a love story

---

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

NEWSLETTER | WINTER 2015 “T hou

A

wilT show me The paTh of life .

presence is fullness of joy .”

LOVE

Ah, it’s February, the month of love.

I

i n T hy

t was Robert Browning who wrote to his beloved, Elizabeth Barrett, “How shall I ever prove what my heart is to you?  How will you ever see it as I feel   it?”   And she answered Robert with a memorable poem, “How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.  I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my  soul can reach.” Those are pretty torrid words from two Victorian writers.  It’s obvious the Brownings were in love.

S TO RY

It was then Robert read the poems of Elizabeth Barrett, who was considered a fine poet.  She was a sickly recluse totally ruled by her father.  There were quite a number of children in the Barrett family, and the father refused to allow any of them to marry.  They all were able to escape--all but Elizabeth.  She was trapped.

Robert, who was somewhat younger than Elizabeth came to visit her.  She wasn’t very attractive.  In fact, she had secluded herself into her bedroom with her Cocker Spaniel.  Many said she had lived Robert Browning (1812-1889) was the only child with the dog so long, she acquired a Spaniel look.  of a well-to-do family in England.  His father had Robert didn’t care.  He loved her and the two of an extensive library, so Robert was exposed to them eloped to Italy.  Her father disowned her, but literature early in his life.  His mother was musical, she had some money of her own, so the Brownings so he too was very musical, later writing songs.    survived. In 1849 the couple had a child, a boy, But, it was writing poetry that took much of his whom they named Robert Barrett, fondly called, time and energy.  His father, thinking his son was Pen, who grew up in Italy.  a fine poet, published the poems.  Unfortunately, those who read the poems were not impressed.  It Now, another love story begins.  This is the story was obvious that Robert could not make a living of Andrew Joseph Armstrong, born in 1878, in as a poet, and that was the reason he was 34 years Kentucky, when the South was still recovering from of age and still living at home.    Robert met the the Civil War.  Andrew worked at various jobs to Shakespearean actor, Charles Macready and wrote support himself and attend Wabash College.  He a play for the renowned actor.   The play was awful.  was a brilliant student of literature, Greek, and Latin.  He was given a teaching appointment at East The acting gave it credibility. 

Photos from our last luncheon

East Texas Baptist University Singers

Psalm 16:11

Texas Baptist Institute.  Here he met a beautiful lady, Mary Maxwell, whom he later married. He earned a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and took a professorship at Baylor University in Waco.  In the summer of 1909, Dr. Armstrong decided to vacation in Italy.  Here is where a miracle took place.  Pen Browning died and all of the Browning writings were put up for auction.   On the faith that he would get money from donations and from foundations, Armstrong bought the letters.  This was the start of a Browning collection that would become by 1925, the largest combination of Browning letters and memorabilia in the world.  It truly is an incredible collection of furniture, art, clothing—everything to do with Robert and Elizabeth. Baylor University eventually built the Armstrong Browning Library on the campus for the collection. Can you imagine? Those passionate letters are in Waco, Texas.

By Rose-Mary Rumbley

LETTER FROM

JACK

HAPPY NEW YEAR, LADIES! We are looking forward to the February 21 Widows Luncheon. Make your reservation to fellowship and be entertained by LaDonna Gatlin, a fantastic program guest! As we told you earlier, she is part of a famous musical family...her brothers are country music’s legendary Gatlin Brothers. She has a finely tuned voice, sharp wit, and engaging communication style crafted over a lifetime of performing.

LaDonna Gatlin February 21 | 11:30am | CenterStage You will notice our guest contributor in this issue is Brent Baker, Assistant Pastor and Director of Youth Ministries at the Park Cities Presbyterian Church. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, you will know his parents, Carrilyn and Scott Baker. Carrilyn is executive assistant to Dr. Robert Jeffress and Scott is a Deacon in our church. Brent wrote “Rooted and Grounded in Love” a year ago and I have looked forward to reprinting it this year. Regretfully, in December we had to say goodbye to the talented graphic designer, Tim Mah, who since its inception has made our LIGHTED PATHWAY, such a great looking publication. He had such good ideas, and was the most patient, kind, young man to work with. Betty and I are eternally grateful to him and wish for him God’s richest blessings. Make your reservation or request a ride before Monday, February 16. Call 214.969.2466.

  Blessings to you all

Jack

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

P

residents Day is celebrated February  16, 2015.  We honor the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, presidents who directed the actions of our country and changed history.  Washington acquired step children when he married Martha, but Lincoln had four sons with his wife, Mary Todd.  Three sons died, but one, Robert Todd Lincoln, lived to be 82 years old.  The story of this son is most unusual.   In 1864 when Robert Todd was serving in the Union Army, he was running for a train in New Jersey.  He slipped off the boarding deck and fell on the tracks.  He would have been run over except a young man rescued him—pulled him off the tracks in time.  Who was the young man?  It was Edwin Booth, whose brother John Wilkes was going to assassinate Robert’s father the next year.

Heavenly Recipes By Betty Smith

O

ne of the ladies who met at Dot Shackleford’s house just over ten years ago, wanting to start this Fellowship was precious Mary Ross Shearin. Those of you who knew her remember what a wonderful cook she was! Let me share her Pecan Sundae Sauce and Mexican Pecan Pralines with you.  The Pecan Pralines recipe can also be found in the Presidents Class Angel Food cookbook. A perfect name!

M A RY RO S S ’ M E X I C A N P E C A N P R A L I N E S 1/2 c milk | 1/2 c. Pet Evaporated milk | 2 c. sugar | 3 T. white Karo 2 C. pecans | 2 T butter (don’t substitute) | 1/2 tsp. vanilla Mix milk, sugar, Karo, pecans, and bring to a boil at 240 degrees on a candy thermometer. Stir often as the pecans will stick and burn. Remove from heat. DO NOT STIR. Cool to lukewarm (this is important to assure a creamy candy). Add butter and vanilla. Beat with a spoon until the mixture thickens. Work quickly and drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.

PRALINE SUNDAE SAUCE

1 1/2 c light brown sugar | 2/3 c. white Karo syrup 4 T. butter (no substitute) | 1 small can Pet milk In a heavy saucepan, bring to a boil blended sugar, Karo, and butter. Remove from heat immediately and allow to cool to lukewarm. Beat in the canned milk. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator. Keeps a long time. Serve on ice cream and sprinkle with toasted pecans.

Rose Talks Robert was supposed to have been at the play in the Ford Theatre where his father was shot, but he had other plans and did not attend.    However, Robert was present at Appomattox when Lee surrendered.  He then served as Secretary of War for James Garfield.  Robert witnessed the shooting of President Garfield at a train station in Washington, DC.   He was in New York at President McKinley’s invitation, when that president was shot.    Later, he refused an invitation from Teddy Roosevelt.  “There is a certain fatality about presidential functions when I am present.” Robert Todd Lincoln is the only member of the Lincoln family buried in Arlington Cemetery.  The other members are resting in Springfield, Illinois.   

Be Rooted and Grounded in Love By Brent Baker

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

S

everal months ago my teenage nieces were in town visiting and asked about some of my favorite eateries in Dallas. When I described my favorite cookie shop, they begged me to take them. I pulled up to the shop, went inside, stepped up to the line, ordered cookies, heard the words “cash only,” reached into my pocket, found my wallet, and realized I was completely out of cash. In utter defeat I left the cookies on the counter and slowly walked away. I could not give the cashier what I did not have.

You would think I would learn my lesson! The problem was that I had not taken the time to stop by the bank and refill what was lacking. I had not gone to the source. I had not been filled up. I assumed I could help without being helped; I could give without being given to. The Lesson? I cannot give what I do not have. This also is true for you. Were someone to ask my advice on this Valentine’s Day, I think I would offer this. As a matter of fact, I might offer this to someone who asks my advice on April 16 or September 2. You cannot give what you do not have! We - being united with, gounded in, and rooted into Christ by faith (v.17) - have a Source, a Supply, a Bank from which we can be incomprehensibly filled with the fullness of the Glory of God’s love. The supply is plentiful and available through the power and work of the Spirit in our inner being (v.16)! The Spirit of God dwells within and lives to outpour, to overflow, to fill up and to empower His people with this all-surpassing divine love (Romans 5:5). It is indescribably long, high, deep and wide - the four perfect measurements found most profoundly

T

here are many hymns that are special to me. The man who is considered the father of English hymnody, Isaac Watts (16741748), wrote several of them. He was an English pastor, preacher, poet, and hymn writer who wrote about 600 hymns including When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and Joy to the World.

in the dimensions of the cross of the One who secured this love for us. It is unlimited in supply and continuous in it’s invitation! Full and free! Paul’s prayer in Ephesians intimates there is nothing more important than this for the people of God. If we want to give the love of Christ, we must first receive it. The outpouring is preceded by the inpouring. We must consider it, appropriate it, meditate upon it and abide in it. Otherwise we know of the supply without actually being supplied. We have a bank account but no active cash. We speak of riches far away instead of riches residing with us, as if in our pockets. We speak of a far-off country full of blessing instead of calling it “home.” Are you regularly receiving from the Source or declining to fill up while trying to give our? Go to the bank. The supply is plentiful. Don’t be caught empty-handed. You cannot give what you do not have. I challenge you on this Valentine’s Day to commemorate and commune with the hyper-excessive and hyper-abundant love of God for you in Christ Jesus. It’s full and free. Be rooted and grounded in this love. Then pour out, especially to loved ones this day.

He reminds us that our life is borrowed from God. He gives and sustains our life on earth. We are in His care. There is no place that we can go that is away from His presence. Comforting! This is the same truth found in Matthew 6:25-34. God’s love and care for us is amazing. My prayer is that you will always remember that you are in His presence and in His care.

I came across one of Reverend Watts’ hymns today and was particularly encouraged by the last verse. The hymn - I Sing the Mighty Power of God. There’s not a plant or flow’r below But makes Thy glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow By order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee Is ever in Thy care, And ev’rywhere that man can be, Thou, God, art present there.

THOUGHTS FROM

JIM

WINTER 2015 NEWSLETTER

First Baptist Dallas 1707 San Jacinto Dallas, TX 75201

W I D OW S L U N C H E O N W I D O W S L U N C H E O N S AT U R D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 5 11:30 A M | C E N T E R S TA G E

LaDonna

February 21 | 11:30am CenterStage For reservations or transportation requests call 214.969.2466.