Tag: The Waltons

The Sinner

August 1, 2026

This word describes all of us who have missed the mark. One of the words translated as “sin” literally means “to miss the mark,” as in an archer not hitting the center of the target. We need to understand this concept as related to the law of Jehovah that is written in the Bible.

When we talk about failing to follow His instructions, we often want to give ourselves some slack and want others to be dead on. When He says, “honor your father and mother,” we wonder what the word honor means. Am I missing the mark if I disobey or talk back to them?

We know that saying we hate them is not honoring them. It is like when you drive five miles over the speed limit. You know that you have broken man’s law. There are no lasting consequences if you aren’t stopped, and if five miles is all you are going over, the police might not even bother to pull you over.

The title of this column is taken from an episode of The Waltons. In season one, episode seven, this is the one that introduces John Ritter as the Baptist preacher in their mountain church. Matthew Fordwick is a minister fresh out of seminary who comes to give his first sermon before going onto the mission field.

After a night with Grandpa Walton at the Baldwin home, he has a falling-out with the woman who brought him to Virginia. This uppity missionary is disappointed because the young preacher is exposed to the Baldwin sister’s recipe, which is moonshine or white lightning.

This sheltered Christian man did not recognize the taste of this herbal elixir as bootleg whiskey. I might have made the same error and become intoxicated as well if I were given a beverage with alcohol without my knowledge. We all need others to help us with advice and knowledge to avoid being sinners.

Part of my ministry has been working with young people and trying to help them navigate the road leading to adulthood. I advise them not to begin drinking alcohol at all, but discourage any early use because statistics show that the earlier you start consuming alcohol, the more likely you are to become an alcoholic. The same is true of guiding them through making many other life decisions such as when and with whom to have sex, choosing a career, and a mate.

Condemning others for the choices they make is not our job. If your opinion of someone’s decisions is voiced in a way that does not show compassion, they are more likely to reject any advice or information that you give them. Calling anyone a sinner may not be the best way to help them correct life choices that are causing problems.

Jesus told a story about a young man who left home with his inheritance, wasted it, and finally returned home repentant for the errors he made. His father did not condemn him but rejoiced in his presence. His brother felt slighted about the party that is being held. The father is God, and the brother represents some of us. Is it you?

We can complain about what others have done and condemn them, especially when they have missed the mark. When we miss the mark, we need to ask forgiveness and keep trying to hit the bullseye. Pointing out the other guy’s errors does not get us any closer.

©Copyright 2026 by Charles Kensinger

Richard Thomas

September 13, 2025

Do you remember this actor? The first time I saw him was when he first appeared in “The Homecoming.” This was the movie pilot for “The Waltons” TV series. Thomas played the part of John-Boy. I bring him up because he is coming to Springfield, MO as Mark Twain in “Mark Twain Tonight.”

September seventeenth is the date for the performance at The Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at Missouri State University. If you are not familiar with “Mark Twain Tonight” it was written by Hal Holbrook. He was the only one who portrayed Mister Twain in this one-man show. Until now.

Thomas has been cast to perform this one man play. He appears as Samuel Langhorn Clemens also known as author, speaker, and humorist Mark Twain. Twain is one of my favorite authors. His story telling style was unique and is now widely imitated.

Hal Holbrook brought Twain to life for us in the twentieth century and now Richard is doing the same thing through the collection of Twain’s own words that Holbrook wrote into his show. His humor is often caustic and satirical. Our new generations love that.

The Twain costume is hilarious. We see a man whose appearance was never perfect. An actor must work hard to appear this disheveled on stage. It fits the character, who was a real man. We need to emulate Uncle Sam in this manner. Maybe not in everything he did.

Thomas’s acting career began in 1956 on “As the World Turns” and “The Guiding Light.” He was five at the time. He was on another soap opera called “From These Roots” starting at that time until he was ten when this live series was ended. In 1964 to 1965 he was on another soap called “A Flame in the Wind.”

Until 1971 when he scored the roll of John Boy in the Waltons pilot movie “The Homecoming” he had guest roles on several prime-time series. His big break began the following year and lasted until 1978 when his career took him to other projects.

Some of my other favorite appearances he was in during this time were “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” “The Christmas Box,” “The Christmas Secret,” three Walton TV-Movies where he reprised his role as John-Boy, and two other Walton movies where he narrated the films as the same character.

Movies and other guest spots on TV kept him busy between his plays and other acting opportunities. He has narrated over 300 audio books. His talents are recognized around the world.

We will welcome him to the Ozarks this month and hope that he can check out some of our sights. As with most celebrities, he probably will not have the time, especially with appearances on local media programs to promote his play. Welcome to Springfield, Mr. Thomas.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger