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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
July 10, 2019 - Sometimes, I read things that are just too good not to pass along. I don’t recall where this came from, but it needs to be shared.
It seems that the preacher had just concluded a hot and scathing sermon on the sin of swearing. He had stated several times that he knew that one of his hearers was guilty.
The Services ended. The worshippers one by one filed out the door. The first to go was a woman never suspected of using foul language. With a red and angry face she exclaimed, “I’ll never darken this door again!” Before the astonished preacher could recover from the blast, another said, “Well preacher, if I had known you were near last week, I would have been more careful.” A third said, “I think that you might at least have come to me privately about it, rather than telling it to the whole church.” A fourth remarked, “I was never so embarrassed in all my life.”
Then came the real culprit – the one at whom the preacher had aimed all his remarks. With a bland and innocent smile, he grasped the hand of the preacher and said, “Brother, that was what I call a real sermon. You certainly did pour it on them today.”
Sadly, I have met that individual more than once over the past 50 years of preaching.
It’s something to think about…..tbp
Join us for worship this coming Lord’s day at the Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texa
July 10, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother Jesus. We are in the midst of Ordinary Time, and it sure feels like an ordinary Texas summer. We have had a wetter and milder summer until the last week or so—but here come the heat and humidity! I am watering every day; even with this effort, some of my perennials just wilt under the heat of the sun. I would say I am not really complaining—but I am!
It is hard to believe that we are in July, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Fourth. There were plenty of fireworks around where we live, so my dogs were not happy. They must think people do strange things in the name of entertainment. We celebrated Communion, as Sunday was the first Sunday of the month. We also started collecting cans of spaghetti and ravioli for Community Christian Services. This last week, I took a back seat full of paper towels and toilet paper to CCS along with a couple of checks. We at Paxton Methodist are really pleased to do our little part for this great ministry.
We had a really good Sunday school lesson, “Jesus Teaches About Fulfilling the Law.” The scripture came from Matthew 3, where Jesus talks about people needing to be the salt of the earth. Our lesson showed us just how important salt was to ancient people. This was also another reminder that the great rabbis or teachers said that the greatest law was to love God and to love our neighbors.
We had a nice crowd for Paxton Methodist. Liz and Evie joined us—so nice to see them. Evie is such a grown up! Joe wasn’t here this morning, and we hope he is feeling better. Gene selected our songs and served as song leader. Liz sure makes our congregational singing sound really good. We always appreciate Hilda coming to Paxton to play the piano (hearing a second sermon in the process), The sermon scripture was the Epistle Lesson found in Galatians 6: 7-10. Paul tells the Jesus followers to never get tired of doing what is good. Later, John Wesley urged his followers to do all the good they can in all places they can.
Last week was our monthly ministry to Focused Care, and did we have a crowd! Sue and I found ourselves in the middle of a heavy rain on the way; when we arrived, they were already singing “Count Your Blessings.” Note to self: Heavy rain, good. Hilda was a lively presence on the piano and later in the program did a solo of “Beulah Land.” I emceed, telling anecdotes between songs, including our family’s struggle to understand “English” when we were in Scotland. In honor of the Fourth of July, we sang several patriotic songs, and Theresa passed flags out to all in attendance. Fannie also read some patriotic pieces for this special time of the year. Jo read a cute little poem called “Don’t Worry,” and Sue did The Cafeteria Lady from the Black Lagoon, part of a humorous kids’ series, Nora graced us with “It Is No Secret What God Can Do” and followed with the short song on the facing page. We’ve gotten used to having Margie helping us out even when we’re not at Lakeside, and she was front and center at Focused Care. She says it’s Mrs. Hilda’s influence (which is likely why we’re all there). We had a newcomer last week: Pastor Sarah joined us, even though she had just moved in the day before! She introduced herself with a little biography and lots of feel-good. We finished with our usual “God Be with You ‘Til We Meet Again” and the benediction.
Our worship time is 10am; we would love to have you come to worship with us. I know how very busy everyone is: Our early meeting time enables you to move on to family get-togethers or jobs afterward. Not to mention naps, which my wife says are best on Sunday afternoon. Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here.” Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist you can send me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
July 8, 2019 - In 1984, I moved to the Vinton Big Woods Magnolia Baptist and became their Pastor. I moved into the parsonage… on a remote dirt road in an almost untraveled part of Southwest Louisiana. I was overjoyed to live in this quiet community of people.
I loved all my surroundings. I was only a mile from beautiful Bearhead Creek—and only 25 miles from Holly Beach, Louisiana on the Gulf. But there was something else that became one of most treasured surroundings: a backyard Black Gum tree. This is one of America’s most beautiful native trees, and it is one of our best shade trees. The one I saw that October day was in striking fall color. Summer leaves are a dark green with a high-gloss appearance, but the most spectacular part of this tree is the fall foliage with its many shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple and scarlet. When I saw my tree, I picked up a beautiful fallen leaf, photographed it, and saved it in my computer.
Our church grew, and we saved $20,000 toward building an Education Building. My friend Bobby Spross, agreed to bring his team of builders and construct our building--- labor free. So our Building Committee met to make plans. When Lawrence Mitchell said we’d build the wing on the south side, I immediately told him we couldn’t. His quick reply was, “And why can’t we?” “Our black gum is in the way,” I replied. “Then we’ll cut it down,” he barked. The argument took off and we finally decided to wing off to the north side. It took a while for Lawrence to accept our plan, but we soon had the building done.
Last year I went back to Magnolia Baptist to deliver the Homecoming sermon. The old parsonage had been moved, but when I walked to the back… there it was... our beautiful Black Gum tree… still standing tall…
… and more beautiful than ever.
July 8, 2019 - There is an often asked question, “Oh where will I be when Christ returns to this earth, when he comes again.”
To be with him throughout eternity we must first be ready for his return, eagerly awaiting his coming and the rewards of being faithful to him throughout our lives on earth, we must first put on the new self, the Christian heart and live for Christ as he died for us.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
On the day of Pentecost, that glorious day when the Holy Spirit came to guide the faithful. Peter preached to the masses saying, “This Jesus God raised, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:32-33)
Peter made this statement of Jesus’ deity from his own personal witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. An eye witness to it all.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)
To first put on this new self, to be faithful to Christ as we still must live on earth in the midst of its corruption and sin we must follow the scriptures as they tell us, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
And then Paul gives us the true magnitude of Gods hate of all sin as he tells us why the wrath of God is coming on the earth.
“On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:6)
WOW!!! Don’t tell me that God is so sweet, so loving that he doesn’t really hold our sins in account, for he does. For as he is loving he is also just and true to himself.
“In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put on the new self, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:7-10)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called, in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Have you put on your new self? Do you wait patiently for the coming of the Lord? Will you run to meet him when he arrives? Only you can answer these questions, but to know that you are ready for his coming they must answered and done.
May his blessings be yours this day and forever.
July 5, 2019 - There are very few who are unaware that Pentecost was the birthday of the New Testament Church. However, there never would have been Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the Apostles had if the upper room had been like the habits of so many in our day and time. If the attitude of the upper room had been like today, then the New Testament record might have read like this:
“The meeting was called for the first day of the week; but so many things interfered that of the company of 120 only 40 were able to be in attendance. Peter and his wife had bought a cottage on Lake Galilee and were away from the hot city over the weekend. Bartholomew had guests and of course could not come. Philip and his family had been up late the night before and overslept. Andrew had a business conference about a new fishing boat. James had to stay home and cut the grass.”
All of that raises a question does it not? If the church would never have been born under those circumstances, then how can it possibly survive, much less grow under those circumstances?
That’s why people need to be part of the local church and involved in the work of the local church. Until members of the body of Christ contribute a sense of vitality to the Lord’s church, the world will continue to heckle our “faith” as a popular indoor sport.
So, how much responsibility do you feel toward the local church?
It’s something to think about… tbp
Join us for worship this coming Lord’s day at the Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas
July 3, 2019 - Pastor and Wife Anniversary Service honoring Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr. and Sis. Larissa Coutee will be held Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 3:00pm at the Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Guest speaker is Pastor Derrick White of the Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas. Join us as we celebrate the servants planted at Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Dinner will be served.
July 3, 2019 - Patroon Baptist Church Yard Sale July 12-13 pulled pork sandwich, chips and water for $7 during the sale!
Indoor yard sale, proceeds for our youth.
July 2, 2019 - Come enjoy sitting on "The Porch" at Smyrna Baptist Church in Huxley, Monday, July 8, 2019. Guest Speaker is Blake Lewis, Middle School Minister, at 1st Baptist Church in Haughton, LA. He has a passion to share Jesus with everyone, especially students and young adults. Please bring kids from 8 to 80. Refreshments served at 6:30pm and worship begins at 7pm. Awesome Music Leaders are Paul, Brittany, Bryan and Abigail. Everyone is invited to 'Come and Receive' a blessing! Bring someone! Jesus loves you!
July 2, 2019 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville, TX 133rd Church Anniversary July 14, 2019 at 2:30pm
Guest: Dr. Freddie Wilson and the St. Paul Baptist Church of Center, TX
July 2, 2019 - We the Pastor and Members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville would like to invite you to our Annual Building Fund program Sunday, July 7 at 3pm.
Our Guest Speaker will be: Rev. Archie Tinsley of The Calvery Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, TX.
Everyone is invited.
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