Shelby County Today

September 30, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. Fall has come but you really can’t tell yet. I am so ready for some cooler weather, but summer just refuses to let go her grip.  Sue and I went to Monroe last Monday to visit Sue’s Uncle Eddie. We had a really good visit; Eddie seems to be doing quite well, although older like the rest of us. Sue’s car is in the shop, meaning we were down to just one vehicle—so I missed Sunday School this morning. We had a nice “crowd” for church (double digits).  We held a business meeting to approve all the reports and a new budget for 2020. Our Charge Conference with Dr. White is next Saturday at 2pm, which is also Tenaha’s homecoming. We have been collecting macaroni and cheese this month for Community Christian Services, and in October,  peanut butter and jelly.

Sue read the Gospel lesson for Sunday from Luke 16: 19-31 about Lazarus and the rich man. On earth, the rich man had everything while Lazarus suffered. But when the two men died and went to Shoal, the tables had turned. As our affirmation of faith, we recited the ecumenical version of the Apostles’ Creed. In this version, after Jesus’ death on the cross, he descended into hell. I remember as a youngster reading this with the congregation at Trinity Lutheran and giggling that we got to say a “bad word” during worship. When I was at Millsaps College, our professor had our class read this creed aloud and asked us why Jesus went to the land of the dead. After a few feeble attempts on our part at providing an answer, the professor said, “To proclaim the Good News, of course.” I guess that is what Paul means when he says that not even death can separate us from the love of Christ. 

In the Old Testament lesson, Jeremiah is instructed to buy some real estate in what had once been Judah.  That purchase for the future seemed to say that God had not given up on Judah and Israel, that hope was still alive even if it was on life support. Paul, in the first letter to Timothy, urges Timothy to take hold of the life that has been given and truly—really—live!   Larry McNeil gave me the March 16, 1959, edition of Time magazine that had the great theologian Paul Tillich on the cover. The article tried to explain some of Tillich’s very complicated theology. I am going to have to re-read the article again (and again) and then find my copy of The Courage To Be, but I did endeavor to explain some of Tillich’s ideas in my sermon.

Because of our Monroe trip, I didn’t write an article last week. But in both weeks, we had a nursing home program, with the help of our friends as usual.  For both Holiday and Lakeside, I emceed, with scripture and anecdotes, and Minnie played piano.  Nora sang “The Savior Was Waiting,” “Peace like a River,” and “To God Be the Glory.” Stellar accompanied herself on guitar with “One Day at a Time” and what she called a “parlor song” about the end of a perfect day. Gene sang “Blessed Assurance.” Pastor Sarah discussed loss, using her own misplaced ring and the parables of the lost coin and sheep. Sue read Amigos: Among Friends, “Stomach Ache Supreme,” and Cornfield Hide and Seek. We are so grateful for those who come to help bolster the singing and the friendly atmosphere: Hilda, Margie, Maggie, Jo, Peaches, and Stellar’s mom were all on hand.

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.

September 26, 2019 - Why do we live in such a mad rush? Why have you been racing about all day, as though today is your last day on earth? Why do you sit and pat you foot impatiently when your telephone call is a little slow going through?

The answer, of course is always, “there is so much to be done, and so little time!” And it is true. However, have you ever heard the old saying, “Rome was not built in a day”?

Jesus had the burden of the sins of the world on His shoulders, and yet, He said to His disciples, “come ye apart into a desert place, to rest awhile.” Jesus knew they could not crowd every day and every moment to the brim without losing some of the peace and relaxation they needed for their real goal in life.

When Jesus and the disciples passed through Samaria, Jesus was weary, so He sat down by the well to rest, while His disciples went away into the city to buy bread. He took the time to take little children into His arms and bless them.

To a group of disciples with the most stupendous task before them any group of men ever had – evangelizing the whole world – Jesus said, “Consider the lilies”. Take time out to notice the beauties of nature and draw some conclusions about God from them. Take the time to meet God at His house for Bible Study and Worship on the Lord’s Day. Don’t live in too much of a hurry.

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

September 25, 2019 - Logansport Missionary Baptist Church will be having revival service Oct.7-11 at 7pm each evening. The evangelist will be Bro. Hayden Wilkes. Come join us in hearing God's word.

Specials are welcome. Church is located on Hwy 84 in Logansport,La. Pastor is Bro. Joe Walker.

September 22, 2019 - “Thus it is written,” that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47) These words Jesus spoke to this disciples just before he ascended back to the Father in heaven. He opened their minds that they could understand the scriptures and he prepared them to be filled by the Holy Spirit, strengthened by him, that they could then go forth boldly preaching his gospel of grace and mercy. This same gospel of the love of Jesus Christ is to be taught today the same as it was in the first century AD. This gospel says that there is no other way to salvation but through our Lord Jesus Christ as he says himself.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John14:6) This is that no man can buy his salvation nor can it be earned through good works toward others, no, it must be given by the great mercy of the Father as a gift for accepting his Son, Jesus Christ as one’s own Lord and Master.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

The wonderful blessing, the reward for believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. The blessed hope of eternity spent in heaven in total harmony and unity with the Father and the Son and his Holy Spirit. But still, this is done only through faith in Jesus Christ and not by anything one can do for himself.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Some would now say, “but, this says we are created for good works” so can we work our way into heaven? 

NO, good works are actually the fruit of the Spirit given us by the Father for accepting his Son as Lord. These “good works” are to live our lives as examples of the goodness of Christ Jesus. Spreading the gospel of our Lord through our words and deeds each day of our lives on earth. These are works/deeds done as a result of our salvation and not to gain our salvation. Our works are our lives, which are to reflect the love of Christ to all people, to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves as we show the love of Christ to all that we meet each day.

It is by our words and deeds each day that Christ Jesus is known by the world. The responsibility of all Christians, to show the world the love of Christ through our lives of service to him.