"In researching, writing and publishing my first books, I had always taken my eyesight for granted. I now have one serious impediment: I am legally blind. I can no longer read that which I write. I hesitated to write my story as my friends suggested, to continue writing any book now. Yet, why should becoming legally blind be a problem? One of the greatest of the English epic poets, John Milton, authored his finest work after he lost his eyesight. Mathew Brady, the best known of America's photographers had lost most of his ability to see when he trained others to do his work. The famed Scottish hymn writer George Matheson produced his greatest hymn, "Oh, Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go", after he became blind. Perhaps those with failing eyesight have some measure of inner consciousness that others do not have. I am hopeful such will be the case in my continuing efforts as an author."
In this book you will see life through the eyes of a child of a minister; you will learn at the feet of a loving aunt; you will struggle with a young man's call to ministry while sometimes uncomfortable with the life of a "preacher's kid"; you will feel the exhilaration of achievement in graduate studies; you will experience courtship, love and marriage; and the challenges of serving a variety of active congregations.
Angel Kisses And My Beating Heart, in Jack Ramsay's words, is his "account of a relationship between two persons, a relationship that is both physical and spiritual. This is a true account, one that is true in the telling and also one in which the persons involved are true to each other. What began as a friendship evolved into what others recognize as true love. Without love, my life would have ended years ago."
This book, the autobiography of Jack Ramsay’s life, began as a manuscript written especially for his children and grandchildren. After his experiences in deep coma and the loss of most of his eyesight, his telling of his life story becomes a celebration of his life of love. It is his story, when nightmares become pleasant dreams. Reviewed by Allan Guthrie, Presbyterian pastor, “Like Ramsay’s other books, chapters are crisp, leave you dangling and wanting to move on to the next chapter. His book is hard to put down.”
Jack Ramsay's autobiography includes many PLACES, a few historical (such as Avenger Field in Sweetwater) and many others which will be interesting to those whose families shared childhood or family experiences in a particular area.
If you want to know more about those areas, check some LINKS we found:
312 Pages, 6x9 Hardcover. Over 50 photographs, nine page, two-column index.
Published by Historical Resources Press.
$29.95 + shipping / handling
Reviews
"Pick up Jack C. Ramsay Jr.'s latest book, Angel Kisses and My Beating Heart, and you won't be able to put it down. It's the story of an extraordinary minister who was a regional leader in the Presbyterian Church in the Southwest who tells his own story - warts and all, in his own words, with clarity, grace and wit. In future years it will be an invaluable source for those who want to understand the character, strength and mission of the American Presbyterian Church at its zenith in American history." – By Robert Bullock, former editor, The Presbyterian Outlook, Richmond, Va.
After Jack Ramsay's near- death experiences and the loss of most of his eyesight his telling of his life story becomes a celebration of his life of love.
His near-death experiences give life new understanding when nightmares become pleasant dreams.
"Angel Kisses And My Beating Heart will be very interesting to Presbyterian Texans. I enjoyed it because I knew so many people." – Marj Carpenter, 1995 Moderator of the 207th General Assembly Of The Presbyterian Church (USA)
"A glimpse at a golden era of mainline church history, and a charming love story of two very bright, creative and well-matched partners in ministry." – David R. Sawyer, Director of Graduate Studies and Lifelong Leaning, Louisville Theological Seminary
"Jack, I have laughed, cried and enjoyed your book! Thanks for letting me read it." - Leila McGeath, Director of Christian Education, Local Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly Levels, Presbyterian Church (USA)
