Author: Tony
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The Weathervane
I can still hear that high pitched screeching as it spun overhead. I was in my Great Aunt Mary’s old general store in Cottondale, Fla. It was a Sunday afternoon in early summer, and Granny and Grandpa and I were visiting family again, like it or not. Aunt Mary was my Grandpa Tharpe’s oldest sister.… Read more
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The Road Seldom Traveled
I know that I am not alone in my concern for the Church of Christ, its people and its purpose. It seems to me that the world is making inroads into the Body of Christ at break neck speed, as of late. I could describe what’s been going on, but there is no need. Even… Read more
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Give It Up
Some of you might not know this, but from the seventh grade all the way through my senior year in high school, I didn’t live with my parents. Make that, I didn’t sleep in the same place as they did. I slept in a mobile home right next to theirs with my brother, Mike.… Read more
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One Wild Ride
Let me tell you about one of the most exciting days of my life. It happened years ago in Manila, Philippines. It was my first mission trip; my first time overseas and the first time of many that I came close to wetting my pants in public. I can tell you this; I was… Read more
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The Life of Faith
Have you ever had one of those days when for the life of you, you just could not get things to come together? You know, times when no matter how hard you tried, things seemed amiss and confused? Haven’t you had a time or two in your life when you looked around and tried to… Read more
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The Sabbath
I will never forget one blazing hot Sunday afternoon a long time ago, when I wanted a Coca-Cola and I wanted it bad, but Granny didn’t have any. So being the first rate pain I was, I determined to get her to drive down to the store a mile or so away to get me… Read more
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We Ought To Be Committed
My Granny and Grandpa Tharpe were avid Atlanta Braves fans even through the bad years. Make that, especially through the bad years. I will never forget as a child sitting in my Granny’s old house, nestled safe and sound under one of her hand crocheted afghans sitting and watching the Braves lose. Night after night… Read more
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Tug of War!
It was a searching look I saw before me. As I gazed across the divide between us, I discovered that the eyes of my opponent were reaching into mine, trying to gauge my strength, my resolve, my determination. I returned the favor and got little reading. His eyes were veiled, as were my own. I… Read more
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Integrity
I have often talked and written of my Granny and Grandpa Tharpe, my mom’s folks, as I have tried to relate what truths I could from the Word of God. I have mentioned Mom and Dad, as well, and some of the lessons that they taught me that helped produce the man I am today,… Read more
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Broken Pieces
In the early spring of 1999, I disremember the exact date, my brother, sister and I headed down to Panama City, Florida to meet with my father and several other members of the family to say a few words over my Momma and finally lay some of her remains with the remains of her parents,… Read more