Too often, the media focuses exclusively on the violence and tumultuous actions of bad actors during crises that occur daily around the world. And with clickbait exploiting negative social events for the sake of increased ratings of revenue, there are few incentives for media outlets to focus on the good that is happening in the world right now. Even media channels dedicated to peace building and sustainable development remain focused on the ills of corruption, war, and conflict rather than the efforts of peace builders within those conflicts. But peace talks too, and with this show, the voice of peace will be amplified. Mr. Rogers is often quoted in saying that when crisis strikes, look for the helpers. This show intends to do just that. Every day, right here in Vermont, there are thousands of engaged citizens actively building peace. We plan to amplify their efforts and we seek to develop a platform where peace builders all over the state can connect with each other across social boundaries and industry sectors to collaborate for the benefit of our collective community. Ladies and gentlemen, this is peace talks, and today we are meeting with Mr. Rajni Eddins. He is a poet, a community organizer, and he is currently serving Burlington as the director of cultural empowerment with the Racial Justice Alliance of Vermont through the Richard Kemp Center, the first black-owned community center in the history of Vermont. Rajni, it's a pleasure to be with you today. I am delighted and honored to have you as a guest on this show and to premiere our efforts here in amplifying peace builders right here in the state. So let's just kick it off by kind of, you know, tell us what does being the director of cultural empowerment mean in this community and how are you engaging in that space? Definitely. Well, first of all, I wanted to begin by thanking you for holding space and using your, and this platform to elevate and affirm and emphasize the need for peace in the world. I think we all have to be co-collaborators and co-creators towards that pursuit, towards that end. Of course, peace cannot necessarily manifest itself fully without the needs of human beings being met. So my director capacity as a director of cultural empowerment has to do with meeting the needs of people of African descent in this area. As we know, Vermont is a very homogenous space, so not always do we have the opportunity to have ourselves reflected in positively life-affirming and integrity-based ways that show up as so nourishing and crucially respectful and experiential in regards to our human personality. So I think that's more of my primary role to serve those needs in terms of youth development and overall affirmation of the people. What does that look like on a daily basis? What are some of the primary activities that you're really focused on when you speak about meeting the needs of the BIPOC community here in Burlington? Well, I think BIPOC is misleading. It's another of the recent terminologies that kind of shortcut the specificity of addressing and aligning with people's needs and true beingness. When we're speaking about black people, of course you have not just a monolithic group of people, but the origin of human civilization is so vast. From Africa to the present, the entire human race stems from African people. So the origin of that biogenetic diversity that all people stem from, that vast descendency of people and our role in the world is so key. Sadly, because of the aftermath of colonization, genocide, and conquest, and white supremacy, a lot of that has been relegated to an external or periphery-based attention. My role, more so, is to use my art form as a way to encourage people of African descent to raise the consciousness of human family in general. So we hold spaces for the Black Artist Showcase. We are taking a group of black youth in April to go to the African American Museum in terms of being based here in Burlington and Vermont proper. Youth of African descent, whether born on the continent or any aspect of the diaspora, don't often get a chance to see themselves reflected in positive ways and learn about our key contributions and experiences in history that can really play a key role in contextualizing the way that we see ourselves in the world, what we've done, what we've been through, what we still must do. So I think that's key. We're also involved in supporting the endeavors of the second iteration of the Black Indie Summit, BX 2023, where we will be bringing Dr. Angela Davis, the world renowned revolutionary icon, as well as the All Black Ballet Company, Philadelphia, to the Flynn Theater on February 25th and 26th. And this is intention to be a yearly practice, a tradition that will be instituted so youth of the present and the future to come will have spaces to see themselves reflected, to see the brilliance and beauty and heritage and history of black people. We've seen and affirmed in holistic ways that are black led and seen through our own eyes, where we have actual agency and autonomy over our own narrative. So my role as cultural empowerment director plays a number of roles from just everyday engagement with people, learning about how people see and view themselves in the world, unpacking a lot of the conscious and subconscious, cultivated anti-black pathology in human beings to be able to deconstruct and arrive at a more reverential appreciation of our shared humanity from Africa to the present. So it's definitely a daily crusade. No, it's very powerful work and much needed in our world today. There's just a lot of need to really amplify those messages and find better ways for us to connect culturally and to create more understanding with the folks that we surround ourselves with. And what really stuck with me with what you were saying was talking about the Black Art of Showcase and mentioning just where we've been, what we've gone through and what we still must do. That sounds just, that's a story for me and that's something that's really a powerful experience. I've been to a few of the Black Art of Showcases at the Richard Kemp Center and they're phenomenal. But can you speak to that a little bit more? When you talk about the Black Art of Showcase, what are artists doing in that space and how do they use story to empower, to work towards cultural empowerment? Well, I think it has a multiplicity of utilities. For one, having the space curated by Black people ourselves gives us, returns us to a certain space of agency in arraying our own and deploying our own narrative and expression of ourselves artistically and creatively and restores the freedom and the liberation of having that authentic power in terms of speaking life into our dreams through a vaster Black imaginary that's not inhibited by the circumscribed and limited myopic viewpoints of white so-called supremacy in racism. So being able to see ourselves in our own eyes is key. Having a cathartic outlet to express all of the range of our human emotions is key. Being able to share that space intergenerationally and have youth who are still in the space of formative development is key. All these things are microcosmic seeds in terms of a grander foundation for macrocosmic paradigm shift. So it's about starting where we are, holding space for our people's empowerment, sincere love and appreciation, affirmation of us across the diverse array of how we exist in the world and just holding space for that beauty reverently and sincerely. That is, I love that approach so much. It reminds me of one of my favorite peace builders. His name is Johan Galtung and he has written prolifically about peace building in a variety of different contexts. What I'm thinking about right now is Galtung's approach to development, not just economic development but cultural development and the development of communities. This notion about microcosmic seeds playing out on a macro scale really kind of speaks to one of his peace building theories where he speaks about development as unfolding. Now I'm paraphrasing here. I wish I had the direct quote but he basically speaks about development as a process of unfolding that's organic and evolutionary. It's something that happens through positive feedback loops rather than negative feedback loops which is generally what we see in society today as some kind of negative feedback loop that prevents something from moving in a direction and tries to steer cultural and economic forces in another direction. So look at development as unfolding and there's this great section where Galtung says, you know, in everything that is living on this earth there's a latent code in the seed. Seeds grow into plants, plants grow into trees and they evolve and share that latent code that's inside of them that has always been there. And the objective of folks that are trying to build development through this process is not to try and dictate or direct how development should unfold but simply allow those latent seeds to grow into the spaces that they're a part of. It sounds like that's a lot of the similarities to what you're trying to do here with cultural empowerment in Burlington. Is that sound, am I speaking kind of on the same page here or have I missed a few points? No, I think there's truth in it. I think the unsheathing of those seeds with the focus intention for peace and prosperity and freedom and liberation, health and restoration, abundance and wellness in community, regionally, nationally and globally is all part of that seed and part of this self-same intention. I think that often things get muddied because we're so taught to see life in terms of polarities instead of a synthesis. If we remember, you know, we just passed Dr. King's birthday recently. We had an event called Reclamation of his life, legacy and meaning because so often he's relegated to the sound bites of I Have a Dream. But I think when we look at him with more nuance and how he spoke to the need to address the three evils of militarism, poverty and racism, how he spoke to us as a human family, have an intertwined destiny, that's part of the same seed I speak of. If we understand our destinies are intertwined from Africa to the present, if we understand that the term white and whiteness itself is an invented identity that was more so for the purpose of hierarchizing and justifying a more insidious way to manipulate and exploit the majority of human beings by not allowing them to unify and strengthen for the purpose of peace, then we'll be able to act with more agency, wisdom and clarity for our children's benefit and for those to come. Wow. Well, this is obviously a passion for you. This is really deeply rooted. I know that based on our past conversations Rajdi, you know, you see this as something of a calling as your purpose in life to step forward and bring this message to the communities that you participate in. And I know that poetry is a big part of that for you. I know that working as an artist using poetry to disseminate these seeds and help to cultivate space for other artists and poets to do the same is something that you are doing a great job at. I know I showed up in the Burlington area about a year ago and was doing my best to, you know, arrive at open mics. And there wasn't a lot going on in this post COVID world, but there was Rajni Eddins showing up at every single open mic that I could find hosting events, creating that space and giving opportunity for folks right here to share their talents and to build that culture that we're talking about. That culture of peace and development. With that being said, I really want to just like dig into your past for a little bit here. I want to be able to share that story of like where did poetry come from for you? How did you get started? What does that process look like? Well, yes, I do think that finding your purpose and your calling has a lot to do with being self-curious. With being able to think deeply upon what really brings you fulfillment and joy and enthuses you, you know, and brings a spring well of passion to the fore. And I think where you find that arriving and where it meets a need in the world is your calling. And so I found that I was fortunate to find that by the grace very early in my life, my mother was the founder of the First Black Writers Group in the Northwest known as the African American Writers Alliance. So she founded in 1991 and I became the only child member at that time. And how old were you at the time? I was 11 years old, which is how old my daughter is now. She's an amazing poet as well. But I think being immersed in that space as a youth, having a mother who was already so based in a solid appreciation of the power and potency of creative self-expression and had a passion herself was led by a purpose to see Black people have an autonomy-based foundation for our own creative self-expression and being able to do that without being inhibited or relegated to some prop or fixture to make white organizations fail or seem less racist or some type of exploitive effort. Having our own autonomy and witnessing that as a child being immersed in a community so rich with so many gifts from novelists to poets to playwrights to actors and directors and singers and songwriters. All of these amazing creative gifts and talents and so much vision and wisdom really fed my spirit in untold ways that activated me. And then I began to be received by my community, encouraged or continue to be nurtured by my mother and others and fostered the gift and the love and appreciation for the possibilities of it and what it could do in the world. And so really sprang forth in me and set me upon my path at that juncture such that it's never been a time that I can recall since then that I haven't been active in some capacity with artistry and community because my mother was also a foster parent over 70 children. So I was always the older brother so that facility of engaging with youth in a familial capacity and using artistry as a way of nurturance and empowerment and positive affirmation and self-actualization of purpose are all intertwined. We also co-founded a group called the Poetry Experience because I had so many peers who were gifted a vast array of different ethnicities and backgrounds. So I think that seemed fitting in terms of origin story and sequence as we know we all begin with black people from Africa to the present. So starting with the African American Writer's Alliance and then expanding to the Poetry Experience that was a welcoming platform for all people seemed a divine unfolding. Yeah, I was just thinking about that too about you know development as unfolding it seems like your mother had a sense for this. You know if we kind of take that concept and apply it to this very practical experience that you're talking about it seems very much like your mother gave you the space to unfold and develop in your own way.  You're creating space for others and you're giving people that same opportunity to unfold that latent code inside of each of us to become the very incredible folks that we can be. I think that there is powerful potential in every single person and what generally prevents that from unfolding is the obstructions, the barriers in our communities that act as negative feedback groups. Right you know there's social institutions some of which you've already touched on here. You know we look at racism in America we look at the challenges of structural violence that is enacted within the system in those spaces. And this seems to be kind of a foil to those issues and through a very organic process. You know I don't even necessarily think it's a foil or a counter I think it's similar to maybe it's a roomy poem or something of the Sufis but it speaks to the necessity of not necessarily having to do anything more than remove the obstructions to love, remove the obstructions and the barriers to peace. So I think our natural way is peace, our natural way is love when we're held space for it and nurturing and caring and passionate ways that speak to the light within all of us. That sense of Namaste like the light and the spirit within me recognizes the light and the spirit within you. I think too often because we've been so inundated with negativity we're so quick to spring to respond in a kind of Pavlovian dog-like manner to that veil of embracing that the negative more often are assuming the negative to be true without deeply thinking critically and having the more intentionality about seeing the light in ourselves and in each other. And that's what I think that our imagination and creativity has the capacity for when you have that kind of child like awe and wonder about the world and the universe. There are no limitations to what can be and you have much more possibilities in terms of what you can create in the world and in the universe. And I think that's why there's some fear for a lot of the powers that be wanting or stemming very much from materialistic standpoint of wanting to accrue and aggrandize and accumulate resources and hoard them at the expense of the masses. You have to have a definitive system in play to do so to be able to restrict people's imaginations and keep them from seeing greater possibilities in their unity and shared prosperity. But that's why I feel blessed to be an artist because very nationally so we have access to limitless imagination and creativity. We can be bridges and beacons for the like in ourselves and in each other. Beautiful. Absolutely. It's one of the reasons I kept showing up at your open mics. I can feel that every time that you host an event or share a poem. There's just a strong presence of this kind of cultural development of peace and love and breaking through those barriers with our creative imaginations to shape something new in our community. Now I wanted to ask have you faced any resistance or opposition to your poetry in this community? And if so, how do you deal with that? What is your approach to responding to folks that are still trying to understand what we're doing here? Well I think any resistance that you have in terms of people's willingness to view you negatively even while you address things in a positive manner and hold space for truth and conciliation and greater awareness for affirmation stems from woundedness so it doesn't necessitate the need to reject the people who are rejecting. It seeks a deeper wisdom of involvement in the consistent practice of love, peace and compassion for all present and the holding of space for greater possibilities. I learned early on with a lot of the things that I was beset with in terms of character assassination, attempts to align me with tropes of black men, refusal to connect to me as a human being and hold space for my own story or even be willing to hear my experiences. I think that because I stayed rooted in my love for myself, having that sound model of my mother holding a space for so many people she had always said children are treasure so it let me know as a child I am treasure and then as an adult, as a grown man, oh we all are treasure and those who are not as adept at seeing that readily, you have to know at some point they were wounded and they didn't receive the same things that you received so I have something honestly of more treasure than monetary or material value because it's the practice of embracing all people in a space where they are sincerely welcomed in love and appreciation which is irreplaceable and of really increasingly vital need in today's times so I think in the long run overall having had these experiences and still cleaving to a solid sense of myself in terms of sharing my art even when it's harsh truths coming from a place of love and recognition and belief in people's capacity to grow and to understand that we have an intertwined purpose and destiny and that we're capable of more for our shared prosperity for that of our children and children to come has really enabled me to persevere in ways that I think align me with folks who have been examples in the past and ancestors who shoulder we stand upon who did so much in terms of self sacrifice and honoring of our humanity before we were even born so I aim to be worthy descendant and legacy builder so that I can be a good ancestor for those next to come and it's less about who gets that quickly in the moment and that it's done consistently in a committed fashion such that it continues to honor that practice and plant seeds and those here and those next to come There's so much I would like to say but I think something that's more important is maybe what would best express this approach and helping folks to understand the process of engaging in our communities through art with the effort of cultural empowerment and collective unity building on that love and peace and creating space for those that have been wounded I really want to just take a second and look at a couple of these books we've got in front of us Now we've got two books here their names are mine which I believe was published in 2019 That's right This is one of your books of poetry right Rajni? Yes sir Yeah and then we've also got a brand new book that was published just a few years ago not a few years ago Last year Just last year a few months ago forgive me and this is in the coded language of this mortal tongue I've had the pleasure of reading through both of these books and an even greater pleasure listening to Rajni perform some of these poems live at the poetry open mics that I've attended with him and I'd like to give you some space right now if you're willing to maybe share one of those poems and then we can speak about that for a second Definitely Wonderful Please Maybe I'll share something from the newest text in the coded language of this mortal tongue as you can see my mother is here She's quite often a pronounced figure in my life so I wanted to give her flowers while she is in the vessel and still lives amongst us in real time The piece I want to share with you in terms of this text is called In Our Wake this was actually written maybe a week or two into the pandemic I just returned from Seattle Washington as I transitioned into full-time employment using my art as a way to confront white supremacy and affirm mutual humanity in many form-packed ways the whole space for people to deconstruct the social construct of race and to think more deeply about how we can heal the suffering of black people and people collectively and inspire and encourage all of us to find our purpose in calling in meaningful and impactful ways that speak to peace and love and shared prosperity So this is a piece I know this was such a crucial time for myself and so many in the world and that we are still reeling from it to this day So hopefully this will offer some inspiration and encouragement in terms of the recognition that there is still more possible So this is called In Our Wake Inside these hands a golden chance Within these walls a castle falls while all the peasants dance Where does one turn in a house of mirrors if everywhere you look there you are If silence becomes too loud to hear over the birds songs When touch seems a distant stranger fuzzy and still wet with hazy memory No one said anything about the masks we'd wear over the masks we wore before And yet the sun still shines through gloom and flowers dare to bloom I saw a patch of onion a robin thrusting its chest out eyed me suspiciously as if to say what are you doing here It appears we are still here maybe we can outlive and outgrow our shadows Maybe life will look us square in the eyeball and not notice our flinching imperceptibly Or see it and still forgive us our immortal mortalities Maybe today will be the day the walls part like seas and the ceilings raise and the light has its way with us Maybe the rain will merge with the sweat born of our contained lives and become indistinguishable Maybe we'll take ourselves out of ourselves cast away the plastic packaging and see something more alive Something more fun to play with than fear and shallow mirrors Maybe we can be friendly to ourselves even when the world is not watching When the ceaseless eye of Babylon has gone to sleep or long died We can be here creating, musing, imagining, envisioning life as it could and can be And leave what it was and is in our wake Absolutely beautiful. I love that. The bit about the mirrors. It sounds like kind of a metaphor for the zoom world that we're all attached to right now. At least that's the way that I was kind of interpreting that.  It's a strange phenomenon to have to look at ourselves digitally as we engage with others. Anyway, I find that to be just a fascinating element of like there needs to come a time when we can step back and really look at ourselves through something more than a shallow mirror. I think so too. I think it can have that meaning in terms of referencing the disconnect regarding our forced reliance on technology to engage. And it can also I think refer to how we can sometimes be subject to acquiescence, to have knee jerk reactions, stereotypical perceptions of perspectives of people who are our reflections. Every person is your reflection. Every person has something to learn and something to teach. So when you circumscribe them to one dimensional ideas from past experiences that have nothing to do with the depth and nuance of who they truly are, you're in effect robbing yourself of access to the brilliance that is within all people. And it's important that we don't deprive each other of our mutual value because there's a shared wealth in that brilliance amongst the collective of human beings that if we just hold space for curiosity and a willingness to learn and grow and see what we share in tandem and what differs in our stories, so much learning and beautiful things can be attained from that phenomenon and that interaction and engagement. And it certainly is needed in a world where so much history is based on the opposite, where we're taught to have a quick, fast take on who people are and think that we know them before we even get a chance to know ourselves and share each other's stories. As the old adage goes, don't judge a book by its cover. That's a little bit cliche for a conversation regarding poetry, but what you're talking about here is so much deeper than that and even deeper than this idea of flat zoom worlds. What you're really talking about is stepping back and pulling back that curtain for ourselves as well as for the people we interact with and really giving space for understanding, giving space to learn and to grow and to give people the benefit that they have something valuable to offer. Well, I think what that willingness to be present and to share yourself and receive other people's self-expression and shared story authentically does is it takes us out of the programmed realm of stereotypes. It allows for space for sincere care and love and appreciation based on who we are and also allows us to have a more intentional hands-on approach about who we are allowing ourselves to become. Because I remember that's something that James Baldwin said too that was quoted I think in that movie Bamboozle by Spike Lee about the history of minstrelsy and how people still take to these stereotypes. But I think he said people pay the price for who, I'm not paraphrasing, for what they do and what they don't do. And even more so by who they allow themselves to become and they pay very simply with the lives they lead. So I think the whole terminology of whiteness, thinking that it's above European people conditioned to believe that white exists, thinking they're above, has robbed them of their own humanity in terms of appreciating the richness of the world they exist in and feeling some weird or strange need to preserve something that's based on fabrication that has nothing to do with the true essence, the true humanity, the true spirit. Having need to draw from so many different faiths and different ethnic backgrounds to attain spirituality to have a kind of a buffet mentality about drawing from the culture of appropriation of other people's culture rather than residing in an authentic place where you find your own centered presence and focus on the value within. I think that's what we can offer the world as artists and as human beings when we're heart centered and we have that approach to hold space for ourselves and each other authentically. And there's where so much care, love and peace can dwell. Yeah, no. What you're really talking about and getting at for me, and this is something that you and I have fallen on in many occasions in our past conversations. I've really enjoyed getting to know you better and getting to know your approach to civic engagement and trying to address these very challenging issues directly.  It speaks to Pablo Ferreri's book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. And, you know, there's this balance that kind of plays out in the first chapter of that book where Ferreri really dives into the relationship between the oppressed and the oppressor and how it doesn't matter what side of the equation you're on in that space, whether you're the oppressed or the oppressor, violence affects both sides, right? The one committing the violence is also hurt, is also bruised by those events. And so, you know, when you're talking about creating understanding and acknowledgement and bringing truth to this space and allowing space for white folks very much like myself to, you know, acknowledge that and find alternative ways, it really speaks to that dynamic between the oppressed and the oppressor. And I'd love to maybe just end with like, you know, asking, how do you use your poetry to build peace in this space, you know, based on these kinds of concepts that Ferreri is talking about? Well, I think that, as John Henry Clark said, African history is the pages of African history are the missing pages of world history. So when you think about the term white that has nothing to do with the true identity of human beings, but what is rather something that's fabricated, what happens when people of European descent replace that term and think more deeply about how they play into different patterns and coded behaviors that have been intergenerational? What happens when there is more leadership capacity held for black educators and educators of global majority to fill those gaps and lapses where spaces of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, which are maybe short-sighted when they're simply held to be enacted by white women, white educators, in terms of normalizing the concept of white supremacy in a new age and more contemporary fashion. Because if you're not allowing for the voices of the people who have been most adversely affected to take a leadership role, then you still create the same patterns of the past. So I see that within the school district, I see that within politics at large and civic engagements and the ways that we are positioning ourselves. But I think that if we as human beings hold space for a deeper listening to ourselves and to underheard voices, voices that haven't historically been suppressed or repressed or other people have been being oppressed, then we can find ways to outgrow these circumscribed roles of oppressor and oppressed and think more deeply about how we have agency over transforming that paradigm, transforming the way that we engage and respect and have sincere reverence for our shared humanity and ways that reflect on the dignity of the human personality that Dr. King spoke of and ways that speak to the beauty and the brilliance inherent in every child and by the same token, all of us. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. I wish we could talk for hours more, but I think that this episode is coming to a close and I just want to take a moment to remind you all who are listening to this and watching right now that peace talks and that there are many people in our communities today that are working to build peace despite the many crises and challenges that we are facing in this volatile world. And with that I just want to say this show is being brought to you by Community Wealth Development and we're going to be talking to folks from various sectors of our community that are building peace in wildly different ways. This episode is really focused on, like we said, development as unfolding, really connected to art and humanity and the opportunity to build new cultural spaces that allow us to understand and grow and unfold as we should with peace in mind at the center of that. Following this episode we'll likely be moving into more economically based developments but also very focused on mission driven actors that are trying to create access to justice, access to opportunity and generating a collective effort in order to do so. So thank you so much for watching and you all have a wonderful day.


If I asked you and it wouldn't be hard to think about what are some of the spiritual gifts that people desire matter of fact if I asked you What would be if it's a particular spiritual gift that you don't think that you have been gifted with What sort of thing or Gifting of the spirit would you like to have would you like to receive? What would be something that you think that you might be lacking now? It may be something that is one of the so-called abused gifts Or maybe something different so We can always easily go to the things that we think that we lack or that we want that's the desire But I want to talk about the gift of the spirit the numitikon that We don't like that. We don't want we don't ask for it is the least desired Gifting of the spirit now and when I say this you might even think to yourself. That's not a spiritual gift, but I beg to differ. I'm gonna show you that it is a spiritual gift I'm gonna show you that it is from God and that he graciously gives this to us How many of you if I asked you? Notice how many people how many great people that were used of God Suffered in the Bible you ever noticed that you ever noticed that the great people people that God used They suffered Now if you also notice that you'll also probably notice that sometimes the suffering Had nothing to do with Something good from them. Sometimes the suffering was because of sin They did something wrong. And so they're about Suffering came and then God used that suffering to either mold them to grow them or to take them where they wanted to go For example Jonah Jonah disobeyed God I'm pretty sure that was uncomfortable as a matter of fact when you listen to him praying in inside the bill of the fish suffering But even more so how about David David sin brought about a long list of Sufferings and God still used or how about Paul? Paul persecuting the church Jesus says that you will suffer many things on my account and then there are those that suffer because Just because God is trying to grow them not because of sin But everybody who is in Christ is going to suffer What we don't think of though is that this suffering happens to be an actual gift Let's go to the scriptures and I want to show this to you guys In Philippians Let's start in verse 27. Let's start in verse 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ So that whether I come and see you or am absent I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving side-by-side For the faith of the gospel and not frightened in anything by your opponents This is a clear sign of them that their destruction of their destruction but of your salvation and that from and that from God and look what he says in verse 29 And we have to break this down a little bit. I want you to see something that that's that's not as clear in the English But he says for it has been granted to you That for the sake of Christ that you should not only believe in him But also suffer for his sake Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now here that I still live but he says that It has been granted for you that for the sake of Christ that you not only believe But also that you suffer and you're gonna hear people preach sermons and talk about how our faith in Christ is a gift and that's true But you don't hear meantime people talking about the suffering that we've gotten That we go through is also a gift. We put it back on the screen. So I want to point something out to you Says you should not only It has been granted to you for the sake of Christ You should not only believe but it's also been granted to you that you should suffer for his sake now It's not speaking of what type of suffering or how the suffering was initiated But I want you to notice this word right here this word for granted The word granted might be a little bit deceptive to you. It might it might cover the full meaning So let's pull it out. Let's see if we can flesh this out the word Granted is the from the Greek word acharistae now this word acharistae is Derived of it's a cognitive verb of the word charis, which is grace What this word means is? Gracefully given Granted is fine, but the full meaning of this word is we have been Gracefully given what's been gracefully given he says two things have been gracefully given to us. Let's look it again Gracefully given for the sake of Christ that we should believe. Well, we're thankful for that We are thankful that this ability the gift of believing The spirit in us we are thankful that God has graciously given that to us But we don't like the cousin that comes with it Nobody wants that that no one has ever prayed. Well, I wouldn't say no one but Rarely has a person prayed Lord. I want to suffer For you matter of fact Lord, I want to suffer greatly. I want to I want to be a great sufferer I want to I want to suffer more than we don't think we don't ask that. Do we we don't ask God give it to me matter of fact Lord, keep it coming of all of all the suffering I've been through keep it coming I Have covered some of the things that I've suffered through some my fault some not my fault But it's just a byproduct of life would even more than that It's when I've come to see this it is a byproduct of Christ for the sake of Christ even but think about this guys Even before I was a action actual believer before I was an actual believer God knew me and He says it has been graciously given to me To suffer for his sake that is an awfully goofy sounding thing It is so fun. Think about it Because it's the one thing that we have in common with the world It's the one thing that we haven't now their suffering is not for his sake But ours is and we're gonna look at some of the reasons why because I want us to see really what the point of suffering is I want us to see how suffering excuse me. I want to see how suffering strengthens us This suffering is gonna build us up into something how it also reveals us have you ever noticed that when a person suffers they go to the thing that they depend on if they count on they trust in and Sometimes we find out that in our suffering that maybe it's not God that we depend on that we look to Maybe it's us. We figure out means and ways to alleviate our suffering Maybe through alcohol or through other drugs or through any other thing Right there's different ways that different things we turn to and if it's not God it reveals to us that who we're not serving Also, what suffering does is it breaks us ask David ask Job He says the sacrifice and offers you that desire But a broken and contrite heart a Broken why because again when you're broken Which is another way of saying you're suffering then what do you do if you're his you're looking at him You're looking for him. You're looking to him Lord. However you deliver me deliver me Think about that for a second When you are going through something if you're being broke if you're suffering You are going to look to the one who you think is your source Not just a resource, but your source by the way, have any of you ever suffered with somebody else? You was going through something and and there was someone else also who was going through it with you Might have been a spouse might have been a child might have been a sibling a parent a friend When you go through it with somebody don't don't you kind of aren't you kind of bound a little bit closer a little bit tighter with that person? You hear these stories about people who were in wars together And they were in the foxholes together and they come back in their buddies. You can't tear them apart Because they were suffering yet.  They were there together I got some prison buddies who you could you couldn't get me to turn on them. I got some I got some I got a couple buddies from prison who I Am closer to them than I am a lot of my family members even closer than my own siblings Because we've been through something we know what it's like the ups and the downs the struggles at the worst part And guess what when you're struggling we when you're suffering, you know, it's hard to do when you're suffering It's hard to be fake when you're suffering Matter of fact the more fake you are when you're suffering The more that fakeness is kind of washed away folks to see it, right?  You don't even take care of you here You don't even feel like Your clothes don't look the same you don't look the same you don't feel the same Suffering presses you down and causes you to focus on him Because how beautiful how wonderful how awesome is the salvation that you get as a result of that You don't you don't rejoice in salvation unless you realize what you're saved from and that's what suffering does When you think about God's goodness Every time you think about God's goodness if you said and just Contemplate it just relax and just think about how good God is What when you think about God's goodness? Do you think about what he's brought you through? Me personally I think about what he's brought me through and then I smile I rejoice I think about Where I used to be where I could have been I think about When someone came to kill us I Think about that time I Think about when I was homeless. Oh, how hard that was for me. I Think about obviously going to jail. I think about I think about what my family had to endure Even while I was gone though the pain the struggling that they went through because of me And then losing family members while I was in prison and then now to be on this side I rejoice matter of fact when you when you when you struggle and when you suffer You know what it's hard to do for a person who's come through the struggle It's hard to stop them from rejoicing. It's hard to stop them from praising God It's hard to stop them from worshiping him. That's a get out of their way Some people get bothered when people Kind of outwardly praise and worship God. I don't I don't Because there are some people who they'll say you can't make me doubt him I know too much about him and I know what he's done for me And so if you don't praise him, I'm appraising and you don't have to necessarily praise in the same way But when you've gone through something It crying is it's second nature Shout in the second nature I know I know some of us have been taught and been led to believe that people that show emotion in Church or in in groups. It's a bad. No, it's not No, it's not if there's anybody on the planet that should show some sort of emotion It should be us If you are emotionless if you are just kind of stone cold when it comes to the move of God I've got I'm not doubting your salvation.  And so we have the ability to show emotion and so coming through suffering Ask David Ask ask ask Jonah ask no ask the people in the Bible who suffered and Then watch him or just go out on the street and ask and look at folks who've actually suffered and who are now living for the Lord. I See I know some people who love the Lord. They might be a little bit quirky, but they love the Lord with all of their quirks Suffering suffering binds you to him now. I Want to I want to pull up some passages. I want to look at something I want to I want to I want to look at what Paul says. It's kind of an odd passage But let's look at what he said he says in Romans chapter 8 Let's start in verse 16 the spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God And he says and if children then heirs well That part we like being children and being heirs with God The next part we don't like because if we're also heirs he says heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ But we says provided or if we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him Okay, Paul. Can you do me a favor Paul? Can you go back to that passage? Can you just erase that whole part if we suffer? But we're told we're gonna suffer we are going he says if we look what it says if we or provide it We suffer with him now the word issues here is this Greek word, which is a pair which means that We definitely will suffer since we will it is indeed a fact that we will suffer Paul is trying to get us to get it in our minds get our understanding that we are going to suffer We're going to suffer I don't know why it just popped in my head. Yeah, some of y'all remember the movie Taken And can you imagine the father's on the phone with his daughter and she's under the bed and she says she tells I have a girl's little girl's name says listen, you're going to be taken. Let me just get you ready.   What can you do? Nothing but look up and and look to him So he says if we suffer, but his point is no we indeed will suffer the point of it is we will suffer now Why does he want us to suffer? What couple reasons? one reason is remember I said this guys every Every every I make it in three syllables every every spiritual thing is For the benefit of others Now once you think about this for a second every gifting that we have and this suffering We just read is a gifting from God like every other gift But it's not the gift that we talk about it ain't the gift when we I think I got the gift of prophecy I got the gift of tongues. I got the gift of this gift of that ain't nobody out there a preaching But I got the gift of suffering No Matter of fact matter of fact if a person is suffering too much we think something's wrong with them If a person is going through too much we think he mustn't like Job's friend You must have did something you must be in sin. You've done something wrong And then what we do We think that guy is got a black cloud over him or he's he's slept right He's got something bad going on with him And it couldn't be instead of thinking it may be God is actually blessing this person Through his suffering, but again one of the points one of the purposes of suffering One is for us But it's also for others look this passage first Peter chapter 4 verse 10 He says as each has received a gift Use it to serve one another as good stewards. So whoever might right now my little my Hey, honey, bring bring bring three in here, please bring three in here. My grandson right now is suffering He is so I'm putting back on the screen So he says as each one has received a gift use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's very grace so think about this our Suffering is for the benefit of other one. I won't leave it up there. This is for the use of others So let's put it on the screen now Bring bring your nephew to me So whatever you've got and if it's this gift We'll ask yourself this question Because it's kind of weird if this is to benefit others. How can my suffering benefit you? How can my suffering Help out the next person Well, it gives us something or somebody that we can identify with Okay He's suffering because he's having a potty He's suffering because he's having a he's having a potty my grandson Cries at anything if he can't watch Coco Melon He's gonna cry if he can't watch Sesame Street and know we haven't counseled Sesame Street if he can't watch Sesame Street He's gonna he's crying over that if he can't eat this if he can't eat that Do you know what a lot of kids have not learned to do? They have not learned to suffer. They have not learned to be uncomfortable And so because there's not they're not uncomfortable Then they don't know how to how to live in us and you can bring to me Yeah, I'm gonna bring cuz I he's right there at the door crying so I freeze my go going come in He can he can come up with me.  Christians are comfortable Christians don't like to be uncomfortable the moment. There's any sort of discomfort with Christians in the body Something's wrong There's no building. I heard it put it this way about the children of Israel when they were in the in the in the in Egypt and They had all their straw taken away, which made it harder for them to stomp out the bricks and so forth It made it harder for them. So they had to stomp even more work even more work even more work even more Well Because of that maybe someone and I heard it this way and maybe it's true Maybe it's because God saw had knew that they were going through a wilderness crossing and I've got a strength in your leg muscles It is amazing how the things that we've gone through are the things that we use as we get older as we see certain things Those of us that maybe you've been hurt by somebody in the past when you get older Those things that hurt us the person hurt us the very same trick that the enemy used then or that came against us It doesn't work anymore. Why because I've built up a tolerance I've built up ability to fight that off and so because I have been trained or the suffering it's developed me remember I said this when something happens to me doesn't bother me as much Now, I know I haven't gone through All what there is to go through. I know I've been through enough and so it's been enough to where when something happens to me Okay It is what it is so to speak Some people have called me To nonchalant on some things things that hey, why aren't you panicking? Why aren't you upset? Why aren't you bothered? Well? I've been there before I've seen it and in the grand scheme of things What I've suffered and what this is then compare and So because of that God is going to see but also this if I suffer and I cry out to God and God likes to hear from me But when it's good and plenty and I've got all that I need all that I want it's the it's I just got paid It's the first of the month of the 15th, and I've got at least two weeks or months in my next paycheck The when I get the paycheck everything's good Everything's what everything is glorious Oh about a week or so a few days before the the next paycheck kind of struggling, right? I'm not I'm not shouting as much because things aren't as aren't as great But when I don't have things going my way I call out to God when things are going my way God who I don't speak to him. He didn't hear from me I might I might I might watch a YouTube channel. I might I might I might do something like that I might listen to my favorite gospel song my favorite Christian song. I might do that Because things are going good for me just to make just just to keep up the appearances that I am a believer But when I'm down and out oh Lord Yeah, when I'm when I'm down and out when I'm suffering I can pray for an hour. I can when I'm suffering I Feel like fasting But when I've got money in the bank when things are going well Well fast another time. I'm good It isn't how we do and so because of that God is gonna use this suffering to one bring us him But also to bring us for others and he makes this point. He says it's for righteousness sake Let me pull this up as well. He says In first Peter put on the screen first Peter 3 13 now Who is it? Who is there to harm you if you ourselves for what it's good? Now overall, there's no one that's gonna be able to harm us But look what he says But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake you will be blessed Have no fear of them nor be troubled But in your hearts honor the honor Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone Who asks you for a reason for the hope that it's in you yet do it with generous respect now He says that he says that it's kind of interesting. We quote that passage But he's talking about that passage in light of suffering Isn't that in that kind of odd? Let's keep reading For it is better to suffer for doing good verse 17 If that should be God's will then for doing evil now He didn't say that you won't suffer for doing evil You will suffer for doing evil, but obviously it's better to suffer for doing good Now obviously in the midst of that what should you be able to do give a defense give an answer for the hopeless in you You know what that means guys that means that even when you're going through you're still supposed to be at your post Even when you're good as a matter of fact the going through should cause you to be at the ready because I've been there How many of you all have suffered? That's what I would like to know how many of you have actually suffered But then how many of you how many of us when we do suffer act like it's our very first time suffering We do that often You can come We act like it's our very first time suffering you want to come on TV on the camera with me All right, y'all. Here's my grandson. Let him watch. Who is that? That's you how many how many of us suffer and Act like we've never seen before we act like we've never had any occasion to suffer in the past before Why is that? Well, it might be that we're just not ready yet for what God is gonna take us to because we want God to bless us But it could be that we're just not ready It how many of you all watch sports? I love sports love sports, but I can promise you this There's never been one team that won anything without struggling through all the practicing All the lifting weights all the conditioning if you work out hard you feel like you're suffering all of that Why there is a goal there is a prize at the end But before you get there what's there first the suffering Paul tells us that this suffering is a graciously given gift And so look what he says in first that's the only ends three four Let's start in verse one therefore when we could bear it no longer We were willing to be left behind at Athens alone Now look what he says notice. He says when we could bear it no longer We were willing to be left behind they're going Paul is going through something and we sent Timothy our brother and God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ to establish and exhort you in your faith And so even still even still they're focused on the body I don't know if you notice that it's only says in verse three that no one Be moved by these afflictions I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm we sent our brother Timothy And God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ to establish and to exhort you in your faith that no one be moved by these Afflictions by which afflictions the ones that we're going through because I want you this here it is guys I want you to be able to see what I go through as A means to give you confidence that you can go through So I want you think about this whenever you're suffering and you are you aren't listening that new slash if you didn't know this You are going to continue to suffer You might be suffering now You might have just come out of some great suffering But you are going to suffer you're gonna suffer all the more. Let's keep reading He says for when you were for when we were with you We kept telling you beforehand that we were we were to suffer affliction that just as it has come to pass and Just as you know for this reason when I could bear it no longer I sent to learn about your faith for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and Our labor would be in vain Paul wants to know wants to make sure that even though I'm suffering I want to know that make sure that our suffering and our laboring with you and for you has not been in vain and In do I want you all to look at me not me, but Paul look at me as an example Get your if you can look at me and do what I do because I'm there's nothing special about me and By the way Paul suffered matter of fact Paul suffered so much that he cried out to Jesus took the Lord three times What the Lord say? My grace is sufficient My grace is so he's looking at his face on the cap on the screen, but my grace is sufficient You mean tell me Lord. I'm out here doing all this work for you I'm sharing the gospel out and been shipwrecked Been in the in the deep in the waters I've been bitten. I've had the The lashes 39 minus one and you can't remove this during the flesh whatever this is you can't remove that What gives God what does he say my grace is sufficient and so to suffer for God if I want to suffer God I'm gonna suffer and it's gonna be for great gate Regardless of how the suffering was brought about if the suffering was brought about by sin Or if it was brought about because God is just just cuz the suffering is brought about just cuz it's Tuesday Just cuz it's Saturday just cuz it's one day of the week However, the suffering that's better than the suffer because of righteousness, but it doesn't matter if the suffering is for God Did a man and so I want to pull up this passage Cuz cuz Paul says something that's bothersome Paul seems to make light of our suffering that knee he says that our suffering You know the passage he says verse seven of chapter four and second second He says but we have in this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not us We are looking says afflicted. We suffer in every way But not crushed Perplexed but not driven to despair Persecuted but not forsaken struck down but not destroy always carrying in the body the depth of Jesus So that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies Did you already say it? The life so that the life of Jesus would be manifested in us in our bodies Jesus knew why he came and did not shrink back and For the joy of the cross he endured it for us And so we do the exact same for him, but also for others. Let's keep reading. He says For we who live are always been being given over been giving given over to death for Jesus's sake So that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal bodies so that death is at work in us But life in you now. I want to drop down because he says something that we don't like he says so we do not lose heart and Here it is as we get ready close. We do not lose heart All that we go through We know if there's a there's a guy that's working in us and look what he says He says so we do not lose heart though our outer self is wasting away our inner self is being renewed day by day When I was going through let me tell you guys when the breakthrough happened for me Let me tell you when it just clicked and I don't know how would how it how it does with you or when it will do For you, but let me tell you when it clicked for me. I am literally in my jail cell I'm literally in my chain literally in my chains Thinking you know what Lord? I'll never forget this They they grabbed me and put me in what we call the shoot the whole solitary confinement Had no idea no reason why they did so. I don't know. I Don't know why they did that still to this. They don't know I didn't do anything I was I was faithful with the body in prison If anyone needed something I felt like I was Johnny on the spot teaching praying all these different things And they come and grab me and take me and put me in the shoe. Don't know why And I'm thinking Lord, what's going on? I know Lord. I've been faithful. What's what's what's the deal? Well, a couple a couple of things happen while I was in the shoe a couple things happen One I Can't now you can't talk to your family while you're in the shoe you get one letter. I mean one phone call per month Now I was back there for for for quite a few months But something else happened while I was in the shoe The courts the US court of appeals Sent me a letter and told me that my appeal that I thought I had very good shot of winning and having the case over overturned My appeal came back and was declined My ability to even appeal the appeal was declined At my worst in the shoe I get the worst bit of news That I could probably get a side of my children dying or something like that.  You know what I said Okay, Lord Okay, Lord It doesn't matter Because I'm good No matter no matter what you take me through. I'm good. You don't want you not you're not open this door for me right now Hey, man because right now it's just it's just me and you and So this suffering doesn't even matter. Let me just put up on the screen what he says He says to me and I'm reading this and while I'm in while I'm in the shoe He says for this light momentary affliction is Preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison How do you call this light Lord? How do you call this momentary? By the way, it was just a month or two prior to meet to them put me into the shoe that my mother passed away My mother passed away I'm in the shoe. I lose my case and it clicked y'all excuse me. This is one and it clicked. I Don't need anything anyway. All I as long as I've got Jesus. I'm good and I noticed what his suffering was doing for me. I Notice what his suffering was doing for me and how close it brought me and It was as though I Was at a hot one of the highest points I could ever imagine I don't recall being this high In the Lord at that moment that at then at that moment All of this suffers like everything everything everything all on top of me And I just had this all I could do a smile because he Who delivered me in the first place said that this is a light and mom this it ain't light It ain't quick and easy But he said, oh, yeah, it is it's quick It's momentary and it's like you can handle it because I'm handling it and This is where I thought of I was reminded of a sermon. I Was reminded of me telling the guys just before they put me in the shoe. I told them guys as long as Jesus is in the boat Then what I have to worry about The wind and the waves are not connected boat. I can see it But as long as Jesus in the boat Then what do I have to despair of? Absolutely nothing and I thought about the gift that he's given me the gift that privileged the honor to suffer and While suffering to serve him and so I want you all to know if you don't get anything else Make sure that folks see that you are the kind of person that can suffer for Christ That you don't have to you don't have to have all the good things happening in your life You don't have to be blessed in order to tell somebody about Jesus Matter of fact when you are down and look like it's down. You're down after everybody else To them though or to you and to heaven, you know that you're up Paul says that I've been up and I've been down I've had I've had a lot and I've had very little But in that I've learned to be content and so that's what we have to do Learn to be content in our suffering because there is a greater reward coming for us And the reward how many of you all? How many of you all have thought about our senior favorite sports team? And you think about the greatest victory that they've ever had Maybe it was it. I'm pretty sure it was something where they had the ability to lose. They were suffering Maybe they came from behind That's that's the story of the belief though we were Seemingly doomed and destined To to hail and to a fate worse than death Here comes God and Through the suffering we learn to appreciate all that he's done for us So guys, I want you all again going back to the the main passage I want to pull up again just so in case someone didn't see this I want someone to notice this this gift that Paul talks about He says that again it has been this word Accuracy it has been graciously given to us This gift of suffering has been graciously given to us Not only that we should only believe in him. That's obviously a great gift But right beside that gift is the gift of suffering And so if we're going to rejoice in the gift of life that he's given to us Then we also need to rejoice in the suffering that he's given to us as well. Amen


A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty high of silver. The lone ranger. With his faithful Indian companion, Tutto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Come with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the Great Horse Silver. The lone ranger rides again. Come soon, let's go big foe. I am still away, ho-ho-ho-ho! Claudius Williams had risen from a poor boy to become known as the fighting prosecuting attorney of Shawnee County. With the aid of the lone ranger, he had sent many desperate criminals to prison. And in recognition of his achievements, he was elected to the United States Senate. On the eve of his departure for Washington, the lone ranger called. I'm sure glad you came to see me. If it hadn't been for your help, I could never have done the things that led to my election. Now what can I do for you? I just came to wish you well, Senator, and not to ask anything from myself. Very well. But if you ever want anything that I can give you, just ask me, you'll get it. I appreciate it, Senator. I wish you a safe journey and a very successful career. When the lone ranger returned to camp that night, you found Tuttle waiting with news for him. Oh, postal read. He got news for you, Kim Subby. Oh, what is it, Tuttle? Well, when you go to see Senator Williams, you go to town to buy supplies. Yes, I know. I'll be here a man named Daggers Smith to get killed in prison. Daggers Smith killed? That right. Him have fight with other prisoner. Him get killed. Wasn't Daggers Smith supposed to have a young son somewhere, Tonneau? That right. Me here, boy, live near town of Rock Springs. Him name's David. Does he live with relatives? Well, me here, boy, live with women who keep many boys for pay. Woman named Belle Foster. Oh, a boarding home. Well, Tonneau, I think you and I should ride to Rock Springs tomorrow. Find out who's going to look after the boy. The following day, the lone ranger and Tonneau approached a ramshackle ranch house on the outskirts of the town of Rock Springs. And as it was near the supper hour, no one was in sight. In response to the masked man's knock on the door, a slovenly woman in her middle 40s opened the door cautiously. Miss, what's that mean? What do you want, Alhut? I came here to inquire about a boy named David Smith. We call him Croface. Is he here? You a friend of his, Pa's? I knew his father. Heard yesterday his pa was killed in a fight at state's prison. Good riddance, I says. Honoraryist critter, I have a point. Could I see the boy? You aiming to pay his keep? No. Then I'm throwing him out of here, and good riddance to him, I says, too. But would you call him? Yeah, I'll call him. Croface, come here. Taking him with you? Well, that's up to him. What do you want with me? Here he is. Croface, this is one of your Pa's old-hood friends. He's come for you. You knew my father? Yes, David. I knew him. Then I'm not going with you. I'll not go without law.  Just a moment, just a moment, please. David, do you want to stay here? No. I don't want to stay here. And I'm not going with you. You ain't staying here. I'm not feeding you for nothing. This is no place to talk to him. We'll take him with us. Come along, David.   I won't ride with you. I won't do it. Maybe him ride with me, Kimusabi. All right. I'll ride with you, Indian. But I'll not ride with that outlaw. I'll run away. Very well, David. You ride with Toto. All right, you come up. I'll steal him up there. Easy scout, easy, fella. All right, come on, sir, Luke. And I'm up to scouts. It was after dark before they made camp, and Toto prepared supper, which the boy ate in silence. The Lone Ranger attempted conversation, but was met with stolid silence on the part of David Smith. Twice during the night, the lad tried to steal out of camp, but he found the masked man to be a light sleeper. A firm but kindly hand pressed him back upon the blankets. Had no use, David, don't try it. You better turn over now and get a good night's rest.   When he wakened, the sun was high in the eastern sky. Toto had his breakfast ready, but when David looked around, he saw no sign of the masked man or the great white stallion, Silver. Where is he? Well, him leave early, go see friend, him not come back here. He won't be back? I'm glad. I hope I never see him again.  All right, I'll go with you, Toto. But I wouldn't go with him. I'd run away. Some two hours later, Toto and David rode out of the hills and before them spread vast rolling plains, herds of cattle grazed near a tree-studded river, and in the distance were low-ranging ranch buildings. Where are you taking me, Toto, to your village? No, no. You see ranch house yonder? Yes. We go there. Does the masked man live there? No, him not live there. I'm glad. I hope I never see him again. Oh, masked man treat you good, David. Him not hurt you? Just the same, he's abandoned.  Must him? Him not abandoned? He must be. He wears a mask. Well, someday you find out him good friend. I like you, Toto, but I couldn't ever be friends with him. I know he's abandoned. That man's proved it. Here they come, Colonel Angel. She's riding behind Toto. After what you told me about him, I was afraid Toto might have to rope him to the saddle to get him here. He seemed to have more confidence in Toto than me. That's why I left camp before he awakened. I was sure Toto could get him here. Why didn't you tell him who you were? I was partly responsible for sending his father to prison. I'm afraid that if he knew that, he'd hate and distrust me forever. Well, now that he's here, you just leave everything to me. He'll have a good home as long as he wants it. I'm just melting now. Thanks, Colonel. I'll go out the back way. I don't want the boy to see me or know I've been here. Love yous, my friend. I'll keep you posted on this program. Good enough. Tell him no swear to meet me. Love yous. Love yous. You say goodbye now, David. You go. I'm going with him. No, no, David. You stay with Colonel Haynes and live on ranch. I won't do it. I'll run away. He can't keep me here.  You won't? Nope. You see, folks in my ranch do as a please. But you see that little buckskin horse with a Mexican saddle at the H-ray there? Yes, I see him. Well, if you were bound to run off, I'd suggest that you take him. You'll find riding a lot easier than walking. You mean I can have that horse? He's yours if you want him, saddle and all. You'll find him gentle and easy riding. Would you mind if I got on him and rode over to that school? He's yours, son. Go where you please with him. I won't be gone long. I'll be back when school ends. Then I'll expect you for supper. You can meet my cowhands then, son. Maybe some of them will teach you how to use the rifle. Golly, well, sure enough, Colonel. You bet they will. Adios, David. Bye, channel. Come back and see me sometime, won't you? Meet come back and see you. Adios, Colonel. Adios, son.  It was three years later that United States Senator Claudius Williams, returning to his home state of Texas for his annual vacation from his duties in Washington, was called on by the Lone Ranger. After a warm and cordial greeting, the senator said, I needed a vacation. Decided to come back home and do some hunting and fishing. Get away from people for a while. Now, where do you plan to go, Senator? Up to Colonel Haynes Ranch. Guess you know of his place. Yes, I know it. It's good hunting and fishing in the hill beyond his home spread. In fact, Tunnel and I are camped up that way now. I rode down today when I heard you'd come home. Oh, is the Colonel going with you? No, unfortunately, he can't make it. He's on a cattle drive. So I'm just taking along one of his guides for company. Well, Senator, I don't want to take up your time. I know how busy you are meeting old friends and so on. That's quite all right. I'm delighted you came to see me. By the way, you never availed yourself of my offer to do you a favor. The offer still stands. Well, that's why I came to see you, sir. I have a favor to ask. Well, my friend, it's as much as granted right now. If it's in my power to do it. It's in your power. That's why I'm asking you. What is it? The position of Page in the United States Senate is one of the most coveted honors that an American boy can attain. Yes, you're right. And I might add one of the most sought after because of that fact, too. You see, Page boys are not only given excellent schooling, but they have the opportunity to participate in the making of democracy. You have a candidate? Yes, Senator, I have. Well, he's as much appointed Page right now. I'm proud to sponsor him to my colleagues in the Senate. Yes, sir, he's as fine a boy as I've ever known. But, Senator, you don't know this boy. Well, of course I do. You're speaking of your nephew, Dan Reed. No, I wouldn't presume on our friendship to that extent, Senator. I ask no favors for Dan. Then whom do you have in mind? A boy named Smith. Quite a few people by that name. But I presume this boy comes from a good family, prominent, and all that sort of thing. Oh, on the contrary, he doesn't. You and I sent his father to prison. What? He was killed by an inmate soon after. You mean Dagger Smith? Yes, sir. And you asked me to appoint his son as a page in the United States Senate? Yes, I do. My friend, you place me in a very embarrassing position. In what respect, Senator? Well, it's customary. In fact, it's traditional that Senate page boys come from good homes, good families, good background. Oh, I see what you mean, Senator. And I can relieve you of any further embarrassment. How do you mean? I'll withdraw my request. Oh, wait now. Let's not be hasty about this. After all, I've never broken a promise. I said I'd grant any request you ever made of me, and I mean it. My request is withdrawn, Senator. Very well, if you wish it that way. Perhaps it is for the best. It certainly relieves me. That'll be going now. But remember, I did not turn you down. I never break a political promise. And I make but few of them. Yes, sir, I understand. How do you, Senator? The curtain falls on the first act of our lone ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments. Here you are, Story. Two days later, Senator Claudius Williams arrived at the ranch owned by his friend Colonel Haynes. He found it deserted except for a skeleton work crew, none of whom he knew. But he was welcomed by a handsome and stalwart youth of 14. Name's David. So your name's David, eh? Well, well. Colonel Haynes has told me a lot about you and his letters. He thinks very highly of you, my boy. And I respect him highly, sir. He regretted he couldn't go along with you. Yes, I understand he's making a trail drive. Well, yes, sir. He and most of the ranch crew left two days ago. He told me to have everything ready to leave when you arrive. That's fine, David. I'm ready to start out immediately. Where's my guide? Colonel Haynes requested that I go with you, sir. Fine, David. But we'll need a guide and one who can cook. I can do both, sir. You mean you're familiar with good hunting and fishing places back in the mountains? Yes, sir. You see, Senator, I have an Indian friend. He and I have hunted and fished all through the mountains. Yes, it takes an Indian to know the best country for that. But about the cooking. Since I've been in Washington, well, my stomach's not as good as it used to be. I'm kind of finicky about my food. Colonel Haynes told me the foods you like, sir. I'm sure you'd be pleased at the way I prepare them. Dog gone.  I have the packed mules ready and fresh horses, Saddle. Fine, David. Let's get going. Oh, Scott, hopefully. Hopefully. You made good time in the town, by call. Huh? Me hurrying back to camp. Did you get the latest newspapers? Huh? Newpapers. Oh, thanks. Gypsy Bob Davis get out of prison. Gypsy Bob Davis and that, right?  Get in paper there. Let's see. All right, here it is. After having served only four years of a life sentence for murder, Gypsy Bob Davis and another prisoner named Joe Hall shot and killed two guards to make their escape from the state prison yesterday. Gypsy Bob, who is considered one of the worst criminals in the country, is said to have been captured by the Lone Ranger and was prosecuted by United State Senator Claudius Williams. Then the prosecuting attorney of Shawnee County. That's right.  Yes, it was also the prosecution of Gypsy Bob that made Williams famous throughout the state. Gypsy Bob had powerful political connections. No one thought he'd go to jail, but Williams sent him away despite his pull. And what we do keep us happy. We look for him. No, Toto. Says that he is believed to be headed for the Mexican border. Also, there are large posses on this trail. Well, that good. And get him before he can get to border, maybe. I only hope he doesn't take more lives before he's captured. My belief he'll not be taken alive. Uh, meet him back by Colonel Haynes Ranch. Oh, you did? Why? Well, me leave papers there for Senator Williams. Think maybe him want news about Gypsy Bob Davis. That was thoughtful of you, Toto. No doubt he will be interested. But have he and David returned from the mountains? No. Ranch cooks say them come back tomorrow, maybe next day. They've been gone about three weeks. I'll be interested in knowing how they got along together. Me find out. David tell Toto. That evening, darkness fell quickly over the mountains, and a melancholy quiet seemed to descend with it, or at least so it seemed to Senator Claudius Williams. After a hearty supper, instead of turning in for the night as had been his custom, he piled wood on the campfire, filled his pipe, and lit it. For a few minutes, he blew smoke rings toward the leaping flames. Then he said, I've enjoyed this vacation, David. All right, Senator. Tomorrow morning, we go back. I'll have the mules packed up soon after daybreak. We can leave right after breakfast. David, do you mind if I ask you some questions? No, sir, if I can answer them. Most boys have an ambition in life. I did, I know. What's yours? I want to become a lawyer, sir. You do, huh? Of course you know I'm a lawyer myself. I practiced until I was appointed Senator. Yes, sir, I know.  That's right. Made my reputation sending crooks to jail, I guess. That what you have in mind, David? No, sir. I want to be a pleader. I want to defend people who are wrongly accused or persecuted. That's a mighty high ambition, son. Most of our great Supreme Court justices have been that kind of lawyers. Yes, sir. I've read about them. Well, how are you going to get a law education, David? You thought about that? Colonel Haines says you'll put me through college. Of course, I'll pay him back when I hang out my shingle and get some cases to defend him. Many of the people who need your services will be poor. They won't have money to pay you. Then I'll do anything that's honest. I'm not worrying about that. I'll make enough to pay back Colonel Haines. Yes, I'm sure you will, David. Say, did you ever hear about the page boys in the Senate? Page boys? Yes, they act as messengers for the senators. Each senator points one. They get paid, but most important, I think, they get an education while they work. I never knew that. Who was your page boy, sir? Well, right at the moment, I haven't any. That's why I ask if you'd heard about them. Pardon me, sir, but I hear someone coming up to trade. Well, let's... Yes, there is. Maybe some of the Collins from the ranch looking for straights. Oh, yes, oh, our campfire. Well, they're welcome. I see them now. Two of them. Hold there! Mind having company? Not at all. Come right along. Glad to have you. I'm not so sure of that, Senator. You see who it is. Cover him, Joe. Hey, covered. I'm good. What's the meaning of this? Just don't go reaching for them hunting guns. Stay away, you're both here. Don't you remember me, Senator? Take a good look. Gypsy Bob Davis. Yeah, you know me all right. I read in the paper that you were taking a vacation up here. Thought I'd drop in on you. Talk over old times. When did you get out of prison? Couple of days ago. I shot my way out. Hey, Gypsy. Yeah, Joe, what is it? Take a look at that kid. I swear I've seen him before. Yeah, he does look familiar. Who is he, Senator? He's my guide. He lives on the Haynes Ranch. You leave him alone. I guess we must be mistaken about seeing him before, Joe. I reckon so. Anyway, I come up to talk to the senator about old times. Start talking then. When you sent me to jail, Senator, I put three marks on the wall of my cell just to remind me of the scores I had to settle someday. Remember Dagger Smith? Yeah, I see you do. He had three marks on his cell, too. Only poor old Dagger never lived to settle him. Ah, come on, Gypsy.  Shoot the senator. We'll take the kid along with us as cover in case a posse picks up our trail. All right, Joe. No, not now. Wait. Keep quiet, Kitty. You'll get what the senator is going to get. Please. Are you telling the truth? Truth about what? Did this man send Dagger Smith to prison? Sure he did. Why, kid? You know me. Both of you know me. I was afraid at first to admit who I am. Hey, sure I know you now. I used to see you at Bell Forster's boarding range. Well, I'll swear it's Crow Face. It's Dagger Smith's kid. Why in thunder did you tell us who you were? I was afraid. We heard from Bell a couple of years ago.  Did the law get too hot for you, Crow Face? Had to hide out in the ranch for a while, huh, kid? Yeah, that's it. Well, David, I can't believe it. Dagger Smith's boy. David? Did you get that, Joe? Called him David. Where'd you pick up that handle, Crow Face? Well, you're sure he sent my father to jail? Sure. Him and the lone ranger in that Indian town of old. They did it, Crow Face. Crow Face?  Are you crazy you're not bringing nobody here? Just a minute, Joe. Who you talking about, Crow Face? He's the alho who took me away from Bell Forster's place. You'll need him. We'll all need him to help us get away from him. Why, you want great food?  Crow Face, was this alho to friend of Dagger's? He knew my father will. That's why he came and got me after my father was killed. Then I don't see no reason why you can't go get him. You won't take long, will you? No, I'll be back soon. But don't kill the senators or I get back with my friends. Well, let's sit down and make ourselves comfortable till Crow Face gets back with Dagger's panel. Hello, someone's riding in. Oh, I'm riding plenty fast. Kimusubby, me norm. Who is it? I mean, think it, David. It looked like David. He shouldn't see me here. He thinks I'm an outlaw. Well, me know that. I haven't. I'm regaled of camp. He's seen my horse by now. Whoa! Whoa there, whoa there! Whoa! What's matter, David? I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. I want to speak to you. You want to speak to David. I want to speak to your friend,queen. Now don't be afraid. Him and her tear. So you're that Ranger, Yeah, did senator Williams tell you? No sir. Who did, tell you? Gypsy Bob Davis. Huh? Gypsy Bob told you? Until an hour ago I've had you. Not because you sent my father to jail, but because I thought you were a friend of his. I'm sorry that had to happen that way, David. Now tell me, had anything happen to the senator? No, not yet, but he'll be killed unless you get there within an hour. Gypsy Bob Davis and Joe Hall have been prisoners. Here's a look. Come and scout. I'll explain how I got away with this guy. Stay in peace. Easy, easy, easy, come on. Easy, come on. Get him up and scout him. Gypsy Bob and Joe Hall and the senator looked up as the Lone Ranger and David walked into the camp. They were surprised to see that David's tall friend wore a mask. Hey, what is this? No one noticed Toto creeping up from the side. This is my friend I was telling you about. I'm glad you waited until I got here before you shot the senator. Boy, you... Look out! You don't know how to take that gun! Me take that gun! I'll get your hands up, all of you. Don't shoot. I've got him up. That's better. You can stand up now, senator. David, David. Yes, senator? You brought the Lone Ranger. I realize now I should never have doubted for a minute what Colonel Haynes said of you. The following day, the little party arrived at the ranch of Colonel Haynes, who in the meantime had returned from the cattle drive. Only Bob Davis and Joe Hall were turned over to a group of cowhands to be returned to state's prison, and the Lone Ranger and Toto bad their friends goodbye. We'll be going now. Easy, sir. Howdy-oast to you. Howdy-oast. Howdy-oast. One, two, three. I'm upstairs. Now, David, do you think you can be ready to leave by morning? Yes, sir. Where? Where are you going, David? David's going with me to Washington, Colonel. To Washington? Yes, as my page in the United States Senate. I'm appointing him on the recommendation of the Lone Ranger. This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, created and produced by George W. Trendle, directed by Charles D. Livingston, and edited by Fran Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beemer.