Where do I go from here?

     I had been active in Park View, Club Boulevard, Brogden Junior High, and Northgate
Park from the inception until my car accident in New York. I went to Club and Brogden
the first year each was opened and had attended Park View since it started in Barfield
Community Center. After my recovery period, I moved to Bailiff with a friend and dropped
out of church. One Sunday, I decided to visit my grandmother's church in East Durham,
saw a cute blond up in the choir, and was received so warmly that I made the 18 mile trip
every Sunday and Wednesday for services.

      I joined the church, married the cute blond from the choir, and worked with the youth
fellowship. We had moved to Garrett Road in 1972 but continued driving to my new church.
Over the years I became deacon, taught youth Sunday School, helped the youth in a puppet
ministry, coached a girl's and a boy's softball and basketball teams, and even spoke at church
about once a quarter.

      We started a gospel group and Rose was our manager. The three guys were taking
instument lessons once a week and performing on weekends; the pianist was the only one who
could sing or actually play. We called it Noise for the Lord. Rose usually booked us into rest
homes. We would then wheel the residents in, lock down their chairs, close the door, and then
we could play to a captive audience until they begged us to let them out.

      I even held a week long revival at one rest home and was truly blessed by that experience.
Of course, I was hurt that our quartet wasn't asked to sing, but my cousin came and played the
piano each night.

       Rose and I were respected church leaders and took the neighborhood children skating once
 a month. Our VBS was attended by 75-100 including our teacher/helper one to five ratio
(lots of help). But in 1995 the church decided to close the doors. We sold our church, social hall
annex, and parsonage and distributed the money to the conference WHFMS and to our
denomination Camp Dixie in Fayetteville.

     We had done the right thing; our church of 30 soon blossomed to over 150 and a child
care facility was opened by the new church body. We did not owe anything on our property
but we knew that the Lord's money and facility could be used better by local residents. Rose
and I carted my grandmother to our denomination church in Clayton and then went to Lowe's
Grove Baptist but she became older and we stopped taking her. She had told us that when she
was just sleeping through the service we would know that "she had been to church enough".

      After years of wandering and wondering we knew we had to get back into church. We
decided to go to my home church in 2008. We were so welcomed we finally made the
commitment to join Park View November 27, 2010.

     I see the many changes that have occured over the past 40 years, but I also recognize the
same commitment in the neighborhood to Northgate Park. I see the changes in the park area,
but I see the same familiar points that still stand as the city's premier location and neighborhood.
My story does not end here, but let's let the ones who were present while I was gone tell us the
story of these past 40 years.

The Bride's Program

    Over my life time at Park View Baptist Church, I have seen how theLord uses different church programs

to reach different age groups of children and helps mold them into the active Christians needed in His bride,

the Church. These four programs are Sunbeams, Sunday School, RA's (Royal Ambassadors). and GA's

(Girls' Auxiliary) and BTU. I identify these programs 2 ways: 1) by the part played in the wedding party and

2) by the people Park View has entrusted this job to.

       Consider my analogies. Sunbeams first introduce the love, trust, obedience, and joy of receiving God's

Word. Flower girls and ring bearers remind us that a wedding is about to start and attention is demanded.

Mrs. Lineberger taught us in Sunbeams at her house during Sunday morning service. We sang about being a

Sunbeam for Jesus and she told us Bible stories about how to be a Sunbeam to other children.

     Sunday school was the anenue we learned about Christian duty. We learned to give our money and our

time to grow to be Christians. Therefore Thelma Thomas was my Junior teacher,the time when all kids are

beginning to be independent from their parents' discipline. At this time in a pre-teen life, they need to know

they should stand for something and must develop their own personalities. Mrs. Thomas was always

available to listen to us and without prejudice or condescension help us to see through our adolescent

changes and questions. So, in this way, ushers and bridesmaids show order and organization demanded for

the Christian walk or marriage.

       RA's and GA's always showed pre-teens how to apply what was learned in Sunday School.It is just like

math word problems; if the student does not know how to apply the arithmetic tables memorized in school, it

was a waste of his time. Jack Palmer was the epitome of the RA leader. He always helped us guys to know

that personal involvement was essential to the Christian's growth. It is not always enough to learn about

Jesus; a youth must step up and do something to show his commitment to being like Him. Like the best man,

RA's stands in and stand up for the groom.

       BTU, however, is the culmination of youth training. Teenagers need someone to challenge them to take

the next step in discipleship. Noah and Jane Brown were exactly what was needed at Park View. Every

Sunday evening for an hour before church, the teenagers got together to put into practice what we were

learning in Sunday School. Mr Brown with the boys and Mrs. Brown with the girls made a formidable team

that taught us all concern for each other, politeness in all situations, and the Christian response to any

question.

       Sunbeams announce the wedding and the associated joy. Sunday School introduces what will be

expected of the wedding party like the ring bearer and flower girl. The ushers and bridesmaids attend to the

needs of the wedding party and the best man shows the way by his model of standing up for the joining of the

bride and groom.

Fifth Grade Dilemma

      In 1955, schools were a little different than they are now. The students in schools in 2010 have a much

better scholastic opportunity now. The teachers were not in government's gun sites then as they are now. If I

did a punishable act, I was punished, and if I complained about it, my parents were informed and I got

another punishment at home. Teachers were feared but totally respected. I remember my fifth grade teacher

counseling the entire class of boys at one time one day.

     "Girls, during the first few minutes of recess today, I need for you to go play together right outside the

classroom where I can see you from my class windows. I will be able to see you from here; so, do not stray

from in front of my windows. Thank you. Class dismissed. You girls are excused." Mrs. McDermott, fifth

grade teacher at Club Boulevard Elementary School, smiled and ushered the girls out the door,down the hall,

and out onto the playground.

       When she walked into the classroom, she softly closed the door, turned to us boys, took off her horn

rimmed glasses, and stared ahead---apparently in thought. We wanted to giggle because we had never seen

her at such a loss for words. She lowered her head, put her glasses back on, and continued to stare at the

floor.

      After a moment, she looked up and her eyes were just like the picture of Jesus in my living room at

home. Without moving her eyes she seemed to follow my every look and I am sure all of us felt the same as

she said, "I am so hurt and disappointd this week. I heard something earlier this week and I could not believe

my ears. So, I have paid special attention this week and have had the hall monitors check for me this week.

      "You ten year old boys have a lot of responsibility. You have all been blessed with loving parents living

around the NorthgatePark neighborhood where safety, security, and education are freely available to you.

Your fathers all work hard all week to buy you the clothes, food, toys, and bikes you need. You all have

loving mothers who meet you at home every day after school, provide snacks, and give you a worry-free

place to play and study."

       "None of your parents mistreat you or make you do without. If so, I would know it. You all probably

have chores to do, but if you don't do them, your parents do them for you. Everything is as it should be for

ten year old kids!"

       "Why do you feel like you have to say bad words and curse? Do you not realize that every tme you say

a bad work you are telling me that you don't respect me? Every time you curse you are telling your parents

that you don't trust them! Every time you do that you are even spitting in the face of God!!He did not intend

for this world to have children who would not honor their parents!  He forgives you every time you say an

ugly word, but it still hurts Him deeply!"

        "You have a responsibility to me, your parents, and God. I will not bring this up again. I leave it up to

you. The next time I tell anyone it will be when you go to Principal Ridenhour's office and he calls your

parents. Think about respect for yourself and for all of us; there is no reason for fear--just respect. Go on out

to recess now and come back prepared to study and learn. Class dismissed."

       I still think about "Mrs. McDevil" a lot when I am confronted with a choice. Do I mouth off or do I

respond maturely? Her lesson made a lasting impression on all of us that day because no one wanted to hurt

her or their parents.We just thought cussing was cool and mature.

        Then I look at what kids today face in schools.  Teachers with no parental support, threatening laws

and regulations, forced curriculum, and mutual co-worker distrust. We have police roaming the halls and

grounds, birth control pill giveaway programs, no punishment, bullying, smoking and drug usage, knives and

guns in book bags, and daily fights to keep tension high and learning expectations low.

         Once again each of us has a choice to make, Do we just let things go on the way they are, or do we

seek respect for our teachers, administrators, and even our own children?  I know what Mrs. McDevitt

would do. She would take off her glasses,lower her head, weep, and then talk to the problem.    

Friendship at Northgate

      Growing up as a teeenager would be unbearable without a close friend. We all need someone who cares

for the things we care about. We need to talk to the friend about choices he has made, chances he has taken

and share concerns and experiences. No one needs that more than a teenager. Growing up I had a lot of

friends like that but one special friend at the Bird Park stands out to me.  I went to Danny's house many

Saturday morning and had waffles and syrup with him and his family.
     
       Danny Goodwin and I shared bicycling, creek fishing, and sports experiences, but the one experience

that proved him to be my best friend happened at one of our afternoon football games at Barfield Youth

Center. About twelve of us junior high teens would meet each weekday to show our competitive natures. 

We threw long passes, ran hard, hit each other harder, and yelled at each other for errors.Crawford Jobe

and Ricky Maisto generally got into fist fights every week or two due to their competitiveness.

      This week, however, was my turn.  For some reason I don't remember Ricky and I got into a shoving

match.  Tempers flared but everyone calmed us down so we could continue playing. As the sun came down

and signaled the end of the game, Ricky got upset with me yet again and challenged me. I had already

forgotten whatever the original argument was about and did not want to fight. I may have been afraid or

simply was not motivated to respond. At any rate, Ricky continued shouting insults and most of the other

guys now egged me on. I still did not want to fight, but my options were being quickly eliminated.

      Then, out of nowhere, Danny stepped in beside me and began speaking loudly but slowly, "Mike is not

afraid of any of you guys; he simply chooses not to fight his best friend and hurt one another." I then looked

at Danny as the group just disbursed and started home, including Ricky.

      From that day, Danny became my best friend. He did not like the accusations thrown at me, but he did

not see the point in a fight;so, he stood up for me.That is the kind of friend we all need and the kind that the

Bird Park espoused. Everyone knew about each other and forgave any bad traits. I could never have made it

through school without my Bird Park influences.

Bird Sanctuary Notoriety

      The school bell rang and after saying goodbye to my fourth grade teacher and classmates, I rushed outof Club Boulevard School and headed home two blocks away. I came to the crosswalk and jumped in place until the six grade safety patrol cleared me to cross Glendale Avenue. It only occurs to me now how fortunate I was to be able to walk back and forth home with only classmates needed for safety patrols.
      It was spring and the trees along Club Boulevard were budding out and fresh grass lined the yard at the first house.  I carefully stayed within the lines of the sidewalk in order to keep my grandmother's back from breaking while I rushed toward home. Up ahead the bushes and stone stanchions marked the entrance to the bird sanctuary. I hesitated and walked around the budding bushes looking for any scampering squirrels and fluttering sparrows and robins. After I completed the circle around and confirmed there were no intruders, I rushed on my way home, because I knew Mom would be concerned if I were late.
      I hurried to the intersection with Acadia Street, where I lived, and turned left. Trying to be extra careful not to fall into Ellerbe Creek, I sat down on the concrete tunnel taking Ellerbe Creek under Club Boulevard and took off my shoes. I slid my legs through the steel protection rail and imagined the giant minnows, crayfish, adn snakes cutting and swimming below in the creek. As I sat planning my afternoon activities, a touch came to my shoulder, "I am Jim Sharpe, a staff photographer for the Herald and I have been watching you enjoy spring in the bird sanctuary for the past few minutes. Could I get you to let me go back through and photograph your steps so far?"  It only occurs to me now that children and parents would not accept this kind of perceived possible molestation now a days, but no fear existed back then.
       I jumped up and quickly agreed. We retracd and took pictures of the steps I had taken getting to the creek tunnel. I wqs so excited that I forgot all about Mom waiting for me. I suggested to the photographer that I wade in the creeek for pictures also. After that I approached the small tributary that used to run dow to the creek through the open grass area where we played ball. I went into the tqall bush overgrowth adn he came in to photgraph Fort Playground.
       Suddenly it occurred to both of us that I was late getting home. We sat down at the concrete picnic table and I took off my shoes again. I lived directly across the streetfrom this area so we walked down the gravel driveway that has now been eliminated so neighbors can be safe from the wrong crowds visiting. We walked up to the door and knockd with my shoes andsocks in hand. My mother opened the door, took one look at me, and put her hands on her hips and glared at me without saying one word.
      Mr. Sharpe snapped the picture and Mom realized the whole expeience was staged. Mr. Sharpe rushed up taking full responsibility for my being late home (thank goodness) and told her he would use the photos in a Sunday morning "Spring Issue".  The very next Sunday my pictures covered the front page of the family section and I was a forgiven hero. Everyone loved the attention I got--except my older brother--who could not understand why I was chosen over him. Though he was 12 years older than I, he still played in the creek most days.
     This is the type of community, neighborhood, and security the bird sanctuary area afforded everyone back tehn. Don't we all long for those old days of safety and security?

BTU (Baptist Training Union)

       The start and finish lines were drawn using chalk and the two runners poised at the line in the four point

stance to run.  I called out to them: "Runners to your mark, Now set, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", and

off they streaked. The cheering kids lined Acadia Street for the hundred (or so) yard dash challenge.

       Often junior and high schoolers try to set themselves goals and use their God-given talents to prove

themselvs to their peers.  Grady Harris and Steve Griffin were the oldest youth in our BTU; Tommy and

Johnny Duncan were the oldest teen SS members, but they did not come to BTU regularly.

       All teenagers put themselves out there sometimes and Grady's pride had set him up.  There was a new

guy visiting our BTU that evening and Grady felt somewhat snubbed by his junior class members as the new

guy commanded so much attention from us all. Th new guys was much too old for our youth BTU but he was

visiting to see how BTU worked since he had been coming to Sunday School regularly the past few months.

       Grady's jealousy crept in when the new guy mentioned that he had run long distance track when he went

to Wake Forest.  Grady, who was by far our speediest runner, immediately challenged the new guy to a

hundred yard dash down Acadia Street to see just how his short distance running might compare. We often

think that jealousy, pride, and human nature are strictly sinful, but the Lord can use even our pride to draw us

closer to His plan for us.

       The runners pumped and pumped, hair flowing behind them in the summer evening wind, the boys and

girls of BTU cheered on their favorite, and the churchmembers began to arrive as Grady's running reputtion

fell to the new guy, Rev. Bright E. White.

        As a result of this simple, little race challenge, Brightie White became the teenagers' favorite preacher.

We trusted him to tell us the truth, back it up, and lead us to a fuller knowledge of our Lord.  He never let us

down over the next 8 years while we all continued attending Park View (which was the most difficult time in

a teen's life), and all the blessing was a direct result of jealousy, pride, and human nature at its worst.  Turn

your tough times and faults over to Him today for the same results in your life.

Dance Queen

      Nell and Junior Brown have two sons that will always be the apples of their eyes, but before they  had

their own children, Nell was a fill-in mom and dear friend to Ricky Maisto who lived across the street.  Ricky

and Nell used to swap tales and have snacks on her front porch steps and Ricky trusted and loved her

almost as much as he did his own mother, Alice.

       One day Nell and Ricky were discussing an upcoming dance at Club Boulevard School. In the fifth

grade, students could sign up for dancing lessons from Clem Satterfield Studios on Main Strert in Durham

and Ricky had enrolled (after all, Friday afternoons, Barfield Youth Center opened for all elementary/junior

high mover and shaker dancers from 4:00 til 6:00 and Ricky was the definitive woman's man).

       As the dance date drew nearer and nearer, Ricky had shared his options with Nell and looked for her to

sort this out for him and give him recommmendations.  Ricky finally chose not to go because they could not

decide on a suitable partner.A few days later, Alice Maisto stopped by to tell Nell that Ricky had made his

selection and that Nell was the one he wanted to take to the School dance. Nell replied to Alice that this was

the sweetest thing she had ever heard, but...she still broke Ricky's heart by not accompanying him.
      
      This story reminded me of a call we all expect to get. Nor matter how good or bad we may be, we

expect to hear our savior's accepting call. It will truly be fabulous to hear, "Well done, thy good and faithful

servant. Enter in to the kindgom prepared for you.", but let's face it, some are going to have their hearts

broken when He says, "Depart from Me; I never knew you."  We had all best be preparing against that

happening to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He makes it so simple for each of us, but He will not make our personal

decision for us! Decide this day Whom you will follow.