Truth Magazine

By Irvin Himmel

“The long vigil is over. Nothing which we say or do today will either help or hinder the deceased. There was a time when we were able to lend assistance, and many did just that. But our loved one is now beyond our reach….” With these words the beloved preacher often began his re-marks at the funeral service for someone who had died following an extended period of illness.

Following a bout with pulmonary fibrosis, Granville W. Tyler reached the end of his earthly pilgrimage at his home in Decatur, Alabama, on April 13, 1996, being 87 years and seven months of age. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances on February 10, 1995.

Brother Tyler’s funeral service was conducted at the meeting house of the Somerville Road church in Decatur on April 16. A large gathering was in attendance, including many preachers of the gospel. Marvin Hale, one of the regular song leaders at Somerville Road and a close personal friend of Granville, made a few remarks and led the congregation in singing “Each Step I Take,” a song which Granville had requested for his funeral when he first heard brother Hale lead it years earlier. That song was followed by “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

This writer read the obituary, and made some personal observations about his association with brother Tyler over the past decade. The two of us conducted numerous funeral services together. One of his favorite themes when the funeral was for someone who had lived as a faithful Christian was the promises of God. He sometimes would begin with another line of thought but would switch to, or bring in something about, the Lord’s precious promises. When he spoke of those promises his eyes would flash, his voice would grow stronger, and he would show a special earnestness. Referring to such a promise as is given in 2 Corinthians 6:17,18, he would say, “Now isn’t that a wonderful promise!” Since brother Tyler was so highly successful as a preacher and influenced and encouraged so many others, I thought it appropriate to read Paul’s charge to Timothy as given in 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Prayer was offered after the scripture reading.

Al Bowers, another regular song leader at Somerville Road, led the assembly in the singing of “Nearer My God to Thee,” and “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.” Eugene Britnell, a long-time acquaintance of brother Granville, spoke of some of his recollections and favorable impressions. He used a funeral sermon outline which he got from Granville. It is entitled “Paradoxes In Death,” and has five main points with two subheadings under each point. Here are the main points (the outline is self-explanatory):

1. Death is common yet rare.

2. Death is mysterious yet real.

3. Death is uncertain yet certain.

4. Death is separation yet a uniting.

5. Death is the end yet the beginning.

Brother Britnell paid fitting tribute to Granville Tyler for the influence which he exerted, his dedication to the truth, and the kind of man he was.

Allen Blaxton, another of Somerville Road’s song leaders, directed in the singing of “At the Cross.”

The main eulogy was delivered by Ed Bragwell who has known Granville Tyler for half a century. Both Bragwell and Britnell grew up in Franklin County, Alabama where Granville did local work on three different occasions and held many gospel meetings. Ed gave a biographical sketch of Tyler, and told of some of the humorous things associated with his life. Brother Tyler was a masterful story teller, and his stories about Simp Burleson and Thad Henley and others in his native Hickman County, Tennessee always brought much laughter. Ed mentioned Granville’s ability to reach the hearts of people by being an emotional man, yet his preaching was the book, chapter, and verse approach.

Following the singing of “Amazing Grace,” the service was dismissed. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery, in Decatur, with Charles Littrell conducting the burial service. Littrell recalled that Granville would often say at the graveside, “Now we have gone as far as we can …”

Pallbearers were James Graham, Don Laney, Larry Parr, James Satterfield, Mike Watson, Marvin Hale, Bobby Jackon, Jimmy Nesmith, James Ray, Ralph Sheats, and Gale Montgomery, all members at Somerville Road, and Vernie Haley of Tuscaloosa, formerly a member at Somerville Road.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 8
June 20, 1996

By Larry Ray Hafley

Is someone making life miserable for you at school? Is a boss at work unfair to you? Are there brethren who seek to be-rate and belittle you with gossip, rumors, and false accusations? So, what are you going to do about it? Whoa, wait a minute! If you are like me, your first impulse might not be the right one! What can you do that is right before God?

There are a number of things. Likely, you have tried the obvious ones. If not, do so. If you have reacted bitterly, if you have fought fire with fire, re-turning evil for evil, you have taken the wrong course. Again, though, assuming you have prayed for your adversary, and assuming that you have done all you know to do, there is one more thing you might try. Ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men!

“Finally, brethren, pray for us … that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (2 Thess. 3:1, 2). “Deliver me, 0 Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues . . poison is under their lips. Keep me, 0 Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who hath purposed to overthrow my goings . . . Grant not, 0 Lord, the de-sires of the wicked: further not his wicked device” (Psa 140:1-8).

“And he spice a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint saying, There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard men; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:1-8). So, with persistent humility, ask the Lord to deliver you from evil men.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 7
June 20, 1996

By Steve R. Graham

(The use of mind-altering drugs has become a wide-spread scourge in modern America. Conditions contributing to this scourge are not now our interest, but the legalizing of one of these drugs, marijuana is.

Such legalization has come close to the forefront of political debate in our country. It is, however, more than a matter of political debate. It holds the potential of ruining lives, paving the way for hard drugs, and destroying spiritual usefulness. It is this potential for spiritual harm that makes the matter of a concern in this article.

Steve Graham, my brother and the District Attorney in Lauderdale County, wrote a letter to the editor, printed in the Times Daily of Florence, Alabama, on November 20, 1995. He was responding to an earlier letter promoting such legalization. Part of it is here used because of the information contained and the warning urged. Concerned Christians will shout their concern not only in the political arena but also in the lives that they can influence for good and help to avoid the pitfalls set by Satan. It is amazing that even this ploy is his strategy  his wile  to ensnare many and to desensitize us so we become easy prey. Read and pass on this information to others, especially the young.  Bobby L. Graham)

“Don’t fool yourselves; drug dealers will sell what-ever they can to make money. They don’t care what it is or what it does to you.

“Mr. Ricks seems to base his belief that marijuana should be legalized on the fact that alcohol and cigarettes are legal, and that he believes marijuana is no more harmful than those substances. I certainly do not condone the use of alcohol or cigarettes. But two, or even three, wrongs do not make a right.

“Many studies have been conducted on the short-term and long-term effects of marijuana usage, and showing that use of marijuana has many detrimental effects. The first and most obvious harmful effect is that it impairs brain activities. These include short-term memory, judgment, learning ability, coordination and the ability to follow moving objects.

“The most insidious harm is that marijuana usage destroys initiative  initiative to engage in any kind of meaningful activity.

“Young males who smoke marijuana will incur a decrease in the male sex hormone called testosterone. As a result, the ability of their bodies to produce sperm is impaired, and could result in the inability to father children later in life.

“The menstrual cycle of women can be affected by the use of marijuana. It is the belief of many health professionals that birth defects have been and are caused in children whose mothers  and even grandmothers  used marijuana in the past. And due to the fact that the active ingredient, THC, is stored in the fat cells of the body, it can endure for long periods of time, causing long-term problems with which we are not yet familiar.

“The heart, lungs, and immune system are also affected by marijuana. We know that the “cannabis sativa” plant, from which we get marijuana, contains over 400 chemicals. Very few of these chemicals and their effects have been identified.

“Although an actual physical dependence on marijuana is rare, it does have those who are mentally and emotion-ally dependent on it. More importantly, however, it serves as a threshold drug for many people. That is, they start with marijuana and when a tolerance for this drug is developed, they must move on to something stronger.

“I would invite you or any of your readers to ask any mental health professional or substance abuse counselor about marijuana. All that I know or have had any experience with would tell you that marijuana almost always leads to other things. It is almost without exception that those who abuse or are addicted to other drugs started with marijuana.

“With all of the problems that we now have as a society, we certainly do not need to compound them with the legalization of marijuana.”

Reprinted from the Weekly Bulletin of the Market Street Church of Christ, Athens, AL, March 14, 1996.

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 5
June 20, 1996

By Lewis Willis

I sat there for almost an hour. I have no recollection of ever having done what I did before. No, not sitting down for an hour, but making the observations which I wish to share with you. Hopefully, there will be something good for the soul in these reflections.

I arrived to speak in a meeting in Shelbyville, Tennessee on Monday, October 16. We had traveled about 60 miles southeast of Nashville. The town is the Tennessee Walking Horse capital of the world. Each year a gathering called “Celebration” brings about 100,000 people to see the selection of the new World Champion walking horse.

But, Shelbyville is a small town of about 15,000 people. I thought how deprived these people were to live in such a small place. I saw no Red Lobster, Olive Garden, or Chi Chi’s restaurants anywhere. But I still was not where I would stay for the week. We drove five or six miles out of town to the country home of brother and sister McCarty with whom I would spend the week. They are fine people, but I was not sure how I would handle a week in the country!

I’m not trying to be snobbish about this. I was born and raised in the country. Certainly, as far out in the country, if not further than I would stay this week. However, since 1956, I have either lived in small towns or large metropolitan areas like Dallas, St. Louis, and Louisville, Kentucky. I’m used to the city, and I like all the things available to us in the city. It is for that reason that I found my thoughts affecting me so strikingly, so surprisingly, when I sat down on the McCarty’s patio that Friday afternoon. A few moments of solitude was just what I needed!

I would describe the countryside as “rolling hills,” not big hills, but certainly not flat. The McCarty home is about 75 yards from the country road, on a small hillside. It is a very lovely home. Extending on up the hillside for about another 50 yards is their backyard. Just beyond their fence stands a grove of hardwood trees. I sat there on the patio for about an hour looking toward that grove of trees. I was surprised at what I saw and heard.

I saw too many mockingbirds to count. I had seen them before be-cause they are the state bird of my home state, Texas. I saw several blue jays and sparrows. Also, several cardinals. I watched as a woodpecker, with a blazing red head, perched near the roofline on the garage, pecking away at what I guess must have been ants. At the same time, I heard another woodpecker, apparently from the grove of trees, pounding away with that distinctive sound woodpeckers make. I became aware of what I was observing when two crows came flying into one of the trees, cawing loudly.

The longer I sat there the more that little world came alive. The sun was doing what the sun is supposed to do; it was ruling the day (Gen. 1:16-18). Its beams lit up the still green lawn and trees. A gentle breeze was blowing, and I was surprised to hear a limb fall to the ground. I’ve seen a lot of fallen limbs in my life; I just can’t remember when I last heard one.

I heard a rooster crow from the home next door, but next door was about 300 or 400 yards away. I also heard the dog barking from down there, and it must have been about something funny because I heard his owner’s rather loud laughter. I could not see it, but I heard a large jet some-where in the distance. The quiet was only occasionally interrupted by the sound of cars passing in front of the house.

There was something therapeutic about this. It was so comforting and fascinating. Still, I was surprised at how it affected me. You see, in the city, we have birds, trees, sun-light and dogs. But we also have noise  always cars, trucks, airplanes and such. Sirens from police and fire emergency vehicles sound loudly and frequently, but we city folks tend to tune them out. We sit in our homes where the air conditioners filter out the fumes and smog, but they also filter out the singing of the birds and our view of the trees swaying gently in the breeze. We can drive in minutes to the nearest supermarket and purchase about anything we want. We’re not like those poor country folks who have to drive six or ten miles to a small country grocer who may or may not have what they want. But, on one level, I’m not sure that they have missed that much.

After dinner, I returned to that patio to call Joyce and learn how her day had gone. As we talked, I looked up to the grove of trees and there stood a deer not many feet away. The image is still sealed in my mind.

I thought of the song that we like to sing which begins with this verse:

When we behold the wonders of creation,

The flow’rs that bloom, the raindrops as they fall;

The spacious skies and life’s perpetuation,

We cannot doubt that God controlled it all.

Lord, I believe, yes, I believe,

I cannot doubt or be deceived;

The eye that sees each sparrow fall,

His unseen hand is in it all.

A. W. Dicus

The music of that song in my mind was the perfect accompaniment to the scenes which I saw and heard. Like a movie scene, it seems etched in my mind days later. I’m reminded of the observations of David. He said, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God’ (Psa. 90:2). He also wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psa. 19:1). Sometimes the most profound of truths convey themselves to us in the simplest of ways  a quiet, serene, pure and beautiful scene from the patio of a country home.

Make no mistake about it; I like the city. I like spaghetti dinners and large supermarkets. I like the freeways and noise. But it was refreshing to the soul to behold the wonders of creation. I am either growing insightful, or very old!

Guardian of Truth XL: 12 p. 
June 20, 1996