Participants:
Series Code: CW
Program Code: CW000056S
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00:00 (gentle music)
00:03 - Welcome, everyone. 00:05 We're excited to share some country wisdom with you. 00:07 - King Solomon had a thing or two to say 00:09 about the path to wisdom. 00:11 In "Proverbs 4", he wrote, 00:13 "Let your eyes look directly forward 00:16 and your gaze be straight before you. 00:19 Keep straight, the path of your feet 00:21 and all your ways will be sure." 00:23 - Join us, now, for "Country Wisdom". 00:25 (gentle music) 00:31 (dramatic music) 00:45 Everyone, we've an exciting program for you, today. 00:48 Don't we, Janice? 00:49 - I think so. 00:50 - Yeah. 00:51 - I'm excited (laughs). 00:52 - And I'm going to introduce you to someone in a moment, 00:54 but I wanna read you some scripture 00:55 from "Isaiah Chapter 40", 00:57 beginning in verse 29, 00:59 "He giveth power to the faint; 01:00 and to them that have no might, 01:03 he increaseth their strength, 01:05 but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; 01:07 they shall mount up with wings as eagles 01:10 and shall run and not be wary 01:12 and shall walk and not be faint." 01:15 You'll see, why that scripture, shortly. 01:18 Dr. Garver, it's good to have you with us, today. 01:20 Thank you for being here. 01:21 - It's good to be here. 01:22 Thank you so much. 01:23 - Tell me, you, well, I'm gonna get right to it. 01:26 You were a conscientious objector in Vietnam. 01:28 Now, in, kind of, when I grew up, 01:31 we're getting pretty close to the same age, here, I think. 01:34 When I grew up, 01:35 conscientious objector had a terrible, 01:38 just, nobody wanted to be around that person. 01:41 But things have changed 01:42 and we'll talk about that pretty soon. 01:44 But tell us about your story, if you would. 01:46 (dramatic music) 01:47 - Well, my dad was in "World War II", 01:49 drafted and he was a conscientious objector. 01:52 So, I grew up, hearing nothing about his stories 01:57 of the action that he was a part of, 02:00 but, certainly, about the reason he went in 02:04 and was willing to serve without bearing arms. 02:07 (Dr. Garver clears throat) 02:08 And that intrigued me. 02:10 I didn't even want to see animals run over in the road. 02:13 I didn't want anything to get hurt. 02:15 So, being able to go into a place 02:18 where people were killing each other 02:19 and me, not have to do that, 02:21 was very appealing to me, 02:23 regardless, of any other belief system at all. 02:27 With his background and my, growing up in that environment, 02:33 I'm not sure, 02:35 I, really, thought that much about it, intentionally. 02:37 When I turned 18, 02:39 I went down to the courthouse, I registered, 02:41 I filled out the papers for conscientious objector. 02:43 I just thought that's what we did. 02:45 (dramatic music) 02:47 And come to find out that just wasn't what everybody did. 02:51 (Dr. Garver laughs) (Jim laughs) 02:53 And I learned that there was a whole lot more to it, 02:55 than just getting a title of conscientious objector. 03:00 I was a lot more involved in that as I would find out, then. 03:03 - Well, unpack that for us a little bit, if you would. 03:05 - Why would someone make that choice, 03:08 first of all, to be willing to join the military 03:11 without being your standard soldier? 03:14 It seems like, that's a dichotomy there. 03:18 - Well, the neat thing for me and my dad, both, I know, 03:25 was that we realized very early on, 03:28 thanks to him, I did, 03:30 that there was a way 03:32 to serve in the military and save lives, 03:35 rather than to take lives. 03:37 And it seemed like just about all the kids, 03:41 who were conscientious objector 03:42 that got drafted and went, 03:43 which all of us did in Vietnam, there, 03:46 very few of us ran off to Canada, 03:49 people ran to Canada for other reasons, 03:51 but I'm not sure, very many of them ran off, 03:53 because they didn't want to carry a weapon. 03:56 - So, you loved your country and you wanted to serve her? 03:58 - That was the bottom-line. 04:00 Loved the country, 04:01 what I could do to help perpetuate the freedom 04:04 that we enjoyed, that I enjoyed, 04:06 was, certainly, worth serving two years 04:10 in whatever capacity possible. 04:12 Now, back then, I realized there were other ways to serve 04:15 by the time, I got drafted as a conscientious objector, 04:21 clerks and cooks and those kind of things. 04:26 But pretty much, the medic route, 04:28 was the way, they all started out. 04:30 And what more witness could I have had 04:34 than to going to battle, 04:36 knowing that if I was involved in any way, 04:39 I'd be saving lives, our troops, or the enemies 04:43 and not having to worry about trying to protect my own life. 04:49 And that became a very powerful tool 04:54 to unite me to the guys I took care of 04:57 and we'd go out on patrol with, 04:59 which I was shocked, 05:01 because I thought they would hate me, like Doss, 05:05 but they embraced me. 05:07 In fact, I'll never forget one big, old sergeant, 05:09 he said, "Medic, stay close to me. 05:15 You take care of me, I'll take care of you." 05:17 And we had a pact. 05:18 I mean, so, those kind of things united us 05:23 and I think, our good friend, Desmond, 05:27 paved the way for a lot of us 05:29 to have a lot less controversy and hassle. 05:33 And in fact, in basic, 05:35 they couldn't treat us like they treated Desmond. 05:38 They couldn't even treat us like the regular basic trainees, 05:42 just down the road at Fort Pike, Louisiana. 05:46 We had some, it was, really, kind of, neat. 05:49 Some of our guys didn't know, they were in the army, almost. 05:51 I mean, they did, but it was different. 05:55 - And I'm curious with your sergeant, 05:57 there must have been something else 05:58 than just you, or the medic to take care of, 06:00 he must have recognized 06:01 that maybe, you had a relationship with God 06:02 and he wanted to, kind of, embrace that a little bit? 06:07 - I would like to think, he could see that in me (laughs), 06:09 but I'm not gonna put word in his mouth, 06:11 'cause yeah, that never really came up. 06:14 - You must have had people, though, 06:16 who questioned your decision and wanted to know- 06:18 - [Dr. Garver] Oh yeah- 06:19 - Why are you a "CO"? 06:22 - Yeah, well, that was until they got to know me, 06:25 that was the only question they'd ask. 06:27 Basically, once they found out, 06:28 well, "Where's your M16, or where's your 45?" 06:31 I said, "Well, I don't have one." 06:33 They said, "Well." 06:35 My first sergeant tried to court-martial me, every month, 06:38 because I wouldn't even go to the firing range 06:40 and learn how to shoot them. 06:42 And he'd threaten to court-marshal me 06:44 and I'd say, "All you want, (indistinct) sergeant, 06:48 but you can't make me 06:50 and you won't court-martial me, either." 06:52 And that'd make him even madder. 06:53 So, but we had to little stand-off. 06:56 But the fact was, 06:58 once, they found out who I was 07:00 and quit asking about the conscientious objector thing, 07:03 we became very close. 07:04 Because they knew, I was there for them. 07:07 I wasn't there to get my tail back home. 07:10 I was there to help all of us get back home, 07:12 which, I think, they all were, too. 07:14 But it was evident to them 07:18 that my whole attitude and focus, 07:21 was on the guys around me, not on myself. 07:26 And probably, the most common question, 07:27 I've had asked me, ever since I got back, 07:30 was, "Well, what would you have done 07:33 if you're the only one, 07:37 guys are needing you over here 07:38 and you've the weapon here and the guy's dead 07:41 and all you gotta do is pick it up and use it." 07:43 And I said, "Well, I'll tell you what I did. 07:46 I prayed every morning that the Lord would not put me 07:49 in a situation 07:51 that I couldn't respond, according to my conscience. 07:55 And for some reason, I never had to make a choice 07:57 between picking up a weapon and killing somebody 08:01 and taking care of the guys I was with." 08:03 So, God rewards faith, there's no doubt about that. 08:10 It was powerful 08:11 to see that kind of stuff happen for 11 months 08:13 when I was over there. 08:15 - So, really, that was religion in the trenches. 08:18 - Spiritual (laughs). 08:21 Yeah. 08:22 Religion, to me, and spiritual connection, 08:24 are two different things. 08:26 (dramatic music) 08:28 I think, and this is not about theology, 08:33 but I, really, think, 08:34 sometimes, religions get in the way 08:36 of our connection with God. 08:39 And to me, it's about Christ and what he's done for us 08:42 and how we can show his love to other people. 08:46 And to me, that's a spiritual connection 08:48 and that's what I wanted to be about and still do, 08:52 even though, the church is very important to me, 08:54 very, very important. 08:55 - And you ended up 08:56 with, I think, quite a burden on that level, 08:58 because we're standing here, today 09:00 in a conscientious objector park. 09:02 (dramatic music) 09:04 - [Janice] That wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. 09:05 This is your brainchild, your dream. 09:08 You, really, wanted to get this going. 09:11 - It almost seems like God came to you, 09:13 like he did to Noah and said, "Build this." 09:15 (Dr. Garver laughs) 09:16 How did it happen? 09:17 - Well, first of all, my wife and I loved to travel. 09:20 And once, our kids got a little older, 09:22 we started traveling all over the country. 09:24 Well, whenever we'd see a sign on interstate, 09:26 veterans park, 09:27 we'd take a detour. 09:29 And we looked at veterans parks all over this country 09:31 and we loved, that was one of our highlights, we'd find. 09:35 And so, I just made mental notes, 09:38 "That's really cool." 09:39 So, one day, it was getting close to the 4th of July 09:44 and we, always, had a big celebration in Collegedale 09:46 on the 4th of July, 09:48 which was, kind of, interesting in and of itself. 09:52 So, I was driving in from town and I thought, 09:58 "It's been a year, since the last 4th of July. 10:01 And as a veteran, 10:02 I have not thought about veterans 10:04 and their contribution to the country, 10:06 we love and live in today. 10:09 What is wrong with me? 10:12 What is wrong with this country? 10:14 People who haven't served, 10:16 I wonder, if they ever think about it." 10:18 And so, I started thinking 10:20 and I said, "If we can get a veterans park in this town, 10:23 maybe, that would help." 10:25 And I got a piece of paper, 10:26 I, actually, have it, it's still at the house, 10:28 a paper sack from a grocery store. 10:31 And I drew some of the ideas, I had from these parks, 10:35 took it to "VFW", 10:36 they said, "Oh yeah, we'll support you on this project." 10:39 (Jim laughs) (Janice laughs) 10:40 So, I took that as a yes 10:42 and I went and I asked 11 gentlemen in the community 10:45 to join me. 10:47 The 12th one said, "No." 10:48 And I said, "We're through." 10:50 I had a plan, it worked out perfect. 10:53 So, those 11 guys, all 11 of 'em, are still on the board. 10:56 Not one guy has quit in 20 years. 10:59 (dramatic music) 11:00 And so, we started sharing the ideas and concepts, 11:02 got the property, given to us. 11:04 (dramatic music) 11:05 And what you see today, is a result of 11 men's work 11:08 over 20 years 11:09 and raising a million dollars. 11:12 And we, only, lost one of our committee members, 11:18 one of our Vietnam veterans died prematurely, 11:20 because of his exposure over there. 11:22 (Dr. Garver clears throat) 11:23 So, it was just a matter of me, 11:26 realizing what it meant to me, if I ever thought about it. 11:30 But I had to think about it 11:32 to understand how important it, really, was. 11:35 And I think, now, I hear people all the time, 11:38 say, "I drive by and see that flag and I'm reminded." 11:42 If you come through the gap over here, 11:44 come in this direction, 11:45 that flag is right in front of you- 11:47 - [Jim] Which is one of the tallest flags 11:48 in the entire state. 11:49 - I think, there's one taller. 11:51 Doggone! 11:52 (everyone laughs) 11:54 Let's redo it, let's put it- 11:54 - It's pretty big. 11:56 - Let's put an extension up there. 11:56 (Jim laughs) 11:57 125 foot. 11:59 The flag is 30x50, 12:01 just about the size of a volleyball court. 12:03 (dramatic music) 12:05 So, that's, really, what happened and it grew. 12:10 We've, actually, added several things 12:12 after we got our key elements in here that we planned on. 12:16 (dramatic music) 12:17 One of 'em was, I don't know, if y'all heard, 12:19 I'm sure, it was national news, 12:22 some of our recruiters 12:23 at the navy station, here, in town, 12:24 got killed five years ago, I think. 12:28 Somebody walked in and killed five of them. 12:30 And so, some of our community members wanted to honor them. 12:34 And back there, is the boots, the M16 and the helmet. 12:39 And that's to the following guys, 12:40 who were killed here in Chattanooga. 12:42 So, that and the female, are the two things 12:45 that we've added in the last few years 12:49 to try to complete the park 12:51 and make it meaningful to the local people, 12:54 not just nationally. 12:57 - The world is full of trouble and chaos, 13:00 but sometimes, the worst turmoil is inside us. 13:05 The Bible promises 13:06 that no matter how sinful, helpless and wounded, 13:09 you are, right now, 13:11 God can fill you with a peace 13:13 that goes beyond all comprehension. 13:15 If you'd like to claim that promise, 13:18 I'd like to send you a pamphlet, 13:20 called "The Promise of Peace". 13:22 It's absolutely free. 13:24 Go to "TalkingDonkeyInternational.org" 13:27 and request offer number 120 to order your copy, today. 13:32 (gentle music) 13:38 This park, though, 13:39 I've been to multiple veterans parks, 13:42 but this one is different. 13:44 This one stands out, 13:45 because it has a focus 13:48 that those other parks don't have, 13:50 that those other parks overlook, in fact. 13:52 And it's very significant that this park is here, 13:56 because of that statue. 13:59 - [Jim] And that man, 14:00 I would guess, 14:01 a large percentage of the country knows in part, 14:04 because of Mel Gibson and "Hacksaw Ridge". 14:06 - [Janice] Right. 14:08 - The central figure in that story. 14:10 Would you share a little of that with us? 14:12 - Yeah, Desmond Doss was, actually, an acquaintance of mine. 14:15 I'd love to say, he was a friend. 14:18 He was, actually, here, in Collegedale a lot 14:20 and just lived up the mountain, here, 14:21 about 50 miles away. 14:23 That was his home. 14:25 But when he chose to be a conscientious objector, 14:28 he took it to the ultimate level. 14:30 - So, that's why- 14:31 - He went to the point where he would not compromise, 14:34 he did not rationalize, 14:36 but he made choices daily. 14:39 And to me, as a teacher for many years, 14:41 the two things I, really, emphasize with kids, 14:43 is you've, always, got a choice 14:47 and it, always, makes a difference. 14:49 And if we can learn that and believe that and act that way, 14:52 then, things will be different, I think. 14:54 You, always, have a choice 14:56 and it always makes a difference. 14:57 But the second one, to me, is so important, 14:59 is rationalization. 15:01 You can rationalize anything. 15:03 And there were several things in that movie 15:05 that are portrayed very nicely 15:06 where he could have rationalized 15:08 and things would've been very different. 15:10 He could have just laid it in his bed and said his prayers 15:13 and he would've had a lot less suffering, 15:16 he could have just touched that gun in the cell 15:19 and rationalized, "Well, I'm not gonna kill anybody, here, 15:22 in the jail." 15:23 I mean, he could have rationalized all the way 15:25 through his journey. 15:26 But guess, what he didn't do? 15:28 He didn't rationalize. 15:29 What a challenge for us today, 15:30 it's so easy to rationalize. 15:32 He was, probably, my inspiration 15:35 to make good choices and not to rationalize. 15:38 - [Jim] Isn't that what today is, a situational ethics? 15:41 (Dr. Garver laughs) 15:42 - Totally, from what I hear (laughs) 15:44 and see once in a while. 15:46 So, being a conscientious objector, 15:48 was, really, what gave him the internal fortitude 15:54 and the desire and the focus and the (indistinct) 15:55 to make those decisions, I think, 15:57 because he is so closely connected to his savior, 16:00 to his God. 16:02 And so, we have, I think, the only monument, 16:05 honoring conscientious objectors in the whole world 16:08 over here. 16:09 And the line in there 16:11 that, really, brings it all home to me, 16:12 is that a conscientious objector is someone, 16:15 who chose to serve honorably 16:19 in harmony with their conscience. 16:23 So, it wasn't someone, who chose not to serve. 16:25 Because by the time, the war ended, 16:27 there were all kinds of ways, 16:28 guys could, actually, become, 16:30 be conscientious objectors 16:31 and go work in a hospital for four years 16:34 and they get rid of their service requirement. 16:36 So, there were things that the government was trying to do 16:39 to allow them to save face, 16:40 because Muhammad Ali made him look, 16:45 it brought a lot of attention to this whole concept. 16:49 (dramatic music) 16:50 So, that monument, actually, says 16:55 what conscientious objector was all about 16:57 and how they truly impacted the war, 17:00 because they would serve and did a good job. 17:03 And it's amazing 17:04 how many people, really, looked up to conscientious objector 17:07 by the time, I got there. 17:09 - It's pretty amazing, 17:11 Desmond Doss wins the highest honor 17:12 that the country can bestow. 17:14 - [Dr. Garver] Absolutely. 17:15 - [Jim] And pretty amazing. 17:17 - I read the quote, I had read it before, 17:20 but I loved seeing it here 17:21 when he received his medal of honor 17:24 that Harry Truman said, 17:27 he viewed, being able to give Doss that honor, 17:33 was a greater honor to him than being president. 17:36 He recognized the character in Desmond Doss. 17:40 - That's powerful, I mean, that is huge. 17:43 - I've forgotten and you, probably, know, 17:45 exactly, how many men did he pull off that ridge? 17:48 - Well, let me me tell you the story behind that. 17:50 - [Janice] 75 or something? 17:51 (Jim laughs) 17:51 - Yeah, there's his citation. 17:55 The records showed, from what I understand, 17:58 it was 125 or 30. 18:00 He thought, it was about 35 or 40, 18:02 was what he wanted to take, 18:04 maybe, take credit for, maybe, with God's help. 18:06 So, they compromised, "We're gonna call it 75." 18:10 And he said, "Okay." 18:12 But they had really good evidence, 18:14 it was more than 75. 18:17 But yeah, he has credit for saving 75 lives 18:20 with the help of the Lord. 18:22 And his mantra up there, 18:23 "God, give me just one more," 18:26 actually, became a mantra for many churches 18:28 all across America for the next year 18:31 and was about "Give me one more soul for the kingdom." 18:34 So, I mean, it's had a huge impact on so many lives 18:38 and it's been fun to see 18:40 how God has used this humble person, 18:43 even years later, to create conversations 18:47 and people, thinking and rethinking. 18:49 - It reminds me, if you had before those battles, 18:53 told him that he was capable of saving 75 plus people, 18:58 he, probably, would've said, "No, I can't do that." 19:00 Just like, we, so often, 19:01 Moses didn't think, he could go and talk to Pharaoh. 19:05 What gives you the ability to do anything heroic is God. 19:10 - And Janice, he was such a small man. 19:12 I'm guessing, 19:13 that almost everybody, he drag off that mountaintop, 19:14 was bigger than he was. - Was bigger than he was. 19:16 - Right, exactly. 19:17 (Jim laughs) 19:17 Exactly, that's for sure. 19:19 Yeah, so, he was a real example. 19:23 'Cause when they put the script out first, 19:25 you might have heard this story, 19:26 Mel Gibson put the script out, 19:28 he had all these Mr. Americas volunteering, 19:31 "Oh man, look!" 19:33 And he just kept rejecting, "Oh, you're too big." 19:36 Because the script makes you think, 19:37 it's gonna be a big, muscular, powerful person. 19:41 But they didn't understand that it was through God's power 19:45 that the whole process was able to take place 19:47 and Desmond's connection to his creator and say- 19:50 - Yeah, yeah. 19:52 - [Dr. Garver] Very, very powerful. 19:53 - I've gotta ask, we're getting a little short on time, 19:55 but "Cobra" helicopter behind me 19:57 and a tank and all these things, 19:59 can you tell us a little, how all that came together, here? 20:02 That's no small feat. 20:03 - [Dr. Garver] (laughs) Right. 20:04 - I wouldn't know, where to even go to find a tank. 20:07 (Jim laughs) 20:08 - Army circle- 20:10 - You know, it doesn't happen at "Walmart", right? 20:11 (Jim laughs) (Janice laughs) 20:12 - You got a computer. 20:13 (everyone laughs) 20:14 Nowadays, it's made lots more simple. 20:16 - [Janice] Do they have tanks on "eBay"? 20:18 (everyone laughs) 20:19 (dramatic music) 20:21 - It is funny how we could do a whole segment 20:23 on the 11 men, I picked in their special jobs, 20:26 that all of them ended up with 20:28 that I knew nothing about their skills, 20:30 well, I had some clue, 20:32 but how they all fit into a specific niche 20:35 and saved all kinds of money. 20:39 So, the lawyer, we had one lawyer on this thing 20:41 and I said, "We need you to get the hardware for us, 20:45 'cause you know, how to research." 20:47 And within two months, he had this one secured. 20:50 We just had to go and get it. 20:52 And it took about another year to get this one, the tank. 20:55 And we just gave up after about six or eight years 20:59 on that one. 21:00 But 10 years later, we were able to get the fighter, 21:02 it's on loan to us from a museum, down in Mobile, Alabama. 21:05 (crickets chirping) 21:07 So, we have to maintain that in a museum standard, 21:09 or they'll come, make us take it back down to Mobile. 21:13 The other two, 21:14 (crickets chirping) 21:15 they care, but they don't check on us. 21:18 (Dr. Garver laughs) 21:19 So, yeah, it was relatively easy, 21:22 because the right person was tasked with that task. 21:27 And so, the other guy was an engineer, 21:30 he did the polls and created all that kind of stuff 21:32 and connected everything. 21:33 And so, God just gave us the right people. 21:37 I mean, a banker, our finance guy 21:43 and a little barbershop guy from Downtown. 21:45 (crickets chirping) 21:47 Barbershop, all he did was cut hair. 21:50 And the guys from "TVA" came in and got their haircut, 21:52 the president of "TVA", "Tennessee Valley Authority", 21:55 one of the most powerful positions in America, 21:57 'cause it's not political. 21:59 Well, they're not elected (laughs). 22:01 (Jim laughs) 22:03 And we'd had renderings made to take different places, 22:07 so, people ask questions about the park 22:08 before we even got started. 22:10 (dramatic music) 22:11 And this guy came in and asked Charlie, 22:11 he says, "What's that? 22:13 Tell me about that picture." 22:14 So, he told me about our dream, 22:16 the park out here. 22:17 And the guy looked at him 22:19 and said, "Well, let me tell you what I'll do for your park. 22:20 We don't have any money we can give you. 22:22 But anytime, you ever need a crane 22:24 of any size, for anything, 22:27 call me two days in advance 22:28 and you'll have what you need." 22:29 (crickets chirping) (dramatic music) 22:31 So, when that tank rolled up on a big, old, 22:34 I mean, a huge trailer 22:35 and there was a huge crane, sitting here, for free! 22:41 (Jim laughs) (Janice laughs) 22:42 The right guy at the right time. 22:44 - Dr. Garver, you shared, 22:46 as we were talking a little bit 22:47 before we started the interview, 22:49 I get the feeling 22:51 that there's been quite a few spiritual lessons 22:53 in this 20-year project for you. 22:56 Would you mind sharing a little bit? 22:58 - God's timing is always perfect, I should say, 23:00 not right, it's perfect. 23:02 I've been trying to get a wellness center built for years 23:04 at "Southern". 23:05 It wasn't gonna happen, 23:07 they're gonna do something else. 23:08 One of the guys on my board, here, who accepted, 23:12 was, also, on the university board, 23:13 they're gonna build something over there. 23:15 And because of our relationship, we developed here, 23:19 the timing was perfect for him 23:22 to walk into the president and ask him a simple question, 23:26 "Does the university need a wellness center, 23:30 or a welcome center?" 23:31 (dramatic music) 23:32 And it was the obvious question, 23:34 the answer was obvious. 23:36 The kids don't need (indistinct), 23:37 but parents might really enjoy it. 23:39 So, the welcome center's plan went down, 23:43 the wellness center is in place. 23:45 And just a little, to me, evidence 23:49 that without the time to develop that relationship 23:53 and this park, being here, 23:54 created an opportunity for the timing on that to be right, 23:57 because the location, it was gonna be first, 23:59 was not gonna be where it is now. 24:01 It was gonna be somewhere else behind the gym. 24:03 So, I mean, everything just mushroomed 24:06 into a perfect scenario 24:08 for the park, for the board, for "Southern", for students. 24:13 And today, it, still, is one of the favorite place 24:14 for people to walk. 24:16 But the greenway was, already, here when we built the park. 24:19 So, it doesn't bring a lot of people back here 24:21 during the day, 24:22 but on the weekends, that tank's packed out with kids. 24:25 I mean, they are climbing over this thing. 24:27 The first three days we had it, 24:29 the hatch was open 24:31 and I'd stand up there for eight hours a day, 24:34 letting people in, one at a time. 24:35 They'd crank the thing up and turn and go, 24:38 but then, we had to lock it down. 24:39 And so, no one's gotten into it since. 24:41 But that, actually, gave people an opportunity 24:43 to feel what it felt like to be in a tank 24:46 and to, actually, depend on God to save them. 24:50 So, I think, God has a plan 24:54 and for him, to bring this together for his glory 24:57 and then for Doss, his death and the timing of that, 25:01 was, actually, perfect 25:03 as far as how it brought us all together, again 25:07 for an addition to our park. 25:09 Because that wasn't gonna happen, until after his death, so. 25:15 - Well, doctor, thank you so much for your time, 25:17 for sharing the story and for your faith. 25:20 - And I can hardly wait to read your book, 25:22 because I'm so lucky- 25:23 - That's right. 25:24 - It's mine, not yours. 25:25 (Jim laughs) 25:26 - Oh, okay. 25:27 - He gave us a copy, 25:28 but we all know, who's getting it first. 25:30 (Dr. Garver laughs) 25:31 - All right. 25:33 Maybe, bring that to me, 25:34 you gotta bring that to me, here. 25:35 We gotta show it on camera, here. 25:37 "Against All Odds", your book, where can they get it? 25:41 - [Dr. Garver] P.O. Box 1141, Collegedale. 25:43 It's only available through me, 25:44 or the "ABC", here, in town. 25:46 - [Jim] All right. 25:47 - The "ABC" in Collegedale, "Adventist Book Center", 25:49 (indistinct), or I have them. 25:52 - [Janice] Awesome. 25:53 - I've got a feeling, it's gonna be a good read. 25:54 - Oh, yes. 25:55 - I get it after you- 25:56 - [Dr. Garver] It's a story. 25:57 - All right. 25:58 - I love stories. - [Dr. Garver] Yeah. 25:59 - Doctor, thank you, again, so much. 26:00 - It's, really, nice to meet you guys 26:01 and good luck on your mission. 26:01 - Thank you. 26:02 - [Dr. Garver] Yeah, it's nice to meet you all. 26:03 - And thank you for doing this. 26:04 (dramatic music) 26:14 The world is full of trouble and chaos, 26:17 but sometimes, the worst turmoil is inside us. 26:21 The Bible promises 26:23 that no matter how sinful, helpless and wounded, 26:26 you are, right now, 26:27 God can fill you with a peace 26:29 that goes beyond all comprehension. 26:32 If you'd like to claim that promise, 26:35 I'd like to send you a pamphlet, 26:37 called "The Promise of Peace". 26:39 It's absolutely free. 26:41 Go to "TalkingDonkeyInternational.org" 26:44 and request offer number 120 to order your copy, today. 26:49 (gentle music) 26:54 - Hey, Janice, how are you doing? 26:56 - Hey, you wrote another book. 26:58 - I did, 26:59 had a burden on my heart and God helped me get it done. 27:01 (gentle music) 27:02 - So, "The Plan of Love". 27:04 What's it about? 27:06 - Well, it's, really, about God and eternity, 27:08 saw everything that was going to happen here 27:11 and his amazing love, 27:12 he says, "I'm going to take care of the problem. 27:15 I'm gonna take care of the situation by giving my own life." 27:17 (gentle music) 27:19 He did all that, but we've been lied to so much. 27:22 We don't see what God has planned for us, 27:24 what God is doing for us. 27:26 Matter of fact, the angel came down to Mary 27:28 and said, "You shall call his name Jesus 27:31 for he shall save his people 27:32 from their sins." - From their sins. 27:33 - Notice, it wasn't "in", but "from". 27:36 - Where can people get the book? 27:37 - Hey, I'm glad you asked. 27:39 Folks, if you'd like your own personal copy, 27:41 log onto "TalkingDonkeyInternational.org" 27:44 and I'll please if you would, 27:45 send us a donation of $12. 27:47 - [Janice] Or more. 27:47 - Or more. 27:48 and we'll get you the book 27:49 and I'll be happy to sign it for you, too. 27:52 Thank you so much. 27:53 (gentle music) 27:56 Thank you for watching. 27:57 Join us, again, for another exciting "Country Wisdom". 27:59 - See you next time. 28:00 (gentle music) |
Revised 2022-11-08