Reckon how many million people watched the Beverly Hillbillies in black and white down through the years and never ever really thought about what the real moral of that story was. Oh, we watched old granny making lye soap in the wash pot, and Jethro with a rope or plow line for a belt, and Uncle Jed with a hole in his felt hat, but really, besides being comical what was that program really saying. First, you don’t need money to be happy. Second, they did not let money make a fool out of them, and third, having money did not make tham change their ways. They were happy being just what they were. Hillbillies, and some in this phoney baloney so called politically correct (incorrect) may be offended by the word hillbilly. Well, no more than being offended by the word, red neck, of which most don’t have a clue what that is. Way back in history they put red bandannas around their neck up in the hills to be recognized of belonging to a neighborly group. Like some say, that some were offended by the Amos and Andy show that most everyone watched back in the, what, late 1950’s and about. Well, I later learned that the ones they thought were offended, were not and enjoyed the show. So all’s well if it ends well, but not all ends well! So, the real biblical moral of the Beverly Hillbillies is this, “Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the worldly things, then the love of God is not in him!” Now, granny dipped her honey bee stuff and, uncle Jed chewed his brown mule tobacco, but there was no way that the love of money was going to take them to hell. So, the truth still stands, “What would it profit a person if they gained the whole world and then lost their own soul?” Good question! How many take it serious? During this evil times of con games, especially if you are over 60 and still have a land line phone, these crooks will call you day and night thinking or hoping you have dementia or something and thinking they can take advantage of you. One called me and said, “Mister Toole, I am James Brown and you have won five million dollars!” I said, “Well, I do declare. I thought James Brown was dead! And, why five million? A million would have been plenty, being I am 72! That would have sufficed considering that I don’t really need it. Like the Beverly Hillbillies, I got all I need! And furthermore, I am worth more than that in Heavenly priceless treasures. If I got five million dollars I would never ever have another minutes peace. Folks would pester you to death. So, like uncle Jed, this old hat wears good. So why do I need another one!” Can you say Amen? FEBRUARY 2026 GLAD TIDINGS 11 GARY TOOLE EXPRESS LOCATION: 1001 N Madison Ave Douglas Ga. In the old Preferred Loan & Tax Bldg Come See Us For Your: Personal Loans - Tax Loans - Filing Taxes LOAN AND TAX SERVICE 912-389-1040 THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES Todd Wade - Owner Jasmine Gusman - Douglas Mgr ... I am free from them.” - Isaiah 53:3-5 “the chastisement of our peace and well being for us was upon Him.” Isaiah 53:5 “Jesus is made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption”. I Cor. 1:30 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Yes, Paul says there is a fight, but it’s a good fight because we have already won! Don’t give up. Run the race set before you. Fight the Good Fight of Faith ! u FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT - con’t What Love is All About It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation I asked him if he had a doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him. “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled as he patted my hand and said. She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. “The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way.” u Author Unknown Value A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd of 200 had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, “ W h o would like this $20 bill?” 200 hands went up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He crumpled the bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” All 200 hands were still raised. “Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?” Then he dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes. He picked it up, and showed it to the crowd. The bill was all crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” All the hands still went up. “My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it, because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt. We make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances. We feel worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it! u Happy New Year !
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