Shelby County Today

April 22, 2019 - The night of June 3, 2005 was hot, humid, and dry.  The drought conditions in deep East Texas had continued unabated all year.  Both man and beast were in search of cool air and wet water.

As deputies for the Shelby County, Texas Sheriff Department, my partner and I patroled the county, checking the security of businesses, churches, residences, and schools.  On this particular night, we were driving through Blair, a community on the far western side of Shelby County.  We pulled into the parking lot of a small Baptist church located right off the Farm-to-Market highway.  As we drove up to the church, suddenly an animal ran from under the church into the trees beyond.

Although we had gotten only a fast look, we identified the animal as a female fox. She gave a glance back at her intruders as she disappeared into the pine trees behind the church.

Larry and I mused that the fox was probably hot and was using the church crawl space to rest and cool off. Then, suddenly, a young fox peered at us from the church crawl space opening. He seemed not to be very afraid of us as he ventured outside the entrance and stared at us.  

The little fox probably was hot, hungry, and thirsty. Larry had brought along a sandwich to eat later on during our shift.  He eased out of the patrol car, opened the back door, and got half of his sandwich. He moved toward the small fox, talking to him gently. The fox retreated back into the safety of the church while Larry placed the sandwich on the ground at the entrance.
Then Larry found an old bowl, and filled it with water from a nearby water hose, and set it beside the sandwich.

After retreating to our patrol car, we sat and watched as the young fox came out of hiding, gulped down the food, and lapped up the water, ignoring his audience only a few feet away. Then he just stood there watching us intently long enough for us to take several pictures of him.

I left a note on the front door of the church advising them that they had a family of foxes living under their church.

Each time we were in the Blair community, be would stop and check on our fox family. We saw the mother a few more times, and the young fox began to run from us. His mother probably gave him some lessons about the dangers of humans and how to avoid them. Eventually, they were both gone, but they served as an interesting break for us while on patrol.

A church member jested that the two fox were baptized, and were never seen at church again. Seems I have heard that before.

"I remember the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother …" 2 Timothy 1:5

April 22 , 2019 - When I conducted a funeral last week in Center, Texas I visited with Brother Ed McCrae who works part time at Mangum & Sons Funeral Home. When the name "Sister Richards" came up, I asked if he remembered her. “I sure do," he smiled. "She brought me into this world." Then I recalled that Mother had once told me that my grandmother was a mid-wife and had brought many babies into the world.

Most folks called her Sister Richards but she was "Mama" to all of her grandchildren. She preached from the age of 18 until shortly before her death at 84. We lived a field and two barbed wire fences from her in East Center for several years and we visited Mama often. She would meet us at the door and immediately ask, "Are you children hungry?" She always had food on the table (covered by a table cloth) and some cold biscuits for Uncle Billy Gean to make his onion sandwich when he got home from school.

When Mama and I worked in her garden she'd whisper, "Thank you, Jesus… Thank y0u, Jesus...” Mother called one day to tell me that Mama was in the Center Hospital seriously ill. When I got to her room, she was in a coma and Mother was kneeling by her bed. I tearfully whispered, "Mama, thank you for helping us all these years." "I love you, Mama".

She crossed the Jordan a few days later. I don't know if she heard what I told her that day… but she knows now… and she knows I meant it…

… with all my heart.

April 18, 2019 (Article originally run November 16, 2016, "Amazing Sacrifice") - A young girl who had cancer was in dire need of a blood transfusion. Because of the rare nature of her blood type, donors were few and far between.

However, she had a little brother who was seven years old who had the same blood type. His parents explained to him that if his sister didn't get the blood she needed, she would die. They also told him it was his choice if he wanted to give her his blood. The boy thought for a while, then with a big grin on his face said he would do it if it meant saving his sisters life.

So the big day came for the transfusion and the boy jumped up on the table with a big smile on his face. The nurse asked him why he was doing this and he proudly stated that he was giving so his sister could live. The transfusion started and the boy kept smiling and joking with his parents and the staff of the hospital. A few minutes into transfusion the nurse went to reassure him that it would only be a little while longer.

The boys facial expression changed as she spoke and she could tell he was concerned. Then with a timid voice the boy asked the nurse, " When am I going to start dying?" It wasn't until then that everyone realized he thought he had to give her ALL of his blood. They realized that this seven year old boy had made the commitment in his mind, that he was willing to die so that his sister could live.

Its one thing to give your life for someone you love but to give your life for someone who doesn't know you takes an even more extraordinary person. When Jesus went to the cross for us two thousand years ago you may not have been born yet but he knew who you were. He died for you that day because He loved you even then. "A greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13) You see whats so good about Jesus sacrifice, is that death for you and I died that day. That sounds kind of strange but Jesus actually "killed" the power that death had over us by dieing in our place. Paul quotes the prophet Hosea in 1 Cor. 15:55 describing what Jesus did that day when he said, "O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?"

Another thing that makes the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us so amazing, is that the veil that separated man from God was torn open and now we no longer have to offer blood sacrifices for our sins because the perfect "Lamb of God" was sacrificed in our place. No longer does one have to worry if he has done enough to get into heaven. Romans 10: 9-10 reveals to us the truth that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Just like the boy in the story was willing to do for his sister, Jesus willing did when he went to the cross and died for you. That's what makes Jesus sacrifice so amazing. All you have to do to experience the fullness of the grace He gave us that day is to confess, believe, and accept Him. He loves you that much.

I'm just Sayin,
Mike Belgard

April 8, 2019 - The community is invited to a Block Party at Portacool Park on Saturday, April 20, 2019 hosted by First Baptist Church of Center. The event is from 12noon until 2pm with food, games, and an Easter Egg Hunt!