Sacred Treasures

Below are excerpts from the book, Sacred Treasures, by Arlis M. Murrell, which is being sold by the congregation of The Way of Holiness church for $8. If you would like to purchase the book after reading some or all of these fine examples, please contact the church secretary at (304) 472-5727.

The Call to Ministry
Poems
Songs
Stories
Sermons
Church History

Foreword
The poetry, songs, stories, and sermons contained in this book have all been inspired by God, by whom all gifts are given. James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." Therefore I give all credit to God for this talent.

When God gives one a gift, He intends it to be developed and used for His honor and glory.

I first began writing poetry in my second year of school. My teacher had asked all the pupils to write a poem on a certain subject she had given. My poem was chosen; she wrote it on the blackboard.

From then on I realized I had this gift and have continued to use it through the years giving thanks to God, the giver of all good and perfect gifts.

It is my desire and prayer that all who read this book enjoy as they read the same anointing of God which I received as I wrote.

Giving all the praise and glory to God!
Arlis M. Murrell




The Call to Ministry
I was called into the ministry by God in the year of 1961. I was thirty-one at that time, the mother of three children. The oldest child, Darlene, had just recently passed away at the age of twelve. My husband and I were broken-hearted but were comforted to know she was with God since she was saved and baptized in the Holy Ghost at the age of seven. My other daughter, Sherry Lee, was eight years old and it was also a traumatic time for her, for they deeply loved one another and were
inseparable. My baby son, Jerry, was about eight months old. He was later called into the ministry himself and, through prophecy in 1985, became the pastor of our church, "The Way of Holiness."
The church my husband and I had attended for about twelve years turned away from scriptural doctrine and practices. We began holding prayer meetings in our home and prayed desperately that God would . . .

Foreword
The Call to Ministry
Poems
Songs
Stories
Sermons
Church History

Poems
He Walks this Valley with Me
As I walked through the valley one dark dreary day,
My sad heart was filled with despair;
My eyes were too blurred with the tears I had shed,
To notice the flowers blooming there.

As I trudged through the mud and was pricked by the thorns,
I stumbled and fell to my knees,
Then I felt the soft touch of hands bruised and torn,
As they tenderly lifted me.

And there in that dark gloomy valley,
Stood Jesus, the blessed Son of God;
"Fear not, I am with thee," he whispered,
"For this is the valley I trod."

"My heart once was bleeding and broken,
When those whom I loved turned me down,
I was beaten and mocked, then they hung me
And with sharp cruel thorns I was crowned".

"But soon my dark valley had ended,
I arose from the cold, cruel grave,
I arose to tops of the mountains,
With glory and power to save."

As He spoke, oh, so gentle, and soothing,
It shamed me that I should complain,
"Forgive me" I prayed, "Make me worthy,
To suffer for Your precious Name."

Then He bound up my wounds and my tears wiped away,
And suddenly my vision was clear;
For there in the mud, why lo and behold,
The most beautiful flowers appeared.

For He is the Lily of the Valley,
The blessed Rose of Sharon is He,
And I'll praise Him forever and ever,
For He walks this valley with me.

Foreword
The Call to Ministry
Poems
Songs
Stories
Sermons
Church History

Songs
Are you Walking in His Name

There's a name I love to hear,
There's a name I hold so dear,
How it thrills my soul
and sets my heart aflame,
When the storms of life assail
it's a name that cannot fail,
Are you walking in His name?

Chorus:
If you're walking in His name, walking in the royal way,
What a privilege, you have everything to gain,
It's so glorious to be in the royal family,
Are you walking in His name?

Jesus is the only name,
He's the one to rule and reign,
There's no other name
by whom we can be saved,
He can heal the wounded soul,
lift you up and make you whole,
Are you walking in His name?

There's no other name I know,
that can save a dying soul,
At the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow,
There's a people right today,
who are coming in His name,
They're preparing for Him now.

There's a people strong and wise,
they will never compromise,
They are not deceived,
they know the devil's game,
They will not be taken in,
for they are complete in Him,
They are walking in His name.

Stories
Polly comes home
Arlis Murrell is still thanking and praising the Lord for the return of her lost parakeet, Polly. One Saturday morning while her daughter Darla answered a neighbor's knock at the door, Polly took her flight.

Arlis called one of the members of the church, Betty Husk, and asked her to help pray for the bird's return. The whole day went by and still no sign of Polly. Finally at seven o'clock that evening while visiting with her son, Jerry, and his wife, Tammy, they received a phone call. And believe it or not it was Betty Husk with good news about Polly! She found the parakeet right in her own front yard, perched in the tree. Betty's grandchildren called her attention to the little bird. Betty called to the bird which flew to her immediately and lit on her shoulder.

This was an answer to prayer and a notable miracle. First of all, the bird flew from Island Avenue to Florida Street which is about a mile and a half away. Secondly, God directed it to the very house of the one who was helping to pray for its return. Thirdly, the bird never takes up with strangers yet it went straight to Betty when she called to it. God is surely concerned and cares even for the little birds. Matthew 10: 29, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without touching your Father?" Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

Foreword
The Call to Ministry
Poems
Songs
Stories
Sermons
Church History

Sermons
A Giving Spirit
Jesus, God's only begotten Son, left the portals of heaven with all of its riches and glory and became poor that we might become rich and inherit salvation through His death on Calvary.

He gave His all for us that we might have eternal life and enjoy all of the riches and glories of heaven; "though, He was rich, yet, for your sakes, He became poor" (II Corinthians 8:9).

Yes, Jesus had a giving spirit, and we, as Christians, should be a reflection of Him by giving to others.
Is the true meaning of Christmas smothered out by greed and selfishness as all people, and even some who profess Christianity, seek to satisfy their own desires while . . .




Church History
A brief history
In 1960, Arlis and J.B.Murrell were conducting prayer meetings in their Akron, Ohio home. When their group grew to twenty-five members in May, 1961 they rented a store front at 817 Johnston Street. This became the first home of "The Way of Holiness" Church.

A few years later, in 1964, the Murrells sought out a more permanent location at 641 South Arlington Street in Akron. For the next fourteen years, the church grew in members and developed fellowship relations with many other churches in the area. During this time, the Murrells helped establish other churches in Canton, Ohio, and Pikeville, Kentucky, and assisted in street meetings.

"The Way of Holiness" Church made its way to Buckhannon, West Virginia, in 1978. Several families came with Arlis and J.B. to assist with its formation. The church's first home was in the old schoolhouse on Turkey Run Road. As the church grew . . .