It shouldn't be at all amazing or even strange that my readers to Hugh's News would continue to write about their cherished memories of Brother John W. Swails after a week since he was buried. That is a natural and a vital part of the grief process that each one of us must work through in our thoughts and feelings. Death has a way of reminding us all of the brevity of life, and that one day we will give an accounting to Almighty God for the way we have lived our lives. May God help us!
When I was in the third grade in public grammar school, now called elementary school, my homeroom teacher challenged me to learn whole chapters in the Bible. What a gift she was to my young mind, eager to learn and memorize. She apparently knew that what I learned as a child from memory would never leave me as long as I lived. Her name was Mrs. Mary Livingston. She, also, taught me the Palmer Method of cursive writing. At one time I was a member of the Good Writers' Club of America. But college, seminary, and graduate schools helped eradicate that beautiful style of writing as I attempted to take down everything my professors said in their lectures. The speed with which I was required to take down what they said helped to change my writing skills, except when I slow down and try to write properly.
Mrs. Livingston was a Christian and just happened to be a Baptist. In fact, she taught Sunday school in her local church. I will always love her for what she taught me. One of the chapters she had me to learn was Psalm 1. I would like to associate this great psalm with the life and legacy of Brother John W. Swails, Jr. I memorized this psalm in the King James Version, the only one I knew as a child. As you read it in this translation endeavor to visualize Brother John W. Swails our beloved professor of Bible and friend to all of his students at Emmanuel College, and for those who were his students at Southwestern College in Oklahoma City, notwithstanding those who heard him preach or teach in Bible conferences, camp meetings, and revival services in local churches.
Psalm 1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
KJV
If you are parents of young children may I suggest that you consider tapping into their memory bank by encouraging your children to memorize whole chapters in the Bible. Not only will they hide the Word of God in their hearts, but it will enable them to learn better and be aware of God's presence in their lives. It is vital for all of us to remember God is in our lives and He wants nothing but the best for us.
The Psalmist gives us guidance in these matters when he wrote:
Psalm 119:9-11
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
KJV
[Editor's Note: I hope you have observed how I honor the Word of God. When using the words Biblical, Scriptural, or the Word, I will always have those words in the upper case. I minored in English literature in college, and I remember that once I got a B- on a paper I turned in because I did not capitalize Biblical, Scriptural and the Word. I normally made A's. I went to my professor, Dr. Robert Bass at Furman University and asked him why he rated me down. He said, "Hugh, God has called you to be a minister of the Gospel and a preacher as well as a writer. You must show reverence for the Bible, Scripture and the Word of God. I never want you to forget that." Today, I am so grateful for a professor who would correct me and change my thinking forever. May God bless the memory of Dr. Bass and Brother John W. Swails, Jr.]
Posted on
Tue, June 22, 2010
by Hugh Morgan