June 6, 2021, column:
Just wondering…
... whether you knew that in
announcing the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944 – 77 years ago today – President
Franklin D. Roosevelt presented most of his radio address as a prayer.
The largest sea invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy was the start of the liberation of France from Nazi control and the ultimate victory over Hitler in World War II. Roosevelt prayed from the perspective of the United States and its allies, of course. Some excerpts:
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| Franklin Roosevelt |
“Almighty
God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a
struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to
set free a suffering humanity. …
“They
fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to
liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among
all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the
haven of home. …
“Some
will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic
servants, into Thy kingdom. …
“And
for us at home – fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of
brave men overseas – whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them – help us,
Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of
great sacrifice. …
“Many
people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer.
But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people
devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and
again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy
help to our efforts.
“Thy
will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”
* * *
Just wondering…
… how far Kenneth Wyatt’s impact
will continue flowing across the world. The Tulia artist who died May 24 at age
90 was best known for his western paintings and for his series of portraits of
the Christian apostles, for whom the models were his friends and neighbors.
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| Kenneth Wyatt |
Churches across the United States have those portraits hanging in their lobbies and hallways. Stories about Wyatt’s death point out that George W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth are among the owners of his work.
Kenneth Wyatt spent many years as a
Methodist minister before becoming a full-time artist. His paintings – and a
few sculptures – obviously reflect his passions and life experience: faith in
God, love of western heritage and even golf.
My dad, Johnny Haynes, is about the
same age as Wyatt was. Dad heard him as an after-dinner speaker, another of his
talents, and talked to him during senior golf tournaments. Wyatt could paint
horses better than anyone else, according to Dad, who has spent most of his
life as a rider, roper and rancher.
The celebrated artist and his wife, Veda,
visited one summer with my family at his Red River, New Mexico, gallery. While
we browsed his paintings, prints and books, he gave his attention to my
sister’s young daughter, Maria. With a sly smile, he magically pulled a quarter
out of her ear.
Yes, Kenneth Wyatt was
multi-talented.
* * *
Just wondering…
… how many Texas Panhandle residents know that Franklin Graham plans to speak in Amarillo this September as part of his Route 66 God Loves You Tour.
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| Franklin Graham |
The son of Billy Graham last was
here in 2000, when his Texas Panhandle Festival 2000 filled Dick Bivins Stadium
for three nights. This time, his stay will be shorter. His evangelistic
outreach tentatively is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sept. 26, a Sunday, at a location
to be announced.
Graham’s eight-city tour also will include
stops in Joliet, Illinois, Sept. 19; St. Louis, Sept. 21; Springfield,
Missouri, Sept. 23; Oklahoma City, Sept. 25; Albuquerque, Sept. 28; Flagstaff,
Arizona, Sept. 30; and San Bernardino, California, Oct. 2.
* * *
Just wondering…
… how the C.S. Lewis Retreat this
Dec. 3-5 at Camp Allen near Navasota will rebound after the pandemic canceled
the annual event in 2020. My guess is that those who appreciate the way Lewis’
books can bring us nearer to God will be raring to go after the frustration of
masks and distancing.
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| C.S. Lewis |
The event, coordinated by Nan Rinella of Amarillo with help from other Amarillo area volunteers, offers outstanding speakers, musicians and spiritual discussions in a lovely Hill Country setting as well as sessions for budding writers. It’s sponsored by the California-based C.S. Lewis Foundation which, among other things, owns Lewis’ home, the Kilns, in Oxford, England.
This year’s theme has yet to be set,
but 2019’s was typical: “The
Joyful Journey: Lewis, Tolkien, & the Creative Power of Friendship.”
In the meantime, Amarillo-area Lewis
fans can get a taste of the foundation’s Christian outreach by attending local
book discussions. Information is available from Rinella or Kirk Manton on
Facebook or at the email address below.
Mike Haynes taught journalism at
Amarillo College from 1991 to 2016. He can be reached at haynescolumn@gmail.com. Go to www.haynescolumn.blogspot.com for other recent columns.
