November 21, 2007

• Giving Thanks and Finding Forgiveness

   

  I grew up in a place where I was protected from a lot of the harsh realities of life.  Malvern has about 12,000 people and they all know each other.  One of the things about growing up in a little town like that is there is a support network that not only helps you to feel like you have people you can call on to help you when you need it.  You have people who will encourage you to do what's right. 

   

  Not everyone can relate to that kind of background.  One of the things that's tough for me, is that in order to get the services I need for my kids, I'm living in a city.  So I know that my kids are not getting the kind of background that was provided for me. 

   

  I'm thankful for the town I grew up in. 

   

  One of my friends, a really funny guy and his two younger brothers, didn't grow up with us in that town.  I first met Jim when he moved to Malvern as a hurting grieving 16 year old. We knew that he had lost his parents.  But we respected the boys' grief and just didn't ask questions. 

   

  I remember a night when Jim's younger brother, Oscar, broke down in tears and said, "I just don't understand why one person would kill another person."  And of course, we all assured him that people just don't do that.  They have accidents.  But they don't really KILL on purpose.  No one in our group could conceive of what Jim and his brothers had been through. 

   

  Other than that one cryptic remark from Oscar, the guys never told us their story.  And we just accepted them.  Jim and I and about 6 other kids from our graduating class who were pretty close all went away to the University of Arkansas together. 

   

  We spent four great years growing up together. 

   

  I didn't know the story of Jim's life, in spite of the fact that we were close, until years later.  And even then, I didn't get the whole story. 

   

  This morning, Jim sent me an email describing what he had been through and I want to share that email with you.  There's a link.  If you have time today to listen to a story that you will never forget, click that link.  Listen (or watch if you have broadband) as Jim tells you what it's like to grow up in a family that's been shattered by murder. 

   

  Many of you have asked about the recent Texas Monthly article with my picture but no story. So, thought I would share the story.

   

  Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

   

   go to www.fielder.org

   

  click on weekend (top left)

  then, click on podcasts (top right)

  then, click on Quicktime (it will download this program to your computer)

  then, under sermons you can click on November 18 under Watch to see the video.

   

  The first 7 minutes is my preacher, then I am on for the next 25 minutes.

   

  Just wanted to share my personal story that I utilize in prison ministry.  I had an opportunity to share at my church on Sunday and captured on video.

   

  Jim

  • 10:30 am
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