Remembering Jimmy Carter - His Life (and His Wife) Serving All People - Open Memoir

 

I think I've mentioned, probably more than once, that I've greatly cut back on watching the news since the election occurred, so I had not learned of the time of Jimmy Carter's Ceremony. But, I had pretimed The View and so, I got the chance to see most of it, since it was shown at 11 a.m. For me, I don't think I have ever experienced a funeral when I saw so much of the Joy of God being celebrated and I knew I wanted to commemorate it within my Memoir... 

And, of course, I began to select the music to be included as I fell asleep late last night. The first song that came to mind was Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory of The Coming of the Lord... While it's been attached to military activities, I always loved it for the emphasis it placed on the coming of the Lord...and the emphasis on TRUTH. I have become almost fanatic on the value of Truth since about 2015... Any book title I see that says truth or lies, I'll check it out... Indeed, especially since the lies have continued even after the January 6th Insurrection, which I will never forget... 

As I listened to the first two eulogies, my next song turned to I'll Fly Away, sung by two southerns, just as Jimmy. It has been one of my favorites since I first heard it played by my niece... When they talked about Jimmy saying he was anxious to be with the love of his life again, I thought this song fit so we could visualize his ascension where, many say, his wife will be waiting for him...

The first book I read by Carter was A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power... I began my commentary with these words:

I bought this book for one primary reason... To verify that the United States had at least one president who tried to serve our country to the best of his ability...and to continue a life of service for people around the World that he had grown to care about... (Continue reading my 2017 post).

After I finished that book, I chose one that I could continue reading over a long period... His book of Daily Meditations:

A Shocking Revelation  Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, even their own life — such a person cannot be my disciple.” LUKE 14:25 – 26 
I cannot “hate” my wife and four children, our twelve grandchildren, our six great-grandchildren, or the memory of my mother and father. So what can Jesus mean in this verse? In the original Greek, the word translated “hate” is miseo, which could mean “to love less,” or to put in a secondary position (Continue reading...).

I read and wrote about this book in 2018. As you might guess, I talked about the past president then in office... I learned much through Jimmy's meditations! You might want to check out both of these books about relevant issues for today... I added a song which I've always loved and felt appropriate since Jimmy followed Him for 100 Years helping those who needed God's love in human action...

I loved learning a new song through Jimmy's grandson! His words were so special showing deep love and respect... I also was impressed with Joe Biden's words. Learning that he was the first individual who recommended Jimmy Carter for the Presidency really says much, doesn't it? Biden's life took a different path, being able to stay in politics through the rest of his career... Most of all I was pleased to see that Biden revealed his usual humility, claiming Jimmy as his friend and mentor. Biden's service was different, but lasted almost as long... In fact, I think it was Biden's humility--in not bragging about his very real accomplishments, only history will record, did he not run again.

I did find a full video of the service that was not just "live" and I'm happy to include it for those who also missed the entire celebration.

I don't think I ever really listened to Garth song, Imagine, which was requested by Carter to be sung... Somehow, knowing this, made me really listen to the words! I wonder whether the world will ever be as one... probably not in my lifetime, sadly--but hopefully for the future!

In closing I want to share a memorable picture of a man of God

Jimmy Carter... still working, building hourses, for others at age 95.

Can you hear him humming as he worked?

...everything day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before...

God Bless Us One and All