3 UP!

The roots of my raising run deep, and I thank God I was surrounded by family who knew God's Word and lived by it! My childhood, in the hills and hollers around Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was one that would undoubtedly be envied by most. Family get togethers were very frequent, sometimes several times a week. Sundays provided especially fond memories of family get togethers at Granny Clark's house, after we had all attended church services at "The Little Chapel." The Little Chapel (That was it's name, really!) was a non-denominational, full gospel church in downtown Eureka Springs. It's still there today, although church services are no longer its function, but rather it serves as a food bank to help the needy.

Most of the family has passed on to be with Jesus, and many of us have moved away from that ancestral center of a few decades ago in search of a "better" way of life, including myself. I haven't found it yet, but I will when Jesus returns! Five generations of my family have been laid to rest in that general area, but some of their qualities live on forever through the lessons of life and love they shared with others. In the hustle and bustle of todays life it becomes quite easy to be discouraged by even the least obstacle that comes our way, but, in these instances, I often remember one such lesson given to me, and others, by my Uncle, Bud Clark.

My Uncle Bud was as close to God as any man I've ever known. He always wore a smile and was forever optimistic. He loved everyone, and that love was reciprocated back to him. He was a true Bible scholar, and an awesome teacher of the Word. I don't think he was ever ordained by man to preach the Word, but he was definitely ordained by God. He went to be with Jesus in 1983 when I was 25 years old, never once showing an inkling of discouragement about anything to me, and probably not to anyone else. I always felt honored to be in his presence because of his uplifting attitude and his love for God, and the love he had for everyone around him.

One Saturday evening when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I spent the night with my cousin, David (Bud's boy). The plan was to get up Sunday morning and go to church, and after Sunday dinner at Granny's I would go home with my folks. As we drove to church that Sunday morning in Bud's old 51 Chevy, one of the tires went flat and Bud pulled off to the side of the road. Bud got out to inspect it, and with his ever present smile, he loudly exclaimed, "Praise God, we still got 3 up!" That's a moment in time that, praise God, I'll never forget! Now, more than 40 years later, that memory still helps me get through the pitfalls of life. It's a lesson we all can learn from.

Whatever stumblingblock comes our way, our first reaction should be to praise God. We all know we're in a battle, and we know we are the victors. We must give God praise in all things because of that. Sometimes it's really hard to see the bright side of our setbacks, but if our initial response is praise to God, He illuminates the situation before us immediately. As long as we have a breath of life within us, faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, and the belief that Jesus is our redeemer, we have 3 up! Be blessed!

Tags: hope, inspiration, life, love, praise, stumblingblock

Comment by Marsha Dance on April 23, 2009 at 1:16pm: Uncle Bud would be proud to know his legacy, even his ministry, lives on through you! Thank you for sharing this so very poignant testimonial.

Comment by Ken Rich on April 24, 2009 at 12:42am: I envy you Jack, for your childhood. I didn't come from a religious family and spiritual role models were non-existent.

That's a beautifully written piece too, so warm and inviting. It draws one into your pool of memories and makes one feel at home there.

The glass is half full, or 3 up, no matter how you say it, faith and optimism will carry the day.

Comment by Jack Hoover on April 24, 2009 at 10:40am: Yes Ken, I was very blessed as a child. In my opinion, the lessons I learned as a youngster should have catapulted me to do great things for the Kingdom of God, yet I sit here at 51 years old feeling that I've failed God at every turn. It seems to me that the successful aspects of my life came during the times I was farthest from God. Of course I was in a better situation to offer financial aid to others then. At this point in my life all I can offer is spiritual aid, which I know in my heart is more important, so I do what I can.

I know that God has forgiven all of my past failures, but when I think back to the time that money flowed through me like gas through a funnel, my heart bleeds because I didn't use more of it to glorify God. Perhaps I've not forgiven myself? Perhaps if I was a better man now I could? I only know I want to be more pleasing to my Father. And I want to share what I know in my heart is right with others.

I was a rebel, and, unwittingly, in some ways I still am. There are a lot of things I still fail at on a daily basis, as I hunger to be more like Jesus, and more like my Uncle Bud. Thus the song, "Why Do I?" It's the classic spiritual battle that Paul, so eloquently, wrote about in the 7th chapter of Romans, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Lord help me!

Comment by Ken Rich on April 24, 2009 at 12:06pm: Romans 11:32 God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

We wouldn't need mercy, if we were righteous. Whether it is nations and people groups, or individuals, we all have a common affliction and a common need for mercy and forgiveness.

I think it is only when we try and fail, when we stumble and fall, do we recognize our true condition and perceive our need for God. That's why I am happy to associate with other people who (like me), characterize themselves as "old sinners" saved by grace. None of us are getting saved any other way - lol.

I call the album I am working on (and my personal website) Songs from a Sinner for a reason. It's what I was, and without Jesus, it is what I am. Without him, it's all I can ever be. Only in Christ do I have any claim to righteousness.

Sometimes, I run into the self-righteous sort, who say "what a name for an album - I thought you were supposed to be a Christian - why do you call yourself a sinner?"

However, like Paul, I must declare myself the chief of sinners (and do away with any pretense). Only in Christ am I anything but a sinner.

Only Christ's spotless robe of righteousness is acceptable at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Those who think their own filthy rags are worthy, are in for a shock. We must allow God to take away our filthy garments, and be covered in his robe. A merciful covering for our sin and shame - a gift we cannot earn, and don't deserve.

Comment by Marsha Dance on April 24, 2009 at 12:40pm: Gosh I just love you guys! Your words take me away to a higher plateau than I dwell on. So very blessed by your ministries, Jack and Ken. Keep on keepn' on!

Comment by Mrs. Sharon B. Hodge on June 4, 2009 at 7:27am: I recently went through a realization like this in my own life. I have been afflicted with sickness and with constant trials and tribulations for my entire life. In my heart I always knew that my faith was complete, and that I have never strayed from The Way. Yet I re-lived the same trials all my life and they only grew worse. I was comforted when God had told me that, "Those whom I have afflicted will also be My Remnant.", but this still was not the answer that I was looking for. I knew that it is so easy for people to see where others go wrong when they do not have to live in the trials, and are on the outside looking in. So I took a step outside of myself to look at my life. I notice that in all of my afflictions, trials and tribulations, I was not glad about them, nor was I thankful for them. So, I asked forgiveness, and tried with all of my own strength to be glad and thankful for the suffering that I had gone through. I had all of my "will" into it, and tried so very hard, but it just wasn't happening. So, I went back again to ask for forgiveness, but this time, I put it under the feet of Jesus, because it was a burden that I could not bare on my own. Then I just waited to see if there would be any changes from trying to rectify this fault in my life. Results started happening immediately. I still had not conquered nor had I over anything, but I had only given away the burden that I could not bare. All along the scriptures had been there to, "count it all joy", and to "give thanks in all things", and I knew them like the back of my hand, but had never overcome the pain to be able to comply in them. I had forgiven 70 times 7 plus every offense and hardship against me all along, but it still did not make me glad or thankful to be going through them. I am grateful to discover my faults, and glad to know that no matter what, there is always someone, by the Name of Jesus, who will take my burdens, my pains, my faults, and even my sins away, and bear them for me, if only I bring them to Him.

Maybe in this life, I will have put more under the feet of Jesus than I have actually been able to overcome, but He will always be there to receive the burdens that I bring to Him, and to cover me with His Precious Blood that washes me as white as snow.