Shelby County Today

July 10, 2017 - In the fall of 1962 I became Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, Texas. On my first Sunday at the church, Deacon Thamar Dickerson walked into my study and as he held  his thumb in front of my face, said, “Brother Doug, my name is Thum-mar Dickerson”…and for an obvious reason, I never forgot his name. I never forgot his squirrel dog “Yeller’s” name, either. “She can’t bark, he said. “But she’s the best squirrel dog in the State of Texas.” And after a few hunting trips with Thamar, there was no doubt that he was right.

Thamar and I became close friends and he took me to all his best hunting and fishing spots. But we had a bitter disagreement at a committee meeting one night and he began missing church services. When I told Deacon Homer Bishop about the problem, he said, “When an eagle’s wing is broken, it may learn to fly again but will never soar as high.” I was just getting over a bad case of flu when the doorbell rang one morning. It was Thamar. “Want to go squirrel huntin’ today?”, he asked. ”I hear they’re stirring at the “S-Curve.” When we got to the canal lateral, the foot log that we always crossed on had fallen in and the water to wade was thigh –deep. “Get on my back”, Thamar said. “You could catch pneumonia.” As soon as we crossed, Yeller ran wide open into the woods and within minutes returned, jumped up on Thamar’s legs and began whining. When Thamar said, “Where is he, Yeller?”,  she led us into the woods to a white oak tree with a fat fox squirrel just waiting for us.

By God’s grace, the eagle did fly again…and soared as high as ever. And during my remaining six years at Mauriceville, Thamar and I hunted and fished often together. He crossed the Jordan River many years ago and did not cross alone. Thamar added many happy memories to my life. He was a good friend.

…..a good friend, indeed.

July 6, 2017 - Special Visitors from the Holy Land at First United Methodist Church Bible School

Sunday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 12 Center FUMC will be visited by David, who fought the giant Goliath; by Priscilla and Aquila, who traveled with Paul on his mission trips; by Deborah, who was a judge in ancient Israel; and by Jesus’ disciples – maybe ALL of them! Come join us and learn what God’s people DID in Biblical times and what God’s people DO in our current times!!

Children entering Kindergarten through those entering 5th grade will enjoy good food and fellowship, singing, making a variety of crafts, and learning about living the Christian life as they listen to the stories told by these Christians from Biblical times.

6pm through 8pm each night. The church is located on Porter Street in Center.

For additional information, call 936-598-2707.

July 6, 2017 - At the first constitutional convention the men who crafted the document that has defined freedom for the last 200 years knew where to draw there wisdom. They were at an impasse in there negotiation of the document when a well respected man in the group who was known for his ability to persuade people with both the written and spoken word, stood up and addressed the group. He requested that the group separate for three days in which they would pray and fast, then come back together and  again work on the document. They agreed,and after three days returned together and with the wisdom of God in their hearts. Ben Franklin, George Washington, and the other writers of The Constitution Of The United States penned the document that established the country that became the greatest provider of freedom and liberty that the world has ever known.

You see the founding fathers knew something we seem to have forgotten today; that it is impossible to be free without the help of God. Some people don't even realize that they are slaves to anything. But all of us are slaves to something. Some to work, some to addictions, some to our "things," some to our bodies, and the list goes on. All these things that we allow to bind us up, hold us as slaves. We allow ourselves to be lured into slavery by the bait of "more money, more fun, more pleasure, more fame, and more things" and before we know it we are slaves to those things. The more we struggle on our own to be free the more we become entangled until we give up and just start accepting our circumstances.

But there is good news. We have a redeemer who can set us free. If we trust Him , He promises to rescue us from our chains. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 "If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Here are three things you must do to be set free:
1) Recognize what you are a slave to. In the Alcoholics Anonymous program one of the first steps toward recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Once you realize your bondage you can work on getting out of it. When we confess with our mouth God is faithful to forgive.
2) Abide in His word. Be not only hearers of His word but also doers. Start reading the teachings of Jesus and do what He says.
3) Allow Him to set you free. Quit struggling to free yourself and let God take control of your life. In Jn 8:36 Jesus says "Therefore if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed."

Our freedom in this country was bought with the blood of those who died to insure that we would no longer be a slave to anyone. Our spiritual freedom was paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who can set you free and get you started on a new life. Trust Him and you will live the life of freedom and independence you have always dreamed of.
                                                       
                                                       I'm Just Sayin
                                                       Mike Belgard

July 5, 2017 - “In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (Psalm 56:10-13)

The song of praise for salvation, the song to be sung by every believer in thanksgiving to God for his mercy and grace given to those who submit to his will and wishes. God delivers us from the penalty of sin that we may fulfill our vows to him. He delivers us that we may be his face on this earth, that through our lives others will see the joy of living in Christ Jesus. He truly delivers our souls from death, though the body will die the souls of the saved will never perish but will rejoice throughout eternity in praise to the living God and we will walk in the light of the Lord forever, amen…

When we come upon trouble and strife in our daily lives on earth we have a place to which we can turn for refuge, a place the lost can never find.

“Be merciful to me, O God. Be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1) 

Yes, in the arms of our Lord we find our refuge from those who would destroy our souls. All we must do is to call upon the Lord for protection from the evil one.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me, God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness.” (Psalm 57:2-3)

All the believer must do when in need is to cry out to the Most High God for help, for God hears the prayers of his saints and he uses our weakness to show his mighty strength, through our weakness he is made strong. He will send his love and faithfulness whenever one of his own is in need. It is our job to call on him in prayer, to call in his will that we can receive his grace and mercy in our time of need.

The Christian has a rock, a fortress, that no other can call on, but we must ask if we are to receive. We must be of steadfast heart, believing in God’s power and ability to do anything which he so desires.

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” (Psalm 57:7)

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” (Psalm 57:9)

We are to carry the gospel of the Lord Jesus to all nations, giving thanks to the Lord for all things and spreading his word across the land. That is our commission, our duty as his children, to take his word to all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That is his command to us.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:11)

Yes, Lord Jesus, let your glory be over all the earth and all peoples.

May the blessings of the Lord be upon you this day, may you know the joys of living in the light of the Lord each day.