Shelby County Today

July 29, 2019 - Every day we are besieged by claims of racism in every media. If one differs in belief to anyone who is defined as being on the “left-side of the isle” then he is falsely labeled as being racist. Let us look at the word “racism” and see what it actually means according to the dictionary. 

Racism- “Prejudice or discrimination against others.” I would submit to you that there is but one race on earth, the human race, comprised of two sexes, male and female.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) 

If God created only one race, then how can any man have prejudice and discrimination directed at one another? Because it's not racism, but hatred that we see so vividly displayed each day. The word hate is defined; “Intense hostility or aversion to another, often a systematic politically exploited expression of hatred for another person.” Oh my, I think we have found the truth here.

First, there is only one race, the human race and all are part of it, no matter the nationality, color or creed, all are given their humanity by the living God.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.” (Romans 10:12) 

God created all men and all men equal, making no distinction between the different breeds of humans. Yes, breeds, the description of the word “Breed”; “A category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits.” That my friends is how we get the various colors of humans. 

It’s the same race, the human race, simply different colors whether white, black, brown, red, or yellow, we are all of the same race and are seen exactly the same by our God. As the human race we must learn to see one another as God sees us, by the color of our hearts and not the color of our skin!

May God Bless All.

July 29, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother, Jesus. What an unusually mild week for July we enjoyed last week!

Unfortunately, like all good things, the nice temperatures and low humidity can’t last. I had a busy week last week. Monday I had a doctor’s appointment in Shreveport. On Tuesday, I went to Dallas to take our granddog back to our daughter. While in Dallas, I got to visit with my kids and my brother and sister-in-law. I also went to a bookstore and a plant nursery. Then on Thursday, I drove to Kilgore to meet Sue. We had tickets to the Texas Shakespeare Festival for two plays, Othello and a modern one, Anything Goes. We had dinner at Jack Ryan’s Steakhouse. When we got back to Joaquin Friday evening, it seemed I had been gone for a month. The only things missing from home, though, were our dog companions, who vacationed at All God’s Creatures while we were gone. I got busy getting my sermon and the bulletin ready for Sunday—and picked up the puppies on Saturday. 

Our Sunday school lesson was another of Jesus’ hard sayings. Matthew 7 begins with “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.” The lesson deals with self-examination in the light of God’s truth and love. Jesus shows us how easily our judgment is impaired by deception when we focus on others’ shortcomings and fail to see our own. Ms. Fannie had us all wishing to be slower in our race to judge others!

The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday was Luke 11: 1-4, where we see the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray—like he does. What is now called The Lord’s Prayer is found in this scripture and also in the Matthew Gospel. The personal, intimate way Jesus refers to God is what makes The Lord’s Prayer unique. He uses the Aramaic word “Abba,” the informal, personal form of father—more like papa or dad. Many theologians I have read say that until we can come to understand this love affair God has with us, we will not begin to understand the nature of God.

We had a short business meeting before our worship time. The church members voted to send $500 to the Tenaha Youth Center to help with their good work. We also approved scholarships for two people who want to continue their studies in nursing. It was wonderful to see Ms. Hilda. Last weekend she was at a school reunion, having a great time. 

Last Thursday the loyal folks (except for Sue and I, who were in Kilgore) headed to Lakeside Assisted Living for our ministry there. This week we gathered all of July’s canned spaghetti and ravioli to donate to Community Christian Services. In August we will collect socks and underwear for students returning to school. Decades ago at the Joaquin Methodist Church, this was the first of the collections for Christian Services, beginning with Gayle’s suggestion of Undie Sunday. Later we added monthly donations for other needed supplies.

Our worship time is 10:00 AM; 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 24, 2019 - When we were in Austin a few years ago, we realized that they had revived a relic from the past and installed parking meters on Congress Avenue. These were different from the ones I remembered from my younger days when you put your penny, nickel or dime into the meter and they registered your time. These took plastic and printed you a sticker to put on your windshield.

Yet, I started thinking about those old parking meters, and how people would drive around to try and find a meter that still had time left on it and park on someone else’s nickel. Then I thought, you know, there are a lot of folks who try to go through life on someone else’s nickel.

You see, there are a lot of people who are directly or indirectly benefitted by the church in their respective community who make no contribution in any way to its building or program of work. Now, bear in mind these folks would not want to live in a community without the church. The tragedy is they assume the church can live on their good wishes and are quite willing to let others furnish the cash and labor for the church to go forward and continue its program of work.

So, here is the question. Are we going through life, expecting the church to always be there for us but never willing to do anything for the church? Are we doing our part or are we parking on someone else’s nickel?

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.

July 23, 2019 - Lydia Baptist Church on FM 139 in Huxley would like to announce their vacation bible school!

Monday, August 5th through Friday, August 9th 6pm until 8:30pm each night. Classes for ages 3 years old through 12th grade.

This epic African adventure engages the whole herd. At Roar, kids explore God’s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life.

For more information, please call 936-368-2462.