The Cassette, the Sermon, and the Word : ALL

 

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When a Cassette Became a Time Capsule of Faith, Family, and “All” Things

Sometimes the most meaningful treasures come disguised as something ordinary, and at surprising but appropriate times.

When my daughter received an unmarked cassette tape from my dad, she didn’t have a player to listen to it, so she sent it to me. Neither of us could have imagined what a treasure that little tape would turn out to be.

When I pressed play, I was greeted by voices from another time—the memorial service for my grandfather more than 30 years ago. On that tape were words from my daddy, my grandfather’s former pastor and mentee, and even some from myself, then a just a young mother who looked up to my grandfather with much admiration. It was as if generations were sitting together again, sharing stories, wisdom, and faith across time.

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A Legacy of Keepsakes and Meaning

My dad has always had a gift for saving meaningful things—the letters, photos, notes, and small objects that tell the story of who we are as a family. He learned that from his father, who understood the beauty of preserving life’s moments and history, not for their material worth but for the truth they carry.

That unmarked cassette was another one of those keepsakes—a link between past and present, a piece of our family’s literal and spiritual DNA. Hearing it now, I realize that my father’s love for remembrance is really his love for connection—for keeping the wisdom of those who came before us alive and breathing.

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“Just Remember That Word: All.”

My grandfather often reminded us of Romans 8:28:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

But he never said it without adding his own gentle instruction:

“Just remember that word — all.”

He would explain that all means everything—the good and the bad, the joyful and the tragic, the expected and the confusing. God is present and working in all of it. That one simple word became a cornerstone of how our family has learned to see life: with faith that every circumstance has purpose, even when we can’t yet see it.

Listening to that cassette again, I could hear that truth woven through every voice. It was more than a memorial—it was a message, a living sermon of how faith gets passed down, one generation to the next. And how we can learn so much from those who have gone before us.

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Forever Grateful

I was able to transfer the recording to YouTube so it will live on forever. If you know my daddy, I hope you’ll listen. You’ll be reminded, as I am, why he is truly so special—gifted, inspiring, and full of love for all he comes in contact with.

And if you don’t know him, I hope you’ll still find encouragement in these words—something that reminds you that God really is in all things.

For me, this recording will be on repeat. Hearing my daddy’s voice, my grandfather’s legacy, and the echoes of that powerful word all is a gift I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Enjoy listening to it here.

The hymn after my talk was accidentally loaded twice, so you can forward to these times to hear the speakers: Dr. Frank Taylor - Beginning Lisa Taylor - 11:43 Daddy Dale's Pastor - 23:41 cvcvcvv