The Mind May Forget but the Heart Remembers

Brother Melvyn Amrine was a pastor and church planter in Little Rock, and across the country for many years.  Now 83, he was diagnosed with Altzheimer’s Disease about three years ago and usually spends his days sitting just inside the garage watching the world.  His wife of over 60 years, Doris, was inside preparing for a ladies prayer meeting and went out to check on him.  She was panicked when she found him gone.  She called her daughter who called the police and an alert was issued.

Mel was about two miles from home when he was spotted by Sergeant Brian Grigsby and Officer Troy Dillard.  He could not tell the officers where he lived but was adamant that he was going to get flowers for his wife for Mother’s Day the next day.  He had bought flowers for her every Mother’s Day since their first child was born.  The officers said they had no choice.  Mel was not going home.  He was going to get flowers for his wife.

The officers radioed in that they had found the missing man and would take him home.  But first they made a stop at Home Depot.  The flowers were not the right kind; Mel wanted cut flowers.  They went on down the street to Kroger where Mel knew exactly what he wanted.  When he stepped to the cashier to pay for the white roses, he did not have enough money.  Both officers reached for their wallets to pay the difference.  Officer Dillard was just a little quicker.

Doris and the ladies had been praying that Mel would be found and rejoiced when the call came that he would soon be home.  Doris, however, was not very happy that Mel had walked away.  But she said when she saw the officers and Mel and the flowers and his big smile coming up the walk, her heart broke with thanksgiving.   “It’s special, because even though the mind doesn’t remember everything, the heart remembers.” 

This touching story, already shared around the world, reveals the heart of a man with enduring love for his wife.  It also reveals the kind and caring hearts of two policemen who appear to find joy in helping.

Rousing Rally in Support of Biblical Marriage

The following blog post is by Family Council staff member Deborah Beuerman.

An auspicious group of laymen, elected officials and over 100 Christian pastors in sharp black suits from around the state gathered on the steps of the Capitol to take a stand for the biblical principle of marriage between one man and one woman.  Motivated by the judge’s ruling last week that redefined marriage, the group presented a united front to honor God and His Word, calling same-sex “marriage” a sin and wrong.  Leaders were careful to reiterate God’s love and their love for people, but hatred of sin.

The national anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance recited, and to a loud chorus of “Amen” “Halleluiah” and clapping hands, the men passionately prayed and presented the statement of the Ecumenical Coalition of Faith Leaders of Arkansas:

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27–28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well-being of society.

We believe that term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of conflicting opinions or trends in society. Therefore, as the Ecumenical Coalition of Faith Leaders we stand against the lifting of the ban on same sex marriage and call for the ban to be reissued.

The church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women,” always reminding church members of their “obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.”

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church.

After the joyful and animated singing of the hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” the group began to disperse.  It was the type of meeting that leaves one uplifted and wishing for just a little more.

How encouraging and exciting it was to be in the midst of these courageous men who dared to step forward and stand for their beliefs!  Would that we would all join them in the cause to stand firm for marriage as instituted by God, and to stand strong against the homosexual agenda perpetuated by one judge choosing to ignore the will of the people of Arkansas.

The Battle Is the LORD’s

The following blog post is by Family Council staff member Deborah Beuerman.

David was a young boy whose task it was to tend his father’s sheep.  His older brothers usually were in the field with him, but they had been called to fight the war with the Philistines.  The word from the battle front was that things were not going well for King Saul’s army.  The enemy had a secret weapon—a giant man—who intimidated and daily challenged his opponents to send one man to fight him.  The Israelites trembled in fear and no man would step forward to what they all assumed to be death.

Jesse was concerned about his sons and sent David to take them food and find out how they were faring.  David was there to hear the daily taunting from the giant, Goliath, and was amazed saying, “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”  David went to Saul and volunteered to fight Goliath.  He took his staff and put five smooth stones in his shepherd’s pouch and went out toward Goliath with his sling shot in his hand.

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