The Pathway Through the Desert: A Journey of Hope from Despair in Discovery and Christian Renewal

By Bill McReynolds

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

You might be feeling lost, alone, confused, or even forgotten. You might have even said, "God, where are You?!" Sound familiar? Well, my friend, you are in a great place to receive a blessing from heaven. I did, and I am no one special. Before you were even born, God had a special plan for you, yes,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Nov 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890410788

Bill McReynolds

Bill McReynolds is a man that is committed to following after God. In his years of life experiences and training, he has amassed a level of understanding of people, life, and the world around as few others have. His professional background includes being a musician, a deputy sheriff in law enforcement, a business entrepreneur, a stained glass artisan, a civil structural engineer, an executive bodyguard to the stars, a private investigator, a tour driver for national recording acts, a Bible teacher, a worship leader, and a pastor. Bill states that his most important life commitment is to be a follower of Jesus.

Book preview

The Focus Of This Book

The prayers of your grandparents and parents are never

wasted. They are valuable, and God honors them.

God’s provision is there for you, even when you don’t

understand it.

When we commit our life to Jesus, He will guide us. He has a plan, a pathway. He is waiting to guide you on to His

pathway, right to where He wants you to be.

All the photographs mentioned are true genuine family photos.

Foreword

About the author, Bill McReynolds,

from John Melton, a lifelong friend.

Over fifty-seven years! That is a long time to know a man. That is how long I have known Bill. We were just fourteen years old when we connected, and we were just beginning to figure out how to become men. All these years later, he is still a true and loyal friend. Always fun-loving, Bill enjoyed racing cars, boats. From the early days of playing guitar in his local neighborhood garage band to excelling as a world-class professional musician, his passion for life is infectious. Watching Bill’s kind and gracious ways as a husband are a great example for others to follow. Family is always a top priority! Faith is of the upmost importance to Bill. As he shares his struggles, you will see how he always holds onto his belief in God’s mercy and love. Belief in prayer and generously sharing his struggles helps others with their walk in God’s presence. Even after long periods without seeing or communicating, I know Bill will always be there for me, and I for him. I wholeheartedly thank Bill for sharing his journey.

—JM

Diamond Rio: a six-time vocal group of the year, Grammy award winner, and Star of the Grand Ole Opry. Diamond Rio has celebrated thirty years of country music success.

I’m excited for the release of this book! I remember the first day I met Bill. I walked onto our bus, and he introduced himself as our new driver. Everything about him screamed of positivity and gratitude. It was such an unexpected delight. Several years later, after some unusual setbacks, he has remained the same, completely full of joy and a love of life. In conversation, he is always interested in you, how you’re doing, your latest projects, your family members, and it is always completely genuine. His love of and faith in God is ever present…not only in what he says but in how he lives. As our driver, he would put inspirational thoughts on little signs on the bus and was always excited to talk about God and the ways He has blessed his life and others. I am grateful for all the time we were able to spend together on the road. Rare soul is definitely who Bill is. The world needs many more just like him. 

—Dan Truman,

Member of Diamond Rio

I had the privilege of working with Bill for a few years in the very interesting music business. I rode many miles with Bill and heard lots of stories from the past. The thing that will stick with me forever is how caring and wanting to please everyone around him he is. He is a living lesson for us all. Concerning this book, just as I know Bill, this book will be a blessing to all who read it. Thank you, Bill, for sharing part of your life with me.

—Dana Williams,

Member of Diamond Rio

My Personal Statement to the Reader

It is my sincere hope that this book brings understanding, hope, and provision for you on your personal pathway through life. I hope that our personal pathway will bring insight and understanding to you.

This walk-through life reveals how God’s faithfulness, even when it seems He is nowhere to be found, is there, and He loves you.

No height, no depth, nor life or death can separate you, can separate you from the love of God!

—Diamond Rio song

Dedication

To my family and those that God has entrusted to my care,

I have followed my grandfather’s leading and have covered you all with prayers seeking everything God has planned for your lives.

With that focus, I dedicate this book to you, my grandchildren.

You all are the future! Your lives matter. What you do matters. It matters to the Lord, and it matters to me. Each one of you can—and will—make a difference in this world.

In your generation, you will be challenged, criticized, and persecuted for your foundational Christian beliefs. You all are strong in love and strong in the Lord.

The Word of God is our standard in life and will never fail you. It is our source for clarification and guidance. God’s precious Holy Spirit will be with you always.

You all are professed believers in the Lord Jesus. That makes you all His disciples. I pray that you totally fall in love with Jesus. He will never fail you or let you down.

All the words I have written in this book are from my heart to you. Above all, God’s Word is true and will never fail you. Money, fame, and flesh will all fail, as well as health, on this side of eternity.

My prayer for you is, take God’s Word and hide it in your heart. Never let it go. Spend the days you all have and allow God to lead you. Fall in love with Jesus, and I promise you, you will find peace, happiness, and joy more than you can ever explain. Let Him show you the pathway He has for you.

I love you all, and that is my prayer and blessing for you.

In God’s love,

Papa

April 2023

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a new way in the desert and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18–19, NIV).

Chapter One

Before The Beginning

The traveling pastor in the Gospel Car Reverend William Stanley—my grandfather.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like day, for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:7–12 (NIV)

CELEBRATING THE PAST AND SEEING THE FUTURE

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6, NIV).

God will bless you and your children if you will follow His ways.

Do you wonder what you can do to benefit and bless your family and children? What I am going to share with you throughout this book will answer that question and many others.

My grandfathers’ prayers laid a protective way for me without me even knowing it. You can do the same things for your children and their children. That is the best blessing you can provide for them. Take your relationship with them seriously. Love them and pray for them without ceasing.

You will see prayer is a powerful tool God has given us.

Throughout this book, you will see over and over God, in His loving mercy, has always made a way for me. I am no different than you. If you trust Him, it will happen for you as well!

You can start right away by praying for and releasing blessings by laying hands on your children. Speak blessings to them, over them, and if you continue to seek God with all your heart, they will be blessed. You can make a difference today for them and in their lives.

Here are more of God’s promises on this.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3, NIV).

If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:9–11, NIV).

And see that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10, NIV).

All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace (Isaiah 54:13, NIV).

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty works (Psalm 145:4, NIV).

HOW THIS ALL BEGAN IN MY LIFE

From the time period of 1895 to 1940, Reverend William Whitfield Stanley (born in 1879, went to be with Jesus in 1958) evangelized and spread the Word of God across the country. This man of God was ahead of his time. He could have easily been part of the Azusa Street Revival or the Jesus People Movement. He was one man on a mission, and it was all about Jesus.

He played guitar and sang about Jesus, then preached God’s word about salvation. This man of God told everyone he could find about Jesus. He stood on sidewalks and street corners all over the mid-west.

He did not have a perfect little church in the country. He did not have a congregation supporting him. It was just the reverend and his family in a horse-drawn covered wagon.

This was his home and his transportation. This was his life and mission.

Reverend Stanley lived and traveled for several years in this very small space. The wagon looked like a train car. He called it his Gospel Car. With the markings on the side saying, Holiness unto the Lord. It was part of the Calvary Mount Line, referring to Jesus’ crucifixion on Calvary. The reverend was sold out to do God’s work 100 percent of his life.

He traveled and preached in ministry circles with Billy Sunday and Oral Roberts. He never sought fame, just souls. He traveled with many anointed preachers of God’s Word.

(see note)

Reverend Stanley was Spirit-filled before most people or pastors even talked about that. He preached about the Salvation of the Lord with everything he had, and that was his passion.

He and the family would travel from town to town and stop where God led them. His wife (Pleasant C. Stanley), my grandmother, and their two boys, Raymond and Merle, along with their daughter (my mother), Wanita.

Note: Billy Sunday (William Ashley Sunday) was born on November 19, 1862. Billy was known as an American centerfielder in baseball and later turned evangelist. In his evangelist years, it is estimated he preached before 100, 000 people, which was unheard of during his time.

Note: Oral Roberts, born January 24, 1918, was healed of tuberculosis as a young boy. This happened at a Christian tent meeting in 1937. He received a gift of healing for himself and to give to others. He became a well-known evangelist and prayed for the healing of the sick. God used all these men mightily.

I can recall in later years, my mother would share stories with me of those early years and how she was amazed at what her father was doing but also felt so uncomfortable at times. She said her father (Rev. Stanley) would ask her to walk among the crowds and collect donations for the ministry. This is how they all lived. This is how God provided for them.

My mother said they survived, and their needs were always met. Her worst memory around this time frame was when strangers would hug her. She felt uncomfortable when she would feel the touch of the men’s whiskers on her face as she collected donations to her father’s ministry.

That was something she did not like to do. My mom, by nature, was always a more private person. She kept to herself a lot then and in her later years.

She would say she was just not an outgoing person, and that was okay. In her later years, we all knew she loved us and loved the Lord.

I know, in our family, she was loving, but hugs did not happen much.

Above all, my mom was a godly woman and had a deep love for her family, her parents, and the Lord. I was grateful to have her as my mother!

From what I understood, my grandfather was a kind of hell fire and brimstone kind of preacher. He had no problem telling anyone about Jesus. He was so passionate about God’s salvation and God’s Word. It was the driving force in his life.

I was privileged to know my grandfather in the later years of his life. As a young boy of five years old, I can recall he was a quiet man and showed such deep love and wisdom. You could see this in his eyes. When I visited him and sat in his lap, it was like sitting in the lap of Jesus. You were loved!

He was reserved in his words but so full of love. I did not want to leave when I was with him.

At that time, he was hospitalized. He seemed fine to me. I loved being with him.

I remember asking my mother, Why is ‘Pop’ (that is what we all called him) in the hospital? I will never forget her answer: He thinks God talks to him.

I didn’t think it was odd. I wanted to know what God said. Wouldn’t you?

At that time, I really did not understand all of this. I would be told; you will understand when you get older. As a young child, I just did not comprehend any of that. It really didn’t help me understand anything. He had such love in him that it brings tears to my own eyes, all these years later.

MY GRANDFATHER’S BIBLE AND NOTES

Many years later, and long after my grandfather’s passing, my mother made a move due to her own health issues.

At that time, she presented me with my grandfather’s Bible. My mom shared many more things about him and his ministry. I had no understanding of how much his entire life was all about Jesus. Her sharing brought me to tears. She told me Pop had a very deep love for me. She said he had been praying for me every day since my birth.

RECEIVING HIS BIBLE

When I held it in my hands, it was like holding a rare treasure from the past. It was a special, worn, and tattered Bible full of handwritten notes. These notes were all over the pages.

These markings allowed me to see his thoughts on life, which was very special to me. This Bible seemed so special, it was like looking at a book you would see in a museum and a link to the past. It was, and is, priceless to me.

THE AWARENESS OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

My mom opened the Bible to the area where verses were speaking of pastoring, teaching, and preaching. In the margin area, she showed me the writing next to the verses. In his handwriting was written, Today my prayers have been answered! also, there was a date written with it. In flowing tears, I read the notes and writing and saw that the date written was my birthdate, month, day, and year.

The awareness that overcame me was that this wonderful, godly man, who named me, cared about me, and prayed for me, was giving me his blessing.

It seemed overwhelming, but that communication to me and about me made me feel special and grateful. My grandfather saw me in this special way in his sight and spirit.

I totally lost it there. This wonderful man of God loved me, prayed for me, and I was named after him. He was William Stanley, and I was given his name. I was William Stanley McReynolds.

I was speechless, humbled, and realized what a wonderful heritage I was allowed to have. I thanked God over and over for His wonderful love and guidance.

I don’t know about you, but I was struck with the thought, How do I repay him for this? How can I honor him back?

I felt there was only one way to honor him.

I must be as passionate as he was in the focus of Jesus in his life. I need to honor him by pursuing Jesus with everything in my being.

THE ENTIRE FAMILY

My grandmother, Pleasant Carrie Stanley, was a woman full of grace and love for her husband and her children. They had a son, Raymond, a son, Merle, and their daughter, my mom, Wanita May Stanley-McReynolds.

On my dad’s side of the McReynolds family was my grandfather, Albert Dyer McReynolds, a carpenter and woodworker by trade. My grandmother, Sue Davis McReynolds, passed away during childbirth. Clara McReynolds became our grandfather’s second wife and caregiver to us as growing up.

The McReynolds children were daughter Lucy, Son Lloyd, Son Dyer, and Son William Dale McReynolds, my dad. He was a home builder, carpenter, architect in house design, and wood craftsman.

This entire family clung together and interacted regularly. There was love in the family.

They all moved from the mid-west to California due to the opportunities there for work. Most of the men joined the army and served in the Second World War. In this family picture, Reverend William Stanley is standing in the front middle of this picture.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:1–2, NIV).

SUMMARY

What did I learn? Life goes so fast that one day you are with those you love, and quickly time passes. They are gone. You wish in your heart you had spent more time together.

God knew my needs before I ever understood any of them. In His mercy, thankfully for my grandfather’s and parents’ prayers, He protected me, and He will do the same for you! Start praying now for your children and your children’s children.

Prayer is a powerful tool the Lord has given us. Don’t take it for granted. The Father desires a deep close relationship with all of us. Prayer should be a daily thing. A daily conversation with God.

Looking back, I wish that I had more time, more memories with every one of these family members. I could have learned so much more from them. But even still, I am grateful for every bit of time I had. We need to love one another and unite in love, not division.

God’s word for correction: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5, NIV).

God’s word that guides: Be joyful always, pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV).

There is nothing so bad or so wrong that Love