This I Remember About My Dad

On Friday morning, May 3, 1985, I received a call at 12:30 a.m. that my dad had been taken to the hospital with heart problems. I left at 1:20 a.m. to go to see him but by the time I arrived in Baldwyn, Mississippi he was already dead. He died on my sister's birthday and was buried on mine.

My dad was not a Christian for the first 12 years of my life. He was a good man but he had no interest in going to church. He was not wicked but like a lot of people he saw no need in going to church. For several years he would carry mother and the four children to church and wait outside in the parking lot. But he changed and thank God for the change. I still remember as if it were yesterday his obeying the gospel. There is no question about it, if it had not been for my mother's faithfulness and dedication, my dad would not have been a Christian. There were times that daddy would not want to take us to church and my mother, who could not drive a car would say, "If you do not want to take us, I will find someone who will." And my dad would always end up taking us. My dad's life is a great testimony of I Peter 3:1. With all my heart I believe my dad became a Christian 30 years ago because he had a Christian wife who was determined to remain faithful to the Lord regardless of the cost.

I remember his growth in the Lord. I remember shortly after he became a Christian that he was asked to wait on the Lord's Table. He was so nervous he would shake all over. Years later, it would fill my heart with gladness to hear him lead a sincere public prayer or give thanks for our food without any hesitation. My dad did not stand still in the church, but he grew in the Lord.

I remember his good works. My dad did not have much because he was good hearted. He would give you "the shirt off his back." After he became disabled and could not hold down a regular job, he still stayed busy. He visited the sick in the real sense of the word. He would spend many hours at the nursing home feeding the helpless. My dad had that sterling character that caused people to like him because he was good to them. Before my mother died in 1970, my dad was by her side night and day taking care of her during the months she was confined to bed. When my step-mother was seriously ill, he stayed with around the clock just like he did with mother. Daddy loved people. He would stand by them. He gave of himself.

I remember our last visit on April 15. It was just for a couple of hours. I gave him his shirt that we had given him for Christmas that he had to return for a larger size. I installed his bug zapper my sister gave him for Christmas. He showed me his garden and his "new" tiller. In my sorrow my heart tells me I should have visited longer and more often. But I will not dwell upon that which cannot be undone. I shall always remember that good visit and the strong, warm and loving handshake as I said goodbye for the last time on this side of eternity to the man who gave me my life.

Though my dad has been gone for twenty-three years, I still love him and miss him very much.

Tom L. Childers
Revised from an article written on May 9, 1985

Dear members at Southside,

During the three years that Carole and I have been a part of the Southside church we have had offers to work with churches closer to Henderson. Each time we declined because our heart was with Southside and we believed this is where we should be. A few weeks ago, we were presented with another invitation. This time, after much prayer and consideration, Carole and I believe it is time for us to move on and allow someone else to continue the important work at Southside. Our plans are to continue our work at Southside through the month of July. We will plan for Sunday, July 27 to be our last Sunday. We will begin our new work with the New Hope church of Christ near Middleton, Tennessee on Sunday, August 3.

Carole and I both agree that in our forty-plus years of work with several different congregations that Southside ranks highest in terms of your love, support, generosity, and appreciation for us. We will never forget all of the Christmas gifts each year, the times you opened your homes to us, and all the times you provided for our physical needs. Very few, if any, Sundays went without your public prayers in our behalf. We continue to be amazed by your love for us.

In these three years we have had sad moments. We have cried together, but we have also laughed together. We have lost members, but we have also gained members. More importantly, we have seen spiritual growth in many. Carole and I can leave knowing that hopefully the church is stronger spiritually now than when we came.

Changing preachers and churches is not always easy. There is always sadness, but there is also a degree of excitement in the anticipation of a new working relationship. Our prayer is that your next preacher will encourage you and you will work with him to grow in faith, dedication, love to God and each other. Carole and I request your continued prayers as we begin a new work and as we form new relationships with brethren of like precious faith.

Southside will always be in our hearts and prayers. Please call if we can do anything. As always, we will try to be there for you.

Tom and Carole
June 1, 2008

Mother's Two Bibles
On December 25, 1961, my mother gave me a Bible for Christmas. In it she wrote the following:

Tom Lee:
Just always be a Christian and we will be proud of you.
With all our love, Mother and Daddy

On October 18, 1968, my mother gave her only grandchild at the time a Bible and in it she wrote:

Leah, today is your birthday. You are one year old. God blessed us so richly when he gave you to us. We are so proud of you and love you so much. This little Bible is from your granddaddy and me. We want you to study it and always put God first in your life. Obey your daddy and mother and we know you will someday be a fine young Christian lady and do much work in the Lord's kingdom.
All our love, Grandmother Childers

Less than two ears later, my mother died on August 27, 1970 at the age of forty-seven. Like Abel of old, her words of encouragement and influence still touches her family and those who remember her (Hebrews 11:4).
Four questions are in order: (1) Have you given the Bible to anyone? (2) If so, what did you write in it? (3) Are the words you wrote consistent with your life? (4) After you are gone, how will you be remembered?
---Tom L. Childers

"If God So Teaches, I Am Willing"



John Smith was a Primitive Baptist who lived in Indiana. He heard a gospel preacher speak about the importance of "Rightly Dividing the World of Truth." After hearing the sermon, he and his wife became "Christians only."

The Smiths had five daughters who were taught diligently by their fireside to read, understand, and obey the scriptures. They later moved to Hickory Flat, Benton County, Mississippi. Having five young daughters, they became the center of attention of the young men in the community. But before marriage the girls brought each man to the New Testament faith.

One daughter, Rachel, said to her boy friend: "Let us read the Bible together, hear our ministers fairly, pray while we study, and do what we believe to be God's will as revealed to us in his word." After a few months of reading, learning, and praying J. B. Armor became a Christian. He became a gospel preacher, as did his son Milton Hatley Armor who went to school under J. W. McGarvey. Both the father and son did much to bring the gospel to people in north Mississippi.

Brother M. H. Armor spoke on a lectureship, along with David Lipscomb in Henderson, Tennessee in 1892. Brother J. A. Thornton, a long-time gospel preacher and father-in-law of Ralph Gilmore who teaches at Freed-Hardeman, is named in honor of M. H. Armor.

The youngest daughter of John Smith, Mary Malvina, married W. A. Crum. They had no discussion of religious issues until the first baby was born. Eli Crum, father of W. A. Crum and a devout elder of the Presbyterian Church, urged his son to have the babe baptized. Mollie's reply was, "If God so teaches, I am willing. I have heard that there is neither command nor example for baptizing infants; but show me the scriptures for it and I will consent at once."

Eli went to his Presbyterian preacher for help in finding biblical authorization. In the meantime, William Crum began to study the Bible for himself, which lead to his obeying the gospel. He became one of the strongest preachers in the state of Mississippi during his time.

His son, William Eli Crum, was the first gospel preacher for the Beech Hill church of Christ, Benton County, Mississippi where my wife was reared, where Carole and I were married, and where I preached my first sermon in 1968.

I wonder what would happen if all of us would read our Bibles and instill in our children the attitude: "If God so teaches, I am willing. . . . Show me the scriptures for it and I will consent at once."

---Tom L. Childers

Background for this article came from History Of The Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Mississippi, compiled and written by M. F. Harmon. For more information about W. E. Crum, go to my Web site at
http://www.freed-hardeman.com/WECrum.htm.

WHEN DOES ONE BECOME A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH?

A person becomes a member of the Lord's church when he is baptized (Acts 2:41; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Saul of Tarsus was baptized in Damascus. The Corinthians were baptized in the city of Corinth. Both were added to the Lord's church, but they were not members everywhere. Paul was not a member at Corinth while living in Damascus. When a baptized believer moves or decides to worship at a neighboring church, at what point does he cease being a member at one church and become a member at another church?

Membership in a local church hinges on two things: (1) Desire of the newcomer; (2) and the reaction of the local church. Acts 9:26 serves as an example: "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple." Paul moves to Jerusalem. Immediately he attempts to "join" ("to join oneself, join, cling to, associate with") the church at Jerusalem.

At first, Paul is rejected. A local church has the right to exclude certain people from its fellowship. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not in to your house neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 10-11). The church at Jerusalem was protecting itself by refusing to accept a man they believed to be an enemy of the church. Only after they were convinced that Paul was a faithful Christian did they accept him into their fellowship. "But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” ( Acts 9:27).

Since the Bible is not specific about the exact procedure of becoming a member of a local church, it is left to each local church to determine its own policy. Whatever that policy, it should be clearly understood by all; it should be impartial; it should protect the church from false teachers, immoral people and troublemakers; it should discourage "floating church members," it should discourage members from running from problems; and it should be "decent and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).

--- Tom L. Childers

"I HAVE PERFORMED THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD"?
God's instructions to King Saul were very clear: "Utterly destroy all" (1 Samuel 15:3). King Saul' s disobedience was very clear to everyone except him for he spared King Agag and the best of the animals (1 Samuel 15:9). In spite of this fact, Saul boasted: "I I have performed the commandment of the Lord" (1 Samuel 15:13, 20). Saul claimed to have obeyed but God said he disobeyed (1 Samuel 15:11). In attempted to get Saul to realize his disobedience, Samuel said in effect: "If you have obeyed God, what are these animals doing here" (1 Samuel 15:14)?

Folks are no different today. Some claim they are obeying God while still in disobedience. To such people we ask:

1. If you have obeyed God, why have you never been baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38)?
2. If you have obeyed God, why do you call yourself by a religious name that is not found in the Bible ( Acts 11:26)?
3. If you have obeyed God, why do you seldom or never come to church (Hebrews 10:25)?
4. If you have obeyed God, why do you worship with an organ (Ephesians 5:19)?
5. If you have obeyed God, why do you fail to eat the Lord's Supper upon the first day of every week (Acts 20:7)?
6. If you are obeying God, why do you never visit the sick or shut-ins (Matthew 25:35-36)?
7. If you are obeying God, why do you have to hide some of your actions from other Christians (Matthew 5:13-16)?
8. If you are obeying God, why do you refuse to speak to other members of the church (Romans 16:16)?
9. If you are obeying God, why do you fail to give as you have been prospered upon the first day of every week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)?
10. If you are obeying God, why do you have to make excuses as Saul did (1 Samuel 15:21)?

---Tom Childers

WALKING WITH YOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS

When cold weather comes it is always a temptation to walk with you hands in your pockets. It is also very dangerous. One of the hardest falls that I ever saw a person take was when the person was walking on ice with their hands in their pockets. The human body is designed to protect itself. The arms and hands have a marvelous reflex system that will react quickly to protect the rest of the body.

The person who has not obeyed the gospel is walking with his hands in his pockets. Saul of Tarsus was fighting against the truth and Jesus told him he was "kicking against the pricks" (Acts 9:5). As an ox kicked against the sharp prod, the flesh was torn. With each additional kick more damage was done. Paul, in his rebellion, was hurting others, but he also was hurting himself.

The person who does not live the Christian life is walking with his hands in his pockets. Bible study, prayer, fellowship with Christians, giving, eating the Lord's Supper, and singing are means to strengthen, protect, and build faith in each Christian. A failure to use these provisions of the Lord is to refuse God’s help to be a successful Christian.

The person who violates his conscience is walking with his hands in his pockets. God has given each of us a conscience. It rebukes us when we chose wrong; it encourages us when we do right. A person who will not be true to his conscience and the common sense the Lord has given him is walking with his hands in his pockets and is asking for serious injury.

God has given us friends who love us and want to help us. True friends will say to us, "You better take your hands out of your pockets." Friends in word only will say, "It is your business, do what you wish." Such friends look the other way as we walk across the ice. Real friends warn us and cringe with pain as we walk across the ice and plead with us to think about what we are doing.

Please, take care of your body. It is better to have cold hands than to risk serious injury. Please, take care of your soul. Take advantage of every blessing the Lord has provided for your spiritual well being.

--- Tom L. Childers

Last week I have the honor to visit with Rubye and Carlton Morton of Henderson, TN. They have been married over seventy years and are both approaching 100. "Miss" Rubye went to Freed-Hardeman's grade school - 1-12 grades, graduate from Freed-Hardeman College, and then graduated from Union College in Jackson with top honors. She became registor at Freed-Hardeman in 1933.

During our visit, "Miss" Rubye reminded me of an article I wrote about them in 1989 when our daughter, Leah, was a student at Freed-Hardeman. Here is a reprint of the article.

Special People
To me a special person is someone who does good to others when they do not have to do so. Please allow me to mention two very special people I know.

The Henderson church of Christ urges its members to select a nearby Freed-Hardeman college student and "adopt" them as their own. They pay special attention to the student. They invite them into their homes. They take them out to eat. Occasionally they might even help them with their homework or laundry. They buy them birthday gifts. They listen to their problems. They offer some very good advice. They are parents to the college student when they are away from home.

I know that they are very special people because one lovely couple at Henderson has "taken our daughter in" and loved her as their own. They have been so good to our daughter and continue to be after her graduation.

It is difficult to find words that adequately express our feelings of gratitude to Carlton and Rubye Morton of Henderson. They are special people because they unselfishly allowed our daughter to enter their lives and they are so good to our Leah.

--- Tom L. Childers

Our grandson, Zach Johnson, is an eighth grader at Columbia Academy in Columbia, TN. When going out for football last year, he was weighed and his measurements taken. One year later, he went through the same process. In one year he had gained fifty pounds and grown seven inches in height. In one year, he passed his mother in height, caught his dad's height, and is within two inches of catching his grandfather.

When I first heard about Zach's growth spurt, I was amazed, but not really, because I knew he was really growing. I just did not know how much.

Would it not be great if the church could grow in number and spiritually the way teenagers grow? In the book of Acts we read about the church starting out with about three thousand members. They grew in number daily. For several months their growth is described as "multiplying" (Acts 6:1).

The growth of most churches in our part of the world is not sudden growth like Zach's physical growth. Even our spiritual growth as Christians is not usually in spurts, but it is slow, gradual, and day by day that is hard to detect. Regardless of the kind of growth, it needs to be there in the lives of each one of us. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).

My father-in-law was a very unique man who had a very unique name. His given name was Waitstill, to his six sisters he was Bubba, to his three children he was daddy, to his eight grandchildren he was granddad, to his twelve great-grandchildren he was Paw Paw, and I called him Mr. Day.

Mr. Day was in World War II and a member of the greatest generation, but there was another war he had to fight. His first war was fought in Italy, France, and Germany. In both of these wars, his greatest enemy was always loneliness for he once wrote: "I miss Doris so badly I can hardly stand it."

Mr. Day kept a diary of his days during World War II which may be seen at http://ww2.dixie-net.com/tlcc/DayWWIIDairy.htm. Here are just a few of his entries: Aug, 10, 1943 - Left Camp Gruber, OK - David is about 10 weeks old; Sept. 2, 1943 - You can't imagine how a man does feel in a foreign land so many miles from home; Dec. 19, 1943 - Beautiful Lord's Day; March 16, 1944 - The Germans shell us with 96 rounds right in our position, no one was hurt, but ever one was so scared and excited they could hardly move at all. The Lord was with us, I'm sure; April 24, 1944 - Three years in Army; June 6, 1944 - Last night I slept in a bed for the first time since coming overseas; Nov. 3, 1944 - Doris' birthday - 21 years old; Jan. 26, 1945 - This is really a lonesome place; Feb. 18, 1945 - Received a picture of David yesterday; 19 months old.

After spending 233 days in Italy, 142 in France, and 49 in Germany, Mr. Day was back with the love of his life. Mr. Day came home to Doris Day and their son, David. He had two more children, Carole and Sharon, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren with three more due in 2008. He had his Doris Day for over 50 more years, but on Feb. 1, 1999, his beloved Doris died suddenly and he went to war again. And once again the enemy was loneliness. For the next nine years, his life could be characterized by the saying: "I miss Doris so badly I can hardly stand it." This battle would last for almost nine years and it was not on the fields of Italy, France, and Germany, but mostly in his own mind.

On December 6, 2007, after dealing with loneliness, dementia, urinary tract infection, falling often, loss of his ability to walk and to take care of himself, anxiety attacks, and pneumonia, he finally went home to be with the Lord and his beloved Doris Day.

If we could speak to him, we would say, "Mr. Day, we thank you for your service to your country and your family. You have served your country and family with distinction. Mr. Day, you did great!" While we mourn your passing, we are so proud for you because now all of your battles are finally over. You are not lonely anymore and never again will you ever, ever, have to say, "I miss Doris so badly I can't stand it."

Tom --- Mr. Day, it was an honor...

I woke up last Tuesday morning at about 3:00 a.m. with a severe sore throat. I know the pattern for it has happened two or three times a year for as long as I can remember. It is a sore throat and then followed by hoarseness. With the lectureship coming up the next week, I thought I would get ahead and go to the doctor early. I went to Dr. Ken Cargile who is the resident doctor at Freed-Hardeman. Ken and I grew up together in the Ripley, Mississippi church of Christ. His mother, who now lives in Henderson, was one of my early Bible teachers.

As usual, I had to wait for about thirty minutes before I could see him. As someone has said, "You are suppose to wait. That is why we are called patients." There was a young lady just ahead of me. I started a conversation by asking her where she was from. She got my attention when she said she was from Aberdeen, Miss. My second preaching work was near Aberdeen in Monroe County. The preacher at Aberdeen, Jeremiah Jones, was a good friend and preached there for over forty years. I attended his funeral a couple of years ago.

Jennifer told me her maiden name was Allmond. I told her I was doing research on Hugo Allmond from Mississippi who was a gospel preacher who died in an automobile accident many years ago. Jennifer said her great-grandfather was a preacher who was killed by a drunk driver near Aberdeen many years before she was born.

As it turned out, we were talking about the same person. I have pointed Jennifer to the Web site I posted about her great-grandfather at http://freed-hardeman.com/HugoAllmond.htm. She had never seen the article.

The lesson: The next time you meet a complete stranger, ask them a simple question like where are you from. You may be surprised where the conversation may lead you. In John 4, Jesus made a simple request and the conversation changed the lives of many people.

--- Tom L. Childers

The Freed-Hardeman Lectures

I started attending the Freed-Hardernan College Lectureships when I was a student in 1967. By the grace of God, I have been privileged to attend every one since, making a total of 40 lectureships. I have been privileged to speak on seventeen lectureships including four sessions this year. Each year I reflect on this special time.

I have seen a lot of changes. Some of the first lectures I attended were in the White Street church building adjacent to the college campus. Other lectures were the Bader Gymnasium and a few years ago many of the sessions was moved to Loyd Auditorium. During those early days, I had the privilege to hear Gus Nichols, G. K. Wallace, H. A. Dixon, Guy N. Woods, W. Claude Hall, W. L. Totty, E. R. Harper, W. A. Bradfield, B. C. Goodpasture, Marshall Keeble, Ira North, Franklin Camp, Batsell Barrett Baxter, and many other outstanding preachers. All of these men are now deceased. Each year I am reminded of the reality of the aging process, the certainty of death and how it is not a respecter of persons.

The lectureship is a homecoming. In 1967, I attended every lecture. (There was just one session at a time back then). As I get older, I attend fewer lectures and visit more with my brethren. This privilege is one of the greatest blessings of the lectureship.

Some have suggested that the lectureship should be held at another time during the year when the weather is not as severe. I would not be in favor of such a change. Freed-Hardeman College has a rich heritage and many wonderful traditions. The first full week in February is just one of them. Besides, some of us who have been attending for many years would automatically head for Henderson that week.

When I think of the Freed-Hardeman College lectureship, I am reminded of that grand homecoming of all of God's faithful: "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect ..." (Hebrews 12:22- 23).

--- Tom L. Childers

The 71st Annual Bible Lectureship at Freed-Hardeman University is February 4-9. The theme is "Hear O Israel" Preserving a Godly Heritage in Deuteronomy." There are programs available in the foyer or online at www.fhu.edu/lectureship.

"No One Cares About Me"

Whether we like it or not our words betray us. Peter was told: "And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them;. for thy speech bewrayeth thee" (Matthew 26:73). Our words "tell off on us. " Many times they reveal more than we would like for them to do.

This is especially true when a person says: "I was sick for four weeks and not a single person even missed me. " When we first hear that statement we tend to think, "How awful, there are a lot of uncaring and uconcerned people in the church." However, there is another side of the coin that should be considered.

Who gets a lot of cards when they are sick in the hospital? Is it the person who sends a lot of cards or the person who never sends a card?

Who usually gets the phone calls when they miss one service or is it the person who seldom or never carries a dish to the sick or shut-in?

Who usually gets the telphone calls when they miss one service? The person who regularly calls to inquire about the sick or the person who never calls anybody?

Who gets the abundance of food carried to their house when they are "flat of their back" and cannot cook? Is it the person who is noted for cooking food and carrying it to the sick.

Be careful about what you say when you are sick and confined to home. You may think you are rebuking indifferent people, but in reality you may be painting a picture of your own indifference.

The Bible says, "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was fill of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him women, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them" (Acts 9:36-39).

Dorcas was missed because she was full of good works. Usually only those who are faithful in attendance and good works are really missed when they are absent.

--- Tom L. Childers

IF I . . .

If I could go back and undo,
Some wrongs I've done along the way;
And know that wounds that I have caused,
Were healed of all the scars today.

If steps I've caused someone to take,
By thoughtless ways in which I've trod;
Have led to a confused estate,
Instead of simple trust in God.

If someone still wanders on,
Who followed my unsteady track;
And lost his way for lack of light,
Because my lantern glove was black.

If I could gather up and bind,
The wasted years that I have spent;
And treat them as they'd never been,
Today I'd be much more content.

I'm pardoned from my undone past...
But even so, the hurt is done;
For out there somewhere in the dark,
A soul is lost I might have won.

Richard M. Gunn, former Poet Laureate of Tennessee

Dear Friends

Greetings to our "dear special people" who have touched our lives through the years. We do hope that the year 2006 has brought some wonderful memories into your lives.
Our children are all doing well. Leah and Todd Beaver teach in Bolivar, TN. Todd is a high school math teacher and Leah teaches the 3rd grade. They both enjoy working and beautifying their home and land in their spare time.
Jenny and Robert Johnson are a very busy couple as a team. They recently bought a new house in Columbia, TN. Jenny is the Pre-school Director at Columbia Academy where she runs a tight ship with 125 pre-school children and 15 teachers. Robert teaches Spanish and is the Jr. High football coach.
Tim and Lee Ann Childers stay busy with their jobs. Tim has recently taken a new job in Columbia, TN and will be a Project Coordinator helping adults with limited abilities. Lee Ann enjoys her work as a caseworker at the West Tennessee Children's Home.
Our children have blessed us with five precious grandchildren who are healthy and growing. The two children of Leah and Todd Beaver are Anna Beth who is six years old and Trace who is four. Anna Beth is a blonde, with big blue eyes like her Mom. She loves horses and hopes to have one of her own in the near future. Trace likes frogs and especially dinosaurs. They love to go camping with their parents.
The three children of Robert and Jenny Johnson are Zachary who is thirteen years old, Zane is seven and Zoe is four. Zach plays football, basketball, and already has the girls "turning their heads." Zane is the artist in the family. He is also a very fast runner and plays football very well. Zoe is the "drama queen" in the family. She loves her dolls, cheerleading, dressy up, and being a ballerina. They all five love to come to Dat and Nana's house. A special treat they enjoy is Nana's homemade biscuits.
Tom is dealing with some serious back problems at the present time. A recent MRI indicated he has a bulging disc and a fractured and slipped disc. To avoid back surgery, he is taking thirty-six treatments in Jackson and exercising two hours each day. The back pain has slowed him down some but he is still is working with the Southside church of Christ in Dresden,TN and does other part-time duties for Freed-Hardeman. He has completed 65 hours toward an 85 hour Master of Divinity degree at FHU. He has been invited to teach at FHU next fall.
As for Carole, she continues her work as the voice of FHU. She is the Welcome Center Coordinator at Freed-Hardeman University. She has several college students who assist her and they keep her young.
Tom and Carole have been very busy taking care of Carole's dad, Waitstill L. Day. On Dec. 7, 2005, Mr. Day moved from his home in Ripley, MS to Southern Oaks Assisted Living in Henderson. He adjusted quite well, but in August he had an urinary tract infection and was hospitalized for several days. In a matter of days, he went from being very active to being confined to a wheel chair. For three months he was in skilled nursing in Henderson and his health continued to decline. He is now living in Morningside of Jackson, TN which is about twenty miles north of Henderson. He is content there and we are very pleased with the care he is receiving. He is now walking with the aid of a walker. We are so thankful that we have him close by. He will be 90 years old next September.
We treasure the precious memories we have of our relationship of years gone by. While distance and busy schedules may keep us apart, we think of you often. For 2007, our prayer is that "above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2). And by all means, if you are in the Henderson area, come by and see us.

Tom and Carole
Note: The above was mailed to friends we have made in the Lord's church in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana.

THE POOR HOUSE

It was several miles down the road from where we lived when I was a teenager. It was a big, rundown, white house. I never got close to it, but we all knew what it was. It was called the “poor house.” It was operated by the county for destitute old people. It was the place where old folks went when no one loved them or they did not have a family that could take care of them. It was considered a disgrace to put a relative in the poor house. Sometimes people would kid about times getting so bad that they would probably have to go to the poor house. They were only kidding because no one wanted to go to the poor house.

Some people, especially older people, tend to confuse modern nursing home care with the poor house. For that reason some older people who live in their own house and are not able to take care of themselves would rather die of malnutrition than to go to the nursing home. One of the hardest things to get people to accept is the importance and need to get good nursing home care. The poor-house syndrome causes many people to be filled with guilt about putting their relatives in a nursing home. However, the poor house of years ago and the modem nursing care are not the same.

(1). The poor house was only for destitute, abandoned people who had no one who could care for them. The nursing home is a place where loving relatives are encouraged to visit and support their relatives. (2). The poor house provided the minimal of care for the resident. The facilities were not adequate, the personal was not trained very well, and the place was little more than a holding station until death came. On the other hand, the nursing home has modern facilities like any modem home. The personal is well trained in health and social needs. There are religious services conducted on a regular basis. Usually there is a program director that has activities planned for the residents that can make life enjoyable. (3). The poor house did not cost the resident anything. In contrast, the care provided in a nursing home can be very expensive.

Almost all who wear the name of Christ want the very best care for aging relatives who can no longer care for themselves. It is a proven fact that residents in our modern nursing home care will live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

The Bible says children and family members have the responsibility of taking care of aged parents (1 Timothy 5:4; James 1:27). How this command is fulfilled is a matter of judgment. If a family can care of the aged in their private home, this is well and good. On the other hand, if we choose to seek the services of trained professionals to aide us, then we are free to select that method.

Above all, we are to love, honor, and always seek the good of our parents and near relatives, even if the choices are sometimes painful.

Tom L. Childers

WAMPUM
Christmas, he come soon now. Holly and mistletoe all over. White man make big medicine. Advertise in newspaper. Spend much wampum. Squaw, she go buy every place. Wrap in bright color. Tie with red string. Go next day, buy more. Papoose all time talk Santa Claus come down chimney. Talk north pole. Talk reindeer. Go hang up stocking.

Brave, he fuss! Say spend too much wampum! Say “What good Christmas, when wampum all gone? How pay tax if go no wampum left?” Say, “How pay bill without wampum?”

Squaw, she no listen! Buy more! Buy for papa, buy for other squaw. Buy more all time! She think wampum grow on tree! Papoose no listen either. Talk more Santa Claus. Talk more chimney! Talk more north pole. Can’t go sleep! Drive Brave nuts! Ask how Santa Claus get down chimney.

Brave fuss more. Tell squaw she headed for poor house. Tell papoose he headed for jail. Tear hair! Jump up and down! Cry! No good! Squaw bring home more package. Wrap half night. Package under bed, package in closet, package all over. Can’t walk for package! Papoose play Santa Claus. Get stuck in chimney. Squaw have fit! Everybody have fit! Christmas, he no good.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

A GRACIOUS LADY IS ...

A Lady above all.
Enduring, patient, kind and resourceful...
Giving more than she receives.

A faithful friend, trusting and believing...
Honest and true, giving encouragement
Always with a smile.

A Gracious Lady has beauty of soul
And depth of mind which comes from within.

A Gracious Lady is caring and sharing
Tear drops and pleasures.
Her graciousness adds new demensions
To the lives of others and to her own as well.

She has learned that the art of living lies in loving...
And loving family and friends, her many deeds of love for
them, she would keep hidden away...
Like flowers pressed between pages of a favorite book,
where only she can look.

She is (as the poet says) "Like a friend who believes in
you when you have ceased to believe in yourself..."
With her, you are comfortable, In her presence, you feel
blessed.

She is always available to you, seeking you out (in her
own way) when she senses you need her most...
With words of kindness, compliments, sweet suprises that
sometimes help materially as well as spiritually.

She is concerned.... for family, for friends, for her
community, her State and Nation.

You know... but sometimes are prone to forget,
that she too, has climbed many mountains...
Has walked in many lonely valleys.

You forget because behind that gracious serenity of her
face... shines through an inner peace that is no less than
a gift from God.

rozell

Note: Rozell was a dear friend to Carole and me when we lived in Columbus, GA. She passed away last year and is sorely missed.