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    Joe Blaylock: Alcoholic preacher
    Joe Blaylock: Alcoholic preacher
    Joe Blaylock: Alcoholic preacher
    Ebook87 pages1 hour

    Joe Blaylock: Alcoholic preacher

    By William Kemsley, Jr

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    About this ebook

    Joe Blaylock is a musically talented son of a famous cardiologist. While his parents want him to become a doctor, as a teen ager Joe chooses instead to become a jazz pianist in a nightclub. When tragedy strikes he succumbs to alcohol and drugs, becomes lost and homeless. A black preacher leads him into recovery and a religious career.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWilliam Kemsley, Jr
    Release dateApr 1, 2015
    ISBN9781310333958
    Joe Blaylock: Alcoholic preacher
    Author

    William Kemsley, Jr

    William Kemsley, Jr. is said to be the father of modern hiking and backpacking. He is founder of Backpacker magazine, co-founder of American Hiking Society, inductee in the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame and author of several books on the outdoors.Kemsley is currently writing a book on geezeering on the trail, tidbits of advice for elder hikers or those who would be elder hikers. He is drawing upon his eight decades of hiking and backpacking in mountains, deserts, canyons and forests both in the US and Europe. His expected publishing date is late fall 2019. Meanwhile he is blogging about senior hiking, as well as, spritiual topics on his website, williamkemsley.com.

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      Book preview

      Joe Blaylock - William Kemsley, Jr

      JOE BLAYLOCK

      Alcoholic Preacher

      By

      William Kemsley, Jr.

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2011 by William Kemsley, Jr.

      ***~~~***

      Discover other titles by William Kemsley, Jr.

      https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/WilliamKemsley

      Hardcover: Backpacker & Hiker's Handbook

      ***~~~***

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      Thank you for downloading this ebook. The book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

      Table of Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter 1 - What a Friend we Have in Jesus…

      Chapter 2 - Joe Blaylock’s Childhood Dream

      Chapter 3 - Scott Joplin Rags

      Chapter 4 - Night Club Gigs

      Chapter 5 - One Day in May

      Chapter 6 – More Grief

      Chapter 7 - Pastor Jack Comforts

      Chapter 8 - Joe’s Other Two Friends

      Chapter 9 - Homeless

      Chapter 10 - Hung Over in Detroit

      Chapter 11 - Bar-room Priestesses

      Chapter 12 - I Can Only Imagine

      Chapter 13 - The Altar Call

      Chapter 14 - Pastor Elihu Jones

      Chapter 15 - The Pastor Listens

      Chapter 16 - Joe’s Secret Sin

      Chapter 17 - The Pastor Repents

      Chapter 18 - Church or AA?

      Chapter 19 - Joe’s First AA Meeting

      Chapter 20 - Keep It Simple

      Chapter 21 – Is Jesus the Only Way?

      Chapter 22 - Restitution

      Chapter 23 – Doing God’s Will

      Chapter 24 - Joes’ Preaching

      Chapter 25 - Few Are Chosen

      Chapter 26 - The Greatest Love Poem Ever Written

      About the Author

      Prologue

      I am Parking Lot Willy. I am a parking lot attendant in an artist colony in northern New Mexico. I observe visitors coming to town and going. This is a story about one of them. I, too, am in the yarn, but only as a character in the telling of it, more observer than player. But, as you will note, Willy is as much a fiction of the author’s imagination as are the other characters playing their parts in the drama.

      Chapter 1 -What a Friend we Have in Jesus…

      Willy accepted Joe Blaylock’s invitation after only a nodding acquaintance.

      Most people were already seated when Willy arrived. It was a small church with rows of seven folding chairs on each side of the center aisle and hand-sewn pennants hanging high along both side walls with words in large letters — Faith, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace.

      Musicians were playing while the congregation was singing What a friend we have in Jesus… Paddle fans turned slowly overhead while the song’s verses flickered upon a screen down front projected by a teen-age boy.

      Willy was struck by the beauty of the blonde in bright yellow and black silk blouse leading the singing while playing a guitar. Another woman sang accompaniment from a mike off to the left, and man with a long grey-haired pony-tail played a string Ashbury Bass with its tiny guitar- shape base at the end of its long handle of frets.

      One heavy-set man in the congregation swayed dreamily, both hands raised overhead. Others raised their hands high, too, eyes closed, heads tilted up reverently, seemingly to some sweet loved-one.

      Willy felt uncomfortable at first among these worshipers. Congregations were more reserved back home in his family church. They would have considered such an emotional display as untoward, show-offy. Here though, the intimacy of worshipers seamed smoothly together with the music, decor, flowers and furnishings. In time Willy, too, was swept up in the spirit of it.

      ~~~

      As the music ceased, Joe stepped up to the boxy varnished pine pulpit, a guitar hanging from his shoulder by a wide, colorful strap. He began preaching, plucking the guitar as he spoke.

      Toward the end of his sermon, still strumming soft chords, Joe spoke softly.

      "After his own baptism…Jesus’ first words to his followers…were for healing. He came to heal the sick…to comfort the sorrowful…to bless us with his calming touch.

      "Come forth…if you want His blessings…for any reason at all…even if you were baptized long ago…come…Jesus calls…‘Come unto me all you who are heavy laden… and I will give you rest.’ These are His words. This is His call.

      "If today you would have comfort from the Lord Jesus, come down to the altar…receive his blessings.

      "Last week Charley and Shirley were healed by our prayers…You too can be healed…

      Just come to the altar for your anointing…We are praying for your every need.

      As you know, I too was healed by your prayers. So you too will be healed. Come forth. Now is the time.

      Some who went to the altar were Willy’s friends from town. He had no idea they were religious, never mind church-goers. Certainly not this devout.

      ~~~

      Joe Blaylock was back at the parking lot later that afternoon. He came with two cups from a coffee-shop on the plaza.

      Coffee? he said and handed one to Willy.

      Chapter 2 -Joe Blaylock’s Childhood Dream

      It was good seeing you at services this morning Joe said. It is not often someone we meet on the street joins us. As I told you yesterday, I’m here to preach for just one day. I’ll be leaving for Amarillo in the morning. Since I’m free this afternoon, I thought I’d drop by for a chat. That is, if you don’t mind.

      Willy said, Not at all. Sunday afternoons are slow. It’s nice to have company.

      There were only three cars in the parking lot. They sat on the portale facing west toward

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