Amazing Grace

The “Creme de la creme.”  It is known that classical music raises one’s IQ, inducing a mood of concentration, thus enhancing creativity … and classic hymns stir the spirit and soul. ~ Gail Hawkins

A PASTOR'S HEART ~ anonymous

One day the load was especially heavy and the burdens were many. I had so many appointments that night and to be quite frank, I rebelled a little bit at having to solve the problems of others when I had so many myself. After counseling with many people, it was about midnight. As I started to go home, I had the following thoughts. Please read this poem very carefully.
 
"I have a burden, Pastor, that
I'd like to lay on you."
I listened, tho he never knew
I had a burden too.

I took a tearful look toward mine;
Then his came into view.
'Twas plain to see my burden was
The larger of the two.

I saw his load alongside mine,
And, tho they both were real,
The yoke he bore was made of wood,
And mine was made of steel.

To him I said, "Come unto me;
I'll gladly carry thine";
Then whispered unto selfishness,
"But who will carry mine?"

I softly laid my burden down
To help him his to bear,
While knowing that my heavy load
I'm not allowed to share.

I'll help him with his burden, then
Regain mine after while,
When I will sigh and weep once more,
While now I force a smile.

I felt the CHAINS OF BONDAGE till
A CAPTIVE came to me.
He bade me help him break the bands,
And aid him to be free.

I saw the fetters binding him,
And felt a pity pain.
For his were made of little rope,
And mine of heavy chain.

I laid aside my heavy chains,
So he, my help, could borrow.
I'll help free him of bondage now,
And think of mine tomorrow.

A DOUBTER knocked at study door;
I had an urge to groan,
"Why bring your pebble doubt to me,
When mine is made of stone?"

I smiled at him and listened, while
Believing in my doubt.
I laid it down reluctantly,
And feigned about a happy shout.

I sat ALONE in darkened room,
And felt a shadow's knife.
Another came to share with me
Some darkness in his life.

As I compared my night with his,
His dark possessed a lack.
For his was just an evening shade,
While mine was midnight black.

I slowly laid my nighttime down,
To help him seek for light.
I'll tread my dimming path again,
When I have made his bright.

A TROUBLED SOUL came to my door,
A problem to confide.
I had a problem, too, that day;
'Twas hard for me to hide.

My problem was a mountain steep,
And his was just a hill.
My problem was an ocean wide,
And his a tiny nil.

Yet, 'tis my lot to fill his need,
And put mine on the shelf.
For I must lay my heartache down,
And hide it from myself.

He told me of a broken heart,
While mine was breaking too.
I told him of a mending God
Who maketh all things new.

He told me of his thirsty soul;
I gave him living water.
He said he was a broken vase;
I told him of the Potter.

Another came when I was SICK to say he had the flu.
His fever was a hundred-one,
And mine a hundred-two.

Another came when I was FAINT,
To say that he was weak.
Another came when I was DUMB,
To say he could not speak.

Another WEEPING SEEKER came,
For me, his tears to dry.
I went alone and wiped my eyes,
Then told him not to cry.

Another came when I was TIRED,
To say he needed rest.
I lifted him with weary arms,
And tried to give him zest.

AND NOW, IT'S LATE, and all have gone,
Each one to his abode.
So I must find my problems, and
Regain my heavy load.

Where is the burden I had borne?
I had it while ago!
Where is the problem I must solve?
I left it here, I know!

Where is the darkness I once knew?
I now see only light.
The chains, the tears, the pains, the fears,
Are nowhere now in sight!

I cannot find my broken heart!
Where is my fevered brow?
I have a song! the tears are gone!
I cannot find them now!

My sickness, now, bath turned to health!
And trust replaceth fright!
Assurance covers all my doubts;
My darkness now is light!

I heard a voice from Heaven say
"My child, 'tis always true:
When you take care of others' needs,
I will take care of you."

I Will Continue On ... Until The Truth Be Known - (#27)

We have added #27 (below) to our original post from February 14, 2012 (I Will Continue On ... Until The Truth Be Known).

The J. Frank Norris that I knew never worried,

was not full of anxiety,
never was in a hurry and

never looked for the next thrill. 

Above all, he was not a narcissistic loony.

(Roy Falls)

"Mother, I Have A Secret" ... Norris' Own Story

In 1922, when Norris was 45 years old, he spoke of the time when he was baptized, at the age of 13:

“Down in a little Central Texas community, Hubbard City, when under the spreading oaks, I walked down into a clear pool of water, fed by a running stream, on the arm of a Baptist preacher, Rev. Catlett Smith, who is now standing on the border line between heaven and earth, and he took these two hands and folded them across my breast … I was trembling like a leaf, I was scared to death … and he lifted his hand to heaven and said, “Upon a confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Lord, I baptize you, my brother, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” and then laid me beneath the baptismal waters.  When I came up out of the water and stood on the banks, with the water dripping from my clothes, I had the consciousness that I had obeyed my Lord, and as the water dripped off, it was a prophecy of that hour when we will leave the habiliments of the tomb and rise to be like Him in the Resurrection morning.

As my mother and I were driving home in a little one-horse buggy, just she and I jogging along, not a word was said between us until we got nearly home, and I said: “Mother, I have a secret I want to tell you.”  She put her tender arm around me and said:  “Son, I know what it is” … I said, “No, you don’t mother, I have never told a living soul.” ... “Oh,” but she says, “I have known it ever since you were three months old.”  ... It alarmed me.  I said, “But mother, I haven’t told it to a single human soul on earth, and I know you don’t know what it is.”  ... She said, “Tell me, and then I will tell you if I knew it.”  ... I said, “Mother, God has laid His hand on my soul and called me to preach His gospel.”  ... The tears of joy were standing out in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks, and she threw her arms around me and kissed my face and said, “My boy, I have known it ever since you were three months old.”  ... I said, “If you did why didn’t you tell me?” ...  “I wanted you to settle it yourself” she said.  ... “Mother,” I said, “Tell me how you knew it.”  ... She said, “Way back yonder when you were three months old, you went down to death’s door and I despaired of your little life … God brought you back to life, and I took you out one cool clear night on the banks of the old Coosa River in Alabama, and there knelt on the bank and lifted you up and up and up, to God and dedicated you to Him to preach His Gospel, and as clear as I ever knew anything, I had the assurance that God had answered my prayer.”

Listen friends, sometimes when the battles grow hard, and I don’t deny that they grow hard; sometimes when the storm clouds are hanging low; sometimes when the load is heavy; sometimes when the foes have been powerful, I say, “Lord, if you won’t hear me, go back yonder on the banks of the old Coosa River and listen to what mother said.”  Then I feel like taking a new grip on life.”

J. Frank Norris

Why Norris was both a Pessimist and an Optimist

J. Frank Norris, as a biblical fundamentalist, was both a pessimist and an optimist at the same time. He believed there were times when it seemed that our cause was hopeless, and this was a pessimistic side of the equation, but on the other hand, he knew in the final analysis that truth and righteousness will eventually prevail throughout the whole earth. This is optimism in its finest display.


This is an honest opinion of what Roy Falls thought of J Frank Norris.

Roy Falls



P.S. You would have had to know the real J. Frank Norris to have a balanced understanding of his take on issues. This is why modern critics are unable to fathom truth from error.

Roy Falls' 1942 Letter to Brother Lloyd While They Were Both in World War II

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BELOW IS TYPED LETTER FOR EASIER READING

Dear Lloyd,

I received your letter the other day, I didn't answer sooner, because I presumed you would be gone.

The army is quite different, from civilian life, also much harder. There is one thing to remember in particular, that is to get along with all the officers. It's hard to do what they say at all times, but you know as well as I do that we're living in the last days, so we know it won't last long. You'll be taking orders as long as you're here, but it won't be so bad later on. You may not agree with everything they do, but they're in command, so I believe the thing to do is always do the right thing. Of course you'll never be compelled to do anything wrong, so stay on the good side of them.

If I were you I'd try and get out of the infantry. Almost anything would be better. I was telling you about the officer's school. Don't know whether or not you've heard anything about it or not. I suppose you've had different offers to get into, the only thing I know to do is to please yourself, for after all it's all about the same, the sooner I get out, the better I'll like it. You are good in math, therefore take advantage of any opportunity, because we're here till it's over with. I don't know how you feel, but I don't think we'll ever be back, like it was before. That is why I'm not thinking of this war or anything in the world so much, but rather to the next (heaven). I know you'll have to go through much criticizing and mocking, I've had the same, but I can feel the Lord's presence now, more than ever before. I can truthfully say I've done the best I can, therefore I'll believe the promise of his presence and grace to the end.

I guess I'll be leaving in a few days, but write me when you can. Don't know where. But I'm sure to be in action before very long. I've been raisied to 30 dollars. I don't know of any advice to give you, but if there is anything I could tell you, write me. Look out for yourself, for you know, that the world is cold, and cares not for the next man. But there are plenty boys in the army, who'll be your friend, so long as you're a friend to them. If you need any money let me know, I'm beginning to get ahead, so write me if you need it. I don't spend very much money, only for neccessities. I've taken $10,000 insurance, if you could afford it, it would be a good thing.

How do you like the routine by now? Have you had trouble getting clothes to fit, I did, but they fixed them.

All the rough sargents are bluffs. Hope you'll find all good officers, if you don't, they don't mean a thing anyway. It's not the stripes or bars on their shoulder that counts, but the men wearing them. Hope you can be in California, I might be able to see you before I go off. Write soon.

Love, Roy
Find enclosed some stamps.
February 26, 1942

"Does J. Frank Norris Own Property of the First Baptist Church?" ... Article Written by John A. Hope

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CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

(The following is a typed clarification of the above hand-written notes by Roy Falls)


SUMMATION:

Dr. Norris had drawn no salary for years.
          The church could not pay the mortgage on property across the street.
          The company was in the process of claiming ALL church property.

He then filed suit for back payment of salary and thus circumvented the mortgage company.  This booklet explains it ALL: I (Roy Falls) was there, but at age 16 did not understand all of the complication.

This incident explains why Dr. Norris had so many devoted followers. 

The relent split between Rice and Dr. Norris was basis of RICE spreading rumors. 
          (1)  Over his penicostal leaning:
                       (a).  I interviewd a Mr. Fuller (now deceased).  He knew all of the facts.

Any castigation (improperly) is an indirect slap at all the great men and women who were a part of First Baptist Church.
          Brooks Morris - Founder of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
                    (a) Stanch Defender
          Bob Wood Edmondson - High School Texas Book Author
          Charley Brazelton - Vice President of Fort Worth Bank
          (to name a few) .... Reputable people - who were my heros.  I knew them all.


1.  Depression days were tough
2.  For years he received no salary
3.  Devoted friends helped him financially
4.  He died penniless
          (a) I knew his sons well - they had financial struggles


Roy Falls
3505 Cherokee Trail
Granbury, Tx.  76048

Norris - Wallace Debate (Part 1 of 4)

Our new, second blog is now up!

http://www.OldHymnsOfTheFaithSungByRoyFalls.blogspot.com/