I’m a Malcolm Gladwell fan. He’s  the 50-year -old writer for the New Yorker, who tells us all how we should live, and who is criticized by many psychologists, who say he makes things too simple. Maybe that’s because he is a Christian, born and reared in England as a Menonite, a very conservative group led by Menno, a very conservative believer. 

In his book, The Tipping Point, he tells of the little things in life that make a difference.  So true! In 1965, Decatur Baptist College moved to Dallas with every one of the teachers and the staff deciding to make the move except for one--the speech and drama teacher. The Dallas Baptist Association called me, and that one call totally changed my life.

In Blink, Gladwell points out that sometimes a quick decision is the best decision. Some people hesitate and miss good things. He terms that “analysis paralysis.” We older people are guilty of doing this. We miss out on a “good time” by thinking about it too long. How many times have we heard this? “We missed you.  You should have gone with us.”

In David and Goiath,  we read of one of history’s most famous battles. David, a little shepherd boy, who with five smooth stones, faced the giant Goliath and won! With the power of God, he only needed one stone.  

Like David, we face outsized challenges, but with God, we can overcome! 

Gladwell is quick to point out that because we are made in the image of God, we have the ability to think. What road should we take? Facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and beauty. We must take “advantage of our disadvantages.” Goliath was much too big, he  was overly armed, and he didn’t believe in the power of God. He was expecting hand-to-hand

combat while David was thinking “a solitary stone.” Goliath lost!

Then Gladwell speaks of “desirable difficulties.” In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul tells of the “thorn in my flesh.” Paul goes on to say, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

We learn of David Boise, who is dyslexic and who also is one of the most famous defense attorneys in the country. With reading difficulties, he decided it best to memorize the law books! He has never lost a case.

Part three of the book begins with Ecclesiastes 9:11. “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, not yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” 

The latest biography of Dr. George Washington Truett, by Keith E. Durso, is titled, Thy Will Be Done. Daily we pray that God will lead, guide and direct us in His way, and that His will be done.

My only grandson is autistic. He presents many challenges to his parents and me. Our comfort comes in the words of Jesus, John 9:1-3, when He was healing the man blind from birth. Jesus was asked, “Why is he blind? Is it his sin or the sins of his parents?”  Neither–it’s the “works  of God.” 

We deal with the “giants” in our lives. We accept our desirable difficulties. And we believe in the will of our Lord God and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

“Thou wilt show me the path of life. In Thy presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11

F I R S T B A P T I S T D A L L A S W I D O W S F E L L O W S H I P

N E W S L E T T E R | W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

By Rose-Mary Rumbley

First Baptist Dallas 1707 San Jacinto Dallas, TX 75201

WINTER 2014NEWSLETTER

T H E WI L L A N D T H E WORKS OF THE LORD

EAST TEXAS BAPTIST

U N I V E R S I T Y S I N G E R S

W I D O W S LU N C H E O NS A T U R D A Y , N O V E M B E R 1 51 1 : 3 0 A M | C E N T E R S T A G E

F O R R E S E R VAT I O N S O R T R A N S P O R TAT I O N R E Q U E S T S C A L L 2 1 4 . 9 6 9 . 2 4 6 6 .

In case you missed our last Widows Lucheon, here are a couple photos. Special thanks to our muscial guests Dr. Leo Day and Dr. Don Wyrtzen, for sharing their talents.

Celebrating 10 YEAR S OF THE WIDOWS MINISTRY

Rose Talks“Never allow the demands of tomorrow to interfere with the pleasure and excitement of today.”  

Professor Harold Hill uttered those choice words in The Music Man, my favorite musical–a show I directed at Dallas Baptist and one I appreared in many times at the Dallas Summer Musicals and at Casa

Manana.  I played the part of Mayor Shinn’s wife, the zany and egotistical lady that loved to show off--type casting!   At one performance at Casa, Meredith Wilson, creator of this magnificent musical, was in the audience. It was certainly a thrill to meet him.

But, the big thrill came when I was in the show with Van Johnson, who was a terrific music man.   Now, any woman my age still remembers being in love with Van Johnson, who, to quote him, “I flew more B57s over June Allyson’s house than any other pilot.”  Remember those great WWII movies? They all had a happy ending.  Van comes back to marry June.

When I met Van, the first words I uttered were, “Do you want to see my scrap book about you?”   He politely said, “NO.”  He was a dear! 

But the lesson here are the words the music man said.  “Never allow the demands of tomorrow to interfere with the pleasure and excietment of today.”  Enjoy each day.  That’s the way God meant it to be. 

T H O U G H T SF R O M J I M

We approach another year’s end but before we say good-bye to 2014, we will enjoy the many activities planned for November and December. This is possibly the busiest time of year for most

families. It is also the busiest travel time, and the danger of bad weather could cause stress and disappointment. Zig Zigler wrote: “Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far, the most life changing.” 

I am thankful for a special year with my family. We were all together several times, except for my grandson and his family. For my friends, oh my! For my church, S.S. teacher, and Pastor. For indoor plumbing, clean water, and electric lights! I am thankful that I can see and hear and feel and so much more. My prayer for you is that you will enjoy the events surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas. I pray you cherish the gifts God has for you. A grandbaby’s smile, that hug from an old friend, a sunset that takes your breath, and hearing that special song. I pray that memories of your past will be sweet and will bring you joy. “Thanks be to God for His gift is too wonderful for words”. ll Cor. 9-15

Marjory Golden, known to her friends as Brad, was given her nickname in college when her last name Bradford

was abbreviated. She was born in Dallas, found the Lord at the age of twelve, and was baptized by Dr. Truett. She committed her life to follow wherever He led. After graduation from high school, she attended TSCW, Texas State College for Women, now called TWU, majoring in chemistry and biological sciences. TSCW was the “Sister School” of A&M and the girls looked forward to traveling as a group to an Aggie football game each year. It was on that trip her senior year she met her friend’s cousin Bill who had just returned from a military tour in England. Brad had no idea that the Lord would bring this young man back into her life as her husband.

Brad accepted a job in the biochemistry lab of A&M. Bill’s senior year they were married in the Little Chapel In The Woods in Denton After his graduation, June of 1948, they returned to Bill’s hometown Seymour, Texas where they were involved in farming, raising wheat, and cotton. For 50 years they invested their lives in the land and people of Seymour. First Baptist Church became the focus of their ministry and spiritual growth, Bill as a deacon and Brad as a teacher. It was here that their three children were born and became Christians.

Brad was acutely aware that the Lord was calling her to promote the spiritual growth of youth and women, teaching them to mature and share their faith. She took seriously the challenge, “Find the thing that stirs your heart and make

room for it”. Brad was asked by The Area Missionary to come to Brazil to teach young pastors and women. She faithfully prepared lessons, worked at learning Portuguese and sought the Lord’s direction. Her classes grew and saw great success. Brad’s love for Brazil led her to find a woman fluent in Portuguese to teach her. When this woman moved away, Brad began traveling weekly to Hardin Simmons University in Abilene for a language lesson.

Shortly before a planned trip to England, Bill suffered a serious heart attack. After Bill’s death, Brad resumed her life in Seymour, surrounded by friends and family, involved in the activities to which God had called. He opened the door to join a team ministering in Belize. Brad feels that you leave a part of you behind in places you love, so a portion of her heart remains in Mexico, Brazil, and Belize where she followed the Lord’s leading to serve .

Now she continues with a new Dallas home, friends and opportunities for ministry at Presbyterian Village North near her family. Her contentment and fulfillment are enhanced by volunteering to visit the residents and those with very few visitors in the health care units of PVN. At ninety years old, she is very grateful for God’s directing in the events of her life and the happiness it has brought. As a member of the Mission Minded class taught by Beverly Hyles, Brad is a missionary every day because she chooses to live out the words of the song, “Where He leads me I will follow. I’ll go with Him all the way”.

POEM BYMarjory “Brad” Golden

I rise and fail and rise again to meet the challenge of His call.

I bear within my heart the marks that say I’ve given all.

But when my life is over and He meets me at the Gate,

I shall tell Him it was worth it all to live for Jesus’ sake.

I want to use my column this quarter to celebrate the life and memory of our friend and co-laborer, Larry Walker, who has

impacted all who have known him. He was the guest speaker at my first Widows Fellowship Luncheon in May of this year. I am blessed to have known him, though briefly, and to count him a friend. Better to have known him briefly than to not have known him at all.

I enjoy music and appreciate many composers and hymn writers. The words to the hymn listed below are a fitting tribute to our friend, Larry Walker.

Go Tell the Untold MillionsOut in the darkness of sin they are waiting,Lost and away from the fold;Who’ll bear the message of Christ and redemption?See! They have never been told.

Go in the power the Lord will provide you,Led by the Spirit each day;You cannot fail on the mission He sends you –Go then, no longer delay.

Moved and constrained by the love of the Savior,Leave friends and comforts behind;Yield all your talents and time to His service – Go now, the lost ones to find.

(Refrain)Go tell the untold millionsOver the whole world wide;Go tell the untold millions, Tell of the Crucified!© 1962 John W. Peterson (used by permission)

10,000 Blessings,Jim Haines

“Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far, the most life changing.

East Texas Baptist University SingersNovember 15 | 11:30am | CenterStage

I Am Thankful For...by Claudette Kirby

Where He Leads Me I will FollowBy Ruth Quinn

Dear Ladies,

This is the season of Thanksgiving and celebration for our 10th year of the Widows Ministry! A group of you met at Dot Shackleford’s home to discuss organizing something for the Widows in our church. It was an idea dear to my heart that Dot and I had earlier shared. We met with Barbara Bellomy, Ann Braley, Claudette Kirby, Mary Ross Shearin, and Millie Wheelis. Four deacons helped review surveys you sent to determine your preferences of time and activity.

At the first Luncheon there were 45 in attendance and Rose-Mary Rumbley presented the very first program. Every single person and group asked to contribute their talents or time to this ministry has been gracious and I thank each of you.

Dale Coates is bringing us the East Texas Baptist University singers from his Alma Mater in Marshall, Texas for our next Luncheon. The ensemble studies and performs choral chamber music from all major historic periods and styles including madrigal, pop, jazz, and classical literature. Dr. Justin Hodges is the director and they present concerts and lead worship services each year. We look forward to greeting the students and administration guests for the November 15 date. 

Note the wonderful photos in this issue taken by Phil LeRoux. We thank him for his willingness to share them with us. Make your required reservations or request a ride before Monday, November 10. Call 214.969.2466. Blessings to you all,

JackJack Smith“Honor widows...” 1 Timothy 5:30

L E T T E R F R O M JACK

in memory ofLARRY WALKER