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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
June 13, 2018 - I can hardly remember not being a dad. I have been one now for almost 40 years to five beautiful daughters. I have to admit it has been a challenge at times but has never been a job that I have taken for granted. It requires lots of patience, time and mostly love. I would like to share with you today the responsibilities I have learned over the years from men in my life who were great fathers. Maybe this will help you as it has me, to be a better father.
Fathers have three main responsibilities.
1. You are the protector of your family. It is your responsibility to provide your wife and children with security. They should always know that you have their back. When asked in a survey of women, "what is the most important need you would like from your husband," the number one answer was security. Your wife and children should always feel safer when you are around, and you should always be around. You are to protect them people who want to harm them, protect them from an unhealthy home environment, protect them from unhealthy ideologies, protect their future by teaching them how to be self sufficient. Be the man who stands in the gap for them. Our family should be able to echo what the psalmist said in Psalms 4:8, "I will both lie down in peace and sleep; For you alone make me dwell in safety."
2. You are the Provider for your family. God calls on all fathers to be providers. We are to provide for all the needs of our families. We live in a day where mothers and wives are doing a lot of the providing for families but ultimately if you are a father and husband it is your responsibility to provide for those whom you have been entrusted by God. He give a very harsh warning about this in 1 Timothy 5:8, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This goes to the old saying any male can produce a child but only a real man can be a true father to a child. What do you provide? Food, Shelter, security, finances, time. Do not neglect your responsibilities as a father. Provide for all your children. Even those who may not live with you. If you are a man and you have fathered a child and are not taking care of it the bible says that you are "worse than an unbeliever." Man up, and become responsible for your actions.
3. You are the Priest of your home. Contrary to popular church culture of the day, it is not moms responsibility to make sure that the kids are grounded in the Word of God, it's the fathers who have been given this charge. Deuteronomy 6:4-7, "The Lord our God is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Men do be afraid to talk to your children about the Lord. It is your responsibility. Model your life after Christ as much as possible and be the loving, caring, father to your children that Christ has been to you.
When we truly understand our God ordained roles as fathers and husbands, our families can live in a home that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Isn't that what we all pray for ?
I'm just saying,
Mike Belgard
June 13, 2018 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club will meet Monday, June 18th, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church at 11:30am. Our very own Bobbie Nutt will present the program about her many years at the Dairy Queen.
Visitors are always welcome to join us for a delicious covered dish luncheon, a good program and time of fellowship.
Submitted by Linda Anderson
June 13, 2018 - The Called Out Church is having a Yard Sale Thursday June 14th, Friday June 15th , and Saturday June 16th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hwy 96 north, Across from McAdams Propane.
All proceeds go towards Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry.
"Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” (Isaiah 59:14-15)
June 12, 2018 - How true do these words of Isaiah from so long ago ring today? Where can one find truth or righteousness in the world today?
For when anyone stands against the evil forces in this world, he is immediately ridiculed and make to look as if he is the evil instead of those who are persecuting him.
As we see the great injustices being perpetrated in America and around the world we must take heart and know that there is a time coming, which we do not know, when all will be reconciled to the Lord God. A time when all will be judged and repaid for their works on earth, both good and evil.
Let us as followers of the Most High God remember this and have faith in him who controls the universe, knowing that he will take care of his own, that no one or no thing can separate us from the love of God, that only our own lack-of-faith can do so.
“According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;” (Isaiah 59:18)
For all those who profess alternative life styles to what the Bible teaches, he will bring wrath, but to those who follow his words and his will he will bring an eternity of bliss, lived with him in the new heaven.
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
Wow!!! The very things we see that the world is full of today. The earth is controlled by Satan and his works are in full bloom for all to see and take part in. I warn you, stay away or perish and suffer for eternity.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Is this not what you seek, the joy and peace that the world cannot give you?
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:24-26)
May you walk with the Lord today, may you be redeemed by our Lord this day and may his grace and peace be yours forever…
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18)
June 12, 2018 - Sunday was the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was overcast Sunday morning, and the talk was about the possibility of some rain. Later Sunday afternoon we got almost 2 inches at the Smith house! We really needed it—my yard and garden sure appreciated it. I enjoyed not having to drag hoses around, watering various garden spots.
We had our usual crowd this morning. The Sunday School lesson focused on some of Jesus’ Kingdom parables from Matthew 15: 1-9. The three parables dealt with the good seed and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast. These parables point out how often the Kingdom may appear small, but the Kingdom of justice and peace will prevail.
Isaiah 5: 1-7, is a love poem or ballad called “The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard,” depicting Israel and Judah as the unfruitful vineyard. God is the owner who has provided everything needed to produce good tasting grapes; even so, all Israel and Judah produce are bitter harvests. The scripture goes right along with our Sunday School Lesson about justice. In the last part of verse 7, the scripture says, “God expects justice, but there was bloodshed; righteousness, but there was a cry of distress.” Of course, this isn’t just speaking to Israel: We see our own wrongdoing in these same verses.
Joe and Hilda teamed up as they do each week to bring us our music. Ms. Hilda played “Precious Lord,” one of my favorite hymns, as the offertory
During the month of June we are collecting toilet paper and paper towels for Community Christian Services. This Thursday we head to Focused Care for our program of music and fellowship.
“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. Godspeed.
Randy & Sue Smith
June 11, 2018 - It’s that time again! The annual Pleasant Grove Cemetery Homecoming is just around the corner. Please mark your calendars Saturday, July 7, 2018 for this important event.
- 10:30 a.m. - Visiting and walking the cemetery, if desired
- 11:30 a.m. - Business Meeting
- 12:00 noon - Lunch
- 1:30 p.m. - Singing and/or continued visiting on the picnic grounds
You may mail contributions to the following address: Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Jackie E. Grant, 269 CR 1505, Center, Texas 75935.
Pleasant Grove Cemetery is located behind Pleasant Grove Church on County Road 1470.
June 11, 2018 - Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church will be having revival services at 7pm Monday, June 11th through Wednesday, June 13th.
The evangelist will be Chris Gardner.
“He was lost and is found…” Luke 15:32
June 11, 2018 - In the summer of 1980, Mother called her ten children to tell us our dad was missing. His habit for years was to rise at 4:00, drive to his Water Superintendent’s Office in East Center, and return home at 8:00 for breakfast. But this day he didn’t return.
We asked J.M. Warr to fly his plane over the Jericho area and look for his truck. (Daddy made frequent early morning drives down these peaceful roads). Meanwhile, family members frantically searched the myriad of Sand Hill roads, but found no trace of Daddy. But on the second day of searching, we received a radio message from J.M.’s plane: “I’ve spotted Henry’s truck…it’s on a hillside in the Snow Hill community.”
When we finally located the right road, we found him lying about twenty yards from his truck. His mattered eyes were almost swollen shut and fire ants covered the bleeding cuts on his face and arms. As I leaned over him weeping, he weakly raised his hand and whispered, “Son, don’t worry….I’m alright”. He then desperately clutched the cup of water we’d gotten from the nearby spring.
We later learned that Daddy had stuck in deep sand as he returned from a drink from the spring. But as he jacked up the back of the truck, the jack gave way and the truck backed over him as it rolled downhill. He intermittently gained consciousness during his two days in the scorching sun and had almost given up any hope of rescue. To our great joy, a few days in the hospital made him almost like new.
Our dad passed away in 1983. And I know if I were able to ask him today how he is, he could reply to me again:
"Don’t worry, Son… I’m alright.”
June 11, 2018 - Mt. Herman Missionary Baptist Church will have revival services beginning Monday June 11th through Friday, June 15th. Services will be at 7:00 each evening. Evangelist will be Bro. Hiram Melton. Pastor is Bro. R.B. Elumbaugh.
June 8, 2018 - Mega Sports Camp sponsored by First Baptist Church, Shelbyville is set for June 8-10, 2018 for kids who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade.
Location and drop off for the camp is at the picnic tables between the S.W. Carter Elementary School and the Middle School. The camp is from 9am until 3pm on June 8th and 9th and from 1pm until 5pm on June 10th. Family night cookout and awards is June 10th.
Early registration is available on Facebook (Mega Sports Camp Shelbyville) or 5:30 to 7:30pm on June 7th at FBC Shelbyville.
Campers will get to choose 4 sports: baseball, softball, basketball, roping, cheer, dance, golf (3rd-5th), stacking cups, football, sports crafts, or fun time sports.
There is no charge for the camp and lunch and snacks are provided.
Contact Rob Merriman for more information at 936-590-9161.
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