“KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN”

THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM A MAN I MET OVER 3YRS AGO

WE WOULD ALWAYS INDULGE INTO A DEEP CONVERSATION BECAUSE THAT’S THE WAY WE WERE.  I WOULD NOT BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK A WRONG THOUGHT, WALK DOWN A WRONG PATH OR EVEN SPEAK AGAINST ANY MAN WITHOUT HEARING THE WORDS “Keep Your Hands Clean”. 

THESE WORDS RANG THE HALLS OF THE SIMMS FAMILY, HEARD WITHIN THE WALLS OF UNITY ON LASALLE, AND SPOKE OF IN THE HUGE DEN ON FARRELL.

FOR THOSE THAT KNEW HIM IN DEPTH LIKE I DID, YOU WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HEAR THESE WORDS. 

THIS MAN THAT SOME OF US KNOW AS REV, DIRTY RED, OR POLLIE, MADE SURE THAT EVEN THE RICHEST AND OR THE POOREST OF PEOPLE WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HOLY.  THE WORD OF GOD WREEKED FROM HIS PORES LIKE A SWEET SCENT OF GOOD SMELLING COLOGNE, WHICH IS WHY HE WOULD ALWAYS SAY TO ME, BARLOW, “I’m Your Friend I Won’t Leave You Alone”.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE COUNTLESS HOURS OF HIS PATIENCE.  IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIS PATIENCE, I WOULD NOT BE ON THIS EARTH TODAY.  YES I HAVE BOTH OF MY PARENTS BUT HE WAS MY FATHER IN FORTWORTH. 

HE PROVIDED ME WITH AN OUTLET TO BECOME A BETTER MAN BECAUSE OF HIS WORDS “Keep Your Hands Clean”.  I WOULD ALWAYS WONDER WHAT HE MEANT BY THESE WORDS BUT HIS ACTIONS SHOWED ME EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS.  BY KEEPING MY HANDS CLEAN, NO ONE COULD HOLD ANYTHING OVER MY HEAD.  IT ALSO MEANT THAT IF I WANTED TO SAVE A LIFE OR LIFT A SPIRIT, I HAD TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD.

“KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN” MEANS purity: (like Christ)                             

“KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN” MEANS being fair: (like politicians)

“KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN” MEANS loving: (like sharing a good word)

“KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN” MEANS oneness: (like a unified people)

THESE WORDS WILL FOREVER LIVE ON BECAUSE FOR THOSE WHO HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR THEM, THEY KNOW THAT IT WAS AWAY OF LIFE FOR HIM.

ALTHOUGH I DIDN’T GET A CHANCE TO VERBALLY SAY GOODBYE, ONE DAY I WILL HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF THEM ALL AND THAT IS FOR YOU TO LOOK DOWN ON YOUR SON AND SAY THAT BARLOWS’ HANDS ARE TRULLY CLEAN.

I LOVE YOU REVEREND ROOSEVELT SUTTON---------REST IN PEACE……….

BY: JAMES A.W. BARLOW

A.K.A: “THE VOICE”

10/30/05          1:50A.M