Roy Falls at Norris' gravesite
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
J Frank Norris - Our Blog Audience
From time to time we will post the countries of our audience listeners:
USA
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
Burkina Faso
Hungary
South Korea
Guatemala (new in February)
Singapore (new in February)
USA
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
Burkina Faso
Hungary
South Korea
Guatemala (new in February)
Singapore (new in February)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Way It Was - 1920
CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE
This photo is a symbol of the early days of Fundamental Baptist beginnings. It is emblematic of a movement which began in earnest in the 1920's.
As noted in the picture, you will see the names J. Frank Norris and John R. Rice as the featured speakers. Fundamentalism is best described as a break from the staid ecclesiasticism long established as the norm.
One failing of ecclesiasticism lies in it's inability to give equal importance to the role of individual divine right and privilege. The message of Norris and Rice emphasized the scriptural doctrine of the priesthood of the believer. These back to the basics messages appealed to a whole host of common people, who were not too proud to consider these wooden tabernacles as holy ground.
These wooden tabernacles have now given way to modern cathedrals. Be that as it may, Fundamental Baptists should stand tall and be proud of their humble beginnings.
Roy Falls
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
J Frank Norris - Our Blog Audience
From time to time we will post the countries of our audience listeners:
USA
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
Burkina Faso
Hungary
South Korea
USA
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
Burkina Faso
Hungary
South Korea
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
How To Have a Perennial Revival
It is not my purpose to lecture on how to have a perennial revival. But, what I can do, is give an account of what I was privileged to be a part of over 70 yrs ago, at the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas, where J. Frank Norris was pastor for over 44 yrs.
Sunday after Sunday, I witnessed of upwards of 100 people walk the saw-dust trail and entered into the baptismal waters, new converts drawn from all parts of the city, and many fresh from the lesser desired parts of the city. From this vantage point of 2011, I believe that I have a clear understanding which explains this phenomena.
The pattern is laid out in the book of Acts which records the facts of 3000 souls being added to the church in such a short period of time. The method never changes. What is seen on the surface is not always an accurate picture of the real story.
I try to relate the inside story of the ministry of J. Frank Norris with whom I had the privilege of observing up front. Twenty-five years to be exact. The force of his personality was indeed overpowering, but as I will show in a later video, J. Frank Norris had the unique ability in a timely fashion to defer to others when the situation called for such act of deference.
In a later video, I will be relating a fascinating experience Norris had in 1911 in Owensboro, Kentucky, the account of which revealed much about the man, most people have never heard of.
The electrifying stories you may have heard of J. Frank Norris comes out of the charged atmosphere prevalent at the Wednesday night prayer services. Every sermon preached had at it’s core, what Norris had heard from a whole host of fervent soul winners.
His spirit was buoyed from testimonies like that of Mr. Masters (a real life person) who never failed to win a soul each and every week. He was only a lowly paid street sweeper, but it was men like Mr. Masters whose every word and actions brought nothing but hardy amens. It was workers like Mr. Masters that super-charged these Wednesday night prayer services, not by a lot of small-talk, but reports of successful soul-winning efforts.
It was from the book of Acts, Chapter 5, which lay at the root of whatever success may have been the outcome. Individual soul winning will change the atmosphere of an otherwise lukewarm church. Experiences that a soul winner encounters will make for Godly conversations, when the assembly comes together. Soul-winning reports will give an up-lift to any congregation and when bathed in tears will touch the heart of the entire church.
Friends, America needs a genuine, spiritual revival.
It all begins with each one of us.
Pray that God will condition us and give us a desire to reap the harvest.
Jesus said the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.
The simple story of salvation begins when the seeking soul is driven to pray the sinner’s prayer……………..LORD, be merciful to me a sinner…..tell it to your friends, over and over.
We are thankful to be hearing from friends in
Russia Africa Philippines Canada, as well as many from the USA
Sunday after Sunday, I witnessed of upwards of 100 people walk the saw-dust trail and entered into the baptismal waters, new converts drawn from all parts of the city, and many fresh from the lesser desired parts of the city. From this vantage point of 2011, I believe that I have a clear understanding which explains this phenomena.
The pattern is laid out in the book of Acts which records the facts of 3000 souls being added to the church in such a short period of time. The method never changes. What is seen on the surface is not always an accurate picture of the real story.
I try to relate the inside story of the ministry of J. Frank Norris with whom I had the privilege of observing up front. Twenty-five years to be exact. The force of his personality was indeed overpowering, but as I will show in a later video, J. Frank Norris had the unique ability in a timely fashion to defer to others when the situation called for such act of deference.
In a later video, I will be relating a fascinating experience Norris had in 1911 in Owensboro, Kentucky, the account of which revealed much about the man, most people have never heard of.
The electrifying stories you may have heard of J. Frank Norris comes out of the charged atmosphere prevalent at the Wednesday night prayer services. Every sermon preached had at it’s core, what Norris had heard from a whole host of fervent soul winners.
His spirit was buoyed from testimonies like that of Mr. Masters (a real life person) who never failed to win a soul each and every week. He was only a lowly paid street sweeper, but it was men like Mr. Masters whose every word and actions brought nothing but hardy amens. It was workers like Mr. Masters that super-charged these Wednesday night prayer services, not by a lot of small-talk, but reports of successful soul-winning efforts.
It was from the book of Acts, Chapter 5, which lay at the root of whatever success may have been the outcome. Individual soul winning will change the atmosphere of an otherwise lukewarm church. Experiences that a soul winner encounters will make for Godly conversations, when the assembly comes together. Soul-winning reports will give an up-lift to any congregation and when bathed in tears will touch the heart of the entire church.
Friends, America needs a genuine, spiritual revival.
It all begins with each one of us.
Pray that God will condition us and give us a desire to reap the harvest.
Jesus said the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.
The simple story of salvation begins when the seeking soul is driven to pray the sinner’s prayer……………..LORD, be merciful to me a sinner…..tell it to your friends, over and over.
We are thankful to be hearing from friends in
Russia Africa Philippines Canada, as well as many from the USA
Friday, January 21, 2011
What J Frank Norris Believed About Judgment to Come
It is of little use to try and refute the many false concepts of life after death. That is why God has chosen the vehicle of faith as the means by which we please God, and have some knowledge of future events.
To please God, it takes faith to receive favor in His sight. Revelation and conscience, both teach us this underlying well-established doctrine. This is a basic tenet of those who call themselves “Fundamentalists”. Among the army of Fundamentalists of the past was J. Frank Norris, whose ministry and content are the focal point of this website.
Fundamentalists believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. Details of their descriptive nature are irrelevant until the priority issues can first be addressed. Fundamentalist cannot prove by any materialistic method whether heaven or hell really exists. But driven by faith, Fundamentalists believe that over-whelming evidence offers proof of an eternal existence either in heaven or an eternal torment.
If, at the conclusion of time, their faith turns out to be an illusionary fable, they have not lost anything. But if, on the other hand, and after death, the mystery is settled once and for all, we will know at that point who made the right choice.
The question of life after death presents for us a sobering thought and should suffice to arouse the inquisitive interest of every human being. To you who are watching this video, if you miss heaven, who are you going to blame to an irreversible decision? You will not be blaming God, but rather the perpetrators of a most vicious lie. Your destiny will not be at the hand of a vengeful God, but rather the sad mistake of listening to the voices of darkness. Honesty demands straight-forward answers to life’s perplexing mysteries. Fundamentalists pass the test of honesty when they assert their beliefs are based on faith.
Honesty should also compel the skeptics and liberals to approach life’s mysteries by admitting their lack of scientific certainty. In the final analysis, the simple conclusion is that faith surpasses the insufficient knowledge of finite human beings which just might lead to a gut-wrenching end.
My appeal to all who review this video is this; listen to that still, small voice that speaks words of wisdom and the God of all grace, will honor your simple faith and seal your destiny forever. As a believer, I don’t dwell on the aspect of God as revengeful, for that is not the most noble attribute of His nature.
But I do dwell and marvel at His greatest attribute. There is no more charming sound than the thought of God’s redeeming grace. In spite of our moments of despair, it is a thought of God’s redeeming grace reaching down to every sinful soul. It is the broken heart of a dying Savior that brings us to the place of
1. True confession
2. To the place of repentance
3. To a time of submission
4. To the place of receiving Salvation
Wonderful hymns sometimes tell the story better than a spoken word. I am grateful for all of our viewers, including many from Russia. May this song bless your heart.
Roy Falls
“Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord”
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe;
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
To please God, it takes faith to receive favor in His sight. Revelation and conscience, both teach us this underlying well-established doctrine. This is a basic tenet of those who call themselves “Fundamentalists”. Among the army of Fundamentalists of the past was J. Frank Norris, whose ministry and content are the focal point of this website.
Fundamentalists believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. Details of their descriptive nature are irrelevant until the priority issues can first be addressed. Fundamentalist cannot prove by any materialistic method whether heaven or hell really exists. But driven by faith, Fundamentalists believe that over-whelming evidence offers proof of an eternal existence either in heaven or an eternal torment.
If, at the conclusion of time, their faith turns out to be an illusionary fable, they have not lost anything. But if, on the other hand, and after death, the mystery is settled once and for all, we will know at that point who made the right choice.
The question of life after death presents for us a sobering thought and should suffice to arouse the inquisitive interest of every human being. To you who are watching this video, if you miss heaven, who are you going to blame to an irreversible decision? You will not be blaming God, but rather the perpetrators of a most vicious lie. Your destiny will not be at the hand of a vengeful God, but rather the sad mistake of listening to the voices of darkness. Honesty demands straight-forward answers to life’s perplexing mysteries. Fundamentalists pass the test of honesty when they assert their beliefs are based on faith.
Honesty should also compel the skeptics and liberals to approach life’s mysteries by admitting their lack of scientific certainty. In the final analysis, the simple conclusion is that faith surpasses the insufficient knowledge of finite human beings which just might lead to a gut-wrenching end.
My appeal to all who review this video is this; listen to that still, small voice that speaks words of wisdom and the God of all grace, will honor your simple faith and seal your destiny forever. As a believer, I don’t dwell on the aspect of God as revengeful, for that is not the most noble attribute of His nature.
But I do dwell and marvel at His greatest attribute. There is no more charming sound than the thought of God’s redeeming grace. In spite of our moments of despair, it is a thought of God’s redeeming grace reaching down to every sinful soul. It is the broken heart of a dying Savior that brings us to the place of
1. True confession
2. To the place of repentance
3. To a time of submission
4. To the place of receiving Salvation
Wonderful hymns sometimes tell the story better than a spoken word. I am grateful for all of our viewers, including many from Russia. May this song bless your heart.
Roy Falls
“Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord”
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe;
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Dissent, the Anvil of Truth
Fundamentalism was born out of the hot furnace of dissent against the inherent flaws of denominationalism. The one man at the center of that dissent was none other than J. Frank Norris, the acknowledged founder of the so-called Fundamentalist Movement. Dissent is not of itself a bad connotation. It’s constructive value or disruptive capability must be looked at from an objective standpoint. Any ill-conceived idea is a reproach upon humanity and must be countered only by dissent.
Likewise, the great Protestant reformation came to fruition through the voice of dissent. It only takes a cursory review of church history to reach this conclusion. Most noteworthy of all dissenters was Martin Luther, famous for his posting of the “Ninety-Five Thesis”. But more riveting than the life of Luther, was the account of England’s most honored martyred saints.
On October 16, 1555, the lives of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were consumed in flames, at the ruthless hand of Queen Mary Tudor. The same fate awaited Thomas Cranmer just six months later. As the flames rose, Latimer called out to his companion, “Be of good cheer, Mr. Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light a candle in England as I trust, by God’s grace, shall never be put out”. This event happened in Oxford, England, where now stands a memorial in honor of these three saints.
Thankfully, American culture has never stooped to the low of burning dissenters at the stake, based on the offense of dissent. Dissent characterized the ministry of J. Frank Norris without question, but never without a rational reason for which history now agrees. Search his record, and almost without exception, time and consensus have proven him to be a man ahead of his time. Such is the conclusion of friend and foe alike.
Sadly, the negative “Johnnie-come-lately” gainsayers seem totally unable to render fair judgment. Until credible researchers are forthcoming, the real J. Frank Norris will never be known. You who view this video, I request that you share with me, any documented information which will be helpful in my quest.
Likewise, the great Protestant reformation came to fruition through the voice of dissent. It only takes a cursory review of church history to reach this conclusion. Most noteworthy of all dissenters was Martin Luther, famous for his posting of the “Ninety-Five Thesis”. But more riveting than the life of Luther, was the account of England’s most honored martyred saints.
On October 16, 1555, the lives of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were consumed in flames, at the ruthless hand of Queen Mary Tudor. The same fate awaited Thomas Cranmer just six months later. As the flames rose, Latimer called out to his companion, “Be of good cheer, Mr. Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light a candle in England as I trust, by God’s grace, shall never be put out”. This event happened in Oxford, England, where now stands a memorial in honor of these three saints.
Thankfully, American culture has never stooped to the low of burning dissenters at the stake, based on the offense of dissent. Dissent characterized the ministry of J. Frank Norris without question, but never without a rational reason for which history now agrees. Search his record, and almost without exception, time and consensus have proven him to be a man ahead of his time. Such is the conclusion of friend and foe alike.
Sadly, the negative “Johnnie-come-lately” gainsayers seem totally unable to render fair judgment. Until credible researchers are forthcoming, the real J. Frank Norris will never be known. You who view this video, I request that you share with me, any documented information which will be helpful in my quest.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
REMEMBER what Sunday meant?
Remember what Sunday meant? When Sunday meant getting up early to go to Sunday School and Church? For men to wear clean, starched shirts with a suit and tie? For women to always wear a dress or a skirt that didn't rise more than 1" above the knees? For little girls to always wear a dress? For children to actually be a part of and behave in the church service and not be sent to a gathering place to "play" and have cookies & milk? When singing old fashioned hymns brought a tear to your eye, because there was a "real" message to be learned? Leaving the service humbled and wanting to be closer to God?
Remember what Sunday meant? Eating dinner with family or Godly friends instead of participating in a secular activity? Taking an afternoon nap? When night came and the Sunday night service you went? Laying your head on your pillow and saying your prayers?
Do you remember what Sunday meant?
This is what I learned and now remember, being influenced by my father and mother, who in turn were influenced by J. Frank Norris. Hebrews 11:4 ,,, “and by it he being dead yet speaketh”. And though he be dead, Dr. Norris’ legacy and influence for the good lives on!
“LORD, be merciful to me, a sinner”,
Gail Hawkins
Jan. 11, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Conscience .... what I learned from Dr. Norris
One of the characteristics of human beings….I don’t care who you are, an American, a Buddhist, etc. ….everybody has a conscience and everybody’s conscience is universal, in it’s makeup. An atheist cannot deny that he has a conscience. When you really explore the depth of all of the meaning…..”what does conscience mean?” you will finally come to the conclusion that it relates to what God is and what we know about Him There is a lot of mystery about concepts … it runs through our minds….we have a little thought here and there. But when you study the concept of a conscience, you’re dealing on a human level. That’s what I’m saying…it’s an argument outside the evidence as presented in the bible. When you’re talking to a lot of people, the bible is not evidence. But one thing that is evidence, is your conscience, and that’s universal. It’s the same everywhere.
When you really understand how the conscience of mankind is made up, it tells you what is right and what is wrong. It tells you a lot of things that you believe….and you don’t even know whether you believe it or not. I’m giving you an argument outside the biblical evidence. If you ever run into an atheist, here’s what I’d ask one of them. “Sir, explain to me what the conscience is”. Every man is endowed with a conscience. It would become an endless dissertation …you would find no end to it. And the more you would get into it, the more you would see how that it helps you to get a vision of the mystery of God Himself, the mystery of Christ. How Christ saves, His dying on the cross ….we don’t understand all of it. It is almost beyond our comprehensions. But we make a start, whenever we begin to explore our conscience…I’m not talking about consciousness, I’m talking about your conscience. It’s the inner man that every man has.
So when man follows the dictates of his conscience, and if he’s honest, his conscience will finally lead him to an appreciation ….. that one of the most noteworthy characteristics of mankind is to be honest. Everybody would say “you’ve got to be honest”….that’s what your conscience tells you. When you’re honest, then you open up because when you’re honest you can get to the “bottom of things”. That’s one of the problems nowadays, people talk about a lot of things, but they’re really not honest. This is one of the failures and the faults of human beings. Human beings are not honest. And what they do, is suppress their conscience. That’s why they do things they shouldn’t do. That’s why they rob banks. But if they’ll be honest, and not suppress their conscience, they’ll know that robbing a bank is wrong. They’ll also know that God is merciful, and that God requires submission on the part of every human being. And that submission is displayed in that sinner’s prayer….”Lord, be merciful”. You just can’t get around thaz .... yout conscience tells you that. I don’t think you’d find many book on this subject. It would be a subject that would deserve a lot of research…I believe an avenue could really be opened. I’ve never read anything about it, other than what I read in the bible and what I’ve observed in human nature. I’ve never met anybody that didn’t have a conscience….and I’ve talked to all kinds of people from all kinds of religions…and their conscience is the same as mine….exactly the same as mine….there’s no difference, whatsoever. Sometimes we do not have occasions to do these things in depth. We don’t spend a lot of time trying to explore the depth of things.
Some people deny Christ, but where you would convince them, if you can get to the depths of the meaning of the concept of a conscience, they would open their eyes.
When you really understand how the conscience of mankind is made up, it tells you what is right and what is wrong. It tells you a lot of things that you believe….and you don’t even know whether you believe it or not. I’m giving you an argument outside the biblical evidence. If you ever run into an atheist, here’s what I’d ask one of them. “Sir, explain to me what the conscience is”. Every man is endowed with a conscience. It would become an endless dissertation …you would find no end to it. And the more you would get into it, the more you would see how that it helps you to get a vision of the mystery of God Himself, the mystery of Christ. How Christ saves, His dying on the cross ….we don’t understand all of it. It is almost beyond our comprehensions. But we make a start, whenever we begin to explore our conscience…I’m not talking about consciousness, I’m talking about your conscience. It’s the inner man that every man has.
So when man follows the dictates of his conscience, and if he’s honest, his conscience will finally lead him to an appreciation ….. that one of the most noteworthy characteristics of mankind is to be honest. Everybody would say “you’ve got to be honest”….that’s what your conscience tells you. When you’re honest, then you open up because when you’re honest you can get to the “bottom of things”. That’s one of the problems nowadays, people talk about a lot of things, but they’re really not honest. This is one of the failures and the faults of human beings. Human beings are not honest. And what they do, is suppress their conscience. That’s why they do things they shouldn’t do. That’s why they rob banks. But if they’ll be honest, and not suppress their conscience, they’ll know that robbing a bank is wrong. They’ll also know that God is merciful, and that God requires submission on the part of every human being. And that submission is displayed in that sinner’s prayer….”Lord, be merciful”. You just can’t get around thaz .... yout conscience tells you that. I don’t think you’d find many book on this subject. It would be a subject that would deserve a lot of research…I believe an avenue could really be opened. I’ve never read anything about it, other than what I read in the bible and what I’ve observed in human nature. I’ve never met anybody that didn’t have a conscience….and I’ve talked to all kinds of people from all kinds of religions…and their conscience is the same as mine….exactly the same as mine….there’s no difference, whatsoever. Sometimes we do not have occasions to do these things in depth. We don’t spend a lot of time trying to explore the depth of things.
Some people deny Christ, but where you would convince them, if you can get to the depths of the meaning of the concept of a conscience, they would open their eyes.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Memories of First Baptist Church - Pretty Boy Floyd
I was present on June 17, 1936 at a baptismal service at the First Baptist Church. Some of this story, I know first hand.
This was the year which brought to close many of the exploits in the roaring 30's ... including many of the infamous bank robbers. Amoung the early gangsters of this era was Charles Floyd, better known as "Pretty Boy" Floyd. He received this nickname from one of his victims. She was asked, "What did he look like"? To which she replied, "He had the face of a pretty boy".
Floyd's wife, a vaudeville actor, wanted to arrange with the law a surrender to the First Baptist Church (Dr. Norris), which did not happen. Ruby, the wife, had heard Dr. Norris on the radio. She visited the First Baptist Church and had the priviledge of seeing her 12 yr. old son baptized. According to Bryan Burrough's, "The Life and Death of Pretty Boy Floyd", a 4 minute film of the baptism was incorporated into Ruby's vaudeville show and booked at the Fort Worth Palace Theatre.
The little boy who I saw baptized that day....Jackie Floyd
This was the year which brought to close many of the exploits in the roaring 30's ... including many of the infamous bank robbers. Amoung the early gangsters of this era was Charles Floyd, better known as "Pretty Boy" Floyd. He received this nickname from one of his victims. She was asked, "What did he look like"? To which she replied, "He had the face of a pretty boy".
Floyd's wife, a vaudeville actor, wanted to arrange with the law a surrender to the First Baptist Church (Dr. Norris), which did not happen. Ruby, the wife, had heard Dr. Norris on the radio. She visited the First Baptist Church and had the priviledge of seeing her 12 yr. old son baptized. According to Bryan Burrough's, "The Life and Death of Pretty Boy Floyd", a 4 minute film of the baptism was incorporated into Ruby's vaudeville show and booked at the Fort Worth Palace Theatre.
The little boy who I saw baptized that day....Jackie Floyd
Friday, December 17, 2010
J. Frank Norris ...... THE CURSE OF LIQUOR
Volumes could be written about the curse of liquor inflicted upon humanity. In his early life, J. Frank Norris recalled many unhappy experiences. These experiences account why he was so adamant in addressing this issue. In this 21st century, people in general, have become complacent about this menacing curse.
As a youth, Norris witnessed first hand, the devastating affects of the curse of liquor upon the life of his own father. At the age of 7, Norris recalled an incident, which so infuriated his father and almost ended the boy’s life. Young Norris was caught breaking bottles of liquor hidden in the family barn, whereupon, his father, Warner, preceded with a merciless beating. After the incident, the sobered father, tearfully regretted the incident and is quoted as saying:
“Oh God, liquor has ruined my life, and my home.
Take this boy that I have been so cruel to,
and send him up and down the land to smite
the awful curse that has wrecked his father’s life
and broke his mother’s heart.”
But the memories of his mother are altogether a different story. He honored his mother as no other person. He attributed whatever success he attained to that of his praying mother. To you who view this video, you can be thankful if you have a praying mother. If you get to Heaven, most likely it will be as a result of a praying mother.
The song “Tell Mother I’ll Be There” is reminiscent of every message J. Frank Norris preached. This song we sing is in memory and honor of J. Frank Norris.
TELL MOTHER I'LL BE THERE
When I was but a little child how well I recollect
How I would grieve my mother with my folly and neglect;
And now that she has gone to Heav’n I miss her tender care:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
So patient, gentle, loving when I acted rough and rude;
My childhood griefs and trials she would gladly with me share:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
She almost broke her loving heart in mourning after me;
And day and night she prayed to God to keep me in His care:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
If I would see my mother ere the Savior took her home;
I promised her, before she died, for Heaven to prepare:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
How I would grieve my mother with my folly and neglect;
And now that she has gone to Heav’n I miss her tender care:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
Refrain
Tell mother I’ll be there, in answer to her prayer;
This message, blessèd Savior, to her bear!
Tell mother I’ll be there, Heav’n’s joys with her to share;
Yes, tell my darling mother I’ll be there.
Though I was often wayward, she was always kind and good;This message, blessèd Savior, to her bear!
Tell mother I’ll be there, Heav’n’s joys with her to share;
Yes, tell my darling mother I’ll be there.
So patient, gentle, loving when I acted rough and rude;
My childhood griefs and trials she would gladly with me share:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
Refrain
When I became a prodigal, and left the old rooftree,She almost broke her loving heart in mourning after me;
And day and night she prayed to God to keep me in His care:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
Refrain
One day a message came to me, it bade me quickly comeIf I would see my mother ere the Savior took her home;
I promised her, before she died, for Heaven to prepare:
O Savior, tell my mother, I’ll be there!
Refrain
Friday, December 3, 2010
NORRIS ' BASIC THEOLOGY ..... (From time to time I wish to add articles relating to the basic beliefs of J. Frank Norris)
Dr. Norris could take crucial doctrines and by use of illustration, make the most unlearned person understand the mysteries of the scriptures. This is what made him the great soul-winner throughout his life. For instance, he would lead the sinner in praying that most important prayer ever uttered; "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner". When a sinner, with a humble heart, recognizes the condition of his sinful nature, he has no other place to turn except from pleading for mercy from God the Father. This is the message of the cross, which convicts of sin as the spirit of God moves upon the wicked heart.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Norris' Letter to President Truman
NORRIS' LETTER ON ISRAEL TO PRESIDENT TRUMAN
First Baptist Church
4th and Throckmorton Streets
Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 2, 1947
Hon. Harry S. Truman President United States Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
Mr. Matthew J. Connelly wired me New York October 1st and suggested that I write you certain matters of my trip to Palestine.
First, I want to thank you for your very kind personal letter of August 5th, which was of invaluable assistance in all my travels.
I have given extensive study to the Jewish Palestinian question. The issue is whether we will take the authority of the Bible of our mothers or the Koran with the sword and flame.
In that whole controversy the big issue is who owns the land, who has the title to that land? If that question is settled there is no other question.
The Lord God Almighty in Genesis the 17th chapter, specifically states that the title to Palestine is given not to Ishmael, the ancestor of the Arabs, but to Isaac and his seed for ever.
“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Gen. 17:19)
This covenant was confirmed to Isaac, Genesis 26:3:
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
This covenant was also confirmed to Jacob, Genesis 28:13:
“And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
The covenant was likewise confirmed to Moses in Deuteronomy 30:3-5:
“That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
David specifically states the title to that land is to the Jews and the descendants of Jacob: Psalm 105:9-12:
“Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Thirteen hundred years ago the Arabs were usurpers, Mohammet with fire and sword, and they were robbers of property that belongs to the Jews.
A second and very important authority in addition to Scriptural authority, Great Britain was given mandate over Palestine for the purpose of Jewish immigration into that land and for making it a national home.
This mandate was confirmed by the United States Government and by the 57 Nations of the League of Nations.
The tragedy and the cause of all the present trouble is that Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, put on a two-fold appeasement in 1939:
First, with Hitler, and that brought on World War II.
Second, with the Arabs, who were the allies of Hitler.
Chamberlain violated the international law giving that land as a national home for Jews in 1939, and said only 70,000 Jews would be permitted to go for the next five years, and after that none except by the consent of the Arabs. But the mandate made no such restrictions.
Therefore the present Jewish immigration into Palestine is not “illegal”; it’s legal.
Based on the mandate given to Great Britain over Palestine, and confirmed by the United States Government and confirmed by the League of Nations, the Jews invested six hundred and fifty million dollars in Palestine, built cities, public works, and the curse of God Almighty is on every hand that violates this most solemn agreement-the mandate three times over confirmed.
Now, Mr. President, it certainly is a matter that should cause us to stop and think that the Arab leaders from the Grand Mufti on down were allies of Hitler, and it ill becomes them to come now into court with their hands dripping with the blood of the Jews, six million of them murdered by Hitler.
I interviewed many Arab leaders, and without question I found that the whole crowd are for Stalin, just like they formerly were for Hitler.
While this country was fighting Hitler, thirty thousand young Jews from Palestine volunteered and went to the battle front and not a single Arab regiment.
If the Arabs and Jews in Palestine were left alone they would get along and settle their troubles.
Russia is doing everything at her command to foment the trouble.
The time has come, and long past, when the United States should keep its promise and take a firm stand for law and order in that land that has given the world its Bible and Saviour.
Yours very sincerely,
(Signed by J. Frank Norris)
IN 1947, J. FRANK NORRIS WAS ONE OF A VERY
FEW WHO DARED SUPPORT AN UNPOPULAR
CAUSE AT THAT TIME. PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S
DECISION HAD A MONUMENTAL IMPACT. WHERE
WOULD AMERICA BE TODAY WITHOUT IT'S MOST
LOYAL ALLY. (Opinion of Roy Falls)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2DCpQcj2sg
First Baptist Church
4th and Throckmorton Streets
Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 2, 1947
Hon. Harry S. Truman President United States Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. President:
Mr. Matthew J. Connelly wired me New York October 1st and suggested that I write you certain matters of my trip to Palestine.
First, I want to thank you for your very kind personal letter of August 5th, which was of invaluable assistance in all my travels.
I have given extensive study to the Jewish Palestinian question. The issue is whether we will take the authority of the Bible of our mothers or the Koran with the sword and flame.
In that whole controversy the big issue is who owns the land, who has the title to that land? If that question is settled there is no other question.
The Lord God Almighty in Genesis the 17th chapter, specifically states that the title to Palestine is given not to Ishmael, the ancestor of the Arabs, but to Isaac and his seed for ever.
“And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Gen. 17:19)
This covenant was confirmed to Isaac, Genesis 26:3:
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
This covenant was also confirmed to Jacob, Genesis 28:13:
“And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
The covenant was likewise confirmed to Moses in Deuteronomy 30:3-5:
“That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
David specifically states the title to that land is to the Jews and the descendants of Jacob: Psalm 105:9-12:
“Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Thirteen hundred years ago the Arabs were usurpers, Mohammet with fire and sword, and they were robbers of property that belongs to the Jews.
A second and very important authority in addition to Scriptural authority, Great Britain was given mandate over Palestine for the purpose of Jewish immigration into that land and for making it a national home.
This mandate was confirmed by the United States Government and by the 57 Nations of the League of Nations.
The tragedy and the cause of all the present trouble is that Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, put on a two-fold appeasement in 1939:
First, with Hitler, and that brought on World War II.
Second, with the Arabs, who were the allies of Hitler.
Chamberlain violated the international law giving that land as a national home for Jews in 1939, and said only 70,000 Jews would be permitted to go for the next five years, and after that none except by the consent of the Arabs. But the mandate made no such restrictions.
Therefore the present Jewish immigration into Palestine is not “illegal”; it’s legal.
Based on the mandate given to Great Britain over Palestine, and confirmed by the United States Government and confirmed by the League of Nations, the Jews invested six hundred and fifty million dollars in Palestine, built cities, public works, and the curse of God Almighty is on every hand that violates this most solemn agreement-the mandate three times over confirmed.
Now, Mr. President, it certainly is a matter that should cause us to stop and think that the Arab leaders from the Grand Mufti on down were allies of Hitler, and it ill becomes them to come now into court with their hands dripping with the blood of the Jews, six million of them murdered by Hitler.
I interviewed many Arab leaders, and without question I found that the whole crowd are for Stalin, just like they formerly were for Hitler.
While this country was fighting Hitler, thirty thousand young Jews from Palestine volunteered and went to the battle front and not a single Arab regiment.
If the Arabs and Jews in Palestine were left alone they would get along and settle their troubles.
Russia is doing everything at her command to foment the trouble.
The time has come, and long past, when the United States should keep its promise and take a firm stand for law and order in that land that has given the world its Bible and Saviour.
Yours very sincerely,
(Signed by J. Frank Norris)
IN 1947, J. FRANK NORRIS WAS ONE OF A VERY
FEW WHO DARED SUPPORT AN UNPOPULAR
CAUSE AT THAT TIME. PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S
DECISION HAD A MONUMENTAL IMPACT. WHERE
WOULD AMERICA BE TODAY WITHOUT IT'S MOST
LOYAL ALLY. (Opinion of Roy Falls)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2DCpQcj2sg
----------------------------------
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 7, 1947
Dear Dr. Norris:
I am most grateful for your thoughtful letter of October second. I deeply appreciate having the benefit of this expression of your views because I know that you have given long and extensive study to the Jewish Palestinian question.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed by President Harry Truman)
Harry Truman
President
Reverend J. Frank Norris,
First Baptist Church,
4th and Throckmorton Streets,
Fort Worth, Texas.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
An unparalled story giving insight to a story you have never heard !
His name is William Blevins. A stenographic report of his testimony is as follows:
"I was in the liquor business for 40 years. I organized the Malt and Retail Liquor Dealers' Association of Texas and was its only head until it went out of business. When J. Frank Norris came to Fort Worth it wasn't long until I recognized that he was going to put us out of business unless we put him out of business. I called our gang together and we got in touch with the churchmen together of the various denominations, and it wasn't long until we had all the preachers silenced except this young fellow Norris. I went out to hear him and I was convinced that we had a dangerous foe. He would never let up. We thought we had him down and out when we got him indicted and tried, but he was vindicated so overwhelmingly and then his church grew as never before and we were in worse fix than ever. Then he did begin his war on us in dead earnest.
"He went and brought that fellow Mordecai Ham here and he was as bad or worse than Norris. So something had to be done. We thought we had Ham put out of business when a fellow jumped on him and knocked him in the head one night and we were soon through with Ham and Ramsey, but Norris was still fighting away and we called a representative group of 150 or more of the leading business men of the city together at the Metropolitan Hotel dining room and Paul Waples presided. We lifted our glasses at the close of the fireworks when we decided to finish Norris, and gave a toast to his exit or finish.
"A few nights afterwards we called a huge mass meeting in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce, one block from the First Baptist Church, and Mr. George Armstrong presided and called for fifteen men to go and take Norris out. I was heartily in favor of taking him out and so was everybody else, but we could not get the 15 men.
"And ladies and gentlemen, I believe the hand of God interfered that night and I am go glad that we didn't deprive his wife and children of their husband and father, and this church of its pastor, and since I would not put him out of business, I decided to join him. I came to the church, walked down to the front and got down on my keeds and he got down with me on his knees and put his arms around my shoulders while I prayed, and I prayed the prayer 'God be merciful to me, a sinner' and He heard me and this man that I so hated and tried with others at every foot of ground at my command to put out of business, baptized me and I am now past my 80th milestone and in the course of nature will precede him to the other shore, and when I get there I am going to hunt up the Superintendent of the fair land and make two requests of Him.
"First, I want Him to let me know the day that Frank comes, and second, I want Him to let me off the day that I may be standing down at the beautiful gate and be the first to put my arms around him as the man who led me to Christ, by whose grace I am saved."
WILLIAMS (BILL) BLEVINS SAT ON THE FRONT SEAT EVERY SUNDAY AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH.
"I was in the liquor business for 40 years. I organized the Malt and Retail Liquor Dealers' Association of Texas and was its only head until it went out of business. When J. Frank Norris came to Fort Worth it wasn't long until I recognized that he was going to put us out of business unless we put him out of business. I called our gang together and we got in touch with the churchmen together of the various denominations, and it wasn't long until we had all the preachers silenced except this young fellow Norris. I went out to hear him and I was convinced that we had a dangerous foe. He would never let up. We thought we had him down and out when we got him indicted and tried, but he was vindicated so overwhelmingly and then his church grew as never before and we were in worse fix than ever. Then he did begin his war on us in dead earnest.
"He went and brought that fellow Mordecai Ham here and he was as bad or worse than Norris. So something had to be done. We thought we had Ham put out of business when a fellow jumped on him and knocked him in the head one night and we were soon through with Ham and Ramsey, but Norris was still fighting away and we called a representative group of 150 or more of the leading business men of the city together at the Metropolitan Hotel dining room and Paul Waples presided. We lifted our glasses at the close of the fireworks when we decided to finish Norris, and gave a toast to his exit or finish.
"A few nights afterwards we called a huge mass meeting in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce, one block from the First Baptist Church, and Mr. George Armstrong presided and called for fifteen men to go and take Norris out. I was heartily in favor of taking him out and so was everybody else, but we could not get the 15 men.
"And ladies and gentlemen, I believe the hand of God interfered that night and I am go glad that we didn't deprive his wife and children of their husband and father, and this church of its pastor, and since I would not put him out of business, I decided to join him. I came to the church, walked down to the front and got down on my keeds and he got down with me on his knees and put his arms around my shoulders while I prayed, and I prayed the prayer 'God be merciful to me, a sinner' and He heard me and this man that I so hated and tried with others at every foot of ground at my command to put out of business, baptized me and I am now past my 80th milestone and in the course of nature will precede him to the other shore, and when I get there I am going to hunt up the Superintendent of the fair land and make two requests of Him.
"First, I want Him to let me know the day that Frank comes, and second, I want Him to let me off the day that I may be standing down at the beautiful gate and be the first to put my arms around him as the man who led me to Christ, by whose grace I am saved."
WILLIAMS (BILL) BLEVINS SAT ON THE FRONT SEAT EVERY SUNDAY AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH.
Civil Practice & Remedies Code - Chapter 73
73.001.Elements of Libel
A libel is a defamation expressed in written or other graphic form that tends to blacken the memory of the dead or that tends to injure a living person's reputation and thereby expose the person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, or financial injury or to impeach any person's honesty, integrity, virtue, or reputation or to publich the natural defects of anyone and thereby expose the person to public hatred, ridicule, or financial injury.
A libel is a defamation expressed in written or other graphic form that tends to blacken the memory of the dead or that tends to injure a living person's reputation and thereby expose the person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, or financial injury or to impeach any person's honesty, integrity, virtue, or reputation or to publich the natural defects of anyone and thereby expose the person to public hatred, ridicule, or financial injury.
PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY
Those who may not be familiar with the ministry of the late J. Frank Norris, may rightfully ask, why engage in an effort perpetuating the legacy of one amoung hundreds in the past, who have been just as noteworthy as this one man.
As a close observer, I can only relate my opinion, which is the purpose of this website. The subject of Christianity never ceases to be an object of inquisitive inquiries. With myriads of volumns written on this subject, there never seems an end to an endless quest. The age-long attempt to unravel the mysteries of life demand as never before a clarion call for definitive answers to life's mysteries.
One of the mysteries often inquired about is "What about the millions who have never heard the gospel?" Spiritually minded persons should be able to give an answer. More often than not, extensive rethoric tends to cloud the subject, rather than give enlightened scriptural explanation.
These conclusions lead into the "whys" and "wherefores" of this website.
Suffice it to say on this brief summation of the life of J. Frank Norris, he had an innate ability to speak the common man's language. His messages always had a scriptural basis and were delivered in such a simplistic manner that the common man heard him gladly.
What could be more simplistic than the sinner's prayer? "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner". This one phrase was the cornerstone of every message. The content of the "Sinner's Prayer" passes the test of scriptural critique as well as the intellectual approach.
As a close observer, I can only relate my opinion, which is the purpose of this website. The subject of Christianity never ceases to be an object of inquisitive inquiries. With myriads of volumns written on this subject, there never seems an end to an endless quest. The age-long attempt to unravel the mysteries of life demand as never before a clarion call for definitive answers to life's mysteries.
One of the mysteries often inquired about is "What about the millions who have never heard the gospel?" Spiritually minded persons should be able to give an answer. More often than not, extensive rethoric tends to cloud the subject, rather than give enlightened scriptural explanation.
These conclusions lead into the "whys" and "wherefores" of this website.
Suffice it to say on this brief summation of the life of J. Frank Norris, he had an innate ability to speak the common man's language. His messages always had a scriptural basis and were delivered in such a simplistic manner that the common man heard him gladly.
What could be more simplistic than the sinner's prayer? "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner". This one phrase was the cornerstone of every message. The content of the "Sinner's Prayer" passes the test of scriptural critique as well as the intellectual approach.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)