Monday, July 27, 2015
howeenterprise.com
Your best by Chris Campbell In the 19th chapter of Matthew a wealthy man came to Jesus under the guise of getting clarifications on some rules. But he wanted something; specifically…he wanted to go to Heaven!
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John Edwin “Johnny” Tilley 1950-2015
John Edwin “Johnny” Tilley, 65, of Howe, Texas died peacefully Tuesday, July 21, 2015 surrounded by his family at Texoma Medical He’s often identified as the “Rich Before my sons were in school Center in Denison, Texas. A there was rarely a meal with them Young Man” or the “Rich Young memorial service was held 4:00 where a simple, two-word question Ruler”…and many a sermon has pm, Friday, July 24 at First Baptist was not asked. Robin and I came to been preached, using this ‘poor’ guy Church in Tom Bean, Texas which as an example, on the dangers of expect it…and would even find wealth. But before Jesus makes that was followed by a potluck supper. ourselves disappointed if the mealtime conflict never transpired. point I realize how much this young Family visitation were held a immediately preceding the service man and I have in common. The routine was pretty much the at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, same. They would mow through The young man’s question was: donations can be made to First any meat and starch on their plate “What good thing must I do to Baptist Church of Tom Bean Food leaving a lonely fruit or vegetable inherit eternal life?” But his real Pantry, PO Box 679, Tom Bean, question is, “What is the least I have staring back at them. games, and cracking jokes. TX 75489 where Johnny was a to do to make the cut? Tell me how Generous to a fault, he quietly volunteer. to pass the class. I don’t want an “Jacob, eat your corn! Noah, eat shared all he had and loved your green beans! Elijah, eat your “A,” I don’t want a “B”…heck, I don’t even really NEED a “C”! I just Tilley was born April 19, 1950 in spoiling his children and broccoli!” grandchildren. need to PASS. Bowie, Texas to John Franklin Their bewildered, tortured Tilley and Patsy Ruth Tilley. He Jesus, patiently, tells him to keep the expression was accompanied by was a 1969 graduate of Blue Ridge Johnny is survived by his wife, commandments…to which the rich the same question: “How much?” Debra; his children, John Michael High School. He married Debra man asks, “Which ones?” I mean, Jean Ruffin on August 30, 1975 in Tilley and Kimberly L. Tilley; his Often times, my answer was “All surely Jesus didn’t mean ALL of Howe, and they were preparing to grandchildren, John Reagan Tilley, of it!”…which would elicit a Luke them, did He? Would 70% of them James M. Tilley, Henry B. Tilley celebrate their 40th anniversary Skywalkeresque exclamation (upon be enough? Would He settle for and Julia K. Tilley; brother, Jerry with a long-anticipated Alaskan 60%? learning Darth Vader was his R. Tilley; many nieces and cruise. A physical man, Johnny father): “NOOOOOOO!” You would think I had just asked them In two words, Jesus…..”HOW nephews; and a host of loving loved to work with his hands, MUCH?” to give away their Legos! relatives and friends. His son building, fixing, tinkering. He enjoyed collecting rare coins and Jeremy W. Tilley precedes him in God gave His very best for me – He I suppose I conditioned them to death. bills, playing dominoes and card that response. As toddlers we were gave His son. His one and only son. He emptied Heaven – left it vacant practically begging them to eat and bankrupt in an effort to express healthy, and in an effort to get His love for me. But instead of them to eat SOMETHING, we straining to give God my all – my allowed them to negotiate. And very best – I find myself negotiating years later the negotiations with the Creator in order to do the continued. Sometimes Dad was absolute minimum. When we ask strong – other times, Dad craved God, “How much?” His reply will peace and quiet…and gave in. always be the same. “All of it.” Before you make fun of me, ridicule me, or instruct me in the fine art of dinner table parenting, Give your very best today…and tomorrow…and the next day… allow me to make a correlation.
