Faith – Jacksonville Blogger

“Get a Job”

Fair Warning- This blog may make you heavy or uncomfortable.

[IMPORTANT- The homeless situation is tragic. There is no attempt to make fun or make light of anyone in this situation. While this is a true story, empathy, sympathy and help is still offered.]

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be an advocate for the homeless. For so long, when I’ve seen them on the street corners, I’ve thought, and sighed aloud to myself or under my breath, “Get a job”. I would never give them money to buy drugs. Never. (Oh, and as they say, “Never say never.”)

In 2012 after thirty-six years teaching, I retired and used my drop money to buy some properties in a low-income area of the city. Some of the places needed roof work, some needed flooring and the list goes on. I have family who would be willing to help but these projects take serious time and my family members have their own lives so I looked for other ways to get the jobs done. Being in a low-income area, there were a lot of homeless camps and people roaming the streets.

I would see a guy on a bike in the area and I’d stop him and say, “Hi, I need some flooring work done, do you do that and are you willing to help?” With the homeless, the answer is always, “Yes” so I had able-bodied people to help. What was never clear until working with them was if they really could do the job.(That story is for another day).

There are different groups in life. There are people with ailments, disabilities, gifts to sing, talents to create, jobs to build, and on and on. The homeless are in a group all by themselves. Just like other groups have specific characteristics, so do the homeless. The homeless are driven. Just like the opera singer at the most prestigious concert hall, the singer focuses on one thing- singing. The homeless (on a whole) focus on one thing- how to make money to pay for their habit of choice?

Yes, there are homeless who have mental issues, however, my experience is that the majority of homeless have a drug of choice problem and live to get that drug.

Regarding characteristics of the homeless: They are pack rats, dirty, messy, appear lazy(but so many are not), often late, don’t follow through, have trouble getting places and there’s more but that’s a start.

In working with the homeless, I’ve come to know them as people with a name and a story to tell. While they do not generally tell too much, in working with them you get to know a lot about them and find that they too have feelings, dreams, families and needs.

Where I stand now with the homeless is that it is definitely up to the Church to step in. Every single person who is in the body of Christ should witness to every single homeless person they see. Give them Jesus. That’s it! That would be the only thing to change their lives and yes, sometimes that means telling them about Jesus then shaking that hand with a bill in it.

Ever single church in the city of Jacksonville should have some type of ministry for the homeless . The number one goal should be that the homeless hear the Gospel of Christ that saves and importantly that delivers.

There is NO other way for them to change without God and there is a church on every corner who should know God and offer Him to those in need.

So I say to the church, not the homeless person- “Please… Get a job” in the business of sharing Christ with the homeless who are desperate to know Him. Jesus could transform their lives.

See you Tomorrow,

Nan

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March 3

“Kiss of Life” A Divine Appointment

Rocco Morobito told others many years ago that he “was a believer”.

Photo given to Nan Ramey’s Class by Mr. Morobito, 2014

In 1968, The Kiss of Life photograph could be found on the front page of newspapers around the world. Even now, the photograph is celebrated on sites like Tic Tok, Instagram, Facebook, You Tube, news Channels and more. Even “Find A Grave” has a huge spread that tells the whole story. Those who work in the linesman industry say this event changed the way training was done. Certainly, it changed the families and friends of those close to the event.

Pulitzer Prize Winner explaining event.(Photo-Ramey)

Probably no one would have believed it but for the fact that Rocco Morobito captured it all on film. Morabito was a Jacksonville Journal photographer. He told the 4th grade students at Greenland Pines Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida on September 4, 1994 that when he left for work that day, it was a normal work day as he was headed to get photos of the train strike. On the way there he saw linemen working on the poles near 26th and Grunthal. Following his trip to the train area he went back by the electricians only to witnessed a linesman slumped on a pole only held only by his harness.

Rocco Morobito holding Pulitzer photo (Photo-Ramey)

Randall Champion had contacted a low voltage wire which shocked him and left him unconscious and hanging at the top of the power pole. One of the lineman working near him that day, J. D. Thompson realized what happened, took action and scaled up the pole giving Champion mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and saving his life.

Morobito happened to be at the ground level capturing it all on film which would later be a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph for News Photography. It was named, “The Kiss of Life”.

Mr. Morobito told the Greenland Pines’ students that on the way home he stopped by St. Paul’s, went in and knelt at the alter lifting up a prayer. He said to a reporter once, “I told you long ago that I am a believer” and when asked what made him drop back by where the JEA workers were, his response was, “ I believe in divine guidance…”

Champion lived to the age of 64 and is buried at Restlawm Memorial cemetery. Rocco Morobito died April 5, 2009 at the age of 88. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. In 2024, J. D. Thompson, using a cane, was” honored with a City Council Proclamation commending him for his 1967 rescue of fellow lineman Randall Champion.”

I’d say it was a divine appointment.

Champion and Thompson at the Lineman Museum.(Photo-museum)

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Jacksonville Journal, Jacksonville Daily Record, You Tube, Greenland Pines Elementary, Rocco Morobito, Nannette V. Ramey,

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March 2

Witness To The Lives of Others

Family members are our biggest heroes. (Ramey, age 10 at Capitol)

“Nobody cares”, some say but, I care and my Aunt and Dad are why…

Aunt Urbanna and my Dad are credited for the passion to keep up with history. Many who knew them feel the same. They spent so much time in their lives, photographing and writing it all down. All of my young life my aunt had camera in hand and took photos from the time we visited South Carolina, (our parent’s home), until we left. Often she would develop and send the photos to Jacksonville. We all loved it! It made us feel important, special and she was a witness to our lives. From that, our Dad would have us write on the back of the photographs so we later would know the occasion. Being a witness to the lives of others all fits together with everyone participating.

For items too big for a small box

Because of the love of history, my own archives, have photos of the founders of the internet, Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, several Presidents, and a dozen or more astronauts. There are famous people representing high-profiled cases like Cyril Wecht, Johnnie Cochran, and Jacksonville’s own, Judge Oliff. Also pictured is Mikhail Gorbechav, the Queen of England, the Prince, Princess and even Charlotte and the king-to-be, George. Oh, and there’s the King and Queen of Spain while in St. Augustine too. Jacksonville’s great First Baptist Church, has allowed for photos of famous pastors such as John MacArthur, John Philips, Adrian Rogers, Billy Graham, Franklin, his son and more. All being a witness to God’s greatness.

Boxes of labeled photos

History matters and Jacksonville, Florida has had the run of it. In recent months, I have wondered what in the world will happen to those pics going forward, so I’ve tried to organize them, categorize them and put them in ABC order but it’s just not as simple as that. Certainly not if you have at the very minimum of many thousands of photographs. For example, there are 88,000 photos in my 2 terabyte Apple phone right now. (Really). (And I have photos of Apple’s co-founder, Steve Wozniak too.)

Filing system to get photos filed

Now, it must be said. I’m really a “wanna-be photographer. I am not professional by any stretch. I consider myself a historian, so some of my photos are simple basic shots and simple images of very famous people.

Being a witness to the lives of others is important. While I’ve taken pics of the famous, I keep up with my own family, the real heroes in my life and click away every chance I get. Also, it is important to write on the backs to document those events. Anyone finding those photos will know who those famous family members are one day.

What about you? Whose lives are you viewing on a day-to-day basis and are you saving their images for future family members and historians alike? Tip of the day. Put names, dates and places on the back of all photos. History fades with time so as you witness, document as well.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Faith, Family, History, People, Random Posts | Comments Off

July 23

The Church Must Step Up for the Homeless

This issue is not a partisan issue. Lives are truly at stake no matter the party line. It is really time for the Church of Christ to step in and be a part of the help in this serious issue of souls. The problem is more than being physically without a home, food and a place to lay their head. It is truly about salvation.

Leonardo da Vinci produced The Last Supper between 1495 and 1498, which is the most well-known religious painting. Jesus taught his disciples to go forth and teach the Gospel.

The struggle of the homeless is real. In most cases, their bodies rage for need of the drug of their choice. This rage drives them to their homelessness. They need help to get off of drugs, opportunities to work, places they can go for mental health, clothes, showering, transportation, and a great many other things. There is only ONE solution and that is God, who has power over every stronghold. Homelessness and what gets them there is a serious stronghold.

Permission was given to take this photo of a homeless woman who has been on the streets for about a year.This photo was taken about 8:30 am. It had rained heavily during the night.

Jacksonville’s Mayor Donna Deegan said, “In every community conversation I’ve been to over the past year, one of the things I heard most often was the need to address homelessness. With that feedback in mind, our 12-point plan makes progress on this significant issue and complies with HB 1365. Our goal is to build safer neighborhoods and make homelessness a rare, brief, one-time occurrence in a person’s life.”

A homeless man took me in the neighborhood camp to see this make-shift home.

The Church has THE answer to solve this problem. No “free” homes, “free food”, “free anything” will solve this issue. It is a matter of the heart and the Church has the answer to deal with the heart. “Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God said, “My wayward children . . . come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts” . God also warned, “Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. (Jeremiah 3:22 NLT- Copied)

Jesus said that the poor would always be with us but that there are blessing when any of us give even a cup of water in Jesus name. The church could and would really make an impact in this up and coming effort to deal with this serious issue.

If every church in Jacksonville would take on simply one aspect to help the homeless in their area of town, great inroads could be made to saving the lives of so many. Please pray that the Church will take on this task. It is not an easy task but it is a necessary one.

Things the Church could do and with every single mission, offer the Gospel of Christ which is able to save:

Church Ministries

Bible Lessons, Church Services, Clothes Closets, Food Pantries, Job Opportunities, Shower Stations, Skill Training. ( With every single dealing with the homeless the Gospel must be shared. That is what saves.That is what changes a soul.)

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. “Proverbs 19:17

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother” Deut 15:7

“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” Prof 14:31

“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” Prov. 28:7

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Churches, Faith, Government, Health | Comments Off

January 13

Three Miracles Already in This New Year

Two things and then three miracles. I don’t know how God works but wow and you’re just not going to want to believe these stories but you decide. Here goes in order.

First, our Dad’s home was built in the 1960’s. As a result, everything is not “code”. It’s not perfect, first because my Dad built it and he in himself worked outside of the box. (Literally in this case.) This week, there was water outside of the home in an unusual place thus the problem was a need to have the septic tank pumped which was promptly done. When the guy came to pump it, he told me the septic tank should not be this close to the house, that people should not ride over the drain field and that a new lid was needed. I explained that because we recently had a barn built and had to pull a permit that they “grandfathered” the septic tank in due to the situation and it was approved having worked well for over 60 years. Over time, we knew that regardless, we would certainly do what we could to upgrade so we immediately squared off wood 28 ‘’ x 35” and bought the cement for creating a new septic tank lid including rebar to secure safety. Meanwhile, since all of the walkway brick had been pulled up, the guests in the apartment needed a nice and most importantly, safe walkway for coming in and out. The day of the clean-out, we put a temporary entrance but I was not satisfied regarding safety so in the next days there were plans to make a safer and more sturdy walkway.

After leaving the house, and while taking home a worker, I was driving and saw a large piece of about 4 inch in thickness wood on the side of the road. It was a really nice walkway about 4 x 6 feet in size. A mental note was made of its location but I was tired and still had to take the worker to his home so on I went. After dropping him off with it raining and me being totally exhausted, I almost did not go back to look at the walkway but instead forced myself to go return… Good thing too. The walkway was going to be perfect. In the rain, it was heaved-ho into the back of the truck. Miracle # 1.

That same day, after leaving my daughter and son-in-laws home, I saw a nice table on the side of the road. It was too heavy for me to lift so I asked my kids to drop by on their way out and help me get it. While we were there, the worker who was riding with them was looking through the other items left and grabbed a small drawer. They came with me to the barn where we would off-load the table. I said in passing that I had lost the key to my riding lawn mower. The worker said, “Hey, I found a little drawer on the side of the road today. It has keys in it. Maybe one will fit your lawn mower. He tried the first and then the second, the third and in a total shock, the fourth key turned the lights on and then cranked the Craftsman riding lawn mower. The odds? Miracle # 2

I’m sorry to say, but this worker has not been honest and has stolen a circular saw, drill and battery, and a metal cutting saw from us. We, even he is well-aware of the whole debacle but we have needed his help and after discussions have kept him while being on the watch of his behaviours. When he cranked the lawn mower, and found a key that worked, he handed over a key to me. Naturally, I was in such shock that it fit, I had to try it myself. The key did not work. He had given me a key that did not crank the mower. In hind-sight, was it so he could later come remove the lawn mower or an accident? I say the latter but… you decide but in our mind it was “Miracle # 3” that the key was tried and found not working so that success could occur later and the lawn mower not be stolen.

How does God work? BTW, we’re trying to help the worker find God so maybe there will be a Miracle # 4. Pray with us.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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January 2

Treasures in Heaven or Stuff…

Truly, I love stuff. As a wanna-be historian, collecting things is almost a way of life. Having rentals provides a place to decorate with the stuff and store the stuff. In one rental, I’ve begun to add shelves high on the wall. There has been the “Whitehouse” rental where everything in it is President-related. Everything from the security phone, photographs, Christmas ornaments to the Lincoln bed was collected. Then there is the “Farmhouse” where there is a pig collection, horse collection, frog collection, sign collection and on and on so, I’m all about stuff.

Because of so much “stuff”, space has been affected. There are 3 storage areas which we use for everything from wedding things to lawn equipment, over 100 chairs and tables to seat those 100 people so we’re now thinking of building yet another storage area. That’s where the scripture comes into play and I’m wanting to focus more on treasures in heaven rather than things on this earth.

So, that is my new year’s resolution… I’ll tell you how it’s going as I get a better grip on it.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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January 1

Journals Galore

January 1, 2024

I have apologized time and again to my daughters for the amount of “stuff” they are going to inherit. There is a meme on the internet of a father standing in front of an open storage compartment filled with stuff. He says to his son, “One day, you’re going to inherit all of this”. The son is not impressed. Neither will my girls be. Oh my.

It could end that I spend every dime of their financial inheritance but for sure, I’m leaving behind my stuff. For example, a great amount of money was spent when I sold a property and bought a lake place and a mountain cabin. Then there was the Homestead property of my parents where we converted our Dad and Mom’s barn into a chapel and continue to work on it. There are the rental storage areas full of plunder to keep them going and of course, my own personal stuff. They will be shaking their heads and rolling their eyes. Again, I’m sorry.

I’m often reminded of the scripture that warns us not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven. That is going to be my new years resolution. I’m going to downsize and focus more on heavenly treasures but I can’t imagine I’ll get rid of that much to begin.

I am guilty of earthly treasure worship but in 2023, there are plans to work on that error. That won’t involve my journals though. I won’t part with my fifty- plus handwritten journals but will in fact possibly expand them with spiritual writings of growth and glory. There are probably more than fifty journals at this writing, but who’s counting. When I die the girls, out of curiosity might begin that task of counting them. They will be worn out too because for a good many years, a new journal was begun every year and sometimes even two or possibly three. Again, who’s counting?

So, what would be so interesting that a person would write daily. Well, in all honesty, there are days I don’t write in my journal. When I was in a working environment and had a desk it was easy to jot things in a book every day but being retired, the schedule is so up an down, I may not write for a week or so but when a writing happens, it is more of a factual entry of things occurring in real time.

During the pandemic, a Pandemic Journal was kept, so it will be of interest to pandemic historians. As a staunch conservative, all of the scare tactics will not be in there but can be compared to the majority of untruths put out by current left news outlets in their pandemic files online. What a difference they will read.

While it has been in me to write even as a child, my yearly journal endeavors really began in the 1980’s. Since photography has also been of importance, all American presidents since Ronald Reagan have been written about and photographed, including the trips and observances.

Highlights in my journals have been the raising of two girls, their lives and events but in between, having witnessed history, I’ve followed, photographed and journaled about Condi Rice, Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, the home of Martin Luther King, his children, and gone to the funeral of Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Jacksonville Mayors, American Presidents including Carter, Reagan, Obama and Trump, visited NASA with the famous astronauts and the list goes on, including the visits with Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince and King of England. Ha!

Today, January 1, a new journal was begun. The old one was put among the others for another day and in “my stuff” for my girls. “Girls, I’m sorry for all of the stuff” but you’re more valuable to me than all of the folks covered in the journals. I’ve told all about you in those writings so enjoy…

Meanwhile, I’ll keep you posted on my effort to focus on Jesus not stuff.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

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June 30

Jacksonville; Our Fair City

I love, love, love this city. Being born here in Jacksonville, Florida and living my entire life here except for my short time in college at Florida State University and a month with my sister in Hepzibah, Georgia, I know nothing else. I’ve enjoyed traveling to different and various places, visited the Queen and now King in London but there is nowhere I’d rather be than in this beautiful city of Duval County with its St. John’s River and magnificent trees such as highlighted on the Southbank at the Treaty Oak site.

My church is here where I love to serve. My immediate family is here and with that, I am set for life.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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May 3

Defender of The Faith

The Coronation Oath

Atop the regal crown stamped across the top of the Coronation invitations is the Cross of Christ in Christianity. Queen Victoria of the House of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth II leaned Protestant and kept the faith of Christ a priority during their reign. Queen Elizabeth said on many occasions that she was of the Christian faith and in a Christmas messages understood her calling and actions would be held as a “personal accountability before God”.

This crown with the cross of Christ is being offered on the Royal website for children to color.

According to the Guardian news organization “ Charles shares his mother’s faith and devotion, though it has a slightly different complexion”. Queen Elizabeth offered Christian messages yearly in her leadership as the Queen of England. In them she spoke of her devotion for Christ. While Charles is said to have that same commitment, he also has interest in other religions which causes concern for the Monarchy leadership regarding “the Faith”.

In 1994, he “triggered controversy when he said he would be defender “of Faith” rather than Defender of “the Faith”, wrote Harriet Sherwood of The Guardian . Although he tried to back-track on his comments and explain himself, many are concerned he could change the coronation oath.

In looking at this topic on Defender of the Faith, many are interested such as, PremierChristianty, Religion News, the Gospel Coalition, Christianity, Express, National Secular Society, the Conversation, the Washington Post and more. They are all wanting to see where the new King is going with the powerful words, “faith”, the Faith”.

Hebrews 3:12 offers a serious warning to all of the faith: Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: The Guardian, Washington Post, Gospel Coalition, Royal News , https://. bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Falling-Away-From-God

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April 14

Robert J. Bateman of the Titanic

Robert James Bateman was born in Bristol, England. He met and married Emily Hall Bateman in Britton on February 9, 1880. It is said he was returning to Jacksonville, Florida where he was the founder of the Central City Mission.

Mission- Jacksonville, Florida (Cowart Collection)

Bateman was returning from England when the Titanic Ship hit an iceberg and sunk on April 14,1912. People were relegated to getting on life boats to save their lives. Because the ship was deemed “unsinkable”, the White Star Line did not put enough life boats on the ship. Bateman is said to have stayed behind, lead the band in the song “Nearer My God to Thee” as the ship went down. 1,523 people lost their lives on that fateful night in the North Atlantic Ocean.

There is evidence that he gave his Bible to Aida Balls, his sister-in-law. His Bible was put on display in the Baxter Seminary Library in the 1940’s and later is said to have been put on display at the Titanic Museum in Tennessee. It is now at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC.

Titanic Museum Display

Bateman’s lifeless body was returned to his wife in Jacksonville. His service was held at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida on May 12, 1912. Bateman( 1860-1912) is buried at Evergreen Cemetery off of Main Street in Jacksonville, Florida. There are five memorials tied to the Titanic at Evergreen Cemetery.

Bateman found by the Mackay-Bennett group

Bateman was known as a true Christian with many articles quoting his love of Christ and desire that people be saved.

Notes in Bateman’s Bible (J. Cowart collection)

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Florida Baptist Historical Society, Voice of the Martyrs, Cowart, Old newspapers in public domain, Scottishrite.org, Evergreen Cemetery, Personal visit to Evergreen.

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If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.

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