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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
October 23, 2019 - When we meet Moses in Exodus chapter 4, he is 80 years old. He has spent 40 years in Egypt, growing up in the household of Pharaoh and 40 years in Midian, herding sheep for his father-in-law on the back side of nowhere.
He had a stammering voice and some serious self-esteem issues. There was nothing about his physical appearance or disposition to make him outstanding as a leader among men.
But, when he submitted himself to the Lord, when he allowed God to direct him, he became mighty in the history of the people of God. You see, God can take the little things and change them into something great. God asked Moses, “What is that in thy hand?” Moses answered “A rod”. Something that was simply a stick in the hand of Moses by the power of God became the force that brought the plagues on Egypt, divided the Red Sea, brought water from a rock, and won a battle when Moses used it as God directed him. Little things, when placed in the hand of God become great things.
David’s sling and five small, smooth stones by the power of God were able to slay a Philistine Giant. Five loaves and two fish that belonged to a small boy became enough by the blessing of the Savior to feed five thousand.
We must be willing to take our talent, our ability and commit fully to God and become an instrument in the hand of God to do great things to His glory.
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, or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 23, 2019 - Cecily's family shares the story of her battle with brain cancer from the early days of her illness until the bitter end in a book, 'Cecily's Hope: A Story of Faith, Hope, and a Courageous Cancer Battle.'
'Cecily's Hope' releases on Amazon on October 24, 2019.
Regina Raymond, Cecily's mother, said, "My daughter Cecily was an amazing young lady who fought a battle so great it was exhausting. She had the most amazing faith and love for God. This is a story of love and faith and the little brown eyed girl we love so much. She touched many lives with her battle and I hope to make her proud."
The book is part of the CRG Ministry which was created to fulfill Cecily's dream of bringing people closer to God with her battle of brain cancer!
Cecily was diagnosed with brain cancer, as a senior in high school, in 2008. That tumor was removed and she received radiation and chemo. Cecily went on to graduate with her class, just as planned! Cecily recovered well and went on with a very happy life! But in 2014, just a few short years later, her cancer returned, she began her battle and 16 months later she became a glorious Angel in Heaven!
Cecily's aunt, Kim Adams, explained it was a conversation Cecily had with her family of her desire to share her story and to fellowship with churches, groups, businesses, or any organization. Cecily started the book during the early days of her illness hoping to be the one to share but wanted her family to finish the book and her ministry in her absence in celebration of her life!
The CRG Ministry was started to fulfill Cecily's desire. Other missions of the ministry is Cecily's Closet which includes giving Christmas toys; SHS Scholarship; coloring books, crayons, and stuffed animals to children's hospitals in Houston; and bibles.
To learn more about CRG Ministry, visit online at crgministry.com
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith! - 2 Timothy 4:7
Cecily fought the fight, she lost the battle, but won the war... because she kept the faith!!!
October 23, 2019 - Pleasant Grove MBC is having their Fall Fest on Saturday, November 2nd! There will be Games, Candy, Food, Cake Walk, Photo Op, Hayride, and Campfire! Come join us for great food and fellowship! We would love to have you and the family. Kids are welcome to still wear their Halloween costumes. For more information, please call Bro. Josh Crawford at 572-5303, or find him on Facebook. God Bless you all.
October 21, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. The past week has been really nice—pleasant temperatures and some much- needed rain. I hope autumn hangs around for a long time—until January or February would be fine by me! Saturday night we got an unexpected rain shower. It didn’t last all that long, but we had an inch in our rain gauge.
Thursday was the flu shot clinic at the Joaquin Community Center. The Joaquin Senior Center uses the Joaquin Community Center every week day and they, along with the local Quick Care, sponsored the clinic. Those who got their flu shots were invited to lunch with the seniors. Each weekday the Senior Center provides a meal for seniors at the Center. They are not funded for “take out” or “meals on wheels.” There is no paid staff: The four volunteers—Lynn, Doug, Delores, and Sue—plan and prepare meals Monday through Friday and keep the Center open from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Many seniors come early and stay late to play dominoes, and on Friday a big group comes to play bingo.
It was Homecoming week at Joaquin. The Ram football team won a hard-fought victory over Timpson. Hard to believe I have been retired from the school business over ten years. We live close enough to the football field that we can hear the play-by-play of the football games (our dogs are not amused). Tenaha had its homecoming a couple of weeks ago, and several of our church members attended various homecoming functions.
Larry McNeil, who attends Paxton Methodist, has a real passion for Texas history, especially Shelby County history. In the old McNeil/Brown Drug Store in downtown Tenaha, Larry set up a display of one of the classes that went through Tenaha schools. He has had several displays; it is worth the stop to check out local history. I have heard many glowing reports about Ms. Fannie’s talk at the Shelby County Historical Museum. She spoke about the beautiful historic court house on the Center Square, which she shares with pride and knowledge.
Several of our members give to the East District Second Mile Club. The money that the Second Mile Club collects from donors goes to small churches in the East District of the Methodist Church who have big repair or other financial needs. I have finally put together a phone directory for Paxton Methodist. I have been working on it for awhile and thought I was going to have to change the title from 2019 Directory to 2020 Directory. Finally I got them put together and handed out at church. We are so small that the directory part only took one page. Sue took pictures of the folks at church and Sunday School, and we added those along with the church’s mission statement and some pictures of the church. That was the hard part—technology and I don’t always agree.
Last week was our ministry at Holiday Nursing Center. I had a doctor’s appointment in Shreveport so Sue headed up the program. Minnie played everything that was thrown at her. Pastor Sarah talked about a nature walk she took, tying it to appreciation of even God’s smallest creations—and to Genesis. I missed Nora singing one of my favorites, Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” but she says she’ll do it again this week. She also shared a quote from Mother Teresa and hand-clapped the group through “Do, Lord.” Sue read two short pieces—“A Bee in Her Bonnet,” from Country Woman magazine, and Ten Turkeys in the Road, a comical picture book. Hilda and Margie were on hand to help with the singing, and Bobbi, Holiday’s new Activity Director, joined in also. This coming Thursday we head to Lakeside Village Assisted Living for our monthly program.
Ms. Fannie had a great Sunday School lesson. Gene read the scripture from the Luke Gospel about Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus. Jesus tells him that he must be born anew. Nicodemus has all the advantages possible in his culture and society, but there still remains a “chasm” between him and God. I am always amazed how our Sunday School lesson ties into the scriptures for that particular Sunday.
The Old Testament Lesson for Sunday came from the part of Jeremiah that is called The Book of Consolation. Jeremiah tries to get them from doom and despair to hope and promise. Once again God is going to “covenant” with his people. But this time God isn’t going to write the Torah—“The Way”—on stone tablets but into the very heart and soul of people
In the Gospel Lesson from Luke 8: 1-8, Jesus tells about the persistent widow who confronts a corrupt judge. The widow did not give up until eventually the judge came around to justice. And we can tell that widow never gave up on God! In the New Zealand Anglican Church, after the Gospel has been proclaimed, the reader says, “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.” I really like that.
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.
What is God’s glory? Can it be seen, one might ask.
October 21, 2019 - Yes, all will see it one day. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to rule the world, all will see his glory, at once.
The Israelites saw the glory of God at Mount Sinai as God came down on the mountain to talk to them. All could hear his voice and see his glory on that day.
God told Moses to prepare his people for the third day forth, that on that day he would come down to them to speak to them so that they would hear God speaking to Moses and that they would then believe him, Moses, forever.
“On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.” (Exodus 19:16)
A spectacle so dramatic that the people trembled in fear at the sights and sounds of God.
“Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.” (Exodus 19:17-20)
WOW!!! What a scene that had to have been that morning. To see and hear the glory of the Lord, to experience the mountain shaking, the trumpet blowing, and the voice of God Almighty resounding over the land.
Another time as the ark of the covenant was brought into the temple of Solomon, the priests brought the ark into the holy of holies in the temple.
“And then the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” (1 Kings 8:10-11)
All who believe confess in the mystery of godliness which says; “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
One might ask today, ok, that’s great, the glory that the people of old saw in their day, but, will I ever see the glory of God for myself. The answer is, YES, all will see the glory of God when he returns, with his own, to rule the world.
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)
And yet, the greatest time of glory will come when all are at home in the Kingdom of God, in heaven, as John explains to all what he saw in his vision of heaven.
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light, will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, its gates will never be shut by day - and there will be no night there.
They will bring into it the glory and honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:22-27)
The answer is yes, all who walk with the Lord will live in his glory for eternity in heaven. Blessed be the name of the Lord…
October 18, 2019 - Get ready for food, fun, fellowship and games because Thursday, October 31 is Hallelujah Night at Center Christian Fellowship. It is a community wide event. The night of excitement will begin at 5:30pm and be over at 7pm. It's a Christian alternative to what the world calls “Halloween.”
It is free, free, free! This years theme is “Fall in Love with JESUS.” Everyone is invited to come and enjoy. Every child that comes will receive lots of candy.
The night of excitement will take place at Center Christian Fellowship located at 2471 U.S.Highway 96 North, Center, Texas. We would love for you to come.
There will be a "Trunk or Treat” with games and candy, hayrides, face painting, outdoor movie, hot dogs and more!
October 18, 2019 - Hillcrest Baptist Church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat October 26 at 5pm.
Hillcrest Baptist Church is located at 901 Southview Circle in Center
October 17, 2019 - “Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood.” (Psalms 73:17)
The value of attending the public meetings of the church is a matter of dispute in the minds of many people. There are some folks who go to church regularly while others do not go at all. Then there are those who are in the services occasionally on days like Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day.
What is the merit of going to church? Does it help? Is the outlook of the regular church goer different on other points from the outlook of those who do not go to church or only go occasionally?
In the passage above, the 73rd Psalm, the Hebrew poet expressed himself on this matter. He had almost given up trying to do right. He saw the prosperity of the wicked and envied them. He saw the ease of the sinful and wondered why he must be burdened.
Seeing these things he had about decided that God didn’t care. That conclusion is fatal to spirituality. Then one day he went up to the sanctuary of the Lord – that is, he went to church. It was here he got his bearings again. When he left, his feet were on firm ground. He understood God’s plan when he went to church. Why not try it?
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 www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 16, 2019 - Abundant Love Ministries Center, TX cordially invites your church, choir, praise team, or praise dancers to a Pre-Anniversary Celebration Musical honoring Pastor Marlin and Felicia Cloudy.
October 19, 2019 6:30pm come and join us in lifting up the name of God
For more information please call Diania Calhoun (936) 591-7203.
October 15, 2019 - First Baptist Church of Center is hosting a Life Saving Blood Drive on Thursday, October 17 from 10am until 2:30pm in their fellowship hall. Contact Theresa at 936-598-5605 to sign up!
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