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Volume 67 Number 6 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year June 1999 |
The Decrees of God Ordination of Deacons Voice of the Past Jesus Showed Himself Alive Makes Sense to Us, But Nonsense to God The Lord's Blessings In Two Lives Obituaries
By Elder Charles Walker
Middleton, Tenn.
How many years has it been since there has been writings concerning the decrees of God. The direction of writings today have been toward practical godliness or the personal conduct of the children of God. Many ministers say that their minds are led in that direction altogether. It is my humble opinion concerning the foundations for the saints of God, this leaves them without a rock to stand on. Myself or anyone else would deny the important aspects of practical teaching on the duties of the followers of Christ
But to place all teaching on this one subject will leave a void in the understanding that deny a grip to hang onto in troublesome times. The last writing I have seen is the theology by Elder R. V. Sarrell. This book deals wonderfully with the subject of the decrees of God. I have been preaching for forty years now and very little preaching at meetings have I heard on this subject. The papers put out by our publishers have not dealt with it to any extent.
Let us look at the importance of this subject. No knowledgeable student of the word of God would say that this is not important. If there were no decrees of God then there would be no creation. I do not think that you will disagree with that statement. To believe in the Eternal God, you must believe in the decrees of God. The very fact that we can refer to each other as you and I says that there has been activity on the part of God.
If we, as we believe, are intelligent beings, it declares that there is order and purpose exercised by the One that made us. This means that God declared or decreed to make us in the way that we originally came from His hand.
Salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ declares that there existed in the mind of God, prior to time, a way or means to effect this salvation. It is not as man often time does, starting something without fore-knowing how it will turn out. This brings us to the point of thought we needed to come to.
The biblical meaning of the word decree is basically this, "an expression or judgment backed by authority." This is the way the Caesar's decreed their opinions and judgments to the Roman Empire in Bible times. The kings in the days of Daniel would issue a decree, backed by their authority, to the different province to be executed by those whom it was sent. In the days of Caesar Augusta, he decreed that the whole world would be taxed. I believe that this gets the gist before us as to what the word means.
When we begin to think about the decrees of God, we must understand, at least to the best of our ability, the Being of the Person of God. Are these decrees a part of His person or do they fit somewhere else. I cannot conceive in my mind or even understand that God's mind progresses from one idea or thought to another thought. But for us to understand in our limited abilities, we must have it broken down into partial aspects with each aspect conveying it's part.
And we must have a proper understanding of the logical relations between each aspect. We will now deal with God and His attributes and their relationship to Him. These attributes are of His being, They are what He is in His being. He is infinite, absolute, eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign in His person. There are no relationships between God and His attributes. They are what He is, in and of Himself. In the exercise of His decree, the relationship are that they are and must be consistent with what He is, in and of Himself.
In order for God to express Himself in His decrees or purposes, there can be no errors or mistakes on His part. I do hold that God does express Himself in His decrees. The eternal One has never had to rethink any thought that originated in His mind. [Our God has no eraser on His pencil, neither does He need one.] This brings us to the infinitude of God, which means the quality of being without limits of any kind whatsoever.
To even try to understand this infinitude, we must go to the different aspects and their relations to each other. I am dealing with the mind of God at this time. His mind is unlimited in its ability to foreknow, search out, and to comprehend all that is to be or can be under all circumstances, real or imaginable. To decreed an end, His mind must comprehend all His works of all kinds, small and great, from the beginning of His purpose till it is completed. This is His knowing Himself and that unlimited ability of that Self. "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world." Without His Self knowing there can or could not be a sustained decree on His part.
The next thought we need to take up is: He must know the ends as well as the means, causes as well effects, conditions and Instrumentalities as well as events which depend upon them. He knows and must know all things that were or ever will be in their causes, conditions, secessions, determining their certain future and effects. All this must be in the mind of God if He is to execute a sustained purpose or decree.
"Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient, things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure." I maintain that this is impossible unless the things already set before you are true.
I must put the decrees before you under two headings for us to see how they fit for our understanding. There has been a misunderstanding of these things for ages and I do not think I will clear them up for you. I will try to put them before you as the way I understand them.
The first to be placed before you is the decree that God has decreed in and of Himself to effect and bring to pass in and of Himself. What I mean by this is that He uses no agency or means outside of Himself to bring to pass these things. This is called the effectual decrees of God. Examples are: The creation of the heavens and the earth. The giving of eternal life to the heirs of promise. He spoke and they lived.
2. The other decrees are His use of means to bring about His purpose. His use of means do not make Him the author of sin as some suppose. A good case in point is His use of the wicked brothers of Joseph to save his people from starvation. When it was all over, Joseph told his brothers that they meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
This is called the permissive Decrees of God. They embrace God's use of means to bring about His declared end. These people acted out their own will without any force on the part of God.
"These decrees of God are His eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise and sovereign purpose." This doctrine should produce in our minds humility, as they set before us infinite greatness and sovereignty of our great God, and of the dependence of man; confidence and implicit reliance upon wisdom, righteousness, goodness and the immutability of God's purpose."
I hope that this neglected subject will occupy a center place in the spiritual understanding of the Lord's people as they are tempest tossed and driven in this world of sin and sorrow. This will never happen unless, "we study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman not to be ashamed, rightly divided the word of truth."
I have been told time and again that the people do not understand these doctrines. These were the prized property of the church of the last century. I do not place our beloved people into a frame of mind that they cannot understand them. The blame then, must be placed at the feet of those that do the teaching of the word.
It seems that we want the outward show of the religion of Christ without having the heart for it. This outward flow of religion will never help any of God's people when the troubles come. The whole purpose of the religion of Christ is to bring the heart and soul into the full knowledge of our Lord. This will not happen until the deep things of God are preached and understood and embraced by the people of God.
Now I must give credit to the ones that I have borrowed deeply from. First, let me give thanks to the Father above. He has blessed me with a mind to understand some of the mysteries of His glory. I have hungered for these truths for over forty years and my thirst has not been quenched yet. I thank God for those men of the long ago that lived in the fertile fields scriptural knowledge. They had the mind of Christ. I sit here weeping and rejoicing, confessing that I am a great borrower from other men. My heart is overwhelmed by the great grace of God.
I looked up the decrees of God in a Bible dictionary and have not been able to turn them loose. This is my study, but I admit that almost all of it has been borrowed.
In His Cause,
Elder Charles Walker, Pastor
Ole Enon Primitive Baptist Church
301 South Main Street
Middleton, Tenn.
Shreveport, LA.
How wonderful was the fellowship when we came together on a beautiful day, May 22, 1999 for the purpose of ordaining brothers Anthony McClain and Troy Phillips to the office of deacon. Temple Primitive Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA. was called to order by her pastor. Elder Joe Phillips, who invited visiting brethren, sisters and friends to sit with us in conference which was left open from the previous Sunday. The reference was taken up of ordaining the two brethren who the church had set aside in a previous conference.
Elder Phillips asked Temple Church if she was still of the same mind to proceed with the ordination. The church spokesman stated that the church was still of the same mind. Elder Phillips requested the Elders and Deacons present to please organize into a presbytery and select a moderator and clerk so the ordination could proceed.
Brother Virgil D. Mitchell, who had been designated as the spokesman for the church, moved that Brother Benny R. Miens be chosen as the clerk and that Elder Joe E. Phillips as moderator of the presbytery. Brother Glenn McClain moved that we honor the request of the two brethren and select Elder Lowell McClain to offer the ordination prayer and Elder Joe E. Phillips to deliver the charge. Second was made by Elder N.W. Asbell. Motion carried.
Motion was stated by Brother Virgil D. Mitchell and second by Brother H. B. Holden that Elder Marion Joe Asbell be chosen to question the church and Brothers McClain and Phillips relative to their qualifications. Motion carried.
Elder Joe Asbell then proceeded with the questioning. He expressed his confidence in these two brethren and the church's decision to ordain them. He asked the church spokesman if the two brethren believed in the fundamental power of God; in the love of God for His people from the foundation of the world; in the doctrine of a people chosen of God. Elder Asbell sweetly questioned the church and the two brethren on their beliefs and all questions were properly answered by the church spokesman. Motion by Brother Huey Massey that we accept the examination. Second by Brother B. E. Kent. Motion carried.
Elder Lowell McClain offered a very humble and fervent prayer in behalf of Brother Troy Phillips and Brother Anthony McClain imploring the Lord's mercy and blessings upon these two brethren and their families in the flesh as well as their kindred in Christ. This was followed by the laying on of hands by the members of the presbytery.
Brother Troy's wife, Theresa and Brother Anthony's wife, Sister Nicole were escorted to be seated with their husbands and Elder Joe Phillips delivered the charge. He read from the 6th chapter of Acts and 1st Timothy 3rd chapter. God blessed Elder Phillips to charge these two brethren in the duties that the office of deacon requires. He explained that there are many mysteries of God but not to doubt God in any of them. Elder Phillips also admonished the wives in their duties as mates of these two brethren. He then admonished the church to assist them in their duties as well.
Elder Phillips asked the presbytery if they were satisfied with the work that they had done. All signified that they were. A motion, second and affirmative vote that the church receive the work of the presbytery and Brothers Anthony McClain and Troy Phillips as duly ordained deacons.
While singing some of the good old hymns, everyone in the assembly gave Brothers Anthony McClain and Troy Phillips and their wives the right hand of love and fellowship.
The minutes of the proceedings were read by the clerk and a motion that the presbytery be dissolved was made, second, and approved.
Motion was made that the church adjourn conference until the next regular conference time. Motion carried.
Elder Joe S. Phillips, Moderator
Brother Benny R. Miens, Clerk
Note: We, the membership of Temple Primitive Baptist Church with to thank all the ordained brethren who so graciously attended and assisted in the ordination service and especially, to our Lord, for sending His Spirit to lift us up for a brief period of time. The singing was wonderful, the Spirit filled preaching fed our souls and the fellowship of God's children brought joy to our hearts. B.R.M.
"A book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon His Name." Mal. 3:16.
Many of God's aged saints can no longer to see to read of God in the holy scriptures; many of them have lost their hearing and can no longer hear the sweet gospel of Christ; with many of them, their spring of earthly joy has dried up and they feel so poor and unprofitable.
But bless the Lord we can think upon the name of the Lord and what a field is here. You know, Isaac went into the field to meditate. You will never, never, be able to exhaust the great subject of the name of the Lord.
God has been spoken of by many appellations, because no one appellation will describe His divine perfections.
Here are some of the appellations: Shepherd, Priest Prophet, King, Lion, Husband, Father, Brother, Mediator, Savior, Lawgiver, Captain, Governor, Surety, Advocate, Emanuel, Counselor, and Prince of Peace.
Is not there much food for thought in His Name? We never know Him here, only in part, no matter how much we think upon His name. But we gain much sweet comfort by thinking upon His Sweet name.
And when we get to heaven I am inclined to believe that we will spend eternity looking and admiring His wonderful perfection. We will then have a larger view of Him. Yes, after His own loving Hand has placed a glittering crown upon our head and palms of victory in our hand when we look up to the throne upon which He sits in His heavenly glory.
What more could the poor redeemed sinner want to make heaven for him than to cast His glittering crown at His feet and crown Him Lord of all and to gaze upon Him that was righteous in all His undertakings
There is a sweet promise to those who think upon His name, "They shall be mine when I make up my jewels." How this comforts me tonight. I have had such sweet thoughts on His precious Name.
The Banner of Love, May 1, 1934
Continued
Jesus first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils," [Mark 16:9]. In John 20:11-18 we have this account, "But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at The head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them , I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
The order of events connected with this appearance seem to be as follows. The woman, including Mary Magdalene, came to the sepulcher and found it empty. Mary Magdalene, in the first shock of her disappointment at finding the grave empty, did not wait for any thing more, but ran back to the city to tell Peter and John, and that the body of Jesus was not there. While she was gone the angels appeared to the women who were left, and delivered the message to the disciples, and they returned toward the city to deliver it. As they were thus returning, Mary Magdalene, with Peter and John came to the grave, and the two apostles saw the empty grave and the grave-clothes, as described in John 20: 1-10.
Peter and John returned home, meditating on these strange things, and left Mary Magdalene weeping at the sepulcher. Not having waited to hear the words of the angels as the other women.
Mary didn't know the fate of the body, but supposed it had been rudely removed by the gardener, and her heart was ready to break, because she supposed there had been desecration of the body she loved so much.
Moved with emotion and anguish, she stooped down and looked into the hollow chamber where the body had been laid, and then for the first time saw the angels who appeared to the other women, "And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." Then occurred a scene of great importance. Only two words were spoken; but they were full of meaning. Jesus said to her, "Mary!" recognizing his voice and turning around, she flung herself at His feet to embrace Him, calling Him "Rabboni," which means "My Master! My Lord! Which is a title given to earthly men, but never to The Lord of Glory. Jesus, in every other case in this account is called Lord, except here by Mary Magdalene.
She would have clung to his feet with gladness, but Jesus forbid her saying, "Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father." This prohibition was very remarkable, because in a few minutes afterwards He allowed the women to do the very same act here forbidden Mary. It was doubtless because of an enormous impression under which Mary was laboring. By her calling Him Rabbi [Rabboni] reveals that Mary thought he had returned to life intending to remain with them on earth and set up a visible kingdom that she and many others anxiously awaited. Jesus, to correct the error, stopped Mary to check her false interpretations.
He forbids the indulgence of those misguided feelings of delight and bids her to go to his brethren, who were indulging in the same dream of an earthly kingdom, and to tell them that he wasn't going to remain here on earth with them, but say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." And this He did forty days later.
He doesn't call them His disciples, but His brethren, the children of a common Father and God, to assume them in their discouragement that He still loved them, and that He forgave them for their desertion of Him in His hour of need. He assures them that they had not lost their brotherhood because of their conduct. Such a message of this at this special time of need was full of unspeakable tenderness, and doubtless was of great encouragement to His dispirited disciples.
Jesus had never before this referred to His disciples as "brethren" except for one time when He replied, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother," [Matthew 12:50]. Here for the first time Jesus calls them "brethren" An endearing term that assured them that He loved them not as cowards, culprits and deserters. Not even as disciples or friends, but as "brethren." That loving and forgiving heart filled with brotherly love moved Jesus to send the message to His disciples, also moves Him to send His message of love to all of us poor wandering pilgrims.
The second appearance, Jesus saluted the sisters, as they were going to His disciples as the angel at the tomb had told them to, saying "All Hail," He was happy to see them and greets them as old friends. Then seeing their fright of Him that had been crucified and buried in Joseph of Arimathaea's new tomb, now walking and talking, although they had been told that He was alive, were frightened. Jesus said to them, "Be not afraid," "And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him," Jesus said to them, go tell my brethren that they should go to Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Jesus had permitted the the women to do that which He had forbidden Mary Magdalene to do just a few minutes before. He forbid Mary because she expressed a mistaken notion that He had returned [although He had not as yet ascended] to set up an earthly kingdom. However, these women came in adoration instead of gratification for a wrong cause, they fell at His feet and "Worshipped Him," as the Lord, not as a man, "Rabboni or Master" Jesus gave the emphatic sanction to His Divinity by permitting an act which indicated adoration of Him as God, while He forbid the same act which only expressed affection for him as a man. Had He not had a right to this worship as God he would have rejected it with as much horror as Paul and Barnabas did at Lystra.
The third appearance, "He was seen of Cyphas," [1 Cor. 15:5] "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon," [Luke 24:34]. We can now begin to see a pattern developing in the order of the appearances of Jesus, designed to convey definite lessons. The first was to Mary Magdalene who was a loving but disappointed disciple; the second was to the sisters who were obedient disciples going to carry out the orders given them by the angel, and the third was to Peter who was a grieving back-slider.
This appearance must have been after the appearance to the women, and before that to the men on the way to Emmaus, and probably during the forenoon of the day. The reason that He appeared to Peter before John, James, or any other of the apostles seems obvious. Peter was a poor remorseful and anguish laden backslider with a broken and bleeding heart. He had denied His Lord, even cursed and said that He didn't know Him. "Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I," was his proud boast. He was perfectly honest in his declaration, but was resting on his own strength, instead of petitioning God for strength and protection in a begging application spirit.
The Lord warned Peter of his danger saying to him that satan desired to sift him as wheat, and even telling him that before the cock would crow that he would deny Him three times. Satan was surely sifting Peter now and he desperately needed the relief that only Jesus could give him.
After Peter boasted so confidently that, though all men should forsake Him, yet, he would not, of course we know that he did, but when Jesus looked at him in the palace he rushed out to find some lonely spot where he wept bitterly, he was a broken and hurting man and praying for mercy. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." [Jeremiah 3:22] Jesus answered his prayer.
ALWAYS A JOY
It's always a joy to get to read the paper. Thanks so much. Heb. 13:16 is real encouraging.
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
DON'T WANT TO MISS AN ISSUE
Here is my check for another year. I don't want to miss an issue. You and your family are doing a great job. Just keep this good paper coming my way.
Thanks for everything.
Veta Casey
Katy, Texas
There are a lot of things that I do that make sense to me. That’s why I do them. There are things you do which might make sense to you, but that do not make sense to me. We spend a lot of time talking, arguing, negotiating, and litigating to convince others that our actions are the ones that make the most sense. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to justify our perceived common sense actions and plans to others .
We naturally do those things that make sense to us personally. That’s the way human nature works. God does not do things with regard to the sense that human nature would give it. God is on a considerably higher plane that those of us in this world.
God has a plan. His plan may be a mystery to a lot of us, but it makes sense to Him, and is in the best interest of us all. We are protected under God’s plan, even when we do not know it or realize it.
"Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke 16:15.
Let’s look at a few examples where God’s plan doesn’t make sense with the way human nature would handle the situation.
We all have the basic human desire to be rich. We want large bank accounts, large savings accounts, big houses, lots of material tangible property.
We want money for material worth. It puts us in a high place in our community, it lets us purchase those material things that show our material wealth. It makes sense to us to have material riches to live in this world. If we let this desire get out of control, we have greed. Greed it still one of the greatest and most frequently committed sins. A large number of people get into trouble because they let their desire turn into greed. God approaches it differently:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:19-21.
Then let’s give our riches away (maybe only part of our riches?). We will give money to a charity so we get a tax deduction and they can put our name on a building. Let’s be recognized for our large contributions to the operation of the church. We can receive a lot of public recognition because we are so charitable. It make a lot of common sense to us.
Being charitable is good, and giving contributions to the church is good. But how we do it is where the Lord’s plan is different from our common sense approach.
Read Matthew 6:4. We learn that our "alms-giving" is to be done in secret. If we seek public recognition, then we get our earthly reward with recognition. If we seek treasures in heaven, then we should give secretly, and the Lord will reward us openly. Let’s talk about our enemies. It makes sense for us to hate them. But what are we taught by Scripture: "Love your enemy." Matt. 5:38-44. Give him food, give him drink, because in so doing you "heap coals of fire on his head".
Let’s talk about payback for the trespasses by our enemies on us. We know from our common sense logic that virtually nothing is more "satisfying" than getting revenge on an enemy. Do we really want to know what the Lord says about vengeance and who owns vengeance? I bet you are thinking ahead of me on this one!
"Avenge not yourselves, give place unto wrath; ...Vengeance is mine; I will repay" saith the Lord. See also Deut. 32:35. Forgive your trespassers, if you expect the Lord to forgive you of yours.
How about our passing judgment on other people? Have you ever passed judgment on another? If you have not, then you are a long way behind me. Read Matt. 7:6. Judge not, lest someone judge you.
Let’s talk about eternal salvation. Isn’t it important that we help the Lord save souls? Don’t we need to do good works to make sure we save as many souls as possible? Isn’t that in itself a good work: talking about the number of souls we have saved? It makes common sense to us.
Read Eph. 2:8. There is only one soul-saver. The job is already filled. Our salvation is the gift of the Lord and is not accomplished by our good deeds, our "acceptance" or our soul-savings efforts on other people. Salvation is "not of yourselves." It is "not of works lest any man should boast." See Titus 3:5.
This religious stuff can get complicated. We need to get deeper into this and lay out the complications, and all the possibilities, and all the various legal questions that could arise. It makes sense to us to speculate on all this religious law.
"Avoid foolish questions and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law: for they are unprofitable and vain." Titus 3:9.
IN HIS WORK
Please note my address change.
May the Lord Jesus bless you as you continue in His work.
Sincerely,
Mark Hassenmyer
Wylie, Texas
STILL HOLDING SERVICES
We are down, but not out. We are holding services in our home, 2nd and 4th Sundays.
The address is 211 Flora Vista St., San Jacinto, CA 92582. Directions are: On Freeway 10 take Hwy 74 towards San Jacinto; pass Ramona Expressway on Sanderson, go to Ramona Blvd., turn left, go to Potterfield, turn right, go to DeAnza, turn left, go to Potraro, turn right, go one block to Palomar St., turn left, go to Flora Vista St., turn left, we are in a culda-sac, in a mobile home on the left side. We would greatly enjoy any visitors that might come our way.
Your sister in hope,
Brother Wayne and Sister Effie Lou Poss.
TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST JESUS:
We, God's children, blessed to believe and hold to His Truth, here in Arizona, pray and hope Our Lord strengthens you, according to His will and good pleasure toward all of His children, for you to keep up the Banner of Love.
We love you all in Christ, and pray for you. Pray for us.
Your little brother in Christ,
Gary Morgan
Phoenix, AZ
ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR EFFORTS
Enclosed please find my subscription renewal for the Banner paper for another year.
I continue to enjoy the fruits of your efforts and those who write the good writings.
Sincerely,
Your Brother in Christ,
Ralph E. Knight
Fowler, CO
FOR YOUR LABORS
Dear Brother Richards and Sister Opal: We enjoy your paper each month and hope either or both of you can come back to Tyler pretty soon. We are thankful for your labors and trust you can come be with us again this year.
Our Love,
Vernis Stanaland,
Pastor, Tyler P.B. Church
Note: Brother Stanaland, we appreciate the invitation. I really would love to come to Tyler again. Really enjoyed our visit before. O. Richards
Mom, Maybelle Cook, longtime member of the Snyder, Oklahoma Primitive Baptist Church, celebrated her 90th birthday on April 24th, along with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many friends and loved ones. It was hosted by her children and families of the Henrietts Primitive Baptist Church, Henrietta, Texas.
After lunch, everyone gathered around her as each of her children recounted their memories of the many ways she's influenced their lives down through the years. There were many tears shed as well as laughter; each did so well recalling a few of those very special memories.
Most of all, though each were so very thankful for the example she set before them of always putting the Church first in her life. Her home [and Pop Cook's when he was living] is always open to friends and that is especially true of brothers and sisters in the Church; everyone I know has always felt they could drop in at their home anytime of the day or night . Mom never had a lot of this worlds riches but God has blessed her with riches far above this world's goods!
Uncle Clem Cook also turned 90 years of age a few days later. With a cute little grin, he will tell you he only had one birthday and that was when he was born [May 11, 1909.] All the others are "anniversaries" of that birthday!
On Sunday, May 5th, his wife and daughter and their families [plus a host of friends and loved ones] honored him at the Snyder Primitive Baptist Church in Snyder, Oklahoma. Since Mom Cook has also lived in that vicinity most of her life, they combined the celebrations so her close friends [some of who also are getting on up in years] could come.
As most of you who read this already know, Uncle Clem is a deacon at the Church there in Snyder, and has been for many years. How he must miss his brothers as they were so close in their love and fellowship! And when his pastor, Elder Norman Jones or one of God's ministers is blessed to preach, Uncle Clem sits on the edge of his bench and "helps". Sometimes we get such a blessing out of witnessing how much he gets out of the preaching service.
These two dear loved ones are so faithful to attend Church and continue to be inspirations for those of us who witness the way they hardly ever miss, even though their bodies are worn with age. Mom Cook wonders sometimes why she keeps living. Allen tells her it's because the Lord hears prayers of Mothers like her, and we need her prayers. These two dear ones also need our prayers as they near the end of their earthly journey.
Written in love, Lone Cook
FORMER TEXAS RESIDENTS
We are former residents of Amarillo, Borger and Canyon, Texas and are long-time Primitive Baptists. We have heard of the Banner of Love and would like to keep up with the church news from Texas and Oklahoma.
Please enter a subscription in our name. I enclose a check for $18.00 for the subscription plus a small donation.
Thank you for our efforts to keep our old churches going.
Sincerely,
Nelda F. Dorough
Fairfax, VA
Note: Thank you for the donation. It will be used for a good cause.
ENJOY THE GOOD NEWS
Thank you for the reminder. We enjoy the good news so much. Hope you all are enjoying the Lord's blessings. Come and visit us when you can.
Love,
Brother Ray and Sister Syl Davis
Baltimore, MD
Note: So good to hear from you two. Would love to come that way again. I thoroughly enjoyed the other trips there. Give our love to all those good people there and especially, Elder Steven Bloyd. O. Richards
ENJOY THE PAPER
I wish to renew my Banner of Love for one more year. I enjoy the paper so much. Also, renew my pastor's paper. He has now moved to Burnet.
Use the extra as you see fit. Wish it could be more.
Love and God Bless to all the staff.
V.R. Wietner
Burnet, Texas
Note: We appreciate the extra.