TIME IS OPPORTUNITY Our lives are made up of time: the time past, and the present moment. As one reflects upon time past, the pleasant times and periods of pleasant memories stand out: times of greatness and times of blessings. The coming of a child, although filled with the anxiety of anticipation, stands out. The graduation from training and the first job after a long preparation stand out in our memories. God gave us the capacity of memory and the memories held as precious. The greatest memory of each Christian, in my opinion, is the time when Christ Jesus became his/her personal SAVIOR and thereby passed from spiritual deadness into the light of Christ's loving presence in his/her heart.

We guard that memory with renewal day by day in our SAVIOR'S Lordship. His presence makes the present moment brightly gracious. Christians are eternity minded while living under the constraints of time. We follow schedules and appointments in carrying out our duties of daily living. We arise to get to work on time. We work a time planned day, week, month, year and life.

The Bible tells when time shall be no more. Revelation 10:5,6 "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that are therein...and the sea, and the things which are therein, THAT THERE SHOULD BE TIME NO LONGER..."(no time period of delay)KJV. God gives time and He ceases time. God gives life and He calls an end to life.

In our physical world, life and time appear to be hand in hand. On the one hand, time/life doesn't wait, on the other hand, eternity doesn't end. The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5 "walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time" (kairon from kairos a time/space of opportunity). We are to buy back/restore those moments to godly spiritual greatness. Time/life at the present moment offers the right time to do God's work towards the people of our neighborhood and the whole world. Satan looks to influence/cause a waste of precious/priceless time/life in this world. Jesus Christ, through His people (the church), is working to open hearts and lives by the good news (Gospel) of new eternal life, now and forever.

DEVOTIONAL 10 - OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

God is holy and righteous and He makes us righteous in Christ Jesus. God gives us the righteousness of Christ Jesus, which is the righteousness of God. Without holiness and righteousness we cannot see God's heaven and enjoy the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives.

All through the Bible these truths are evident and stated. God demanded righteousness of His people whom He raised up. When they rebelled and went away after other gods and carnal sins, God judged them and allowed destructions to come along with defeat and death.

God sees us as righteous in Christ Jesus through our faith and repentance of sin, disobedience and unbelief. We are justified by our faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus; therefore, our sins are forgiven, and we receive a new life of righteousness in holiness and beauty through the Holy Spirit's indwelling personal presence in our lives. (Romans five, Galatians five)

People must be made righteous regardless of who they are because all have sinned and cannot enjoy the eternal blessing of God's kingdom of peace and joy. (Romans three)

Have you been made righteous in Christ? You can know Christ Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord by trusting/believing upon Him now.

DEVOTIONAL 15 "Empty"

Before He came into the world, Jesus, as the Son of God the Father, was equal and one with God the Father in power and deity. But in coming into the world in the womb of the virgin Mary, Jesus emptied (ekenosen from kenos emptied, divested) Himself of total equality in the form of God and took the form of man as the Son of Man. Jesus became a man with a human body. Philippians, chapter two, gives this account. Jesus came as a servant (doulou, a bond servant/slave). To bring us to God the Father, He humbled Himself and obeyed the Father's will in dying on the cross in loving sacrificial death in our stead.

As sinful persons we are empty of God's presence in our lives and hearts. We are empty of real life. But, we are sometimes filled with anger and jealous hatred of others. Our lives are fearful and restless. We lust and are never satisfied. We are ungrateful and overesteem ourselves above others. We are proud and haughty.

We need to repent (have a complete change of mind), look to Jesus to save us, and to follow the examples of Mary, Paul the Apostle and the prophets, who saw their lowliness but, nevertheless, accepted God's grace for service to Him.

DEVOTIONAL 20 "The End"

When the movie is over the words, "THE END", appear telling you to go on out, the movie is over. If it was a really good movie, you might choose to stay over and see it again. But you must remember that the whole thing will be the same.

A movie may be plotted with lots of unreal stuff. On the other hand, life is a real event and there is no repeat. When God the Father says it's over, there will be no staying over for another show. When your physical life in this world ends, there will be no starting all over again.

Are you ready for the end? I shutter when I think of how carelessly many people are living their lives without God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Many are so foolish. They mock God and His people. They try to make God fit their ideas rather than accept His Word of revelation in Christ Jesus and the Bible.

Throngs with such an attitude of life will find eternity to be a final Godless existence in eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, the second death. While our physical bodies can be destroyed to formless elements, our spirit/soul is God given and exists endlessly. If you hate other human beings, you can not spend eternity with God's holy family. God's family is a family of love, not hate (see my study of I John).

FATHER'S HOUSE

In John chapter fourteen Jesus speaks of "My Father's House," where there are many rooms, dwelling places ("monai" Gk. plural from "meno" meaning to dwell, to lodge, to remain, to rest). To this place Jesus would go and prepare for the arrival of His disciples for whom He would come again to take them there.

Now meet these fictitious but realistic people, who represent those who are looking for this great event.

Avinel Briles Child was born to an unmarried American serviceman James Keith Johnson and Jean Ann Smith, a young nineteen year old English woman, in London, England on August 26, l945. They decided that they would not get married, until possibly later, and would give the child up to another married American service man, Charles Watson Child and his wife Maxine Mabel, who is finishing up his military service time. They will leave soon for the States and their hometown of Branchland in West Virginia.

Charles, who had been given the nickname "Chuck" and Maxine, who Chuck had given the nickname "Mab", had been married in l940 in Branchland, WV. Now, in late August of l945, they were very happy and excited about adopting their first child, and decided to name the baby after Charles's grandfather, Avinel Leslie Briles.

Later, on the day, when they arrived back home in Branchland, WV, they lacked enough money to pay rent, so they moved in with Maxine's parents, Byron and Pearl Lee Young, who had a large house and could provide a room large enough for them and their baby boy, Avinel, who was now nine months old, wide eyed and reaching for anything close.

On the next morning while drinking their warm honey-water, they opened their Bibles. Chuck said: "This morning I going to look for work here in Branchland. So, let's read Romans chapter eight. After finishing reading the last verses, he reread verse twenty-eight: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Then he asked Mab to read verse twenty-eight. "This'll make three times, one for Chuck, one for Mab and one for Avinel." When their eyes met, as she finished reading, Chuck said: "Let's ask the Lord to guide me as I look for a job today."

Chuck returned home around 6:30 p.m. and found Mab sitting rocking Avinel. "Honey," he said, "I'm going to work tomorrow at Uncle John's IGA grocery store. I stopped there after putting in my applications at Jones' Excavation, West Virginia Pipeline Const., United Fuel Gas, and Branchland Hauling. You'd think my training in equipment operation and repair would land me a good paying job real soon. I sure like operating heavy equipment." "Well, Chuck," she replied, "Uncle John was kind to find something there which you can do, even though it'll be simple store work. Maybe, you can learn to be a meat cutter or assistant manager after a while." Chuck replied: "Well, it's not my dream job. But, let's give the Lord thanks for guiding me to Uncle John's IGA. I did work for him before I went into the service. He's a wonderful Christian... Loves Jesus, and people."

Uncle John had agreed to pay Chuck $1.00 per hour for working in his store. Chuck was glad to have $50.00 in his pay check after working fifty-two hours and paying taxes. Now, he could rent a place for his little family to live. They would have around $25.00 to pay on rent for a month for a three or four room place. Chuck was especially glad to be able to place his tithe/offering at his church, the Branchland Baptist Church, on Sundays.

When Chuck and Mab moved to Branchland they didn't have to search for a church home since they were both baptized members of the Branchland Baptist Church. They had been "saved" at the same evening service while on a date. That Sunday evening service was really special to them. Not only did they receive Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior, Chuck proposed to her on the front steps of her home. The date was May 30, l940. They married on August 7, 1940.

Chuck and Mab lived with her parents, Byron and Pearl Young, for three weeks after going to work for Uncle John.

Mamaw and Papaw were happily engaged with little Avinel and had bought a high chair for him. They still had the rocker, which they had rocked all their children in. Mab and Mamaw took turns rocking Avinel. They were good singers in the Church choir and Avinel got real quiet when they would sing to him.

The clothing section of the general store had become Chuck's area of special interest. He thought he'd like to become unofficial manager of clothing sales. He would want to enlarge the department and advertise more.

Uncle John was pleased with Chuck's developing interest, even beginning to consider enlarging the clothing section.

The store was open six days per week with Sundays closed. Uncle John wanted to free everyone for Church and rest on the Lord's Day.

On Tuesday during the fourth week of work, Chuck saw Mr. John Pearson, who owned rental property, as he was looking over shoes in the shoe section. "Hello, Mr. Pearson, how are you?" Chuck greeted him. "Do you have something I can do for you." "Yes, I'm looking for a size nine easy-to-wear work shoe." "Do you want a high or low cut shoe?", asked, Chuck. "I'm not sure. Let me see a nine in both." First, Chuck found a nine medium width in a pair of brown low cut shoes. As Mr. Pearson tried to get his foot into the right shoe, Chuck asked: "Do you have any houses vacant for rent?" Chuck put into place a shoehorn, Mr. Pearson pressed his foot in, and replied: "Yes, I have a five room house just across the Guyandotte, about a half a mile from here." As he stood and tested the feel of the shoe, Chuck, with some excitement said: "What does it rent for?" "Thirty dollars a month," Mr. Pearson said, as he continued testing the feel of the shoe. "I believe it's a little tight. Maybe I need a larger size?" "Let me size your foot for width?" Chuck said. After getting the right width, Mr. Pearson responded: "This pair is fine. I'll take them. I don't need to try any other shoes or sizes and would you and your wife, Mab, want to see the house tomorrow, after work around seven p.m.?" "Sounds fine to me and I know Mab wants to find a house soon," replied Chuck. "One thing, Mr. Pearson, tomorrow's prayer meeting at our Church and we'll get over to your rental house a bit before seven if that's OK?" "Alright with me, I need to be in prayer meeting too. The Lord comes before business, or it might be better said, the Lord comes first in our business."

That evening, during the prayer time, Pastor Adkins called for Chuck to lead in the prayer for the mission work in Cuba. Chuck handed little Avinel to Mab and rose to pray. "Lord, God and wonderous Father, I pray, in my Lord's precious divine name, Jesus Christ, for our mission work in Cuba. I ask for the mission workers to be a blessing this evening as they preach, teach and offer clothing and food to those in need in Cuba...." Just as Chuck finished his prayer, little Avinel, lifting his arms, cried out Dada, Dada, Dada. Everyone looked Chuck's way as Pastor Adkins said: "Brother Chuck is so blessed, when he hears that cry from little Avinel. Makes me feel real young again and remember my kids calling out for Dada, anywhere, anytime."

When Chuck and Mab, with Avinel in arms, reached home after the mid-week church service, they sat in the front room of Byron and Pearl's home and discussed Mr. Pearson's rental house. Mab spoke first: "I think it's a nice enough house and is close to everything: your work, our church, mom and dad. I believe we can afford it since we don't need to buy a car, yet." "Ok, I'll tell Mr. Pearson that we'll take it and go by and check out furniture at Branchland Furniture tomorrow. Can you meet me at my lunch time, 11:30 a.m.?" "Yes," Mab replied.

On August 26, l946, Chuck and Mab were in their rental house and had a special birthday celebration for growing and gleeful Avinel. Chuck wanted to share this special day in some way with his old military friend, James Johnson and sent a telegram to him in England. "Hello, James, Avinel is now one year old. We've had a birthday party with Papaw and Mamaw, Mab and me for him. Tell Jean Ann. God bless you. Chuck." On the next day Chuck received this telegram: "Hello, Chuck. Thanks for sharing the birthday news with me. I spoke to Jean Ann about your "gram." She's glad you and Mab are so very happy.

We are getting married in three months as I am returning to the States and will be discharged on Dec. 10th. We will live in Marion, Indiana, and I will go to work in my father's clothing store. Jean and I will get married sooner if she turns out pregnant. Your friend, James." Chuck replied: "Good to hear from you and know of your marriage plans. One thing you need, though, to ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord and to make Him Lord of your life and home. God bless you, Chuck."

Sundays were always special for the Childs, Chuck, Mab and Avinel. The home church, the Branchland Baptist Church, provided an extended family of caring folks who weekly met together for fellowship in the Word, preaching, singing, sharing and giving.

The Sunday School nursery class, which covered from birth until the age of three, had ten infants enrolled. Two were under six months of age and eight were ages six months to three years. The infants were divided further into two groups, those who could understand and respond to language with words and those who could not answer to simple questions with language. Little Avinel was in the middle of learning to speak more words but was learning fast and improving each Sunday.

There were two adults workers: Doris Jean Adkins and Joyce Ann Adkins sisters-in-law of pastor General W. Adkins. They used three teenage girls, the Jones girls as helpers. Mab was the substitute. Little Avinel was a large interest of the Jones girls. At first learning to walk was both tempting and trying for him, as he would get up while holding to a hand and step a few feet. Stephanie Jones worked patiently with Avinel helping him to learn to walk for Jesus, as she would say to him.

It's Monday morning and Mab had just gotten Chuck off to work at Uncle John's IGA GENERAL STORE. Uncle John had decided to expand the non-grocery areas of the store to include a large line of clothing for the entire family. Chuck would manage the whole new section, which was to add five thousand new square feet to the store. Construction on the addition to the building was to begin soon.

Mab thought: "I'll let Avinel sleep a little longer before getting him up for his feeding." Just then, she heard Mamaw's familar knock at the door. "Good, morning mom" she said, as Mamaw Young entered the front room. "What brings you out so early?" "Well, after church service last night I kept thinking and couldn't sleep." "I think the Lord is impressing me to speak to the new school principal and his wife about our Lord and the Lord's place in educating Branchland's children. You know Mr. & Mrs. Lovely don't attend any church in town. The kids need sound Christian teachers to lead them as well as to teach them." "Mom, have you told this to Dad?" "No, not yet," Mamaw Pearl responded. Just then, Avinel began to wake up and and cried loudly: "Momma, momma, momma."

Mab rushed to his sleeping bed, lifted him into her warm arms and kissed him about five times. Love's depth filled her whole being. She couldn't nurse him but she had a baby bottle warm. As Avinel sucked the warm milk from the bottle Mab sang: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, hum, hum, hum, hum." Holding Avinel while feeding him, rocking him and singing was a thrilling part of every day.

That evening as Pearl and Byron sat to eat supper. after Byron had given thanks, Pearl said: "Byron, sweetheart, I'm impressed that we or someone needs to go and to see Mr. and Mrs. Lovely and speak to them about the Lord and our Church. I have not heard of them attending any church. You know our teachers need to have a church such as ours where they hear the Word of God and share in fellowship with Christians." Mr. Lovely was the acting principal and upon the school board's final decision will become principal at the Branchland school. Byron thought a moment and said: "I don't know if they are Christians or not, but let's talk to pastor Adkins. Maybe he'll visit with the Lovelys."

Following the Wednesday service Byron asked pastor Adkins for a moment of time. "Brother Adkins," he said, "Pearl and I listened closely to your sermon last Sunday night and agree we need Christians as our teachers in our community schools. To my knowledge our principal Mr. Lovely is not attending church anywhere with his family, Dorothy and Brian. Pastor Adkins responded: "Yes, thank you and Pearl for bringing this up. I'll speak with the other deacons at our next meeting, Sunday after the morning service."

It was decided to seek a time with Mr. & Mrs. Lovely for a visit as soon as convenient with them. Then pastor Adkins called the Lovely's home number. After identifying himself ask if he and a deacon could visit. Mr. Lovely responded: "What's the purpose of the visit?" Pastor Adkins replied: "I and the deacon wish to share with you about the work of our church and our interest in you as an individual and in our working with you as principal of our community school." "I would be pleased to have you meet with me and Dorothy. I think we can see you on next Sunday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. Ok?" And they agreed.

The following Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Adkins and Byron arrived at the Lovely residence, a large white two story frame house with a chimney, and a large yard with two tall pines standing half way between the gate and the open front porch. To the side of the main yard was a beautiful garden of vegetables; with a separate area of roses and other plants. Mrs. Lovely invited her guests to sit in the twin rocking chairs on the spacious porch, while she called "Bert," short for Elbert.

Bert came around the side of the house with his gardening clothes on and sat in the swing while Dorothy sat in a straight back cushioned chair. It was a nice late summer afternoon with temperature around 75'.

Mr. Lovely apologized about his work clothes saying he would not have many more days to finish up his garden chores. Pastor Adkins viewed the garden and replied: "You must love gardening. It looks like the Lord is blessing your labor this year. We have a spiritual garden of sharing and would like to tell you about our church, our desire to share church work with you and, foremost, our faith centered in Jesus Christ." After listening, Bert and Dorothy said they had never publicly professed personal faith in Jesus Christ in their lives, but they knew many people who had and had observed their lives. Some of those people seemed stronger in their commitments, in their daily lives, than other people who were not professing Christians." They had proved to be good reliable teachers and employees of the school system. A few had told the Lovelys of their faith in Jesus Christ. "Thank you for coming and we may visit you and your church." Pastor Adkins asked if they could share a prayer with them, to which they agreed. After ending his prayer with "...in the name of Jesus Christ I pray," he then left with Byron.

When Byron arrived home, he told Pearl that the Lovely family was small, just the three, Mr. & Mrs. Lovely and their two year old son Brian. And that they were not professing Christians but may visit our Branchland Baptist Church sometime.

After the pastor and deacon had left, Bert looked with curiosity to Dottie and asked: "What do you think? Should we visit the church or forget it?" Dottie paused a moment and spoke: "Let me talk to someone who has attended the church and knows the people. If they recommend that we visit, I'll agree to go." They both agreed little Brian needs to be around more children as he grows in his childhood, and Sunday school might be a good start, as pastor Adkins had said.

On the second Sunday following Pastor Adkins and Byron's visit, the Lovelys came to the morning service at Branchland Baptist Church. Because it was their first time to visit, they kept Brian with them throughout the service, rather than leave him in the nursery. Unexpectedly he was quiet and Dottie was able to stay for the whole service. The invitation for seekers to come forward at the end of the service found both Bert and Dottie at the altar with Brian in hand. As pastor Adkins counseled with them, Chuck and Mab went to the nursery and got Avinel. The three of them went to the front where Pastor Adkins continued counseling with the Lovelys. Avinel was quick to notice Brian who was about two inches taller. Through the years they would become fast friends and buddies.

On the following Sunday the Lovelys were baptized in the Guyandotte River at Branchland's swimming hole.

Left handedness ran deep in the Child family; both Charles and Maxine were lefthanded. Little Avinel had begun to use his left hand to reach and to hold spoons, toys and other things. So, in the nursery at church on a Sunday when the full enrollment was present, plus Brian Lovely, Avinel went to Brian with his left hand reaching out towards him. Brian pulled away and said: "that's wrong hand." Brian then turned his right hand to Avinel. Avinel said: "Thank you." And then, he put his left arm around Brian's shoulder. Stephanie Jones said: "Avinel you've got a new friend. Let's show him how we play ball."

One day, about a year later, as the nursery class was playing ball together, Brian wanted to try playing with a larger ball about the size of a grapefruit or softball, which he had brought from home. All the boys and girls liked Brian's larger ball, so Stephanie asked Joyce Ann Adkins to buy a couple larger balls for next Sunday.

One day, after Sunday School and Church, Brian asked his mother, Dottie, if he could go home with Avinel for a while to play ball; for he was taken in by Avinel's left handed throws. Dottie responded: "Let me ask your daddy, "Bert" and Maxine "Mab."

Chuck and Mab took Brian home with Avinel for that Sunday afernoon and returned him to Bert and Dottie that evening at church. The little boys had played all afternoon together except for a short nap around 3:00 p.m.

The Adkins sisters-in-law and the Jones sisters had worked faithfully teaching practical lessons about the Lord Jesus and God the Heavenly Father to the nursery groups. First, they had taught the smaller ones to say: Lord and God, and then father and Jesus. Avinel first would say: "Loo," Loo," and "Goo," Goo." Then they added the "d" to each word: "Lord," and "God." He would say: "Lood," Lood," and "Good," Good." Jesus was the hardest for Avinel to say. First, he said: "azzzus," which sounded nearly correct but needed a clearer "J" and"S" sound so Stephanie worked longer and harder with him on the his "J" and "S" sounds.

One day, after Avinel had reached the age of five, Stephanie brought her boyfriend Ryan Watson to the nursery class to have him meet Avinel. She told him about Avinel being left handed and maybe he would make a good ball pitcher when he got to Guyan Valley six year High School, near West Hamlin. That would seem a long time to Avinel.

Ryan Watson was leader of Children's Church at Branchland Baptist Church with Eunice and Elwood Knapp as his advisors, and helpers. They had been leaders of children's church until Ryan was appointed leader. Ryan, also, preached occasionally for Sunday services and youth meetings. He had great enthusiasm in his Gospel talks.

When he was six, Avinel graduated from nursery class to Children's Church. Children's Church was filled with singing and Bible teaching/learning. Avinel had listened to his grandmother, Pearl, and mother, "Mab", sing, for his six years, at home and in the church choir. Singing came natural to him and he enjoyed singing for the children at their church service, whenever Ryan asked him.

When school started in the fall of '51, Avinel looked to his friend, Brian Lovely, to be his guide. Avinel liked going to school, most of the time. Over the course of time he made many friends and stayed out of trouble and fights. One day, Frank who was about fifteen pounds heavier than Avinel, challenged him to a wrestling match. Feeling he was at a disadvantage, because of Frank's weight, he declined. Frank then frequenty teased him, calling him "chicken." This went on for several weeks until Avinel suddenly became very angry and punched Frank in the jaw and belly. From then on Frank left Avinel alone. They, in time, became buddies on the school ground and after school. Frank became a regular in the Branchland Baptist Sunday School.

Avinel continued singing in Children's Church with the other children and as a soloist.

On Christmas a special children's program was always an expected event. So, when Avinel was ten, Ryan Watson asked him to play a leading part in the Christmas play. He was a "wise man." Every Christmas from then on he had a part in the Christmas programs of the Church and of the school.

Six years passed and Avinel finished the sixth grade at Branchland Elementary. He was eager to be promoted to Guyan Valley Junior and High School. During the last week of school, Mr. Lovely pulled Avinel aside on a Thursday, as graduation neared, and spoke to him: "Avinel," he said, "you've been a very good boy and student. We're going to miss you around here. I want you to do well at Guyan Valley. Brian will be eager to show you around when you enter next fall. I'll see you in Church." Mr Lovely had become one of Avinel's favorite people in the community and Church.

Summer passed and Avinel entered the seventh grade at Guyan Valley. Getting on the bus, he found a seat with Brian. Nervously he asked: "Will you show me around school today? How, about me meeting some new girls. I've been Janice's boy friend for six months and I think she might want to be someone else's girl friend since she's still down at Branchland, in the sixth grade." Brian said, with some surprise: "Avinel, buddy, I think you'll get over Janice when you see the girls as Guyan Valley."

Dan Older, the Science and Biology teacher at Guyan Valley, had taken over the Bible Club from Miss Sturm who had retired and renamed it the "Lifeway Club." Dan was a deacon at Branchland Baptist Church. He found Avinel on Wednesday of the first week of school and invited him to the next meeting of the club. Avinel told Brian about it and took him to the club on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Older introduced the boys to the group of about thirty, telling the club that both boys were members of his church. Avinel was glad to sing for the boys and girls and had Sarah Bess, who was one of the Bess twins, accompany him at the piano.

The football coach had addressed the seventh grade boys, inviting them to try out for the football team as part of the seventh and eighth grade team which was scheduled to play six other teams, during the last week of September and each week in October. Brian had not gone out in the seventh grade but had gained twenty pounds and wanted to try out. Avinel decided to give it a try, too. Both boys' parents encouraged them to try out, thinking it would be a good experience to develop some physical toughness. They both made the team, Brian as a guard and Avinel as a passing quarterback. During the final three games of the season, Avinel played two quarters in each game. Coach Pritt had liked his passing ability and hurried his development as a quarterback. And, it paid off, Avinel threw four passes that went for touchdowns in the last three games.

Lacy Whitman was the receiver of each touchdown pass. Lacy was the fastest runner on the team and outran everyone on the opposing teams. Brian and Avinel kept inviting Lacy to the "Lifeway Club" and during the season he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Art Lett ran halfback on the team, scoring nine touchdowns over the season. Art was elected president of the "Lifeway Club." The team won five games and lost one in a very successful season.

As the seventh grade passed, Avinel grew to like Sarah Bess, who was in the eighth grade, as a special friend, while Brian spent considerable time talking with Sharon her twin sister. The Bess twins' father was the pastor of the Ranger Baptist Church.

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving Chuck received a letter from his military service buddy, James Johnson, the natural father of Avinel. It read: "Chuck, I want you to be among the first to know that I've been saved. Jesus is my Savior and Lord. Jean Ann also has received Christ Jesus as her Lord. We're so happy like we just got married again." James went on to write: "I have been listening to the Cadle Tabernacle of Indianapolis broadcast on radio for the past six months. Dr. B. R. Lakin of Wayne County in WV is the pastor. The Lord used him to speak to my heart. Thank you for your prayers. Give Mab our love. How's Avinel doing?"

Chuck wrote back: "Praise the Lord. And, I hope you get your family into a good sound church there in Marion, In. Avinel is doing fine. He's doing well in the seventh grade at Guyan Valley School; is a very good singer; and is a good upcoming quarterback on the junior football team. Someday I hope you can hear him sing. Most of all he is a good Christian witness. Mab is a wonderful wife and mom."

Avinel continued his singing and sports at Guyan Valley each year as they came and went. He dated several girls over the course of the six years, but found Janice over and over again to be there waiting for him to ask her for dates.

The big event of his singing career came when he sang for Stephanie Jones and Ryan Watson's wedding during his senior year. Singing was Avinel's main hobby in addition to quarterbacking the football team to victory after victory. College coaches were seeking information about him.

James Johnson, in the meantime, had entered the ministry, had pastored two churches in Indiana under the tutorage of Dr. B. R. Lakin and felt a calling to evangelistic preaching. While working for his father in the clothing business, James had finished college at Taylor University in Upland, In., with a B. A. in Bible and history. He was also able to finish his seminary work at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Avinel finished high school and went away to college at Morris Harvey, a Methodist school in Charleston on a football scholarship, where he guided them to victories in two post season bowls, as an outstanding quarterback leader.

Just as Avinel finished college, he visited his natural father, Rev. James Johnson, for a singing engagement at a citywide meeting in Wheeling WV. Avinel was the featured singer each evening for ten nights. He loved it.