Why I like President Obama

My son-in-law asked me the other day why I like President Barack Obama. At the time, off the top of my head, the only response I could come up with was "He's not Mitt Romney. He's not rich and never has been. He's much closer to everyday people than Romney."

After giving his question some more thought, here's are some of my other reasons for favoring our 44th president:


Why I support/like Barack Obama

By Larry C. Timbs Jr.

May 26, 2013

1. He’s given genuine hope to millions of people (predominantly blacks and other minorities) who have been oppressed or enslaved or downcast in America for centuries.

2. He’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise boring, white power structure controlled political landscape.

3. Under his presidency/purview/direction, the world’s most wanted criminal (responsible for the deaths of 3,000 Americans) was captured and killed.

4. He inherited a practically impossible to manage and turn-around depressed, sinking economy, but he’s made significant steps in turning things around.

5. He himself represents the epitome of diversity in America—having had a white mother and a black father and white grandparents and white great grandparents.

6. He does not shy away from tough questions. He answers best he can. He’s totally unscripted and speaks from his heart in press conferences—unlike some top leaders or CEOs in America.

7. He reformed America’s health care system. Now someone with a pre-existing medical condition can no longer be denied health or dental insurance.

8. He has served admirably as our nation’s president during possibly the toughest, most demanding, most challenging time ever (two wars, horrible economy, tragedy after tragedy with assault weapons, bitterly partisan Congress).

9. He never boasts that he has all the answers. Always, he solicits others’ perspectives.

10. He remembers where he came from—as a community organizer and activist in his home state of Illinois. He was not born with a silver spoon (i.e. Mitt Romney); he knows the value of hard work and paying your dues.

11. He is an uplifting, inspirational, gifted speaker—the kind of leader that soldiers would follow through the worst conflagration.

12. He’s not afraid to take an unpopular stand, even if it means he’ll lose votes. (i.e. his support of gay rights).

Singing and preachin' at pig roast

Been a while since I've blogged but must take note of a neat event I attended last Saturday (April 20) in the rolling hills a few miles outside of Greeneville, Tennessee.

It was the fourth annual pig roast sponsored by U-Turn For Christ (a restorative ministry for persons trying to conquer the demons of substance abuse).

Heard some good, uplifting gospel music and fine preaching. Also enjoyed a delicious meal of pork barbecue with all the trimmings (potato salad, baked beans, fresh corn, fruit, chocolate cookies, brownies, soft drinks.)

Turn up your sound and click here for a sampling of the music.

The photos are by yours truly. They capture some of the folks/scenes I saw at the pig roast that day.

Those two suave characters in sunglasses (one in an orange shirt, the other wearing a black jacket) are my brother Edward (who works at the ranch) and myself.

New pope gives pause for thought

Well, we have a new pope. The leader of one-billion plus Catholics is from Argentina and seems to be a humble, well-intentioned servant of God.

That said, he has 24-7 access to a helicopter, lives in a palace-like dwelling in the Vatican, has his own gourmet cook (I am sure) and dresses in long-flowing (expensive, regal) garments. I'd say his papal attire could not be purchased at J.C. Penney or Sears.

All this excessive religious royalty at the same time a Catholic school is being closed in downtown New York City (the very same school that helped shape one of our U.S. Supreme Court justices--Sonia Sotomayor). It's being shut down for lack of funding from the church.

Maybe sell the helicopter and fund the school.

As an aside (while I'm on spiritual topics), one of my favorite pastors, Mike Lowery of Impact Community Church in Rock Hill, had this to say last Sunday about what God's plan is for us. God, according to Lowery, wants us to:
1. Allow Him to love us.
2. Be part of His family.
3. "Become" (fulfill His specific plan).
4. Bless others and be a blessing to others
5. Bring others into His family.

That last purpose might be the most important one, Lowery said, because God is gathering a family that will love and live with him forever. Thus, His purpose in creating us was to move us into His family. But we have free will. It's our choice to accept him or not accept him.

Anyone, Lowery asserted in his sermon at Impact, who calls on the name of lord will be saved.

And remember: Only two things will last forever: truth (the Bible) and our souls. Lowery admonishes us to invest in people and the truth. Build genuine relationships--with God and with others. Nothing else matters, he says. And always remember: Do not look to the world for peace. Look to God.

Lowery also reminded us of what Jesus did with his time and energy on this earth. None of us is as perfect as the Son of Man, but we ought to take heed of his accomplishments. (All of the following, by the way, while not having a place to lay his head at night):

Jesus:
1. Planted a church
2. Equipped servant leaders
3. Assisted the poor. Ministered to them.
4. Cared for the sick. Preacher, teacher, healer.
5. Educated the next generation. "Don't turn the little children away from me."

Food for thought and nourishment (I hope) for the soul.

Legacy of slavery in Timbs clan

My ancestors owned slaves. And a plantation in South Carolina.

I’m not proud of this, but it’s a fact.

Recently, for example, I’ve come across the last will and testament of James G. Timms. (Yes, I know that today we spell my family’s last name “Timbs,” but in the late 1700s and early 1800s, our name was “Timms.”)

Seems that James Green Timms was an ancestor/predecessor/contemporary of my father’s great-great granddad, Amos Timms (born in 1816) of Chester County, S.C.

James Green Timms lived in Chester County, S.C. (then known in court records as the “District of Chester.”

His last will and testament was probated on Jan. 29, 1824. The document apparently can be found in courthouse records in Chester County, S.C. recorded in Book I, Page 86, Apartment No. 67, Package 1040.

Here’ are a few tidbits of interest—quoted verbatim from James G. Timms’ will:

•“I give to my Mother Patsy Timms one Tract or Parcel of Land Containing forty acres more or less Joining my brother Amos Timms land & also one negro Girl named Jane and one Sorrell Mare, one bay mule & five head of Cattle during her life and and at her death I give the Said Land, Girl, Mare & mule & Cattle to my Sister Hannah Timms.”

•“I give to my Sister Hannah Timms One negro Girl named Annis.”

Amos Timms’ will was probated in “the State of South Carolina and the District of Chester” on Nov. 21, 1831. Items of interest from this document—Recorded in Book K Page 203-204, Apartment No 67:

•“It is my will that my Bay Horse (Buck) and my Sorrell Mare (June) and my Cattle be Sold by my Executors & my Stock of Hogs to be Kept for the use of the family—and after Enough of my Present Crop is Reserved for the use of the family the remainder be Sold.”

•“I will and bequeath unto my Belovid Sister Johannah Timms My Plantation or tract of land whereon I now Live Containing one hundred & twelve acres more or less to her and the hers of her Body and if She Should die without any Children Then My Will is that the aforesaid Tract of Land be equally Divided between my Two nephews Thomas Tims Roden and Benjamin J L Powal and farther I will that my Three Negroes Dan Joe & Hannah be Sold at Public Sale and after paying my debts out of the Sale of my Horses & Crop & Catle and Negroes Whatever mony money that may Remain on hands in any maner Whatsoever is to be equally-divided between my Sister Johanna Tims & Thomas T Roden and Benjamen J. L. Powal Equaly.”

Joseph Timms’ first will was probated (again in the “District of Chester” in South Carolina) in September 18?? (cannot make out year)—recorded in Book B, Page 212, Apartment No. 66, Package No. 1039. Items of interest:

•“I give to my son Amos timms one negro man Named Jessee. I give to my Son John tims one Negro Man Named Nathaniel. I give to my Son Joseph Tims one Negro man Named Jeremiah. I give to My Daughter Sarah Estes one negro woman Named Hanah. I give to my Daughter Mary Carter one negro girl Named Dinah. . . I give to my Daughter francis Boyd one negro girl Named Lucey. I Give to my Daughter Elizabeth tims one Negro boy Named Ned & one Negro Girl Named Jude.”

And then, curiously, we have Joseph Timms’ second will (State of South Carolina, Chester District) probated November 1844. (Recorded Book A1 Page 32, Apt. 89, Pkg. 1417):

•“I give and bequeath unto my son Vincent Brown Tims . . . one Negro wimin named Mary and apoart of my adjoining Mrs. Robertson Lands.

•“I give and bequeat nto my beloved wife Winifred Tims a Negro Girl named Lucy and one boy named Ned and a Tract containing fifty and one half acres more or less known by name of the Peetree Tract and Eight..”

Note: Thanks to Lucille Brown of Johnson County, Tenn., for mailing me a copy of these documents this week. Lucille, my second cousin, is the resident historian of the Timbs family.

Manuscript complete

A writer friend, Michael Manual of Hampton, Tenn., and I have accomplished a milestone. A big one.

We have just completed a rewrite of a 1981 self-published book "Tragedy at Old Fish Springs." The book was written by my father, the late Lawrence C. Timbs.

Actually, to be more accurate, Michael and I have completed a rewrite of a rewrite of a rewrite of Dad's book.

That's right: we've rewritten Dad's book three times.

And we've re-titled our final version manuscript. It's called:
"Below the Surface: Secrets, Tragedies and Triumphs at Fish Springs, Tennessee."

Now comes a challenge: getting our manuscript accepted by a regional or national publisher.

Dad always said anybody can write a book, but it takes a genius to get one published.

Guess we'll find out.

But for now--exhilaration at getting a long, tough writing assignment completed. Michael and I put everything we had into this venture--all our heart, soul, guts, mental acumen, imagination, writing skills, patience, endurance, intestinal fortitude, determination, research (and whatever else it takes to create a novel).

Thanks, Michael, for putting up with me and for being my partner in this project.

Now we wait--for acceptance from a publisher.

Sermon on self identity

For a long time now, I've been wondering why I am here and what I'm supposed to be about.

Curious, to say the least, since I'm 64 years young.

But I know the end (death) is getting closer. Much closer to the end than I am the beginning of my life. (Please, God, just let me have a little more time so I can finish this novel I'm working on with my co-writer Michael Manuel of Hampton, Tenn.)

Not that I have a death wish.

Far from it.

I want to stay on this earth, living and breathing (sucking air, some folks would pejoratively put it) for many more years.

But, of course, we never know when the end will come, or when we will have sucked our last breath.

That being the case, we should waste no time in making good, smart choices, because, according to Pastor Mike Lowery of Impact Community Church in Rock Hill, S.C., the greatest gift God has bestowed upon us is the ability to make choices. Put another way, summarizing what Lowery preached this morning, what happens in our life is not nearly as vital as the choices we make. That's because our choices make us who we are. They define us. They shape our character.

Lowery cited how Moses (from the Old Testament) lived his life. Found as a newborn baby in a basket (floating on the Nile River) by Pharoah's daughter, Moses could have had all the riches in the world. After all, he grew up in Pharoah royalty--in the Egyptian supreme leader's palace. As Pharoah's grandson, Moses could have chosen a life of fortune and comfort, and one day he could have even been leader of Egypt.

Instead, Moses chose to lead his life as a Godly servant. As a Hebrew, he could see the enslavement, misery and drudgery of his people--for the past 400 years--in Egypt. He chose to be like them (his fellow Hebrews) and forsook his life of luxury to lead them out of bondage.

People of his era must have thought him insane. He could have easily followed the crowd in the palace (been defined by that crowd). But Moses chose to be mistreated, along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin (under Pharoah) for a short time. As Lowery put it, Moses chose spiritual pain over a ruined life (and ruined eternity) later.

"God never created a human being and doomed him to Hell," Lowery proclaimed. "And if we choose eternity separated from God, it's because we choose to do that."

Moses grew up in royalty but fast accepted spiritual responsibilty for his own life. He was not defined by others. He did not ride along with the crowd. He truly bucked the crowd, went against the grain, took the unpopular stance--whatever you want to call it. And it was tough, hard sailing,

challenging every fiber in his body. What he did was NOT comfortable or easy.

But that's the way it's supposed to be, Lowery said, because "God's more interested in your character and the development of your character than in your happiness or comfort."

Well put, Mike Lowery.

Goodbye in Her Eyes

The Zac Brown Band has a really cool song called "Goodbye in Your Eyes."

I keep playing and listening and can't seem to get enough of it.

Turn up your sound, click here and enjoy.