our country's available resources or those that volunteered to help answer our nations call. I have heard various members of our current armed services speak about their questions of genuineness when folks say thanks today. Some wonder if the words are spoken simply to be politically correct during this time in our nations history, or if the gesture is real and from the heart. I've heard other military members say they accept the words shared and don't debate in their thoughts if their intentions have other motives other than a genuine thanks. Personally I believe you can spot the grateful citizens when our National Anthem is performed, the Colors of our Nation are presented in a flag ceremony, or passing in a parade. The Pledge of Allegiance is important to say and many have it memorized. Understanding the pledge and our responsibilities as citizens I would suggest is most important. Often in patriotic songs and speeches we hear words like 'a grateful nation' and our gratefulness should be a real reflection of our thoughts and a true appreciation for the gift of freedom we experience. Like most whose roots are in Kentucky we can discover our family members who fought from the American Revolution War all the way through to the current military actions which began in 2010 known as the American Intervention in Iraq. When I dig deep into the military experiences of just my life time the list is long: The Vietnam War 1959-1975; *Congo in Zaire; *1973 the Yom Kippur War when America provided weapons and supplies to Israel; *In 1976 the year of our Bi-Centennial Celebration we had two american soldiers killed by North Korean Soldiers for cutting down a tree, less we forget; (today the headline is Benghazi); *Operation Power Pack in the Dominican Republic; *The Laos-Cambodia Campaigns; *1980 Operation Eagle Claw during the American Hostage Crisis in Iraq and the failed rescue attempt by President Carter; and we've been in the Persia Gulf for decades now; *1982 President Reagan ordered troops to Sinai; then Grenada in 1983; followed by Honduras and Libya; *President George H.W. sent troops to Panama; 1990 Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm; *President Clinton sent troops to Kuwait & Iraq; *President George W. sent troops to Afghanistan and began Operation Enduring Freedom & Somalia-Operation Restore Hope; *President Obama faces old conflicts that continue and new ones each day. During this 'Season of Thanksgivings' we would benefit from personal digging/reflection of our gratitudes for these United States. We have opportunities that other parts of the world have no understanding of, simply because we live in the land of not only the brave, but the also the land of the free. Let each of us demonstrate the attitude of 'thankgivings'. Until then

Season of ‘thanksgiving’ begins - Harlan Daily Enterprise - harlandaily.com

This is the first article in my 'Fall Series' of my 'Thanksgivings'.   Each year I take this time now through Thanksgiving to share thanks, appreciation, respect, and adoration for the people, places and experiences that have helped to shape and change my life.     



Season of ‘thanksgiving’ begins - Harlan Daily Enterprise - harlandaily.com

Jesus showed himself to be friendly - Opportunities in the Mountains

The are many scriptures, principles and truths in the Bible that are very clear to understand. A favorite position I often share is that when we clearly know what to do, then the only thing left to do is act upon that truth. The Appalachian Mountains are in a unique geographic area that has had to overcome many challenges and obstacles throughout her existence. The indians where the very first to call our home, home. Out of sight out of mind is an easy practice to adjust into as an individual way of life if we do not safeguard against the practice. Our history is important. It includes many people groups, many isolated areas, and a forgotten fact or tradition does not release our responsibility to remind the current population of a price paid for our current experience. Many in our region have forgotten our kinship with the Commonwealth of Virginia prior to our own statehood. The Appalachian Mountains have long been a land of plenty, great beauty and self sufficient resources. This region has also faced many challenges because of the ability of these mountains and her natural tendency to keep things out and people away. Most folks are not signing up to move to this part of Kentucky, East Tennessee, or Western Virginia without a connection to the region, although I believe folks should and I invite them (you) to do so. This is an awesome place to establish a home and family. This is a great place to open a business, apply your interest and passion. The mountains are a super place to bring along and share your academic successes too. I wrote in the first paragraph we have "had to overcome many challenges and obstacles". Some of the issues we have faced have been the mountains themselves. The challenge of transportation is a great example. To get somewhere, actually to get anywhere, you will be required to drive down a mountain; up a mountain; around a mountain; along side a mountain; and yes, even through a mountain; We must maneuver rivers, streams, creeks, railroad tracks, bridges, and I must write highway potholes. Other obstacles and challenges include a large array of issues, including social, political, educational, and specific regional situations. The last challenge facing the appalachians I would mention includes people. Sometimes we "mountain people' make a decision just to prove we can, even when it is the wrong decision. We like our independence and I do too. I like the courage to not accept whatever comes down the road. Saying no just because you don't like the messenger I believe is wrong and hurts us. Taking the other side of an issue just because you dislike or "have never agreed" with a person, or "that" group of folks before can also be a determent to our region, our area and especially our people. Progress doesn't always have to mean change, but in my definition it does mean to make things better. You don't have to build new things, but we must acknowledge keeping up an old structure requires regular repairs, and the practice of a continuous eye on things that we know might become a problem. Setting our financial resources aside is as important as creating a list of priorities and working toward each listing without surrendering everything for one thing. Many choices, many options, many challenges. The way to secure our future successes is to be committed to honoring those who labored before. The way to build up our communities and region is to be ready today to help our neighbors now in the spirit of cooperation that will land that future progress we want that will benefit all of us. Jesus showed himself to be friendly and while he didn't make friends of everyone, he never stopped looking for the opportunity to help even his enemies. Until then