Tanny-Bogus Can't Have Me

The following is a comment to my son Kelly on his blogsite. In order to understand and appreciate it please go to his blog, kellsbrain.blogspot.com and read his posting before reading this. I've been away for a while due to several things going on in my old life. Alice, I hope to do better in the future! Love to everyone and remember my friend Mike in prayer as he is undergoing chemo.

My Dear Son,
You have reached the headwaters of grace, and have drunk deeply of the fountainhead of mercy!
It feels that you and I have somewhat made this journey of the metamorphosis from fear into the grace of God together! We have talked over coffee, visited on the phone, exchanged emails over the past few years as we have searched and desired to move from fear and legalism into the heart of an un-understandable God. We knew it was there, it was just being able to let go the thundering of fears from the past and allow our souls and spirits to flow with an eternal heartbeat!
My journey began in Bible College, sitting in the classroom of Dr. Thomas Harrison. He was way ahead of his time in understanding the love of God! I can remember his shrill (he always rose to a high tenor when he was excited) voice, "Brethren, never preach on hell like you are glad people are going there...if you can't preach it with a tear in your eye and sob in your throat, leave it alone." Yet, it took many years and many experiences for all he said in those days to culminate in spiritual understanding for me.
I have profusely repented to God of my preachments of judgments and judgmentalism, as well as knowing that they were affecting my own children. I just pray today that you, Michael, and Robin understand my love for all of you; and that my errors were out of zeal and my own fears of the darkness and shadows of the past.
When I was just a mere tot, I can remember being told that if I didn't behave in certain ways that, "Tanny-bogus," was going to get me. Now I didn't know who the heck Tanny-bogus was, but I was sure he breathed fire, had horns and a pitchfork, and was going to turn me into a crispy critter in a second of time! (Someday I may write a book on grace entitled, "Tanny-bogus Can't Get Me.")
Like you, I had my "rapture fear," experiences. When I was about 7 or 8, I went with your Mammaw to the old Brookshire Bro. store in Lufkin. It has long since given way to the ultra-modern supermarket, and Dixon's Furniture now inhabits the old building. Anyway, as she shopped I got separated from her. I ran up and down the aisles screaming for her, as I was sure the rapture had come and I was left behind. After all I had said an "ugly" word the day before while playing with my friends Wayne and Paul, and had forgotten to ask forgiveness. Isn't it amazing how after all those years that moment is still so vivid in my old aging brain??!
Today we still move on in the light that we have discovered, and we still, "...see through a glass darkly..." we remain open to that which only comes by revelation from the received written Word that is given to guide us into the fullness of His Grace! We understand more fully indeed that, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."
So Kel, walk on in light, continue to drink deeply, and enjoy the coffee and the spider! There are no spiders on this cold morning in East Texas, but as I sit on the patio and sip I just enjoy the birds, squirrels, and the cool misty breeze in my face!
Love You Much, Dad
P.S. By the way, animals do go to heaven! After all didn't we learn much of, "unconditional love," from Sadie, Cairo, and the other pets who have loved us through the years??!!!