While Sitting Under the Hickory Nut Tree

About the Book

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

Philippians 4:8

Thoughts are powerful. What we think about has a major impact on the kind of person we are individually. Allowing ourselves to be carried away by self indulgence and idle thoughts is a waste of valuable human resources at best and sinful at its worst. But we don't have to succumb to our worldly nature. God has created and designed us in His image, giving us dominion and a free will to choose what occupies our mental storage compartments. As the apostle Paul exhorts us, "do not be conformed to this world, but he transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that's good and acceptable and the perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2)

The more we look at things from God's perspective, the more we find ourselves conforming to His will. "Set your mind on things above, not on things of this earth." The best way to change your attitude is to let God into your life and simply enjoy the spiritual inner-visions that are released for our soul to ponder and absorb.

May the Lord's rich and abundant blessing continue to be yours as you enjoy this collection of poetic enlightenment that is presented.

About the Author

Rev. Augustus Ransom, M.Div

Writer/Author/Poet

Rev. Augustus Ransom was born in a small town called Moncure, North Carolina in 1946. At age 4 his family moved to Buffalo, New York. During his adolescent years each summer he would return to North Carolina to help his grandparents, who grew tobacco.

It was during these trips "home" would he gain much knowledge about God from his most devout Baptist grandmother, Dora V. Crump.

Rev. Ransom retired after 30 years in television production and now lives in Sanford, North Carolina with his lovely wife Patricia.

• Rev. Ransom is licensed to preach the Gospel and serves as Assistant Pastor with First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Sanford, North Carolina.
• He has been ordained by the Universal Life Church of Modesto, California; Victory New Testament Fellowship of Dallas, Texas; and the Deep River Missionary Baptist Association of Sanford, North Carolina.
• He attended Buffalo State University and is a graduate of Medaille College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism/minor in Human Psychology.
• Rev. Ransom graduated Liberty University Institute of Biblical Studies, Old and New Testaments.
• He has a Masters of Divinity Degree in Religion and is preparing for his Doctorate of Divinity from Lexinton University.
• Rev. Ransom has published several books. Most recently, "And The Truth Shall Set You..." and "While Sitting Under the Hickory Nut Tree."
• Rev. Ransom was one of thirteen journalists selected from across the U.S. to travel to China to work on a documentary highlighting the Cultural Revolution. Published four articles in the Chicago Tribune and CALL newspapers.
• He presently writes a spiritual column for a local News Magazine called Home-Town NEWS titled "RANSOM NOTES".