A Twenty-Five-Cent Investment in God

By Hartley S. Connett

On a sunny summer day at the seashore, when everything was going as good as it gets, suddenly the sky fell in. Tragedy struck the family. The youngest son goes off on his own, enters an empty church, and sees a collection plate sitting on a little square tables in the middle of the aisle. The plate was empty, but the lad was drawn to it as thoug

• Language: English
• Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Jun 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648037856

Hartley S. Connett

The author grew up in the Philadelphia area. He was educated at Montgomery Country Day School, Kent School, graduating in 1953 and attended Bowdoin College, class 1957. After several trial jobs, he settled in The Surpass Leather Leather Co. in Philadelphia. He worked in all facets of the tannery and then he went into sales. The tannery closed, and the author started his own leather business tanning kangaroo leather. Eventually, the entire leather business from shoes to garments to gloves all went overseas, and it was time to get another carrier. He and his wife, Barbara, brought a boarding kennel business and have been very happy taking care of other folks' pooches. He is very active in his church which he has been able to attend for fifty-plus years. Serving on multiple vestries, a Stephen's minister, and a member of the board of Alpha Mid Atlantic for many years. Other activities the author has served on the board of Parks and Recreation of Chester County and also a Founding Board Member of the Mill at Anselma.

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Copyright © 2021 by Hartley S. Connett.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Westwood Books Publishing LLC

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I dedicate this work to my wife, Barbara.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 

Preface 

Chapter 1: Down Payment 

Chapter 2: Power and Glory 

Chapter 3: Into the Kingdom 

Chapter 4: The Valley 

Chapter 5: Out of the Wilderness 

Chapter 6: The Messenger 

Chapter 7: Healing in His Wings 

Chapter 8: Though I Speak… 

Chapter 9: Prodigal Portfolio 

Epilogue 

About the Author 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, I would like to thank my wife, Barbara, who has been my faithful companion and soul mate for sixty-two years, and all my family. My three boys; Hartley, Brad, and Tom, you are each special and I love you. The grandchildren; Ian, Zachery, Sam, Molly, Jessica, the twins Cassidy and Tristan, Tucker, Landon, Olivia, and Carter. This book is for you all.

Second, many thanks go to my friend, Mary Walmsley, who has been a close companion in the work of the Lord and a remarkable help in the presentation of this book. I appreciate her prayers, hours of typing, and kind suggestions.

I would like to thank those special folks who have had a great influence on my life: Fr. Dan Sullivan, Harold Newell, Tom Davis, Bill Drennen, Chris and Bobbie Brown, Bp. Greg Brewer, Vince Earickson, John Heidengren, Hannah D. Gray, John (Bronx) Park, Stephen Carroll, Jack Oyugi, and Ed LeClaire. Each holds a place in my heart.

PREFACE

When encouraged to write a short story about my spiritual walk, I could quite easily identify nine situations that were clearly from God and designed to illuminate His plan for me.

It is vital to remember that these are the highlights of my walk. For those who know me and those who don’t, please know that, in the times between these special moments, I am just a regular guy passing through a real life and certainly unadorned with a halo. Many times in this real world, I have pleaded, Why? Oh, why do I do the things that I shouldn’t do and don’t do the things that I should? Oh wretched man that I am!

Therefore, read this story with the full knowledge that I am no better than any sojourner traveling through life in search of the Master Plan. I have walked these eighty-three years and still wait for what is next. And when I meet my Maker face-to-face, I can thank Him for a wonderful trip.

CHAPTER 1

Down Payment

The day started like most June