Introduction
On the morning of August 11th, 2022, I had been just “sottin' thar thinkin'.” I recalled the previous evening, when Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had watched an episode of The Andy Griffith Show. (Molly, our ol' puppy, had been watching with us, or bouncing in and out of the house, or playing the “got 'ems” game with me.) The episode included the Darlings. We'd seen it many times, but we enjoyed the show and the musical numbers once again.
Today, while eating a handful of potato chips, I realized that I'd not yet finished and published this article. I eat a few potato chips, once or twice a year. The potato chip bag is still half full. The “best use by date” is 11/2021.
This article has a humorous and a serious side, as The Andy Griffith Show does. Please enjoy the humor, but stay around for the serious conclusion.
Mayberry Values
The Andy Griffith Show aired on television from 1960 to 1968. Reruns are televised to this day. I hope that they continue. What were “Mayberry values?” Those who watch the reruns know.
Did you know that the Darling family (and their music) were actually The Dillards, a bluegrass group? I didn't, until I did the research. See “The Darlings were actually The Dillards on 'The Andy Griffith Show.'” Vocal Media: Geeks, by Cheryl E. Preston, 12 months ago.
Did you know that Rodney Dillard was an original member of The Dillards? The Dillards' website states:
Rodney Dillard, as a founding member of the legendary group, ‘THE DILLARDS’ (aka the Darlings), is seen nearly every day somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW reruns.
The Dillards website includes The Mayberry Values section, which states:
The Andy Griffith Show has captured the hearts of Americans since the 1960s. Its emphasis on family values, Christian principles, and simply “doing the right thing” made it the most popular show in television history.
RODNEY DILLARD was one of the beloved “Darling boys” on many episodes.
The Mayberry Values section indicates that Rodney Dillard and his wife are or have been:
. . . bringing a wonderfully acclaimed program to churches all over America, proclaiming those cherished MAYBERRY VALUES that are so rapidly disappearing in our society today. Using humor, stories, testimonies, scriptures, and song and video presentations, the Dillards are able to touch and inspire families and individuals of all ages. As they say in Mayberry, let's get “all keyed up” – this time for the Lord.
As far as I can figure, Rodney Dillard and his wife are still living, but they could be near age 80. I trust that they “keyed up” many “for the Lord.”
Where's the music, you ask? Dillardgrass (on YouTube) includes nine songs (with videos) on The Andy Griffith Show Playlist. So, sit back, turn up the volume, and listen to those songs, “ifn ya want to.” I'm partial to Andy Griffith - Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.
Biblical Values
I found Mayberry Podcasts interesting. I listened to a couple of recent podcasts. Y'all might want to visit there and listen for a while. I'd suggest Episode 91 – Sin Is Sin, by Brian, 8/12/2022, as it fits the theme of this article.
The Worldviews in Conflict topic section on this website includes three articles that I published in June of this year: 6/7/2022, 6/26/2022, and 6/30/2022. I thought about including this article in that section, but I didn't. The reading of those three articles is recommended.
Have you read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in the inspired Gospel of Matthew, chapters five to seven? The Bible Gateway website has Jesus' sermon online in the NIV translation.
Reading Jesus' Sermon on the Mount encapsulates and defines biblical values. Many other sections of God's inspired word, the Bible, affirm and define biblical values. This article simply points to the Bible, read correctly in immediate and remote contexts, to understand biblical values. To readers who doubt the divine inspiration of the Bible and critique its value system, remember that a text, taken out of context, is pretext. The Bible is the solely inspired word of God. I may unpack all this in a future article or podcast.
Conclusion
“Mayberry values” are biblical values. A return to “Mayberry values” is not nostalgia. This once great nation should repent and return to those values.
“Old-fashioned” biblical values will not be “out of style” on Judgment Day. Are you ready for that day? If not, you are welcome to contact me. I can help you!
“Best of luck to you and yours!” “Tell them, Gomer says hey!”
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2 comments:
Thanks for the mention. Love your article.
You are very welcome, Anonymous! “Best of luck, to you and yours!” By that I mean, “may God bless you in His service!” I'll visit y'all, in “Mayberry,” every now and then.
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