Quotes from Readers

What they are saying about Gentle Mercies

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
February 14, 2005

"Recently, the Howard Payne University faculty, staff and students were blessed to hear Hal Haralson speak in chapel. Hal kept the audience in the palm of his hand as he told entertaining and inspirational story after story.

An attorney and a man of deep faith, Hal Haralson speaks from his heart and from his unique life experiences. He finished his storytelling long before his audience was ready to leave.

I have heard Hal Haralson speak on numerous occasions and in many settings. I have heard him speak to large audiences, small audiences, church suppers and more formal convocation settings. He is gifted, he is inspirational and he is loved. The old adage, “His waters run deep. . .” aptly apply to this outstanding individual whose written and spoken words are filled with uncommon wisdom.

I recommend Hal Haralson without reservation!"

Sincerely, Lanny Hall, Ph.D.

Jimmy R. Allen, Former President of the Southern Baptist Convention
"Hal Haralson writes refreshingly of ordinary life lived in an extraordinary manner. Calling himself a county lawyer, he recounts his days of departure from a pastoral ministry, coping with the darkness of mental illness, and yet managing to still walk in faith with wry humor and warmth. Along the way we are introduced to cowboys struggling toward belief, bag ladies leaving fortunes for mental patients, bankers hearing voices, and pickup trucks taking on personalities of their own. Gentle Mercies is a must read for folks eager to stay in touch with the reality of authentic faith in an increasingly virtual-reality world."

Keith Miller, author of The Taste of New Wine and over 20 other books
"I could almost taste the hot, dirt-road dust as it was exploded by Old Red, the Haralsons' intergenerational pickup. These pages are peppered with chips of hard-earned wisdom."

Foy Valentine, Founding Editor of Christian Ethics Today
"Here is stardust in boots and blue jeans. From the overflow of a richly eventful lifetime, Hal Haralson's writing is profoundly human-wise, warm, tender, earthy, insightful, honest, gloriously authentic, and deeply spiritual."

George Cladis, Presbyterian Minister
"Like Jesus' parables, Haralson's stories are subterfuge, slipping in under your guard and seizing you with such truth, grace, and extravagant love, you will never be the same again!"

Howard Butt Jr., President, H. E. Butt Foundation
"Here's a mix of sorrow and joy, tragedy and triumph. Hal's wisdom, courage, and faith are a glory to behold."

Paula D'Arcy, Author of Song for Sarah and Gift of the Redbird and retreat leader.
"Hal Haralson's moving narratives are testimony to how God speaks through our lives, satisfying our hunger to hear His voice."

Howard Hoyde, Director Emeritus, Laity Lodge
"The book can serve any public speaker with illustrations full of truth and power. Gentle Mercies will surely impact your life, as it has mine."

David Redding, Presbyterian Minister and author of over 20 books
"God wanted Hal as he was, and that's how you'll find him here. I think God just might grab you through Hal Haralson"

Keith Hosey, Catholic Priest and Director of John XXIII Center, Hartford City, Indiana
"How is it that Hal makes me laugh and cry at the same time? Maybe it's the cowboy in each of us that loves campfire stories."

Lanny Hall, President, Howard-Payne University
"Hal Haralson's words will provoke your thought, evoke your tears, and warm your heart. He reminds us all of what's really important in life."

Craig Turner, President, Hardin Simmons University
"Hal Haralson has treated us to stories full of wit and whimsy, heart and humanity, and inspiration and soul. With compelling honesty he invites us into his life and introduces us to a warm and wonderful group of new friends whom we can cherish as he does. Hal is a gifted storyteller, a rare treasure who is equally adept at enchanting us with his pen and enthralling us with his spoken words."

Jimmie Keeling, Head Football Coach, Hardin Simmons University
Hal Haralson can tell a big story with great meaning in the shortest of space.

Our coaches begin each meeting with a devotional of some type. We have used several different materials, however, our coaches enjoyed Gentle Mercies most of all. The stories Hal uses are so real life and so easy to understand yet have great depth and meaning. We have shared some of the stories with our Cowboy Football team.

I could highly recommend Gentle Mercies to any group such as FCA or other spiritual study groups. Hal's stories are simply the best with great life lessons.

Jimmie Keeling
Head Football Coach

Roger Paynter, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Austin, TX (the author's pastor)
"When I listen to Hal do our children's sermon, I am reminded of Garrison Keillor....only Hal's stories are better."

Doug Holtzclaw, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Goldthwaite, Texas.
"What a great time of inspiration and blessing Monday night! I have heard many, many good reports about the program. No doubt the Lord has gifted you with the ability to capture their stories, and surely the "double-heart" is one for a lifetime.

You can be sure that I will pass the word along to pastor friends in the area. Your program is worthy of any gathering, but especially a men's get-together.

I mentioned to you, I think, that we have men here that I/we have been praying for 20-25 years. To many of them, I have said all I know to say. To share your book "Gentle Mercies" with them will allow me another shot at them, without pressure or badgering, which I've tried to never be guilty of.

Anyway, please feel free to use my name anytime as a reference for future speaking engagements. And feel free to reproduce any/all of this letter.

Looking forward to seeing you again, soon.

Letters from Readers and Members of the Audience when Hal Tells the Stories:

Bob Fink
"Thank you so much for the gift of Gentle Mercies. You are a good writer (“story teller”), but more importantly, you are a good man. What a courageous, honest, loving testimony. Obviously you did not leave the ministry back in 1964. Your book ministered to me; it arrived at a time I needed to hear a witness of faith, love, courage, and humor.
I know Gentle Mercies has been a blessing to many and will continue to bless many others as it tells the story of a man whose life is a blessing. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. You know I especially loved the story of Bad & the “Best Little Brother” competition."

Kathy Diamond
"I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of your book “Gentle Mercies.” How well written it is—I especially enjoyed the selections entitled “It’s Okay to Be Extravagant” and “A Price Tag on Love.” I firmly believe no one is ever spoiled knowing they’re loved! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!"

Larry Wheeler
"I wanted you to know how much I am enjoying your book Gentle Mercies. I have only begun to read, but appreciate your candor, forthrightness and easy-to-read style. Thank you for the gift and the giving."

Margaret Forrester
"I am so thankful to be the recipient of your book, “Gentle Mercies.” As I read the book, sometimes with laughter and sometimes with tears, the experiences have caused me to stop and reflect on my past.

As you mentioned your job with Montgomery Ward – I, too, began my working career with Wards in 1948, in the toy department. At this time the store was located on the southwest corner of North 3rd and Cypress. The next 8 years I worked in just about every department: a very valuable experience. I have used those experiences throughout my working career.

In your book you write about your experiences with all kinds of people, different backgrounds, some with little or no education. An example of what Jesus wants all of us to be – a witness for Him.

I also need to mention that I started at Hardin-Simmons in September 1963 – the Business Office. I semi-retired in 2001, but continue to work on campus as my supervisor, Harold Preston, directs.

Again, many thanks for the book. "

Jeannett Herring
"I am enclosing $300 for 30 of your Gentle Mercies books. I finished reading the one that you left at my store, and I realized how many of the people with who I come into contact could benefit from or relate to the stories in the book.

I don’t know that prompted you to come to Tulia that day in July when you were on your way to the writing workshop, but I wanted to tell you that your stories and your book have had quite an impact. My husband writes a farm article for the weekly Tulia newspaper. He is an avid reader of farm articles and keeps up with the world news, but he hardly ever has the time or takes the time to sit down and read a book. I related to him that you had been in the store and had left your book. He sat down that same evening and read over half of the book without stopping. As he was reading, he kept remarking that he knows several friends of our who could benefit from the book and that we should order some to have on hand to hand out to people when we felt they needed something to brighten their day. My husband told me to order at least 10 more than I had names down to hand them to, so I am hoping that I am ordering enough to accommodate the people we have in mind to give them to.

As I said, I don’t know what prompted your coming into Tulia or why you happened into my store. My business had been so slow during June and July that I was a little discouraged. However, on that day, I had sales totaling more than for any week for those two months. I know that God takes care of His children, and I trust Him to do just that. I also believe that He allows us to see miracles in little ways. Thank you for giving me a little “miracle” that day. I teach a Junior-Senior girls’ class at church, and I couldn’t wait to tell them on Sunday about meeting you. I have shared some of your stories with them.

I had an interesting experience the following week. One of my former students came by to see me. I had not seen him in over 20 years. He is a dorm parent in a children’s home in Gallup, New Mexico. He came by to tell me that he had published a book! He asked that I not be too critical of his grammar (I taught English). He just wanted to share the book with me. It is actually quite good.

It seems that each day in my store I encounter “miracles.” Some days all I get to do is listen to people who just came by because they needed to talk. More and more I realize that God allows me to have my store for reasons that have nothing to do with making money. When I started business, I asked God to show me how to use my talents and my business as a witness for Him, and I see that happening daily.

I recently went to a committee meeting at my church, and my pastor handed me a copy of Christian Ethics Today, Summer 2004. In it was an article by your and one by your brother. He knew that I would be interested because my husband had told him about your book, and had related to him that you had been in my store. I told him that I would like to have you in our church at some point, and he said that perhaps that could be arranged.

Thank you again for the copy of the book, and I hope that your writing workshop was worthwhile. I also hope that you enjoyed your visit at the Wyatt gallery.

May God continue to bless you and your family. I will be interested to read future books, so let me know if and when they are published."

Laura Graham, Mother of Kara Graham in the story "Being There."
"My first anxious reading of Gentle Mercies was so fast and furious that I devoured it. By the third reading, I was able to slow down and take the time to relate to names and places-I laughed and I cried."

Dianne J. Pinkleman
"I find these Christian stories written from the male perspective excellent, and I want to get a book for each of my three sons."

Amie King, Member, First Baptist Church in Austin and Elementary School Teacher
"Uproarious applause, silent awe, hand slapping and lots of hugs, this is what the stories of Hal Haralson inspire in children (and adults). Children are not often so drawn to an activity that they sit still and listen for any length of time but when Hal's story begins the chatters stop and all eyes are to the front. The moment he's finished the hands fly up as everyone wants to know more. Who was the boy? How did you get the saddle/ how old are you now? These stories inspire children to think of their world in a new way and see daily activities and adventures as literature.

In one particular story Hal encourages the children to tell someone they love them and give them a token. This always brings the usual "eeew!" from the elementary audience but then he explains that it could be their mother/father, grandmother, etc. and they refocus. He goes on to say the token might be a rock or a stick and they burst out laughing. I pity the poor mother that has to keep a large collection of rocks and sticks somewhere in her house!

Hal's stories deal with a range of topics and reach a varied audience. After one storytelling gig, many of the children brought their parents to the city library for his book signing. The children could not wait to get home and have their parents read them more of his stories. The book is interesting to adults and children; especially when read aloud. Although it opens doors to discussing life events and serious topics with children, it's still just plain fun to read and an all-around feel-good book."

Betty Anne Cody
"Hi Hal. I read your book today. Wow. I started out as a duty to a friend who had honored me enough to send me a manuscript. I stayed with it all day with only a few interruptions because it is so good, so readable, so easy to follow even through dialog, and so just plain interesting. You wanted to know my reaction. That's it. I really enjoyed it thoroughly. And more, it blessed me. The simplicity of the presentation of the Gospel in conversations was truly moving to me. I believe that is how the message was first communicated and I believe it is the most effective."