Naming A Love

I read this Journal against the background of a visit that I had with Ben just
before his transfer to the church eternal. After some pleasant conversation, we
shuffled out of the house and climbed into a golf cart. As Ben shuttled us
around his beloved farm, he shared story after story about the land and the
mortals who had populated the environs in and around Adams, Tennessee.
He was doing something that is not easy for many of us to do. He was verbally
and visually taking me back to his roots. As we carted around the farm, he was
introducing me to a whole web of his roots: historical, natural, cultural,
spiritual, land, history, nature, family, community, and church. His relationship
to his roots was dearer to him than I had imagined.
This Journal takes the reader into the well lived life of a husband, father,
grandfather, pastor and friend. As you turn the pages you will get a glimpse
into how the Reverend Dr. Ben Alford reflected on life from the vantage point
of faith - roots and all.
Bishop Joseph E. Pennel, Jr.
United Methodist Church
Martin