On the final page of a popular magazine–which shall go unnamed–a celebrity is interviewed in each issue. I thought I’d give it a try and answer the questions myself. (At the end, I added a few more.)
Need to say that I first did this five years ago. I am redoing some of the comments, because some things have changed. Okay, now.
Here goes….
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being in the place God put me, doing the work He gave me. It doesn’t get any better than this. Likewise, the best definition of hell on earth is to be out of His will.
What is your greatest fear?
Just that very thing: being out of his will. I fear nothing so much as disappointing Him. That could happen to any of us. None of us is immune to temptation. That keeps me on my knees every day.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Abraham Lincoln. I’ve been to his birthplace (a log cabin in Kentucky), the restored “New Salem,” Illinois, where he lived as a young man, and through his home in Springfield. I’ve been to his burial place, and in Washington, D.C., to Ford Theatre where he was shot and the house across the street where he died, as well as through the White House. I own many books on Lincoln.
Or maybe Winston Churchill. I’ve been to Chartwell, his country home in England. And have shelves of books on him. Oh, and I have shelves of books on Harry Truman who was president during my childhood. I’ve been to his home in Independence, MO and to his birthplace in Lamar, MO, and twice have visited his presidential library.
Which living person do you most admire?
Five years ago I named Don Davidson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, VA; Colonel Chet Griffin, retired fighter pilot in Fairfax, VA; Jim Graham, a retired sales executive in the Atlanta area; and my roommate during the college years and best man in our wedding, Joel Davis. Well, Chet and Joel are in Heaven, Don and Jim have retired, and I’m rethinking this. But haven’t come up with a better answer yet. If I do, I’ll come back.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My 2020 list. There are so many to pick from. Laziness. Inconsistency. Shallowness.
My 2025 list: Anxiety probably heads the list. For no reason, it’s just always there, seems like.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
In 2020, I said hypocrisy: saying one thing publicly but privately being ungodly.
In 2025, what I deplore in others is that some have linked their politics to their Christianity and now they are ugly about it. They do not know how to have a quiet conversation but are always looking for a brother or sister in Christ to harass. I could name names, but won’t.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Every three years or so, I purchase a new car and pass the old one down to a family member. It’s a luxury to be able to do that, but one I love.
What is your favorite journey?
Well, the choice is between a) Holy Land in 1984, b) Singapore in 1977 to draw an evangelistic comic book for missionaries, c) England in 1982 on a tour with our church youth choir, and d) Italy in 2012 to speak to pastors and wives; we visited Pompeii. Not sure which is my favorite. Probably the Holy Land.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Tolerance. it sounds so noble, but you end up letting some people get by with destructive behavior. “Well, I didn’t want to offend him.” I say, “Please, go ahead and offend him.
The disciples said to the Lord, “Are you aware that the Pharisees were offended by what you said?” (Matthew 15:12) I love His answer.
On what occasion do you lie?
When someone asks me to critique something they have done. Telling people “this stinks” is really hard and feels awful. You don’t want to discourage them. So, I fudge the truth.
Which living person do you most despise?
Despise is too strong a word, but I could name a few but will not. Because each has his/her defenders and all it would do is stir up a hornet’s nest.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
You’d have to ask someone who listens to me a lot. I’m uncertain.
What is your greatest regret?
There was a time in my ministry when I accepted far too many out of town appointments, too many speaking engagements, too many requests for denominational service. I neglected my family when my sons were teenagers and needed dad to stay close. I grieve over this, although they have assured me they turned out all right.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Jesus is the “Who,” and family is the “what.”
When and where were you happiest?
Now. Here. In my retirement years, I have been as happy and fulfilled as any time in my life. (I retired in 2009, I tell people, “Had I known it was going to be so great, I’d have gone straight from ordination into retirement.”)
I wrote that in 2020 and stand by it today in 2025.
Which talent would you most like to have?
2020: I’d love to write great novels like “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
2025: I wish I could play the piano. I mean, play really well. I hear a piano concerto on the “symphony hall” channel on Sirius XM radio and am enthralled. How must it feel to play such music?
What is your current state of mind?
2020: I am deliriously happy. Positive, sunny-side up. I will admit the COVID-19 business has taken a lot of fun out of all our days. I pray constantly for a cure.
2025: I’m still very happy. Soooo pleased the Lord has let me come through several bouts with oral cancer (and all the stuff that involves) and be healthy today and still going places to preach. Wednesday of next week, I’m speaking in chapel at a Christian college and then drawing for a couple of hours in their student center. That weekend, I’ll be drawing for a church at their community’s fair, then preaching on Sunday, then traveling to Southwest Louisiana for two days of preaching and drawing for a large church event. Sooo blessed.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
2020: I’d have perfect teeth. Thankfully, I’m in great health, I walk every day and do certain exercises to keep the body functioning, but my teeth are a constant problem.
2025: Cancer took my teeth (also part of my tongue). But the treatments destroyed my pancreas and left me a Type One Diabetic. That is on the top of my list, I suppose. I’d love to be able to eat what I want without worrying about glucose numbers.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I have no idea. My kids? The people I’ve led to Christ over the years? The churches I’ve pastored? The books I’ve written? A cartoon I’ve drawn? Who knows. Maybe it was the kid I sketched the other day. We will leave this to the Lord.
I tell pastors they never know which sermon of theirs will be mightily used of the Lord. So, each time to give it their best.
What is your most treasured possession?
Are grandchildren possessions? If the question refers to “things,” then I’m at a loss. There is no “thing” I couldn’t live without.
Where would you like to live?
I’m already living there. Ridgeland is a sweet suburb of Jackson, Mississippi. Wheatley Gardens is a small enclave of 25 homes with a fence and a gate. We have a pond in our back yard and a nice walking trail. This is the sweetest place I’ve ever lived with the most attractive view.
2025: Still true.
What is your favorite occupation?
When I grow up, I’d like to be a preacher, a cartoonist, and a writer. The wonderful thing is I’m those things now. Am I blessed or what? (2025. Smiling. Still true.)
What is your most marked characteristic?
I have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility (ha!), and self-control on most days. Those, you will recognize, are from Galatians 5:22-23, called the fruit of the Spirit.
What do you most admire in your friends?
A strong and quiet spirit that does not dominate the conversation. The people I most admire all exhibit this quiet confidence.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The men and women who place their lives on the line every day to do scary things, like enter burning buildings to save a child, confront hostile people with guns to try to protect victims, and defend this country. Most of these wear uniforms.
What is it that you most dislike?
To be called extremist or a racist or a nut because I am a Bible-believing Christian. My beliefs are completely in line with traditional Christianity. I have not moved, but the society and culture have. They have marginalized God’s people in a process that will continue until Jesus returns.
How would you like to die?
2020 — When my wife Margaret died and the family was gathered around her in tears, I said, “Now, listen. One of these days it will be Grandpa lying here. And I don’t want all this crying.” A granddaughter said, “Why?” I said, “Well, good night–I’ll be 98 years old and will have preached the previous Sunday. What’s to cry about??” They all laughed.
2025 — My wife Bertha (we married in 2017) has asked me to promise I will outlive her. So, that’s the plan.
What is your motto?
I have two Scriptures. Your words have stood men on their feet (from Job 4:4). I want to say and preach and write words to give backbone to people.
Second one: I am only an unworthy servant; just doing my duty. That’s from Luke 17:7-10, a parable which says when we have done everything extremely well, be cool.
A couple more questions that were not in Vanity Fair…
Who is your favorite grandchild?
The one I’m with at the moment.
What do you do for fun?
2020: I read constantly. I draw cartoons. I watch a few favorite TV programs with Bertha, my wife of nearly 4 years. But the best fun is sitting with family or friends in a relaxed setting and chatting.
2025: Reading (the house is filled with books!) and drawing cartoons. I illustrated two books recently, and have sent the Baptist Press website 100 “extra” cartoons so that after I’m in Heaven they’ll still be posting “Your Daily Joe” for a while yet. (They’re run my daily cartoon for nearly 25 years.) And I sketch people. Hundreds of them every month.
What is your biggest surprise on being old?
2020: I’m surprised to be eighty. It sounds really ancient, doesn’t it? I feel like I did when I was 15, but the mirror keeps reminding me.
2025: I love being 85. (Wow. What a big number. Ain’t I supposed to be feeling awful and being crotchety? I feel great.) The scripture that says it so well is Second Corinthians 4:16 “Even though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” Old on the outsider, younger and younger on the inside. Love it.
What prayer do you constantly pray for yourself?
I pray two things: Thank you, Jesus and Lord, help me to be faithful. I sure do want to finish strong and do nothing that would shame our Lord or bring pain to these who love me.
That’s my interview. Thanks for reading it.
“I love the Lord with my whole heart. I will serve Him as long as I live. To labor in His field alongside some of the dearest people on earth is the greatest privilege of my life. How I praise Thee, O Lord!”