It's amazing how this thread has changed since the OP first appeared. I rushed home today to share something i I thought of this thread as being the perfect place to share it.
This is a little long, but I'd like to introduce you all to a friend of mine. Hid name is Vernon Godsey. He is my uncle by marriage and he past away this last Sunday 8/12 at the age of 73. We laid him to rest yesterday, in Jackson MS.
I'm posting this because Vernon would want me to tell others about him; Christians and non-Christians alike.
There is an old hymn I think of when I think of my uncle Vernon. It's called "Blessed assurance" and the course speaks like this;
"This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long."
Vernon Godsey was married 50 years at the time of his death last week. He and his wife had one daughter, who is married and has two sons. Vernon's grandsons referred to him affectionately as "Pop's"
Vernon loved to sign and play the guitar. He was known for wearing cowboy boots and jeans. He was a handy type of man, although he a loan officer for the FHA, that's Farmers Housing administration I think; he made loans to farmers for land and equipment.
Uncle Vernon was a drunk! That's right. He was an alcoholic. I say "was", not because he is gone now, but because he was an alcoholic. So bad in fact that he was once hospitalized for alcohol poisoning in his early 40's. That was the lowest point in his life. from the stories I've been told, and that he himself told me, it is a wonder he managed to stay married, much less alive as long as he did, but something happened to him that time in the hospital being treating and brought back to life from his own sin; because it was then that he cried out for Christ to help him when he could no longer help himself, he'd sunk so low. He was done. Finished.
As he once told it to me, Christ saved, not only his soul, but his very life. He felt the presents of God on him in a way that he'd never felt before and that that moment he knew what real faith was. His is one of those stories. A story of conversion that people can hear about, but never believe at first until they see the change, and see they did.
Vernon never touched a drop since then. That's not just what he says, that's what everyone who knew him then says; because they saw it. Those that knew him then would say; "some people say there are no maricles, that's one walking right there.", as they point to Vernon Godsey. He was; "WAS" a stinking drunk, until that day.
Vernon set out to know God in a way he could not before, and he did. He grew in his faith, strong like an oak tree. He began reading his bible. he got involved in church with his wife. By the time I meet him he was a sweet, strong Christian man. I loved him. You could not meet Vernon Godsey and not see the light of Christ in him. I've always felt blessed to be married into such a strong family of faith. That's why I was so surprised to hear what a man he once was, but not surprised to see where he was. His life was a living testimony.
I'd like you all to see the Vernon Godsey I've known these last several years. he would want you to know him, and so I will introduce you.
This is my uncle Vernon.
I'm not sure where he is speaking here. It could be any number of one of his ministries, he had so many, but I think it was a drug an alcohol recovery group. Could be an awareness program for young people. Vernon was a leader in the drug awareness campaign for youth. In fcat this next photo is him reciving an award from former first lady Nancy Reagan for his drug awareness work in Mississippi.
Vernon loved the elderly. He'd take his guitar and head on over to the home and just sit and sign old gospel songs. Here he is doing some of that.
Vernon also took request.
Uncle Vernon took any mission trip he could with his church. Here he is on a trip in Mexico, and another in the Appalachia mountains. He love people.
That kid has Vernon's guitar
I guess Vernon was taking the pictures. That's his wife sitting down there. they both tend to draw kids.
Vernon had other missions, that he does not have photos of. He ministered to inmates in prison, to the homeless shelters down town, and to anyone in need. He looked for opportunities to share the Love of Christ, to tell his story and to sign his song.
"This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long."
The OP poses a great question and many have chimed in, " How would you spend your time?" The fact is we are all dying. As has been pointed out by WIP, what's holding you back?
Vernon was sick. He had a heart condition that was deterring, but he knew he was dying long before he started truly living. There is not enough room here for me to type about this man, and what a huge impact he had for the Kingdom of Christ. How he touched the lives of others selflessly. he left a great legacy. That's how he spent his time. There where over 300 people at that service.
There is a special song Vernon wrote, and I want to share that here. Now I used to joke with Vernon. Just ribbing him a little, I'd say; Vernon, you can't carry a tune but you can sure sing!
This is a song he wanted others to hear and he posted it on YouTube. He posted it when he knew that he did not have long for this world. he did not tell anyone about his condition. He planed his program for his own funeral. He picked the verses and the songs and he listed those he wanted to carry his coffin, of which I was honored to be in that list of nephews.
Listen closely to this sweet country man's song if you will. This is his story, this is his song. His testimony.
[video=youtube;cNAHkUqf79c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNAHkUqf79c&feature=player_embedded#![/video]
She sounds like a christian. God be with her....and sorry for the situation.
