"The Treasure Book"
The Bible is a Treasure Book
Of stories that are true,
It tells you of people long ago
Of folks like me and you.
The Bible is a Treasure Book
Of verses old and new.
Some make us think of lovely things
Some show us what to do.
The Bible is a Treasure Book
It tells how long ago
Christ Jesus came to live on earth
Our Father’s love to show.
Some of you who, like me, grew up attending Vacation Bible School may remember this song, "The Treasure Book," which was one of my favorites. Perhaps you remember also from VBS days the pledge to the Bible: "I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s holy word and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands, one brotherhood uniting all Christians in service and love." This pledge followed pledges to the American and Christian flags in the opening ceremony each day. How proud we were when we were chosen to carry the flags or the Bible! I value the training that I received and that later our children received through years of Vacation Bible School.
Further training came in Training Union. We were encouraged to read our Bibles daily; and we participated in "sword drills," exercises based on Ephesians 6:17, which developed proficiency in the use of our Bibles. These exercises and memorizing scripture were important in my growth and development as a Christian. Several years ago I joined my pastor’s wife, Fay Foxworth, in a Bible Memory Course; I do wish I had continued with that course. When sleepless nights come, I find comfort in recalling His word along with praying to Him.
Among my favorite scriptures is the majestic Psalm 119. I can still recite much of this Psalm in the beautiful language of the King James Bible from the time when our high school English teacher, Miss Santa Tackett, had us to memorize it. I think often of the Psalmist declaring in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." These hidden words are helpful on many occasions.
Another of my favorites is Psalm 8, which also reminds me of the majesty of God. It first came to my attention at a time when I needed to acknowledge His control of our lives. In March 1973, Susan, Beth, and our next-door friend, Linda Crowe, were involved in an automobile accident. Beth and Linda were not so severely injured as Susan. Susan was taken immediately to Memphis, where she had brain surgery the next day. I recently reminisced with her about that Sunday and recalled that at the time she was in surgery we had 38 family members and friends with us at the hospital praying and awaiting the outcome. When she was out of intensive care and back in her room, one of the first things she asked for was her Bible. She had begun reading through the Psalms from the Living Bible. As I began to read Psalm 8, she stopped me on verse 4: "I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay attention to him." I asked anxiously what she needed. She said, "Nothing, Mama, just please read that verse again." After I read, she said, "That is what I have been trying to figure out. Why did God let me live? Why has He paid so much attention to me?" I had no immediate answer. I too had been overwhelmed that God had spared these three young people. Susan was back in school making the Honor Roll in three weeks and three days.
After the surgery, as important as appearance is to a teenager, Susan, then 16, was not bothered in the least that one side of her head had been shaved. Hovering and worrying as mothers will, I had slipped out and looked for a little hair piece or something to ease her feelings. When she realized what I was doing, she said that if people didn’t know you had to have your head shaved for brain surgery, she wouldn’t be bothered by what they thought. In the meantime when she began to walk out in the hallway, she was her daddy’s little Mohawk and later tucked an azalea blossom behind her ear. During these days another mother whose college-age daughter had experienced a similar accident and surgery sought me out at the suggestion of some of the nurses. Her daughter refused to be seen by anyone and covered her head with a sheet when anyone entered her room. The mother asked how we had helped Susan in her acceptance of her appearance. I could only answer that as a Christian Susan felt strongly that she was truly blessed and appearance was not that important just now. Her faith along with the prayers of our family and many Christian friends was bringing her through. The mother replied, "Oh, my daughter goes to church too." I could have explained what a difference there can be in attending church and living close to the Lord in a daily lifestyle, but I didn’t think it would help her at that time. Perhaps she may have reasoned it out later herself.
My most precious Bible and one I no longer use except to leave open to various favorite scriptures on a table in our bedroom, is the one Don gave me for Christmas in 1956. Our pastor’s wife, Hazel Watson, had what I thought was the most beautiful Bible I had ever seen. It was a Holman King James, leather-bound with beautiful paper. I commented on how much I liked hers, and Don asked her to get one for me. Then I could not bear Don’s not having a better Bible too. I began saving eggs to sell a dozen at the time and baking cakes to sell. Of course I was no expert cook, but Grandmother Waller believed anyone could cook who tried. So, armed with my Swansdown cake flour and farm-produced milk, eggs, and butter and a strong right arm, no mixer, I did learn to make cakes from scratch. My cousin Betty Jean was my best customer, and thankfully her favorite, caramel, was my favorite too. She paid me $2 for a cake. Don’s Bible cost $16 and I was ever so pleased when I could give it to him on his birthday.
God has caused me to realize that I have been letting devotional books, inspirational books, books relating to grief, and just any number of good, helpful books often crowd His word from my reading. One of my most recent reminders came from Joni Eareckson Tada’s book Glorious Intruder, which was given to me for my birthday. This book brings thoughts on prayer life, complete commitment to the Christian life, Bible study, and much more. The thoughts center on God’s presence in life’s chaos. Many of her brief writings touch areas I have begun to let slide. I get so caught up in "as the world turns in Patsy’s life," that I often bypass the spiritual food that life desperately needs.
My good friend Cyndy Waller, who is so artistically talented, put some of my most favorite verses on pretty colorful paper bordered with birds and flowers. I have these lining the walls in my closet and even on the freezer in the utility room. Some days just glimpsing Nahum 1:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 6:33-34, Phillipians 19:4, and others makes what has seemed to be a mountain fade into the distance.
While Don and I lived in the old Waller home, we vowed that if we ever had another house we would plan a prophet’s room. In those days our church did not-have a pastorium and few homes were available for visiting ministers or missionaries. When we did build our house, I wanted a piece of stained glass to form a worship center in the guest bedroom. We could not find one, so with the help of Patricia Brown Young, we had a piece made just like we wanted. It is a beautiful piece of work with an open Bible in the center, lighted by recessed wall lights. Patricia also found me a prayer bench for this place. It seems to bring in the stillness of spirit my heart longs to have. After the grandchildren have been there I know to check this room when they are gone. They too like the pretty Bible picture. They are never too young to be taught the importance of God’s word.
It seems to me that an individual’s personal Bible is one of the most private of possessions. Many notations, thoughts, keepsakes are placed there at meaningful times in that person’s life. After my mother died, we found in her Bible the bulletin from her church which Daddy had brought home the last Sunday before Christmas in 1959. Printed across the top of the bulletin in bold letters was MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Mother had written beside that line, "no more." She knew.
Certainly each of us have our own memories and thoughts and choices of this Treasure Book. I have been blessed and strengthened by sharing mine with you.
SINCERELY,
Patsy
Ten Ways To Overcome Depression
Once, at a time of great sorrow, I found it difficult to overcome the feelings of loneliness, grief and depression that kept enveloping me. Finally, though, I discovered some ways to beat the blue moods. I believe they can work for others, too.
1. It may seem too simple, but ask God to give you the strength to overcome your mood.
2. Say to yourself, "1 have felt this way before. It will pass. It did the other times." The grief may not leave, but the present mood often does.
3. Deliberately "turn off" your mind to pour unhappiness. In place of sad memories, force yourself to inject pleasant things into your thoughts.
4. If the weather permits, take a walk or engage in some other outdoor exercise. If that isn’t possible, keep busy at something indoors.
5. Be grateful for all the happiness you have had. List your present blessings.
6. "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans, 12:21). Help someone, maybe even a stranger, if you can.
7. Realize that this mood may have a physical basis. Perhaps nervous fatigue or some other bodily ill is at least partly responsible. If so, ask your doctor to help you.
8. Be confident that if you are really willing to place yourself in God’s hands, something, or someone, will come along and help you bear the unbearable.
9. Remember that every person at some time in his or her life must make the same adjustments, many with fewer "tools" with which to work than you have.
10. Believe in tomorrow!
—Martha McChisney Wilkinson
La Jolla, California
FORUM
Some questions we are frequently asked along with the answers are listed below for the benefit of those who have not dealt directly with our services at Waller Funeral Home.
What services does the Funeral Home provide? Transportation of the deceased to the Funeral Home; preparation of the body; assistance in selection of casket and in planning the services and interment; rooms where friends can pay their respects to the deceased and family; the chapel with music system available; grave preparation; transportation for casket, pallbearers, and flowers; acknowledgment cards; obituary service; assistance with death certification; help with burial insurance settlements; requests to pallbearers for their participation; other related services. The family makes the decisions about what kind of services are desired and the Funeral Home staff carries out the family’s wishes.
Why are many families designating visiting hours? Visiting hours assure a time when family and friends can be together at the Funeral Home. The hours are not meant to be restrictive, however, and family and friends are welcome at the Funeral Home at all times.
How can we contact the Funeral Home if a death occurs when the Funeral Home is closed?
We have 24-hour, 7-day answering services. Just call 662- 234-7971. We consider all-time availability as part of our commitment to the community in operating a funeral service.
How can I make funeral planning easier for my family? We have preplanning and prepayment programs to fit a variety of circumstances. Decisions can be made before need without the pressure of time or emotional stress. By prepaying, you assure that the cost of the services you select will not increase. Your family will be free of financial worries at the time of death.
Please call or write us any questions you have about our funeral services. Other questions and answers of general interest may be included in future newsletters.
IN MEMORIAM
We dedicate this issue of SEASONS to those who have died and whose families we have served from December 11, 1989, to February 26, 1990.
Mrs. Lena Mae Fudge Christian 12/11/89
Mr. Allen Quay Elliott 12/12/89
Mrs. Eula Black Mason 12/18/89
Mrs. Daisy Belle Robertson 12/19/89
Mr. Lee Roy White 12/22/89
Mrs. Callie Irene Miller Bowles 12/23/89
Mrs. Billie J0 Jones Carter 12/23/89
Mrs. Lucille Hathorn Robinson 12/31/89
Mr. Gifford Raymond Kinkade 12/31/89
Mr. Freddie Lain Daniels 1/2/90
Miss Derothia Grace Rikard 1/3/90
Mrs. Gertrude Ware Wilson 1/4/90
Mrs. Florence Hulsart Scott 1/5/90
Mr. John Alexander Atkinson 1/6/90
Mrs. Opal McCullough Murchison 1/6/90
Mrs. Bernice Stuart Doyle 1/8/90
Mr. Norris Walker Gooch 1/12/90
Mr. Cellus Vestal King 1/13/90
Miss Pamela Jean Potts 1/14/90
Mr. Wallace Hopper 1/19/90
Mrs. Eura Sneed Jones 1/21/90
Mrs. Lyda Roy Hussey 1/22/90
Mrs. Ha Fuller Hamilton 1/22/90
Mrs. Beulah Wiley Mathis 1/23/90
Miss Clara Belle Hawkins 1/23/90
Mrs. Myrtle Rutledge Johnson 1/25/90
Mrs. Ferol Frazier Douglass 1/26/90
Mr. James Woodroe Oswalt 1/26/90
Mr. Ferrell McDaniel Holcomb 1/26/90
Mr. John C. "J.C." Tatum 1/28/90
Mrs. Carra Henderson Sanders 1/28/90
Mrs. Adelaide Katt Dommer 1/29/90
Mr. Buddy Britt 1/31/90
Mrs. Linder Mae Chambless 1/31/90
Mrs. Myrtle Mansel Leister 2/3/90
Mr. Louis Ethan Hollowell 2/9/90
Mrs. Mable Kisner Hallman 2/10/90
Mr. Raymond Wesley Wells 2/12/90
Mr. Henry Boyce Tidwell 2/14/90
Mr. Robert Pittman Webster 2/14/90
Mrs. Sally Roberts Roulette 2/14/90
Mr. Howard Owens Tyler 2/15/90
Mr. William R. Foley, Jr. 2/20/90
Mr. Henry V. Tidwell 2/21/90
Mr. James T. Singletary 2/21/90
Mrs. Nellie Bishop Grose 2/22/90
Mrs. Ardeth Brownell Andrews 2/23/90
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