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Page 8
Meditations
BANNER-NEWS OBITUARIES
James William (Bill) Boiter A loving husband and father of two, grandfather of 5 and great-grandfather of 3, James William (Bill) Boiter passed away on August 11, 2019 at the age of 86. Bill was born on July 15, 1933 in Laurens County, South Carolina to Winston Talmedge and Janie Lou (Ridgeway) Boiter. A proud 1956 graduate of Clemson (A&T College) University as an Industrial Engineer, Bill spent his career as an engineer, executive and then teacher in various positions of the textile industry, including president of United Spinners, Inc., in Lowell, NC. On June 12, 1954, he married his
childhood sweetheart, Joyce Elaine McLemore, and they spent the next 53 years together, before her passing in 2007. Bill had a passion for life, his family and for teaching. After leaving a successful career as a management consultant and textile executive, Bill spent 10 years teaching textile management at Gaston College in Belmont, and around the state. He also taught bible school for many years at First Baptist Church of Cramerton, and then taught weekly bible studies at Mayworth Apartments and also Carillon Assisted Living before becoming a resident there. His last residence was Terrace Ridge in Gastonia. He was a member of the Belmont Lion’s Club, and served as Deacon and officer at First Baptist Church for many years. He was known for his quick wit, his loving and infectious personality, and his kind and compassionate spirit to everyone, as well as for a good story or two about almost anything - especially Clemson Football, his time as a student there, and life growing up in a small town in the south. Bill was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and
Thursday, August 15, 2019
his loving wife, Joyce. He is survived by his two children, Jacqueline B. Sloan (Jacque) and James William Boiter, Jr. (Jamey), his daughter-inlaw, Katherine M. Boiter, his five grandchildren: Elaine L. Sloan (Laney) and husband, David G. Pruett, III; John W. Sloan (Bill) and wife, Jocelyn K. Sloan; Carol B. Andrews and husband, Wilson M. Andrews, Daniel J. Boiter, Nathaniel J. Boiter (Nathan), 3 great-grandchildren: Madeline N. Sloan (Maddie), Emma O. Sloan, and Lindsay E. Pruett, numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many friends in the community. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Carillon Assisted Living of Cramerton and of Terrace Ridge Assisted Living of Gastonia for their loving care of “Mr. Clemson”. A visitation was held at McLean’s Funeral Home in Belmont, NC on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The funeral service was held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Cramerton with a Dr. David Julen officiating. A graveside service followed at Evergreen “A Quiet Place”.
Afflicted but not crushed “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Genesis 6:11 NASB. Has this become our new normal? We go to bed mourning the senseless loss of lives from a mass shooting. We awaken to another tragic mass shooting. As clergy, we teach the children in our congregation to sing, “Jesus loves all the little children of the world.” And our adults sing peace in the valley. We cry out “peace, peace,” but many do not feel peace and security. We teach Christians are a people of reconciliation. We are reconciled to God and one another. Jesus has torn down the dividing wall of hostility. Meanwhile, we live in a world that is still divided, hostile, broken, and crying out in pain. While singing Jesus loves all the children of the world, we still see children tragically killed and hate among races. I am thankful for our first responders who are skillfully trained and always on call to respond. We continue to keep them in our prayers as we do the families who are suffering and mourning. It is our first responders who run into the midst of tragedy. And it is the clergy and local churches the people look to for a word of hope. What will we share when our hearts are heavy, and we too are searching for answers? How can we lead when words seem empty in light of the deep wounds of the heart? It is these moments we seek God’s inspired word. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27 NASB. The peace that Jesus speaks of giving is not the cessation of world enemies and
hostility. It is the peace of being reconciled to God and one another. Jesus speaks these words, knowing he is about to be brutality Rev. Angela Pleasants crucified. He teaches District his disciples you too Superintendent will go through hos- of Catawba Valley tility. The passage is Methodist Churches a reminder our peace and hope are not grounded in our circumstances but God. As Christians, we know this peace. And we extend this peace, love, and care to others, especially during times of great tragedy. We are not troubled, nor do we fear. We know our heart continually grows in God’s grace. We can be strong for others and allow them to lean upon us. We are not fearful because God’s perfect love drives out fear. Yes, we will encounter tragedy, and it will turn our world upside down. When this happens, it reminds us that something is wrong in our world. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But we find hope in that Jesus came that we might have life in abundance. When we experience the atrocious acts of violence, we also see great demonstrations of love. Be the love that others need to see during this time and always. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” II Corinthians 4:8-10 NASB.
Don’t Give Up! Rev. Trent Rankin Salvation Church, Gastonia, NC salvationchurchnc.org pastortrent@salvationchurchnc.org
Are you the type of person who will never take no for an answer? You will do whatever you must, pay whatever costs, in order to accomplish what you have set out to do. For most of us, we face many things in our lives, whether it is a medical condition, financial problems, or trouble at home. Each of us face things that we need God to intervene in. In our relationship with God, it takes faith, trust, and persistence as God works in our life. We can never give up on God. Luke 18:1-8 records the Parable of the Persistent Widow. In this parable, Jesus speaks of a woman who was a widow. Not only had she lost her husband, she also had an adversary further making her life more miserable. This woman approached the local judge, so that he could intervene, and avenge her of her adversary. The judge neither feared God, nor cared for the woman, or anyone else. He would not help her. However, she kept coming back. Over and over again she returned, seeking help from the unjust judge. Finally, he helped her. He did not do it for God, or for her, he did it because her persistence was driving him crazy! If the unjust judge did this, think how much more God will do for His people, whom He loves. As we think of all of the things we face
each day in our lives, it is important to remember that God cares for us. We should never be afraid to go to God with our needs. I am sure the widow was Rev. Trent Tankin timid, as she approached the judge knowing his reputation. However, we should boldly go before God, seeking His hand in our life. Ask God to give you wisdom, ask Him for His healing touch. Ask Him for peace in your family. Unlike the judge, you will not annoy God. You are not insignificant to Him. God loves you. You are His child. Of all of creation, people are the only ones created in His divine image. God takes pleasure in meeting our needs. That does not mean that God is our personal genie, or Santa Claus. God is not waiting to rain money upon us, or give us the latest car. Like a parent loves and cares for their child, God cares for His children, you and me. When we seek Him, calling upon His name, He will answer. We need persistent faith. Call on God every day. When God’s time is right, in His will, He will answer. Jesus tells us in Luke 11:9, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (NKJV). Call upon God today. Seek Him, ad He will be found. Have faith in God today, and never give up, because God has never given up on you.
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