Grandpa’s Friendship With Walt Disney

Remembering grandpa Ray Fox on Walt Disney’s 115th birthday.

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Carolyn’s grandpa Ray Fox had a personal friendship with Walt Disney. He was Disney’s lead carpenter for many years. But they also had a personal relationship. You can watch grandpa and Walt Disney together in this California’s Gold video (hosted by Huell Howser).

This is Grandpa Fox with Walt Disney by the Disney Barn (from the video)

The segment about the Disney Barn starts at 12:50. Grandpa Ray Fox is mentioned at 18:58 as head of the carpentry shop.

Grandpa is shown at 20:13 to 20:39 carrying a caboose with Walt Disney and then riding the train right behind Walt.

The narration on another video of the same scene (video quality far inferior) says, “The barn also served as a workshop and a place to relax with friends.” The friend with Disney at that point in the video is grandpa Fox. Indeed, he had a special employer/employee friendship with Walt Disney.

Grandpa was helping Walt with his backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific Railway. As lead carpenter, he built the Disney Barn, which was also in the Disney’s back yard. The barn had the controls for the railroad.

While Disney’s house at 355 N. Carolwood Drive has been razed and a new home built there, the barn has been preserved. A few years ago, we visited the Disney Barn. It has been moved and is now a museum at Griffith Park in LA. The curators knew who grandpa Fox was and enjoyed meeting some of his family.

Here are 2 biblical reflections on grandpa and his friendship with Walt Disney:

1. Creativity honors God because God is creative.

One of the ways Walt Disney used the barn grandpa built was for creative thinking. The Wikipedia article on Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn says, “Walt Disney’s barn is billed as the ‘birthplace of Imagineering.’ It was in the barn with his trains, that he got one of the very first inspirations for what would eventually be called Disneyland.”

How cool is that. Disneyland was conceived in the barn that Carolyn’s grandpa created!

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Carolyn (on the right) and her sister Lynnda visiting the Disney Barn in May, 2013.

Grandpa himself was quite creative as a woodworker. He carved intricate designs and objects both for his work at Disney and at home for enjoyment.

The Almighty God is creative on a whole different level. He created the universe out of nothing! The first 5 words of the Bible are “In the beginning God created.” (Genesis 1:1)

His creation is perhaps the greatest way we know that God exists. Psalm 119:1 says “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” (NLT)

When human beings create, we also proclaim the glory of God through creativity. Genesis 1:26; 5:1 & 9:6 all say that we are created in the image of God. We reflect the image of God when we create. We honor God by using the creativity He has gifted us with (if we do it in a moral and honorable way).

2. Death is the great equalizer.

I’m releasing this article on December 5, 2016. This day would have been Walt Disney’s 115th birthday. Walt died in 1966. Grandpa Fox died much later. He didn’t leave a fortune or a vast empire or a famous name like Walt Disney. He lived a simple life in a humble home. His greatest claim to fame was probably his friendship with Walt Disney.

This is our wedding August 4, 1979 with Carolyn between me and grandpa Fox. Every person in this photo has died except Carolyn and myself. This includes Carolyn’s sister Gwen and nephew Jeremy.

But like Disney, when grandpa died, he left everything behind.

Death levels the playing field for the richest to the poorest, the most famous to the most obscure, the most powerful to the least.

After death, the Bible says that one day “…at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”(Philippians 2:10-11 GW)

But while all will eventually acknowledge Jesus, the Bible is clear that not all will end in the same place. Many will end in the darkness of hell. This includes people who appeared to be God-fearing:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT)

We don’t choose our earthly parents. But we can choose our Heavenly Father. To learn how to do so and receive eternal life, please click HERE.

For more family stories and assistance, see these resources on my website:

• My Heroic Great Grandpa and the Pre-Titanic – Part 1

• Why I Burned My Sister at the Stake

• 4 Simple Yet Powerful Ways to Protect Your Marriage

• Five Keys to Stay Happily Married for 34 Years

• I Was a Perfect Parent…Then I Had Kids

How Can I Be Grateful When I’m Grumpy?

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 065

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Most Christians know that they’re expected to give thanks in all circumstances. But that command begs the question: How can I be grateful when I’m grumpy? When the challenges of life seem overwhelming, it can be difficult to be thankful. Yet, being grateful at those times might be just what we need the most. The question is, how can we do it?

Grateful when I’m grumpy

Here’s a verse that tells us to “be grateful when I’m grumpy”

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)

Ephesians 5:20 says the same thing:

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NLT)

As you can see, both these passages instruct Christ’s followers to do something difficult: To be grateful when I’m grumpy.

How can we?

That’s the question I address in this podcast. So, give a listen and learn how I’ve learned to be grateful when I’m grumpy, and how you can also.

For additional help in being thankful see these resources on this website:

• Thanksgiving, a Most Important Attitude

• How to Know God’s Will for You Right Now

• Five Ways to Conquer Complaining and Find Happiness Now

• What Does God Owe Me?Why Thanking Prayers Are So Important

• My WORST Christmas Ever

To learn more about this “Christianity Questions and Answers” podcast and how to submit your questions, click HERE.

To develop your relationship with God, get my free eBook “10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth” click HERE.

To learn how to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, click HERE.

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The Christian And Recreational Marijuana

Now that it’s legal, can Christians use pot?

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The Bible doesn’t directly address the issue of recreational marijuana. In fact, the word marijuana doesn’t appear in Scripture. Thus, we must draw our conclusions about it from the general moral teachings of God’s Word. Christians must use prayer, discernment, godly teachers and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Image by Chuck Grimmett via flicker

I live in California, a state which has voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Several other states have done the same (despite that federal law prohibits it so far). So, if this is not an issue in your location, it might become one soon.

So how should Christians respond?

Here are 4 biblical issues to consider regarding recreational marijuana:

1. Legalization doesn’t mean God approves.

God commands that we obey the laws of the land (see Romans 13:1-7). But that doesn’t mean that we must take part in an activity, such as recreational marijuana.

There are many examples of this:

• The Holocaust in WWII Germany

• Legalized prostitution, such as in the state of Nevada and in the Netherlands

• Abortion

• Gay marriage

God’s desire is that we obey the government, but if it commands or allows us to do something immoral, then another law kicks in: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

2. Scripture warns about the recreational use of drugs.

Like so many things in this world, drugs can be used for great good, but also great harm:

• Dynamite is used to mine diamonds, but also as a weapon to kill and maim

• The internet can educate and inspire, but also to create hate, lust, gossip, bullying, anger, fear, violence and so on.

• Education is used to inform and create a better society, but also to brainwash and mislead.

Currently I am on a daily regimen of medications to help my heart. One of them keeps my blood pressure in check which could save me from a stroke or heart attack. I’m grateful!

Please note that some have a chemical imbalance in their brains. Medications can be helpful in assisting with these imbalances.

But the Bible warns about the immoral use of drugs. GotQuestions.org says:

Use of intoxicants has also been closely associated with witchcraft and sorcery in the Bible. The Greek word pharmakeia, translated “sorcery,” literally means “to administer drugs.” As with our English word “drugs,” the context must be considered to determine the meaning. In biblical times, pagans incorporated the use of drugs to induce altered states of consciousness, during which they supposedly communed with their gods. This would be similar to the modern-day practice of voodoo. The apostles strongly condemned the use of such drugs to produce altered mind states because the drugs lowered inhibitions and self-control. (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 9:20-21; 21:8; 22:15).

So just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is permissible in God’s eyes.

3. Our “highs” should come from the Holy Spirit, not alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.

Scripture gives a clear juxtaposition in Ephesians 5:18; “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

While the drug in this verse is alcohol, the same principle applies to other recreational drugs, including recreational marijuana.

Why do people get drunk or get high on a drug like recreational marijuana? Perhaps to feel better, to forget their problems, to numb their thinking, to achieve an altered state of mind.

But this verse says we can (and should) be doing something similar through the filling of God’s Holy Spirit. It’s saying:

Don’t be drunk through alcohol, be drunk through the Holy Spirit.Don’t get high on drugs like marijuana, get high on the Holy Spirit.

If this sounds odd or sacrilegious, don’t blame me—it’s Scripture!

Additionally, a spiritual high is a different kind of high:

It’s not temporary—it last 24/7, not just when you’ve had a joint, fix, or drink.It’s not a forgetting of your problems so much as peace during trials.

When Christian friends say they “need a drink” it says to me they might be reaching for the wrong kind of high. The same would be true of recreational marijuana.

4. Loving our neighbor means maintaining clear-mindedness.

When Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment,” he answered:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”(Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)

The USA is a very individualistic society. Our heroes are usually rugged “Lone Rangers” who “buck the system” and “do their own thing.”

Frankly, other societies have a more biblical approach. They ask not just “what’s in it for me,” but also “how will my activities impact my family, friends and neighbors?”

What’s the point? We must ask “even if it is legal recreational marijuana, what impact will my being high on weed have on others?”

Here are some specific examples:

• Will using pot be a good role model for my children, coworkers, neighbors, and so on?

• Am I likely to think more clearly with or without getting high?

• Will smoking pot help or hinder my testimony for Christ?

• Might I endanger lives by getting high?

Since society is just beginning to experiment with legalized recreational marijuana, examples are less abundant. But examples of the tragedies from the drug of alcohol abound:

• Recently the senior pastor of one of the biggest churches in the USA had to resign because of alcoholism.

• Every year thousands of innocent people are killed or maimed by drunk drivers.

• Tens of thousands of children are traumatized by alcoholic parents.

It might be tempting to say, “Recreational marijuana is my own personal decision.” But it isn’t.

The Bible is clear, and even graphic, about the need to focus on concern for our neighbor. Jesus said, “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” (Mark 9:42 NLT)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is a biblical Christian perspective on recreational marijuana. If you are not yet a follower of Jesus and would like to find out more, click HERE. Jesus wants to give you a clean conscience and assurance of eternal salvation!

For more help with a biblical approach to medications, alcohol, drugs and other ethical issues see these resources on my website:

• Podcast: Can a Christian take medications to help brain chemistry?

• Shot to Death in our Former Home–Another Alcohol Tragedy

• Podcast: What does the Bible say about euthanasia?

• Podcast: Should Christians gamble?

• The Abortion Issue Made Easy

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