“Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” Acts 20:34-25

We are reminded during the Christmas Season that there are people all around us who need our help or assistance. It is a great season of giving for the needs of our fellowman. I am thankful to say that I know that this spirit lives in the Lord’s church all year long and is not confined to just the Christmas Season.

In the last issue of BC we ran a poem on the last page entitled “Someone Needs You.” I had received that poem in an email some years ago, and the author’s name was not attached so I just marked it up to Anonymous. I received a note from Bobbie Evans of Ninnekah, OK that named the author of the poem. Here is Bobbie’s note:

Hi Scott, I read your recent Basic Christianity and enjoyed it. I noticed the poem in the back with the author unknown. I knew the writer in Bakersfield before we moved back here for probably 10 yrs or more. She lived with her daughter and came to our church early on. She was blind and lived in deplorable conditions…She was intelligent and so sweet and I would take Donna with me over to visit her…She wrote this poem before I met her sometime before 1986, as she died before we left there and she gave me some of her cards with the poem on it and I have thought many times about the words and have made copies to give to discouraged people. I am enclosing one of the cards. I believe she was 85 when she died, but don’t remember the year; it was probably 40 to 45 years ago…Susie had worked for a newspaper I think. I know Susie would be so pleased to know that you published her poem in the Basic Christianity as I believe she is an angel in waiting.

I have the card that Bobbie sent to me on which the poem is printed. I am so happy to learn a little bit about the dear sister who wrote the poem and to know that the author of the poem is Susie B. Marr, who used to live in Bakersfield, CA. Thanks Bobbie for writing and sharing this information with us.

A few weeks ago I attended the funeral of Willine Davis in Springdale, AR. Brother Larry Branum, who has been associated with the Pleasant St. Church of Christ for many years, preached Willine’s funeral service. After the service I asked Larry if he had his sermon in a written form and, if so, would he mind if I published it in BC. I believe the comfort found in this message is something that should be shared with as many as possible. Thanks, Larry, for consenting to our using your sermon in this issue. I am leaving Willine’s name in the sermon just as Larry presented it. Willine Davis was the wife of the late Wiley Davis. Wiley was an elder at Pleasant St. for many years and he and Willine were very faithful and loving servants of the Lord.

…lsg

(To read the rest of the articles, click on the current issue link on the left.)