Happy Endings and Rose Colored Glasses ~ a tribute to Gary

I love Happy Endings.

If I'm going to read a book- it had better have a happy ending. If I'm going to watch a movie-- it, too- had better have a happy ending... if you find out I'm fixing to watch one without the desired ending PLEASE WARN ME! I just don't even like to contemplate life with anything other than happy endings.

When faced with real life situations (oftentimes dire and horrific) I will seek the silver lining and wrap myself in the little bit of comfort. Knowing full well that the majority of the problem is overwhelming and truly uncomfortable to contemplate- I cling to that little bright spot. So, call me Pollyana- it's better than Polyester (lol).

II Timothy 4:6,7 says: "For I am now ready to be offered, an the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

This week our pastor, Brother Gary, died. He has been battling leukemia for two years and had undergone the painful bone marrow transplant with his sister's donated marrow. He leaves behind his wife, two boys, two sisters, a brother, a church congregation and a host of friends. Almost literally- the whole town knew Bro. Gary. Many in our state knew him as well. Particularly, the folks "in need" knew Bro. Gary and that they could count on him to come through with whatever material goods they were short in that day. But, Bro. Gary came through with the spiritual goods (salvation and the message of Christ) to a great many more.

Our church's history is the stereotypical "pulled up from the bootstraps"... from the "wrong" side of the tracks... kind of people. Started as a tent-revival by some Ouachita students for locals living literally- on the other side of the railroad tracks from the larger 1st and 2nd Baptist churches- Third Street Baptist Church (TSBC) had very humble beginnings. By the time Gary was called to preach- the church was a cinder-block building with under fifty members. It's now one of the largest churches in our town and has had lots of impact on many folks from all walks of life including: a tape ministry that is delivered nation-wide; an AWANA scripture memorization program that is a family outreach in the community; an athletics organization; an after-school program; and hosts countless other civic and community efforts such as tax-prep and disaster relief.

Our church history is so inexplicably tied with Gary Turner's that it's often hard to separate one from the other. He served TSBC for 25 years. He served God a lot longer than that- because Bro. Gary felt and answered the call to preach as a teenager. Gary's legacy includes the Christmas Store- a charity run by volunteers with donated goods so that financially strapped individuals could shop "for free" for their families. That one single institution provided an awful lot of happy endings. Gary opened the doors of our very damaged church to the tornado victims of 1997 when a good quarter of our town was devastated and one nursing home was destroyed. The residents were moved to our church first- and then relocated from there. Meals and water were distributed from there as repairs were taking place literally overhead and a funeral service held for three of the six victims. Gary gave his participation and blessing to so many activities in our community.

Gary ministered to our family and friends through so many ways- he baptized me in 1984. He baptized Jess when he was but five years old- on an Easter Sunday. He recognized that Byron had the gift of Biblical languages and coached and proctored him through his New Testament Greek courses from Moody Bible Institute. He gave Byron his first opportunity to fill his pulpit and later appointed him to be the AWANA Commander. He married many of our friends. He buried many of our family and friends. He counseled many of our friends. He served on the local schoolboard and still took a great interest in a Christian School that we (and many of our friends) formed yet didn't take over the leadership position; but, rather provided space when we needed it and often spoke to our students.

He rejoiced when another soul professed Christ as their Savior. He sat with the families of the bereaved and the grieving and reminded them of a private conversation he had had with their family member and told them of that event. He always found just the right words to uplift people in the midst of troubled time; and prayed diligently for them. Gary's final message to us was recorded two days before his death.

"To the greatest church that God ever gave a preacher, Third Street Baptist Church:

There is no church in history that I know of, that would do what this church has done for me. And, I don't deserve it, but, I'm glad they're doing it. I know that Job Chapter five says that God will preserve our every way. If it's fiery darts of the battlefield or going out like this, to suffocate one breath at a time, that's irrelevant. How you go is not important, it's where you go. You don't have to be a Methodist, or a Baptist, or Presbyterian, or any other group to get to heaven. God showed you, you don't have to have the right color, you don't have to have the right amount of money, you just have to love Him.

And, I love you. And, God bless you. And stick to the Word of God. Don't fight. Don't air your dirty laundry. Don't fight. There's a better way."


Gary IS a Happy Ending. He's in Heaven with Our Lord- and that's as happy as it gets. No need to look for the rose colored glasses.

Praise God!