Stay in the Game

Wally Pipp was 6’2”, and weighed 180 lbs., but more importantly, he was the 1st baseman for the New York Yankees. Pipp was also a great fielder, and a home run hitter. Arriving just before Babe Ruth, he won the American League home run title for 1916 & 1917.

But what is remembered most about Wally Pipp happened 100 years ago on June 2, 1925. On that afternoon, the Yankees were scheduled to play the Washington Senators, but Wally Pipp was bothered by a headache. Yankee Manager, Miller Huggins, offered to let Pipp miss the game. “The kid can replace you this afternoon,” Huggins said.

“The Kid,” was Lou Gehrig, whom that afternoon, gathered three hits and scored one run, as the then struggling Yankees defeated the Senators 8 to 5.

Lou Gehrig never looked back, and he became the celebrated 1st baseman of the New York Yankees. Along with Babe Ruth he would lead the New York Yankees to win the World Series six times. As a batter, Lou Gehrig still holds the American League record for the most RBI’s (Runs Batted In) in a season (184 in 1931). Gehrig holds 4th, 5th, & 10th place too. But what Lou “Iron Horse” Gehrig is most remembered for is the 2,130 consecutive games he played as a New York Yankee. In 1969, Gehrig was voted as the “Greatest First Baseman of All Time.”

The moral of the story - Don’t follow Wally Pipp’s example: “Stay in the Game.” You may have a headache, a backache, or some hurting pride: but hold the course. There may be a spiritual “Lou Gehrig” just waiting to play your position.

Celebrating 14 Years!

We are so thankful for all the prayers of our college family and friends. On May 17, 2011, Lilliana Joy Dennis was born into the family of President & Mrs. Russell Dennis, Jr. By medical averages, Trisomy 18 babies are not expected to be born, let alone live out their first week.

And now the Lord has blessed us with 14 years. During the last year we have been able to purchase a handicap van for Lilliana, and soon we hope to see a Stilz Home Elevator installed. We are so thankful to the Lord!

This year’s birthday party was more of an at home event, and we enjoyed all the smiles and opening of presents.

A two minute music video dealing with God’s love for this Trisomy 18 child was released on her birthday. You can view that video at: https://youtu.be/U3lLDrmLZPY

Not a Bad Dad

He was a small man, and only stood 5’2” tall, yet he worked hard for his young family. Their first child, a son, was stillborn, but a year and a half later a second child, Harry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884. Two days later, a Baptist circuit riding preacher visited the family.

The father, John Truman reared his boy up with the values of that era: “Anything worthwhile required effort,” “make yourself useful,” “never, never, give up,” and other good traits to live by. Young Harry was taught by his Dad to: “say what you mean and mean what you say”, also “keep your word”, and never to forget a friend.

John Truman, started as a farmer, then moved to the city to trade in horses and mules. He was successful, until in 1901 he invested all the family money in wheat futures and lost everything. The whole family ended up moving back to the old family farm, where in 1914 John Truman passed away.

Thirty-five years later at the White House, a magazine writer remarked to Harry Truman that his father had been a failure. Truman answered, “How could he be called a failure if his son became President of the United States?” (McCullough, David. Truman. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992. p. 941)

Ending Notes

June is the month that we remember our fathers.

When my father, Dr. Russell Dennis, Sr., passed away on June 6, 1998, I received his two preaching Bibles. I consulted these Bibles as I read through the Word of God the next two times, copying various sayings that my Dad had written into the margins of his Bible.

His primary preaching Bible along with his large prophecy chart are on permanent display at Heritage Baptist College.

I have shared in past June Updates a few of the many nuggets from my Dad’s Bible. The book of Hebrews was of special significance to my father. I remember him telling that he preached his first public sermon from a text in Hebrews. A few years ago, looking among his papers, I found that outline. As a young college student, he had preached in a jail on “How shall we escape” (Heb. 2:3). Here are some of his thoughts from the book of Hebrews:

I’m happiest when I’m holiest (1:9)

His death is your death (2:9)

Christ died for you, not for you to act dead – Rejoice! (3:6)

Ford Porter, Pappy Reveal, & Don Green were men who spent “throne time”(4:16)

Final Rewards – Faithfulness is not an applause meter (6:10)

God does not break His Word (6:18)

Tough enough to stick it out (10:34,35)

Faith is not Reason, but Faith is reasonable (10:38a)

The Greatest problem in the Christian’s Life – Self (12:1)

Definition of Praise – How to be Thankful (13:15)