When my soldier calls up to make an appointment, he usually tries to disguise his voice or use another name. Only once had he momentarily caught me off-guard. Now I only laugh and ask him when he would like to come in. Last week I wasn’t in the office so Mer answered the phone. A bass voice said, “Hello. I’m Johnny Cash”. Mer said, “I didn’t know they let you out of Folsom Prison.” John laughed and when he found out the “Lady wasn’t there” Mer made the appointment for him. When Mer told me about John’s call I laughed and then had a sweet memory of my Dad singing to my Mom “Because you’re mine, I walk the line.” I didn’t know until I did some research that Johnny sang that to his first wife. He didn’t keep that promise and was gone from home about 80% of the time, became a drug addict and an alcoholic. They fought and she got a divorce.
Although he gained a lot of fame there were many dark times. He met June Carter, also a singer of some fame and they got married. She travelled with him and stayed through all the bad periods, and the good times. It’s so hard to get off from drugs and alcoholism. Then he met Billy Graham and turned his life over to the Lord and the Grahams and the Cashes became good friends staying often at the Graham’s house when in town and even vacationing together. A video I saw showed the great fondness they had for each other and Johnny’s open gratefulness for his salvation and Jesus. Some of his children also became saved which was a tremendous Blessing for him
Johnny sang for many concerts and also at prisons. What lead to my research was my curiosity of if he ever was incarcerated. He wasn’t but great cheers and applause and smiles from the prisoners – like they felt Johnny understood what it felt like to be locked up – no way out. One of his songs was written by a prisoner. I have a heart for those especially young in prison – feeling that some of them could be freed and mentored to a good, Godly life if someone would be willing to befriend and work with them. Them. Jesse is a chaplain and I feel it’s Biblical “to visit those in prison.”
I almost couldn’t write this article putting it aside as I cried. His legacy and who he was is best summed up in a song written by Kris Kirstofferson. Johnny sang it with him and many artists over the years have sang it also. It is an old song. Called Why me Lord.
What did I ever done to deserve any one of all the blessings I have know
Tell me Lord, what I ever did that was worth loving You or the kindness You’ve shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it
So help me Jesus, I know what I am
But now that I know that I needed you
So help me Jesus, my soul’s in Your hands
Try me Lord, if you think there’s way
I can try to repay all I’ve taken from You
Maybe Lord I can show someone else what I’ve been through
Myself on my way back to You.
This song not as poignant without the music so if you ever want to hear it’s on the Web or YouTube.
Although he gained a lot of fame there were many dark times. He met June Carter, also a singer of some fame and they got married. She travelled with him and stayed through all the bad periods, and the good times. It’s so hard to get off from drugs and alcoholism. Then he met Billy Graham and turned his life over to the Lord and the Grahams and the Cashes became good friends staying often at the Graham’s house when in town and even vacationing together. A video I saw showed the great fondness they had for each other and Johnny’s open gratefulness for his salvation and Jesus. Some of his children also became saved which was a tremendous Blessing for him
Johnny sang for many concerts and also at prisons. What lead to my research was my curiosity of if he ever was incarcerated. He wasn’t but great cheers and applause and smiles from the prisoners – like they felt Johnny understood what it felt like to be locked up – no way out. One of his songs was written by a prisoner. I have a heart for those especially young in prison – feeling that some of them could be freed and mentored to a good, Godly life if someone would be willing to befriend and work with them. Them. Jesse is a chaplain and I feel it’s Biblical “to visit those in prison.”
I almost couldn’t write this article putting it aside as I cried. His legacy and who he was is best summed up in a song written by Kris Kirstofferson. Johnny sang it with him and many artists over the years have sang it also. It is an old song. Called Why me Lord.
What did I ever done to deserve any one of all the blessings I have know
Tell me Lord, what I ever did that was worth loving You or the kindness You’ve shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it
So help me Jesus, I know what I am
But now that I know that I needed you
So help me Jesus, my soul’s in Your hands
Try me Lord, if you think there’s way
I can try to repay all I’ve taken from You
Maybe Lord I can show someone else what I’ve been through
Myself on my way back to You.
This song not as poignant without the music so if you ever want to hear it’s on the Web or YouTube.