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The Passing Of A Friend - Rick Harris

A childhood friend of mine has passed away from cancer at the age of 56.  Richard D. Harris (Rick) of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2010.  I met Rick when my family started attending Bethel Baptist Church in Sellersville, PA back in 1967.  Rick and I were both in the 7^th grade at that time.  He went to the Pennridge school system, while I went to the schools in Quakertown. 

He was a gifted athlete.  While making a lay-up during a basketball game, Rick's hang time in the air was a beautiful thing to watch.   He was Michael Jordan before there was a Michael Jordan.  He could run like a cheetah.  He was strong and graceful.  When it came to team sports, you wanted to be on Rick’s team.   

I bet that no one who was present at a Sunday evening church service back in 1969 thought that Rick Harris was going to leave any kind of legacy to future generations. Four or five of us young men were talking during the service when Pastor Harris, Rick’s father, called us out from the pulpit and told us to meet him after the service. Trust me, we did not get a nice talk about leaving a legacy that evening after church.

Rick was a fast driver as a young man.  He purchased a Cougar from one of the guys in our youth group.  He could fix anything on an automobile back in those days before on-board computers.  He was one of the most generous people that I have ever known with his mechanical skills.  He helped me so many times with some of the junk cars that I owned in the 1980s.  He helped countless others with those God-given skills repair their automobiles. 

We “terrorized” our Sunday school teachers (Dr. Delancey, Warren Stafford, Wayne Clymer and the gentle giant Charlie Dietterich) when we were in high school.  Mr. D took us to the Collegeville Inn one night for an outing. There is not a time that I go through Harleysville and see the spot where that Rick left his meal on the floor of the church van while on the way home.  I guess he had too many frog legs.  Rick and I taught a Sunday school class together with Doug Gerhart for two years back in the mid-1980s.   Those high school boys showed us the truth of Galatians 6:7.  They were a real blessing to me.  Many are married today, raising families and leaving a legacy for their children and others.

Although Rick and I never served in the U.S. Navy, we had our “Shipmates” which was the name of our youth group .  As Nancy Rist mentioned in her Facebook post, our youth group was the main support system we had since we all went to public schools at that time.  Our leaders (Ronnie & Doris Eldridge, Nelson and Blanche Floyd, Bob and Sharon Randall) were all busy raising their own families, but took time for our group.  There were Sunday night hymn sings, Spring banquets,  Buck-Buck games, Delaware River Canoe trips, the youth bus high-jacking, bowling at Earl Bowl, Ken’s Chicken Den meals and many great memories.  These people and events kept us from so much trouble during our teenage years. 

Since I heard the news of Rick's passing, I have thought of so many Bethel Baptist people that are now part of the “Hebrews 12:1 Cloud of Witnesses” who are now cheering us on from Heaven.  My father died of cancer in 1987.  My mother died in December 2009 of ALS.  Ron Eldridge, Elsie Eldridge, Sam Warden, Marian Carter, Al Godshall, John “Mr. Tootsie Roll” Rosenberger, Warren Stafford, Norm Tamburino, Peter Olivero, Marj Green, Lester Moyer and other Bethel Baptist Church family members have become part of that cloud of witnesses.  All of these people always took a moment to ask me how I was and what I was doing.  Some gave loving course corrections.  They challenged and encouraged me to keep on going forward and to serve the Lord.  They all died “with their boots on” serving their Lord.  Now Rick has joined them and is saying to us all: “Keep going, don’t quit, serve the Lord, and serve others.  We will see you again very soon.  You will not believe what God has prepared for you beyond the final finish line.”

Rick married Betty back in 1973.  She was a Quakertown girl.  They had four children of their own and countless foster children.  My wife Darlene and I extend our prayers and thoughts to Betty, their children, Pastor and Mrs. Harris, and Rick's siblings Barbara, Al, Mel, Cindy, Becky and Cathy. 

To his two sons, Richard and Nathan, I have walked in your shoes.  My father died at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer.  Back in 1987, I was 32 years old which is very close to what age you are at this time.  My father was my best friend.  He always had food on the table for us, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads.  Your father would try to take my Dad on in a “muscle” contest, but since my father was a combat vet of the Korean War and also a  prisoner guard, he would usually subdue your father with some crazy hold or threaten to hit Rick with a blackjack.  Take care of your mother.  Keep close to your sisters.  Raise your children for the Lord.  Know that your Dad loved you very much.  In our last meeting at the Perkiomenville Flea Market last fall, your father told me all about what you were doing with your lives.  He was very proud of you.

Rick ran a great race by God’s grace.   He was a real blessing to my life, and I thank God for letting me call Rick Harris one of   my friends.  I will see him again.

My Trip to "Sunny" Florida

I left cold Pennsylvania on January 7^th to do the flea and antique markets of sunny Florida.  On the 9^th, I set up at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  Someone forgot to invite the sun.  It was cold every night and not much nicer during the day until the 14^th.  Since I was sleeping in the front seat of my Jeep Cherokee, I had the total “Freezing Florida” experience. 

 

 

It was very cold in Waldo, Florida on the 9th and 10th.  This old quilt became one of my new best friends.  Here are two photos of permanent  vendors at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  The tent is simply named Redneck Country.

 
 

The weather finally warmed up by the following weekend at Mount Dora, but the damage had already been done.  People go to Florida to escape the cold.  They do not venture outside to the markets and spend money when it is cold.  Sales were terrible.  From a financial viewpoint, the trip was a failure.

Here is a photo of my set-up at Renninger's in Mount Dora. 

My friend Gov and his set-up at Mount Dora:

The trip was also a blessing to me in three major ways.

 My faith and trust in God was renewed and made stronger.  We had many long discussions about things while I sat in the driver’s seat of that Jeep.  He told me that He is still in control of everything, even when all seems to be out of control.  Psalm 46:10 became my reality: Be still, and know that I am God.

My commitment to my marriage was renewed and made stronger.  The ten days that Darlene and I were apart seemed to go on forever.  I love my wife very much and really appreciate all the things that she does for me.  It is good to be back in our home.

My family and my friends really care about me.  I saw my son Karl who lives in North Carolina on the way down to Florida and on the way back up to Pennsylvania.  My other son Ryan called me from South Korea during the trip.  My brother and two sisters called me during the trip.  My Aunt Karin from New Jersey called me to watch out for the frozen iguanas which were falling out of the trees.  My mother-in-law was praying hard for her "favorite" son-in-law.  My good friend Gov let me travel along with him while in Florida, and let me use one of his pop-up tents and tables.  My friends such as Preacher Florence, George, Dan, Jeff, Jack, Pam, Darick, TAP, Gerry, Tom, John, Charles, Jere, Steve, Clarke, Kevin, Jerry, Mike, Jim, Tim, Toni, Dawn, Joe and several others either called, made generous offers, but most important, prayed for me.  Thank you for your love, concern and prayers.

Although I did not make the money that I wanted to on this great adventure, like George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life,  I once again realize that I am the richest man in town.

Rx: Drop everything and take a walk

My good friend Tom Lanen told me about an article that he had read earlier in the morning a few days ago.  Chuck Swindoll of Insight For Living wrote a great daily devotional called Take Time.

http://www.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13419&news_iv_ctrl=1781

I was so busy with things that I wanted to accomplish that morning.  Taxes, eBay auctions, bills to be paid, an article to write, etc.  My wife Darlene and our dog Sierra were going to take a walk along the railroad tracks behind our house.  I was too busy to go.  Then I read the Swindoll devotional.  I dropped everything a took a walk with them.  The day went better because I was rested and renewed in my spirit and my mind.  Sometimes the best thing we can do is to drop the weights of our world and take a restful walk with God . . . and a great wife and good dog.  I am glad that I did.  Read Matthew 11:28-30 for the answer to true rest.

The Road Ahead - I will not travel it alone

  These railroad tracks are located behind my house.  A train that services the local feed mills makes several runs a week on them.  There is an engine that pulls one to ten railroad cars full of grain, seeds, farm supplies, etc. at speeds of less than  10 MPH.  The East Branch of the Cocalico Creek runs alongside the tracks on the right side of the photo.

When I look down these tracks, I know what is around the next bend.  When I try to look down the railroad tracks of life, I have no idea of what is ahead for me, my family, my friends, my country, my business, etc.  We live in a world of uncertainty.  My mother is greatly suffering from ALS.  A good friend (54 years old) just found out that he has pancreatic cancer and needs a life saving operation.  Another good friend is going through some serious health issues.  Numerous friends are facing severe financial problems that they could never have imagined would happen to them a few years ago. 

I am glad that my faith in Christ sustains me up and allows me to the travel on the tracks ahead, even when I can not see what is around the next bend.  I will not despair.  I will follow the footprints ahead and trust God.  He knows what is ahead and how He is going to work in my life.

When life gives you snow . . . Make a snowman

What a year 2008 has been . . .

The economy is in a real mess.  People at the flea markets, my antique mall booth and online at eBay are holding back in their spending.  But God is faithful and continues to supply our needs.  I go into this new year with a renewed determination to make 2009 the greatest year of my life.

My wife Darlene and dog Sierra have the answer to one of life's great questions.  What do you do with the snow that falls on life's lawn . . . 

Here is wishing you all a Happy New Year from Denver, Pennsylvania.

Karl - Darlene - Sierra

Life's Curveballs

I have not been blogging for a few weeks due to one of Life's Curveballs that has hit the Hellmann family.  My wife had a biopsy on a small mass in one of her breasts.  While playing a waiting game that goes back to the Fall of 2007, your life seems to be in slow motion awaiting the final verdict.  By the Grace of God, the mass was benign.  Praise the Lord for that verdict.  I was very proud of Darlene and the manner that she handled herself throughout the last 8 months.  She had just started a part-time job at a local elder care home in November.  She really loves her patients and they are a balm to her.  I know that there were days that she wanted to crawl back into bed, but she kept her spirits up and kept moving forward.

I am a closet worrier.  What I need to be is a Closet Prayer Warrior instead.  You know the old saying Why pray when you can worry!  I Peter 5:7.  Thank you Lord for your mercy during this episode. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

I grew up in a family that honored Memorial Day.  My father, Kenneth E. Hellmann, was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Army and National Guard.  He died in 1987.  At his funeral, the local D.A.V. honor guard gave him an 18-gun salute.  It was moving tribute to his service to the USA.  In 1950, he was part of the 24th Division in Korea.  His company had a 70% casualty.  He was always deep in thought on this day of his buddies that did not return to the USA.

My dad on his beloved woodpile in the early 1980s in Shinglehouse, PA.

My son, Ryan, took this photo of the Pflugerville, Texas war memorial.  Memorials like this one dot our great land.  Take some time this weekend as you pass one in your community and reflect on the price that these men and women have paid for our freedom.  These fallen warriors deserve our thanks.  God Bless America.

Earthly Treasures

I was at a junkyard yesterday.  Converting scrap metal into cash is a big business.  Most people have no idea that a scrap metal yard even exists, let alon have ever been to one.  Find some discarded junk metal, take it to the junkyard and get paid for it.  What a concept!  It is "green" in more ways than one.

While putting some scrap metal on the pile, I noticed these vehicles at the top of the heap.  The red Pontiac Grand Am at the very top was somebody's dream car at one time.  They went to the showroom and drove it it away smelling that "new car" smell.  Time or an accident took its toll and it wound up at the junkyard.   Now someone's pride and joy was going to be recycled into someone else's new pride and joy. 

Putting our happiness in temporal things that rust, brake or get stolen is foolish.  Some of the items on the pile were there because their owners were tired of owning the item.  Putting our faith in the Lord is the most important thing that we can do before we leave this world.  Read Matthew 6:19-33 about storing up treasure.  The eternal treasure that God gives will never wind up in the junkyard.