The Boy Who Saved a Kingdom

December 13, 2005 - 9:16am

I have been asked to be a guest blogger on rlp’s weblog — well, actually, I asked for this space — more precisely, I demanded that the stage be given me. And what leverage do I have? I have the power of longevity. I have known rlp longer than anyone, save his mother. I have known him 44 years - today is his birthday. Happy birthday, rlp!

Like many of you who come to this site often, my favorite posts are the RLPDVs (Real Live Preacher Dramatic Versions). Perhaps you would be interested to know that "A Christmas Story You’ve Never Heard," was NOT rlp’s first attempt at recording one of his stories. On rlp’s 44th birthday, I thought you might be interested in hearing the first recording of an RLPDV - "The Little Boy Who Saved a Kingdom" - the story of David and Goliath. This recording is at least 40 years old, but even then, one needed not to have been a "seer" to recognize giftedness. In those early days, rlp was the "teller," but not the creator of the story.

RLP has some RLPDVs from the Old Testament that have not made it to the posting stage as yet. I know rlp does not need any more pressure, but I would like to see/hear "A Trophy of God’s Grace" - the story of Samuel. Perhaps rlp can post it sometime in early 2006.

After 40+ years, I still love your stories!

Love, Dad

The sound quality of the following files is not very good. They were originally recorded on a reel to reel recorder.

Click here to listen to "The Boy Who Saved A Kingdom." (David and Goliath) recorded in 1964.

Click here to listen to the original version of that story from a record that rlp listened to as a boy.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 9:40am.

Best wishes to rlp on his birthday and I agree with his Dad, he's a great storyteller.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 10:28am.

Happy Birthday rlp! Thanks, dad, for your part in making him who he is.

Submitted by id est on December 13, 2005 - 10:29am.

Precious! Thanks for sharing this bit of family history with rlp fans. He sounds a bit like Alfalfa or Spanky -- maybe that's why rlp is still a little rascal.

Submitted by Carli on December 13, 2005 - 10:31am.

That is about the most precious thing I've ever heard. Thank you for sharing that with us!

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 11:08am.

oh this is awesome. Thanks rlp's dad!

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 11:20am.

Delightful.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 12:43pm.

That was great. Who knew the RLP was a preacherboy way back them. How interesting how much Gordon (now) sounds like his father then. (vocally) I mean. what a way to start your day. Thanks for the story. (jeremy)

Submitted by jeremyca on December 13, 2005 - 12:45pm.

oops I shoulda logged in to send that comment... it was from me (jeremyca)

Submitted by see through faith on December 13, 2005 - 2:26pm.

Hi Hubby's birthday today too. all the best were born today - and a couple of weeks ago but that's another story :)

Blessings and thanks to rlp Dad.

:)

Submitted by susiederk on December 13, 2005 - 4:35pm.

I SOOOOO love this!!!
Thanks RLP for posting this!

Submitted by girl on December 13, 2005 - 4:50pm.

me too...good stuff :)

Submitted by donandval on December 13, 2005 - 4:45pm.

Such an expressive one, that young RLP-to-be! I looooooved this. Thanks, Hollie! And Happy Bithday Gordon! :)

Submitted by Mary Jo on December 13, 2005 - 5:16pm.

Happy Birthday RLP!

Oh goodness, this recording is just adorable! Thanks so much for sharing it with us RLP's Dad.

~ Mary Jo

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 5:30pm.

I don't know of many things more touching than a father paying tribute to his grown-up son. It's like a blessing has been bestowed on all the big kids gathered here...Thanks! Katy Raymond www.fallible.com

Submitted by hevwc on December 13, 2005 - 7:00pm.

That was great. Thanks for sharing it, RLP Sr.
Elizabeth

Submitted by hevwc on December 13, 2005 - 7:00pm.

That was great. Thanks for sharing it, RLP Sr.
Elizabeth

Submitted by Chris on December 13, 2005 - 7:12pm.

Thanks, RLP's Dad!! Gordon must have been one precocious little boy, that's unbelievable for a three-year-old. It's wonderful that you've saved the recording, and took the effort to share it with us.

Happy Birthday, Gordon!!

Chris(tine) [TatteredThoughts blog]

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 7:39pm.

AWW! That was so completely cute! Thanks, rlp's dad!

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 7:47pm.

Outstanding---Happy Birthday

Submitted by John on December 13, 2005 - 7:53pm.

Hoch soll er leben,
Hoch soll er leben,
Hoch soll er leben,
Drei mal hoch!

Thought I'd bring in some international festivities. Happy Birthday, Preach.

Submitted by apalumbo on December 13, 2005 - 9:15pm.

Happy Birthday Gordon!

And thanks to you RLP's dad, for sharing that recording - too cool!

andrea

Submitted by Little Green Friend on December 13, 2005 - 10:03pm.

Feliz cumpleanos a ti. Feliz cumpleanos a ti. Feliz cumpleanos a RLP, Feliz cumpleanos a ti.

and that was a great story.

Come check me out at http://littlegreenfriend.blogspot.com or my movie reviews at http://littlegreenreviews.blogspot.com 1 John 4:19-21

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 13, 2005 - 11:34pm.

That's a really good memory. Not many people have a memory like that...

Submitted by Scog Blog on December 14, 2005 - 3:00am.

This is so lovely. Thank you RLP's dad for posting this. Happy Birthday Gordon - what a performer!!!

http://blogsprogress.blogspot.com

Submitted by steelcowboy on December 14, 2005 - 5:08am.

Happy Birthday Gordon!
Cool recording. Reel to reel... gosh,that brings back memories.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 14, 2005 - 5:11am.

Happy Birthday, Preach :))

Submitted by Michael Main on December 14, 2005 - 7:34am.

So there's no issue about where the three sisters inherited their "talkative" gene eh?

love,

"Pepe"

Submitted by Brent Lee on December 14, 2005 - 8:03am.

I am new to the RLP world and I love it. I find myself looking forward to checking in daily and the writing is great. So my first post to this site is to say "Happy Birthday RLP" and keep the great essays/stories coming. Cake, ice cream and Astronaut food all around! (My family loved that story....)

Submitted by chris s on December 14, 2005 - 8:10am.

Happy birthday, Gordon!

Submitted by visual-voice on December 14, 2005 - 9:24am.

Happy Belated Birthday, Gordon! I have to say this is one of my all time favorite entries on your site thus far. So cute and warm fuzzy.

Submitted by jane24 on December 14, 2005 - 11:03am.

happy birthday, gordon! such expression and flair at such a young age! your life is a gift to many.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 14, 2005 - 11:10am.

*standing, applauding*.....*and weeping*

Submitted by iandunn on December 14, 2005 - 11:54am.

Happy Birthday. Thank you for all the hope, encouragement and clarity your writing has given me the past year and a half.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 14, 2005 - 2:09pm.

How adorable!! Truly a storyteller from birth. Thanks for sharing, RLP's Dad!

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 14, 2005 - 7:39pm.

I think I heard that original recording when I was a child...or one very similar! Thanks for sharing RLP's inaugural recording, Dad!

Happy Birthday, RLP!

Bylldad

Submitted by abiding on December 15, 2005 - 5:33pm.

Precious...very precious.

Happy Birthday (a couple of days late)!!

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 16, 2005 - 12:31am.

Happy belated birthday. You and I almost have the same day. Mine was Sunday. And the same year! I found this blog a few weeks ago and have been checking in frequently, but now I feel an even more special connection. Perhaps after the holidays I can visit the church.

Winthrop J. Quiggy

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 16, 2005 - 2:43am.

Happy Birthday.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 16, 2005 - 10:57am.

OMG, how extremely CUTE!!! I can just see the faces little 3-yr-old RLP was making, as he went through the exciting story. What a natural-born storyteller you were/are!

Happy Birthday to you, you belong in the zoo, Bonne Anniversaire a toi, ...to continue the international theme. Oh, I know one more language: Appy-Hay Irthday-Bay Oo-Tay Ou-Yay, Ou-Yay Elong-Bay In-A Ee-Thay Oo-Zay.

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 16, 2005 - 10:58am.

Darn it, I wasn't logged in!! That silly comment above is from Wandering Willow, with love and a Happy Birthday hug from another inmate of the zoo. aaaarrrrghhh

Submitted by Wandering Willow on December 16, 2005 - 11:00am.

And a hearty Pirate yo-ho-ho-happy-birthday too! (There, NOW I'm logged in! Took awhile to get it right.)

http://blogs.salon.com/0003947
www.wanderingwillowblog.blogspot.com

Submitted by revsparker on December 16, 2005 - 11:04am.

"Aw wight, Dabid!" heh. what an amazing boy who grew up into an amazing man.

Submitted by Ariane on December 16, 2005 - 12:00pm.

Beyond precious.

Submitted by peaceteacher on December 16, 2005 - 3:15pm.

Happy Birthday, RLP! (Belated)

Submitted by atticus on December 16, 2005 - 4:11pm.

oh... my.... God! love the southern accent...and such expressiveness from an almost 3 year old! your girls must love this snapshot of you as a kid! such a blessing from your dad.
happy belated bday

Submitted by Anonymous User on December 16, 2005 - 10:56pm.

That gave me goosebumps Gordon. Happy belated Birthday wishes, and thanks to your Dad for sharing that. Totally amazing.
Fin