THE STATION and other literary works by Robert J. Hastings
Welcome to the Official Robert J. Hastings website. Rev. Hastings is the author of the internationally recognized and acclaimed essay, The Station (c) 1980. The Station is not in the public domain even though it was widely reprinted in the syndicated newspaper columns of Ann Landers with permission from Robert J. Hastings. Its message of living the journey of life now, each day, struck a powerful chord with the reading public. Reprinted in Reader's Digest and various anthologies, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, The Station first appeared as an editorial in The Illinois Baptist. The editorial was adapted and painstakingly reworked by Dr. Hastings which accounts for some differences found in published versions. He felt that the reading of The Station out loud or silently to one's self should invoke the feeling and rhythm of riding on a train.

The popular excerpt, Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today. is taken from The Station by Robert J. Hastings and appeared in an article published by The New York Times, June 29, 2001.

A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Dr. Hastings wrote inspirational books and material for Broadman Press (now Broadman and Holman Publishers) and The Baptist Sunday School Board. He also created and recorded the audio stories named Tinyburg Tales (c). Dr. Hastings grew up in Williamson County, Illinois, USA and chronicled his boyhood experiences spanning the years of the Great Depression in his memoir, A Nickel's Worth of Skim Milk (c)1972 and its sequel, A Penny's Worth of Minced Ham (c)1986. His parents, closest kin and neighbors are portrayed lovingly in these autobiographies as they faced looming poverty, tragedy and hardship, as set down through the eyes of young "Bobby". A terrifying hail storm described in the opening chapter of A Nickel's Worth of Skim Milk portends the trials ahead for the Hastings family and Southern Illinois in the economically broken 1930's.

Editor of the Illinois Baptist for 17 years and Southern Baptist Minister for over 50 years, Dr. Hastings preached thoughtful sermons, wed nervous couples, eulogized the fallen, dedicated stirring babies, extended his hands at the altar to receive all ages professing faith in Christ, baptized first converts in a strip mine pond, told stories to rapt audiences, and guest lectured at writing workshops. He was born at home on May 17, 1924 in Marion, Illinois, the fourth child of a coal miner and grandson of a pioneer. Dr. Hastings finished his work here on January 17, 1997 leaving a wonderful legacy to his family, friends and the world . . . the unique expression that there is "no one earthly destination to arrive at once and for all" . . ."The journey is the joy". . ."Life must be lived as we go along". . .drawing wisdom from Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Dr. Hastings' stories, "Tinyburg Tales", are currently broadcast on The Bible Broadcasting Network. (c)2000-08 Nancy Hastings

A Friendly Reminder about Rights

The Station (c) 1980 and the contents of this website are Intellectual Property protected by U.S. Copyright Law and web hosting guidelines and agreements. We respectfully ask that you do not use The Station in whole or in part in any printed , electronic or recorded media without written permission from The Robert J. Hastings Estate. RobertJHastings.com website posted 2/18/2000. All Rights Reserved 2008.
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