Volume 67  Number 10     Lubbock, Texas 79493   Copyright     $12.00 Per Year     October 1999

September                                    November 

 Eternal Priesthood of Christ      Love    The Whale Swallowed Jonah     The sparrows...the puppies...and us      Judicial and Temporal Forgiveness     New Church Building    God Is   Inspired By the Bride of Christ       Resisting the Call    Grandad       Fellowship   Tour Through The Bible    Obituaries

VOICE OF THE PAST....

LOVE

By Elder W. H. Richards

Love is the foundation of preservation, resurrection and final glorification of the saints. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. When a rich young lawyer asked the Savior what good thing he could do to have eternal life, the Savior told him to love God with all his soul, mind and strength, and his neighbor as himself.

No one could do that except those who are born of God. John said, "God is love, and everyone that liveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love; for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this. Thou hast love thy neighbor as thyself."

I have thought that if we love our neighbor as our self we would just as soon for him to have anything as to have it ourselves. If we do not love our brethren, we do not love God.

1 John 4:20 "If a man say, I love God and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

Paul said, though I give my body to be buried, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing, and though I have the gift of the prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. And many other things too numerous to mention. Now, I don't think that anyone could have all of the graces mentioned here and not have charity, because charity is love, and love that prompts the children of God to serve Him and His people.  Love is the moving attribute of God.  It was not something that God saw in the sinner that actuated Him to send Jesus, the love wonder of heaven  to this sin cursed earth to redeem  sinners, but it was a part of Himself, love. "Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God."

Paul asks the question, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril of sword; Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us, for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus." 

The Banner of Love, Feb. l5, 1934

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JUDICIAL AND TEMPORAL FORGIVENESS

By  Elder Tim Cunningham

It seems that there is a great degree of misunderstanding among some sincere students of Scripture between the two aspects of divine forgiveness spoken of in God's Word.  I will introduce this subject by posing a question.  If God's elect are legally justified eternally by the blood of Jesus Christ,  and have been forgiven all sins past, present and future why do we need to pray for forgiveness? Aren't we praying for something that is already ours?

The Scriptures exhort believers to pray for forgiveness.  Without even considering any of the numerous Old Testament passages which teach this truth, especially in the Psalms, there are enough passages from the New Testament to prove this point.  The two most familiar and outstanding are found in the "model prayer" our Lord taught the disciples, and also in John 1:9.   Notice these passages: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."  Mt.  6:12; And forgive us our sins ..."  Luke 11:4; "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive  us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9.

These passages clearly indicate the need for a child of God to confess his sin and ask God for forgiveness.  But the question remains. If we have been forgiven by God, why should we yet ask for forgiveness?  In order to understand the answer to this question, we must recognize that there are two aspects of God's forgiveness presented in Scripture Judicial and Temporal.

Although it is true that God's elect have been eternally cleansed  [inward man] by the washing of regeneration [Titus 2:5].there remains the need of daily cleansing from the effects of their sins outwardly. This daily cleansing is "temporal" forgiveness and has to do with our fellowship with God, our Father.

It is temporal from the standpoint that it must be repeated, as we shall discuss in this article. Judicial forgiveness has to do with our relationship to God as Judge, and our acquittal  in view of His righteous love. This aspect of divine forgiveness could also be referred to as "Covenant Eternal" forgiveness, in  that it relates to our eternal salvation from the condemnation of sin.

The two aspects of God's forgiveness are illustrated by Peter's experience with our Lord during the first feet washing service recorded in John chapter 13. In this lesson, Peter was initially unwilling to submit to having his feet washed by his Lord.  He said to Jesus,"....Thou  shalt never wash my feet."  v.  8,   But Jesus replied, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Peter, in his characteristic impetuous fashion responded by saying, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." v. 9.

Peter had gone from refusing to have his feet washed, to requesting a full bath! But, notice our Lord's response in verse 10; "..He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every wit:  and ye are clean, but not all." Notice the two kinds of "washing" spoken of by  Christ in this verse. When He speaks of "he that is washed", He is referring to the aspect of covenant eternal  forgiveness inwardly;  the washing of regeneration spoken of by Paul  in Titus  3:5.

But when He states, "save to wash his feet."  He is referring to the aspect of  temporal forgiveness. Those who have experienced the washing  of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost need never have this experience repeated.  We do not need to be  born again and again and again!  But, the temporal forgiveness and cleansing represented by the act of feet washing is an oft-repeated experience in the life of a child of a grace.

The verb tense of I John 1:9 demonstrates the need for  oft-repeated experience of temporal forgiveness. The word "confess" in verse 9 is in the present subjunctive  active tense in the Greek language. The present subjunctive mood refers to continuous or repeated action. Therefore, confession is not merely a once-for-all event for the Christian. It is to be an oft-repeated continuous activity. God's elect have been forever delivered from the eternal condemnation of sin, esp. covenantly. But, we continue to experience the consequences of sin while we live in this world.  By no means should we suppose that our personal sins are inconsequential to God, since He has bestowed eternal  forgiveness through the blood of Christ.

Let us contrast  God's judicial and temporal forgiveness. Judicial forgiveness deals with the eternal penalty of our sins.  Temporal   forgiveness deals with sin's timely consequence. Judicial forgiveness addresses our standing before the throne of God's divine judgment.  Temporal forgiveness deals with the state of our personal walk before God and men.

Judicial forgiveness delivers us from the righteous  condemnation of God  our Judge. Temporal forgiveness delivers us from the displeasure of God,  our Father.  Judicial forgiveness frees us from sin's demands. Temporal forgiveness frees us from sin's defilement.  In Judicial forgiveness we are passive recipients. In temporal forgiveness we are active participants.

Allow me to enlarge on what I mean by the statement, "In temporal forgiveness we are active participants." The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Car. 7:1."Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  This verse is addressed to the children of God, and has to do with their personal sanctification in this world [see chp. 6:14-18.. It is obvious that we must Be active in the matter of our personal purity by obedience to God and separation from ungodliness.

A few times in my experience as a pastor, I have heard someone make the following statement regarding the disciplinary action of the Church. "You believe that a person is good enough to live with God in Heaven, but not good enough to live with you in the Church." Let us consider this statement on the basis of Judicial and Temporal forgiveness.

Conclusion

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THE WHALE SWALLOWED JONAH

By Elder Bill Walden

"For Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days  and three nights in the heart of the earth."  [Matt. 12:40]

This is probably one of the most scoffed at accounts in the Bible.  Those unwilling to accept the word of God imagine many reasons why this can't be true.  One of the reasons according to disbelievers, is that the configuration of a whale's throat would make it impossible to swallow a man. The words Christ used for the whale in this text mocks their feeble attempts. 

The word "whale" means "great fish"  or "yawning chasm."  However, I don't want to become entangled in the same vein attempts the scoffers do in order  to prove a whale swallowed Jonah; the Lord said Jonah was in the belly of the whale  three days and  three nights.   The Lord had prepared a great fish.  If there had not been a great fish in the sea capable  of swallowing Jonah, that was  no problem for God; He prepared one.

It seems that for many years there has been a Whale Committee to try to refute  this account as a mythical  episode, or a parable, still kept alive by the gullible and ignorant. They give us the measurements of the whale's throat and say it's impossible.

Another committee  trying to reinforce God's word, tells of a sailor  who was found alive in a whale's belly, and a horse once extracted  that had been swallowed whole by a whale.  The committee on whales' small throats  may have reached the right conclusion on  the whales they studied; the problem is that they studied the wrong whale --and God prepared this one.

The Whale Committee emphasizes  in their report that the gastric juices in the whale's stomach make it impossible for Jonah to live there, three days, so they would have us try to reinforce the possibility and strengthen  our argument by saying maybe Jonah did die. 

In all the attempts to strengthen the word of God we may forget the fact that if God can create a whale  [or a minnow]  and prepare the whale to swallow a man, He doesn't have any difficulty keeping Jonah alive to pray and proclaim "salvation of the Lord." It's best to release the Whale Committee and read with reverential wonder the word of God.

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ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST

By Elder Cleveland Bass

The priesthood of Christ was an eternal priesthood, made after the order of Melchisedec, Hebrews 5:6...Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec,  Christ was made a priest not after the order of the Aronical priesthood but after the order of Melchisedec.  The Levitical priest hood descended from father to son, father to son.  But the priesthood of Christ was not by descending from father to son. Who was this Melchisedec?  Hebrews 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;  He was a king and priest, of which under the Levitical priesthood, was not allowed to be a priest and a king.  If one was a king, he could not be a priest, and vice-versa. But this man was both.

Heb. 7:3 says of Melchisedec. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually. This verse is not saying that Melchisedec was without a father, mother, etc. but is teaching that the priesthood is without descent.  Melchisedec was born just like any other son of Adam.

Hebrews 7:11.  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, [for under it the people received the law.]  What further need was there that another  priest should  rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?  Verse 12.  For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law.

Verse 13.  For he whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.  Verse 14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe  Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.  15.  And it is yet far more evident; for that after the similitude at Melchisedec there ariseth another priest.  16.  Who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Christ is King and Priest after the order of Melchisedec.  Not after the man, but after the priesthood.  That is what is under consideration, and not the man.

Christ was born a priest and king, and will always be a priest and king.  He is our high priest and is now passed into the heavens to appear in the presence of God for us.  We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous.  Hebrews 7:25-28.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost  that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26.  For such an high priest became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priest, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's; for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.

28  For the law maketh men high priest which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

So, when we read of Christ having made an high priest after the order of Melchisedec, it is talking about the office of priest hood and not after the order of the man, Melchisedec.  Much more could and probably should be said, but this is getting too long, so will shut it off.

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NEW CHURCH BUILDING

Enclosed is a check for $24.00 to renew my subscription  also to send the Banner of Love to my sister in Kirksville, MO. 

I received mine last year from Leland Harris of Lyford, Texas for my birthday. He will be missed by all who knew him. I want to keep my subscription up; have enjoyed it so much.

I have been privileged to get to go to several of the church's meetings, several of your people and hearing several preachers preach. They preach the same sweet stories as our preachers do here in N. E. Missouri. 

We were blessed to build  a new church building  this last year at Hazel Creek near Greentop, MO. We were so thankful for all the good help from other churches and individuals.

We want to say, God bless each one and thanks so much. We had our dedication Easter Sunday. If any of you are up this way we would be glad to have you.

May the Lord be with you to keep The Banner of Love going.

 In Christian Love,

 L. Cleone Stidman

Kirksville,  MO

                   

ENJOY THE BANNER

Dear Brother Richards:

Please renew my Banner for another year and use the rest for any way you need.

I enjoy the Banner very much.  Just received my paper today and have read it through.  I can't put it down until I have read it all.

May God bless you to keep it going.

Maude Winchester

Maysville, OK

Note:  Bless you Sister Winchester, we appreciate the extra and will use it for a good cause.  Opal Richards

ENCLOSING MY POEM

Dear ones in care of the Banner of Love:  I enjoy your paper very much.  I am enclosing one of my poems.  If you have room and if you want it you may use it in our paper.

God bless you all.

Sister Mahala Clark

Poteau, OK

GOD IS

Long before the worlds were made

     Or stars were  cast on high

Before the mountains were brought forth

     Or earth, or sea or sky

            Was God

 

In everything of life on earth

     In land and sky and sea

Through stormy nights and sunny days

That comes to you and me

            Is God

 

Through all our unseen years to come

As long as earth shall stand

And on down through eternity

When there's no sea or land

            God Is

 

Such knowledge  is to wonderful for me, it is high.  I cannot attain unto it.  Psalms 139:6

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ENJOY THE GOOD NEWS

We have looked forward to receiving The Banner of Love and enjoy the good news.

May God continue to bless you in your effort.

Brother Bob Farmer

Sam Antonio, TX

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LOVE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST PEOPLE

Dearest Ones at the Banner:

It was indeed my sweet privilege to visit and hear Elder Archie Robertson preach at Cisco, Texas church. We had communion  and that is indeed, an honor  and very humbling to partake of the service.

I love Primitive Baptist people and am grateful to have been raised as a Primitive Baptist. We had been at my aunt's funeral. She will be greatly missed.

My  aunt Laura Landes of Mesquite, TX passed away  Sept. 27, 1999. She was 86  years old.  I know she's at peace with Jesus. My sisters and I and my brother try to visit as often  as we can. May God richly bless you all at the Banner as you do God's will.

I love you, Sister Opal and all the wonderful writings, past and present.

Much love to you,

Sister Darlene [Robertson] McDonald

Houston, Texas

Note:  May God bless you Sister Darlene, I pray for your health.  Opal Richards

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The sparrows, . . .the puppies, . . . and us

by Don Richards

As happens with many parents, Melba and I got caught in the "dog trap". We got talked a couple of years ago into getting a dog for our two children.

You have heard this story before, about how well the kids pledge to take care of the animal, how they will always be the ones to feed it, water it, take care of it. You also are familiar with verse two: it is mom and dad that wind up taking care of the dog, feeding it and watering it.

We made the additional mistake two years ago of getting talked into a female (a golden retriever — a really beautiful and reasonably trainable dog). We subsequently were talked into allowing the dog to have "one" liter of puppies. ("one" liter is my limit; I have drawn the line).

Last week the dog had its puppies. She delivered eight, but within 24 hours we lost one and were down to seven. It has all been an interesting experience, and we have tried to use it as a learning tool for the children. But it has also been a re-learning tool for me in the mysteries and wonder of God.

We took a new golden retriever puppy two years ago which then had a hard time walking. We laughed as it stumbled over its own feet. Two years later we now have a wonderful mother to its puppies. We did nothing to teach this inexperienced dog the skills and traits of a mother, but the dog has all the signs of a trained a long-experienced nursemaid. We have watched in amazement at the perfectly tuned skills of this new mother with her children; and especially at the attempts of this new mother to save the one puppy that we lost within the first 24 hours. Who trained this dog in motherhood . . and first aid?

I will skip the many details of the gestation period and go to the birth last week. We knew from the first moments that we had problems with one pup. He was weak and off-colored. He was to only one which could not nurse the mother, and he did not seem to join in the "pile" of golden-furred rat-looking, closed-eyed pups scratching and clawing to stay in the warmth of the mother’s curl.

The mother constantly was working with the sickly pup. She tried all she could to get the pup to nurse. Melba and the kids joined in. She called the vet and secured supplement and they went about feeding the new puppy with an eye dropper. The mother would take the puppy back, clean it up and lick it down.

We were amazed at the mother’s natural skill when the puppy almost died the first time. At first it scared us as we thought the mother was eating her pup. Then we realized the mother had simply taken the head of her pup into her mouth to resuscitate it. The mother tried hard and kept the pup alive for a while.

We explained that the Lord had taught the mother how to be such a good mother and nurse. Even after we were sure the pup had died, the mother kept working on it and we let her try all the first night. She kept the pup between her paws and worked on it all night, even while constantly watching over and cleaning the other healthy seven pups.

Melba prepared for us a grave marker and the children helped us provide a funeral for the puppy they named "Halo".

I was reminded throughout this experience that God works wonders and mysteries with the intricate and detailed way He has created our world. The song came to mind: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches over me."

We are told in the gospel of Matthew at the Sermon on the Mount, that the Lord watches over and feeds the fowl of the air and the lilies in the field. He watches over us also and we should always have faith in that.

Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without the Lord knowing. He knows the number of every hair on our head. Matt. 10:29-31.

Nothing separates us from the love of God. Rom. 8:35-39. We are called unto him according to his purpose — not our purpose. His unconditional love for us is so strong it will not be denied by anyone, including ourselves.

We are wrongly told too many times that God loves, but his love only goes so far — He can do only so much -- then we must accept or respond. My God loves me in spite of my own ignorance, in spite of my own sin.

His eye is on the sparrow. His eye is on the puppies. His eye is on us. He proves this all to me daily. I take great comfort in that.

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INSPIRED BY THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

I was raised under the influence of the Primitive Baptist with Lon R. Cook as my father, and Brother Floyd Griffin as the pastor of the Church until I left home after graduating from high school. 

God never revealed to me the mystery of the scriptures  on the two salvations, and I remained ignorant  of the same until about a year ago  when He revealed this to me.  I have been so much inspired by what the Bride of Christ is, and what it means to me to be included as a part of her for the past year.

I am 64 years old, and feel like I have led the life of the prodigal son for the past 46  years.

I have enclosed some notes from a recent study of the identifying marks of the church.  I have no doubt that I am a part of the Bride, the one and only Church there ever was or will be.

Please view my notes and reply with corrections and further instructions by the scriptures as to what I am a part of.

Your brother in love,

Forest G. Cook

Byers, Texas

Note:  God bless you Brother Forest.  We think a preacher should answer your questions and we will give it to someone to do so. Opal Richards

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RESISTING THE CALL

By Elder Hulan Bass

Concluded from September

His ministerial calling I would not relish. He became so discouraged till he, at one point, wrote Jer. 20:9, "Then I said,  I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in his name.  But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."  There has never been a minister in the N. T. Church, who is truly God-called, that has not experienced this discouragement, and even questioning of their calling.

DISOBEDIENCE

Now let us consider another extreme case in the negative.  Jonah was called to go to Ninevah.  Jonah 1:1-3  "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Ninevah, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.  But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish, so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."  Is Jonah going to "slip through" this call, and escape into another realm of worldly activity?  No is the answer.

The Lord was longsuffering with Jonah, but the calling would be honored. There have been other cases  of disobedience and resistance to the calling, but this of Jonah is another of extremes.  This case gives us the objective lesson of worthless disobedience. How many of us have tried this "Jonah Tactic?"  I must digress momentarily.  Moses was called to deliver the twelve tribes of Israel from 430 years [Exodus 12:41] of sojourning in Egypt. Moses response was, as many today .  [Exodus 3:10]  "And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, not since thou has spoken unto thy servant, but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."  Read the next several verses and find the useless  plea by Moses, in trying to resist the call.   Some resistings are verbal, while some are literally physical, as Jonah got on another ship, paid his own fare, and was  going to go in the opposite direction from Ninevah.

Some have tried to pay their way out of the calling.  I have known some that even would have paid their way into the calling. Neither with work, "Wanting" to have the calling is just as bad as "resisting" it.  The man that "wants" to be a preacher, or the parent that "wants" their son to be a preacher, knows not what they "want." Matt. 20:20-23 shows what happens to this type of "want."  Heb. 5:4  "And no man  taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."

Jonah hid on the ship to Tarshish. His presence was known by the Lord. He was finally thrown over-board - Jonah 1:15. The Lord had already prepared a great fish to swallow him - Verse 17.  Jonah learned the lesson of "resisting" in chapter 2. Jonah 3:1-2, "And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise,  go unto Ninevah, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." This time he gladly became obedient.  His resisting had run its course, as most resistance does.

Young brethren, if you feel the urgent zeal drive force, desire and unction  to go, don't cause the Lord to have to use 2nd Tim. as he still forced the same call upon Jonah, Even after this second time of repeating the call, Jonah did go, and preach to Ninevah, and  there was much repenting by them and God spared the Preacher and Ninevah. Double blessings of the Lord's hand - Isaiah 40:1-2; Zech. 9:11-12, were the results of obedience. Yet Jonah still resisted in another way.  He was now unhappy, even angry with the Lord for sparing the city.  Jonah 4:1, However the Lord still spared Jonah, though another lesson was to be taught him.  Read all of chapter 4.  Sometimes, resisting the call, will result in multi-layered lessons, and the call will be honored in all aspects.

POSITIVE ADMONITION

Let us not be found fighting  [resisting] against the Lord. First, the unregenerate is told  by  Stephens in Acts 7:51 - "Ye Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost, as your fathers did, so do ye."  These always resist.

Paul states in Rom 9:19, "For who hath resisted his will?"  These never can continue to resist.

James 4:7-"Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  If you resist God He will not flee but bring suffering pressure upon you, till your resistance is gone.  Submit to God, means, no resisting.

Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."  This is transparently clear.

If God called, let us immediately, leave our nets and follow Him.  You will never be sorry in this Godly Obedience.

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LOOK FORWARD GETTING THE BANNER

I am sending a check for $24.00 for the subscriptions for Tommy Hart and myself for the Banner of Love for another year.We look forward to getting the Banner of Love each month.  It is a good way to keep up with the meetings and has a lot of good writings in it..

Keep  up the good work and may God bless you.

In Christian love,

Mrs. Haden Hart

Coleman, TX

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GRANDAD

 

Grandad, he's been

            an old man,

Ever since I guess

            That I've known him

Kinda grey and

            wrinkled, but

Back then he's still

            plenty fit and trim       

 

When I'se a kid, I'd go to

            their house

Granny'd  fix us

            bread and jelly

Grandad'd tickle me

            under the belly

Say, "Come'ere, let me

            bite your belly"

 

They both could make the  

            Grandest of toys

From things just layin'

            around

Like a bow and arrow,

            or some stilts,

To walk on up off

            the ground

 

They'd play baseball

            with me after chores.

And they never struck me out.

Told me that I's the

            greatest slugger

 

I believed without a doubt.

 

Grandad showed me how

            to use a knife

And to whittle on a stick.

How to tell if a horse was lame,

            or if maybe he's gettin' sick

 

Once, he even bought me this pony,

Pulled a cart, so he'd been told

Well, we hitched him up

            and both got in

Then we struck out down the road.

 

The first few feet everything

            went fine,

Then they sorta' went awry

That ole' horse let out a

            great big squeal

And just took out on the fly

 

As we were rattlin' and

            a bouncin'

Out across the bunchgrass

            clumps.

Grandad looks over at me, says

"Partner, I think, we's better

            jump"

                                  

Grandad comes up all skint and

            bloody,

And my arm was kinda' hurt.

That horse took out a five

            rail fence and

Generally stirred up the dirt.

 

He comes to a halt there

            'side the barn

With big rollers in his nose

That cart hung off him

            all in pieces,

He sure struck a funny pose

 

I jumped up and run to the barn,

If my horse was hurt

            I wanted to see

Grandad, he limped on over,

Said, "If he ain't

            He's fixin' to be!"

 

From then on out I's put on

            Horses

Grandad was sure that he knew

Like Babe or Tom or Cupy,

            Nit Fly or maybe Ol' Blue

 

Now, I've growed up, and

            Guess you could say,

I'm pretty well haired over

Grandad seems a little smaller,

 A lot more wrinkled and older

 

He don't navigate

            Like he used to

Don't get off the place

            too much.

Maybe drive around and

            Check his cows,

Or go into town to

            church

 

His outsides are the

            Weathered results

Of years spent out in

            In the sun.

But his insides haven't

            Changed a bit.

Still full of vigor

            And fun.

 

Sometimes when I go out

            To see 'em

Granny'll fix us bread and

            Jelly

Grandad says, "Don't  get

            too sassy, son,

Or else I'll bite            

      your belly."

Dariun Brookman, in memory of his grandfather, Brother Vannie Brookman     

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            ATTENDED  MT. OLIVE CHURCH

It was my sweet pleasure to visit Mt. Olive Church, Mt. Olive, Texas and hear my brother, Elder Archie Robertson  deliver a wonderful sermon.  My three sisters were also there.  It was a beautiful service.

I remember going there as a child of four and then older; and it's still a blessed place to worship our God.

May our Heavenly Father richly bless and keep you all as you continue the work of The Banner of Love.  God bless you, sister Opal.  God bless you all.

Darlene Robertson McDonald

Houston, Texas

The Children and Grandchildren of Elder Raleigh and Foy Burran Request the honor of your  presence in sharing the celebration of their 50th Anniversary

This joyful event will take place, Saturday, Nov. 20th, 1999 Weches Primitive Baptist Church Weches, Texas 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

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