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