Shelby County Today

May 10, 2021 - Sitting for a meal with my parents (and five sisters and four brothers) brings back sweet memories. Daddy built a long bench on each side of the table and put a nail keg at each end for us to sit on.  Naturally, we all wanted to sit on a keg and had a good many scuffles trying to be the first to get there. The familiar call, "you kids come eat" was always music to our ears and we didn't have to be called twice.

We weren't allowed to eat the last biscuit, piece of cake, etc. and were forbidden to talk while food was in our mouth. We couldn't chomp on our food, take huge bites, play with our food, reach across the table or eat with our mouths wide open.  (It is obvious that this is an ancient story)

We were allowed to talk and encouraged not to rush through our meals. The interaction with my siblings and parents at the table is one of the fondest of my childhood memories. They sat down with us, talked about our day with us and let us talk to each other. There was no time limit except that we had to be done before bedtime.  

People who can sit thru a whole meal gorging…but never saying a word…are almost as repulsive as those who talk with a mouth full of food. .  I think Mother had it right: Talk at the table. Eat at the table.

But don't talk with food in your mouth.

May 6, 2021 - It was Mark Twain who said, “They did not know it was impossible, so they did it”. When you think about it, that is a very inspirational thought. It conjures up thoughts of perseverance, courage and accomplishment. It is amazing to think how many interesting and worthwhile things most of us could do, if we did not put mental handcuffs on ourselves.

When we are young, we are filled with dreams of the future, and of the idea of attaining great things in this life. Sometimes, failures are made, and after a number of failures, we become permanently discouraged, we become cynical and decide that we cannot really do anything worthwhile after all. And so it is, as we grow older, the lives of the vast majority are filled with “it can’t be dones”. Along with the statement of impossibility is a myriad of excuses for why it cannot be done.

How long has it been since you took stock of yourself? Are you bound down by the idea that you cannot accomplish those things you need to accomplish?

It is time for us to realize that with the help of the Lord, anything can be done! It was Paul who wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) We need to eliminate from our vocabulary the expression “It can’t be done”!

It’s something to think about… tbp

Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com

May 3, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the 5th Sunday of Easter. Springtime has come to East Texas! The temperatures have warmed into the 80s, and we have had plenty of spring rain. My garden looks so good. I notice when I am driving around how pretty people’s roses are this year. My roses have been fantastic. I don’t know if it is really true, but it seems that the best-smelling roses have the most and meanest thorns (should be a life lesson in there somewhere).

Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum under our masks, but no vigorous singing! This week our songs were related to each other. We started with “Song of Joy,” by Julio Iglesias. I heard it for the first time while in the car heading to Louisiana, Missouri, many summers ago and liked it so much my daughter found a CD for me. As you can tell from the title, Iglesias’ song is based on “Ode to Joy,” AKA “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” that is in the Methodist Hymnal. The words were written by Henry Van Dyke and put to the music of Beethoven. The two songs made nice “bookends” in our service.

Our Sunday School lesson was from Exodus 33 & 34, where we are treated to conversations between God and Moses. We see that Moses feels comfortable speaking to God about his questions, doubts, and fears. Our author says that one of the key themes in the Bible is God’s faithful presence. The risen Christ of Easter assures us that God will always be at our side in our living as well as our dying.

We are marching toward the Day of Pentecost. This religious holy day comes to us from our spiritual foremothers and forefathers of Judaism. These fifty days leading to Pentecost, referred to as Eastertide, give us a chance to explore the meaning, not only of death and resurrection, but also of God that we see in Jesus. When we sense God in Christ, we realize that God has everything to do with compassion and empathy. In my sermon I continued to focus on John’s first letter, Chapter 4: 7-21. Last week I tried to speak to what God is like. John the Elder refers to God as unknowable, certainly the eternal mystery. And John says if we can perfect the love that flows from God by loving others with great compassion, then we will know who God is.

Compassion, empathy, and love are what Joaquin Christian Services is all about. Last week, when I took our April donations—toothpaste and toothbrushes—they were busy handing out much-needed and -appreciated boxes from the Farmers to Families program. It is always such a pleasure to see these volunteers doing God’s work! In May, we will be collecting cans of fruit.

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, and Open Minds.” 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.

April 28, 2021 - The annual Sardis Cemetery Homecoming and Fish Fry will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 beginning at 11 AM. Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be available for $10 per plate. All proceeds will benefit the upkeep of the cemetery and grounds. We are encouraging our young folks to get involved.

The annual business meeting will follow the fish fry about 1:30pm. The CHURCH building has had some structural damage inside that was caused from foundational issues. To restore it will require funds that we do not have at this time, therefore, we are asking for your help in the form of donations from the community or anyone interested in preserving the building. Additional donations are also necessary and appreciated to help with the up-keep of the cemetery.

Any donations can be mailed to Sardis Cemetery, 6034 FM 414, and Center, TX 75935.