Living victoriously requires that we learn how to navigate through the disappointments, traumas, losses, and uncertainties of life. Such knowledge is not acquired quickly and necessitates that we share the journey with those whom we love and admire. Today, I want to express appreciation for two of my fellow travelers who have recently departed this earth and are now in Paradise.
Max Morris
Prior to my youngest son Jeffery’s death in 1978, I knew Max only as an extraordinarily gifted musician and singer who hosted a popular television program. However, after that time, my wife Linda and I came to know him as someone who deeply cared for the sufferings of others and was willing to get involved in their struggles. At first, we thought he was just being kind to us because of our great loss. Later, as he stayed in our home and ministered many times at our church in Athens, GA, we realized that at the core of his being, he was the extended hand of the Lord touching hurting people. In 1987, we had the opportunity to accompany him and his wife Joanne on a mission trip to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Korea.
One of my favorite humorous memories of Max occurred on that overseas trip. While preparing to leave the Philippines, I talked him into going on to Hong Kong without advance room reservations. During a long night spent in the lobby of the hotel, feigning sincerity, I added insult to injury by telling him, “Max, I tried to tell you that we should have waited.” It is an understatement to say that Max was not amused!
A deep desire to bless and affirm others continued throughout his life. On November 28, 2023, while I was recuperating from knee replacement surgery, Max called me at 4:02 in the morning. Weeping profusely, he told me that in a dream he had vividly seen me as we were ministering together in those years long ago, and wanted to tell me, “You are the one!” He then related his message to a meaningful verse of scripture: God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psalm 53:2 NIV).
Ron Gilbert
The picture accompanying today’s blog was taken in the late 1970’s. My oldest son Michael and I had just descended part of the way down the mountain after spending a frigid night on the Appalachian Trail with Ron Gilbert and Bill Watts. I was in my mid-thirties and Michael was in his early teens. During the night, the temperature had dropped into the 20’s, and we were looking forward to reaching the comfort of our car which was parked a few hundred feet below. Up to this point, Ron, who was a very experienced hiker didn’t think any of this was a big deal. Upon reaching the car with hopes of finally warming up, we discovered that the battery was dead. Then, even Ron was a bit nonplussed. Imagine this scene: After Ron, Michael, and the fourth member of this comedy troupe, Bill Watts, pushed us off and jumped inside, with me at the steering wheel, we careened down the final descent with a non-working engine, no power steering, and no power brakes! In retrospect, it is quite humorous! At that time, let it suffice to say our adrenaline was pumped up!
Ten years ago, Ron, needing new challenges and yearning for his God-given talents to be affirmed, accepted a part-time faculty position at Tennessee Wesleyan University. After teaching a single speech class, he was hired full time and given the green light to develop a Communications Studies Program. In 2019, he became a full professor and was granted tenure. That same year, he was honored by becoming the recipient of the prestigious Curriculum Leadership Award. Today, out of that humble faith beginning, The Communications Studies Program has expanded to include two more majors: Digital Marketing, and Sports Communication.
Max’s and Ron’s legacies inspire me to dare to believe a wonderful biblical promise:
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming,“The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him” (Psalm 92:12-15 NIV).
Ron Harvard Ministries 