CALLED TO TEACH. By Ruth Quinn

Transcription

1 FIR ST BAP T IST DALL A S WID OWS FELLOWSHIP Thou wilt show me the path of life. In Thy presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11 FALL 2017 CALLED TO TEACH By Ruth Quinn T eachers change lives and that is never more true than when that teacher has been called by the Lord to bring the Gospel to his students. As a youth CRAIG BLAISING found salvation through the minister of his home church in San Antonio. In his junior year of college, a challenge was presented to pray about the possibility of choosing a full-time ministry. Guided and taught by the Navigator staff, the confirmation to put aside his plan for a career in Aerospace Engineering was put into motion. Licensed to preach by his home church after graduation from UT in Austin, he continued preparing for the ministry. The pursuit of a Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary was followed by the Th.D. being awarded in Craig expressed gratitude for the influence of the seminary and the mentoring of DTS professors. He referred particularly to Charles Ryrie, Gene Getz and Haddon Robinson as theological giants. Craig served on the faculty of DTS from During that time, Dr. W. A Criswell shared his personal weekly schedule with a group of DTS students. This was a powerful influence on Craig as Dr. Criswell s calendar revealed that he spent half of the day everyday studying the Bible. Dr. Criswell exemplified passionate expositional preaching. When asked about memorable experiences in his life, he recounted the time he spent on a choir tour between his junior and senior years of high school. While going door to door witnessing with a sponsor, he saw a young man come to Christ. His passion for the lost and desire to teach and disciple believers has continued to grow. His sphere of influence is widespread because he accepted the Lord s call and prepared so well. Another of those memorable experiences happened in 1974, meeting Diane Garrison, the love of his life and future marriage partner. He recalled that it did not take him long to realize that this intelligent, wise, and loving Christian woman was God s choice for him. Diane postponed her graduate educational pursuits while their children, Emily and Jonathan, were at home. Diane already had a BA in sociology and after the children were raised, she obtained a MS degree from UT Dallas, Callier Center. She then received her doctorate in Audiology from AT Still University in Arizona. Presently, Diane is owner and President of Cityview Audiology and Hearing Aids in Ft. Worth. She is esteemed and loved by family, patients and friends. Dr. Blaising has earned a number of scholarships, honors, and awards along the course of his career. More evidence of his scholarly contribution and dedication to the ministry. His publications are too numerous to name. Many students and professors have been influenced by this research and study. One of these scholarships, Rotary Foundation Graduate Fellowship for Students, sent him to the University of Aberdeen, Scotland from from which he received a Ph.D. in Dr. Blaising has served on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1980 to the present time. As the Executive Vice President and Provost, he said he is privileged to serve alongside other great leaders, especially President Dr. Paige Patterson. Craig and Diane Blaising have especially endeared themselves to those of us who attend the FBC Bible Study Class named for Mrs. W. A. Criswell. We are taught by the friendly, scholarly, and Godly teacher introduced in this article. The class meets each Sunday morning at 9:15 on 3rd fl. of the FBC Worship Center. The decision he made to teach God s Word has won many to Christ and blessed the lives of those who know him.

2 LETTER FROM JACK DE A R L A DIES, The Holiday Season revolves around family, time honored traditions and usually the kitchen! I can t think of Thanksgiving and Christmas memories without thinking of my favorite holiday turkey and dressing! And! That s exactly what you ll be feasting on Saturday, November 18, at 11:30 am, Center Stage for our Fall Widows Fellowship Luncheon. Make your RESERVATIONS by Monday, November 13th. As you know, we had a record number of 185 attendees at our August meeting, but we were short on food and seating. So, PLEASE, it s important, that you don t forget to call! We were so thankful for your attendance and for Rose-Mary and Ruthe. A New Year will unfold soon and with a fresh touch of His grace as Carol Cashman assumes the organizational responsibilities of your Fellowship. Look forward to her words in the Lighted Pathway. Ecclesiastes 3 says, for everything there is a season and a time for every purpose. This ministry is a gift of God to me and a unique privilege to serve you. I will continue on the sidelines, but it has taken a talented and dedicated team of volunteers to transform this Ministry from about 45 in attendance 13 years ago to the 185 served at the August Luncheon. A group from the Vocal Majority will entertain you November 18th. It will be an extraordinary experience! They have released over 20 recordings and travel domestically and internationally. Their Barbershop music has won numerous gold medals. Recently, they gave a special benefit concert for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Their entertainment features some of the most endearing, uplifting and exciting songs. They are so loved around the world! Don t forget to make reservations and request for transportation! Call by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th! Blessings, Jack Honor widows who are widows indeed 1 Timothy 5:3 Jack Smith Rose Talks THE HONORABLE TURKEY Are you having a fat, juicy Turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? They seem to go together--turkey and Thanksgiving. In Texas, we celebrate the Turkey in Cuero, with the annual Turkey Trot. It all started in 1921 when salesmen from the north noted all the Turkeys driven on foot to Cuero in November. The mayor took advantage of the event and now, today, third weekend in October, in Cuero, there is a parade, featuring Miss Turkey Trot and floats of all kinds showing the Turkey in all of his glory. And then there is a Turkey race between prize Turkeys. All fun with Turkeys! Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the symbol for the United States--not the Eagle? Here is a quote from a letter Franklin sent to his daughter from France, January 26, For my own part, I wish the Bald Eagle had NOT been chosen the Representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead tree near the river, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this injustice, he is never in good case, but like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward. The Turkey is a charming bird!

3 By Grace are ye saved by Faith A story by Rose-Mary Rumbley The time is any time after 300 AD. The church in Rome was the stronghold of the Roman Empire with the Pope as the powerhouse of the realm. The Pope began to make Godlike decisions such as the naming of the Saints. Years passed and more and more Saints were named. Acting as a human being, one Pope feared he had left someone out who should be a saint. He solved that problem by creating All Saints Day. As we would say today, He covered all the bases. All Saints day, where all the Saints are acknowledged and remembered, is November 1, which makes October 31 All Hollows Eve, or as it became Halloween, a day of celebration of witches, ghosts, and ghouls. Heathenism at its best! Then add the poet Robert Burns, and his link to Scottish superstitions, and his sinister poem HALLOWEEN, and you have a true pagan celebration. Now, I personally never thought of all the evil associated with Halloween. I let my children dress up in stupid costumes and roam the neighborhood for candy. Why not? But I m aware that many neighborhood groups and churches celebrate Harvest Day, Fun Night, etc. instead of Halloween. That s great too. But, I m here to declare Halloween, 2017, a very special day in the history of Christianity. For it was 500 years ago, October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther hung the treatise on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, and changed the world. Martin Luther was a product of the Middle ages, born in People were superstitious. After all, there were witches all around. Education was limited, and Pope Leo X was in charge. Luther s father yearned for a better life for his son, so Martin got the best of educations for the time. The young man decided to be a priest. At that time priests were considered lowly individuals--a source of comedy. If one mentioned a priest or a monk, it was often done with a smirk. The Pope had power-- not God! Luther served the Lord in spite of the times and the culture. The crowning blow came to him, when the Pope, wanting to build St. Peter s Cathedral, told all that if they sent money to him, the Pope, their sins would be forgiven. Money sent to Rome guaranteed a ticket to heaven for the living and for the dead. When the coin in the coffer rings, Another soul from Purgatory springs. Luther preached, What happened to Grace and Mercy from God through Jesus Christ? He was a genius with words, and with the newly invented printing press, he was able to proclaim his message, By Grace are ye saved through faith. He also declared that the Devil did not like music. Singing drives the Devil away. And it was not this atonal music of the medieval church. No! Luther gave church music a melody. A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, is his celebrated hymn. The Pope heard of this disturbance in Germany and sent this messsage, Tell him to stop all of this, and we ll make him a Cardinal! Such an evil offer, gave more energy and vitality to Luther. The Lord blessed Luther. Other reformists were burned at the stake. The Germans saved Luther. After all, the Germans didn t like the Italians in the first place. Many Lutherans are traveling to Wittenberg to celebrate on October 31. It was Luther, appointed by God, who turned the church back to true worship of Christ as our Savior.

4 Photos from our last luncheon

5 Notes from Carol Dear Friends, Each of us can point to the individuals who have had significant influence in our lives. God uses people to guide us and serve as examples. JACK AND BETTY SMITH are two people who set a standard for Godly service and dedication. They have a passion for ministry, generally, and specifically, for the Widows Ministry. I humbly stand before you and testify that Jack and Betty are significant influences in my life. They are caring and involved and committed to service. Their love and encouragement for me and each of you is evident in every step they take. I m grateful for Jack and Betty in my life. The Widows Ministry didn t get to this level of success without a great deal of prayer, daily attention and a lot of hard work. Ongoing and future success will be dependent on the same amount of prayer, attention and work. I ll continue to assume the organizational responsibilities of the Ministry and ask for your prayers and support for me and the team of volunteers who serve. I look forward to seeing you on November 18. We ll fellowship, praise and serve together. In His Service, Carol Cashman Widows LUNCHEON Saturday, November 18 11:30am CenterStage For reservations or transportation requests, call by Monday, November 13. VALET PARKING AVAILABLE.