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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
May 2, 2017 - Jackson Cemetery Homecoming is Sunday, May 21, 2017, at the Jackson Missionary Baptist Church at 10:45am. Worship service with message given by Br. David Long will be followed by a brief informative report on the Cemetery upkeep. Afterwards, we will have lunch and fellowship together as is the tradition of the homecoming. If unable to attend, donations may be mailed to:
Jackson Cemetery Fund
P.O. Box 15
Joaquin, Texas 75954
May 2, 2017 - The Beatitudes are a collection of blessings pronounced by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount. These blessings give all who heard or now read, a look into the Kingdom of Heaven.
And he opened his mouth and taught them saying;
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:3)
The poor in spirit being those who realize that they are in need of God's help. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who confess their need for Jesus as Lord.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matt. 5:4)
Understanding the spiritual loss that sin has caused each of us, brings mourning from those who do confess their sins and accept Jesus as Lord.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matt. 5:5)
To be meek does not mean to be weak, no, to be meek means to be "gentle in spirit" not asserting oneself over others for one's own benefit. To be meek, means to trust God for all our needs.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matt. 5:6)
Those who hunger and thirst for a relationship with God will be satisfied by their admittance into the kingdom of heaven and an eternity to be spent with the Lord.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matt. 5:7)
In 2 Corinthians 9:6 the Lord says that those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly. Meaning that mercy will be shown you by the same level of mercy that you show to others.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt 5:8)
The pure in heart are those who pursue the righteousness of God. Their hearts are not corrupted by the world and they will enter the kingdom and see the Lord.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matt 5:9)
Those who promote the heavenly peace of God shall be called peacemakers and sons of God for it is they who shall reflect the image of God to those who they meet each day.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:10)
When one is treated wrongly because of their faith in God and yet show that they value God above man, God is pleased, and they shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matt 5:11-12)
Since time on earth began those who do God's will have been persecuted. Jesus was receiving this same persecution as he taught and spread his gospel. We too must remain faithful, even in the face of death.
Jesus also gave the people that day and gives us today, the following encouragement; "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (Matt. 5:14-15)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)
It is for each of us who are born-again in the Spirit of God to stand as beacons, shining the light of the gospel of Jesus Chris into the darkness of this world.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day.
May 2, 2017 (Flyer) - Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church of Huxley will be hosting their Spring Revival on Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th. There will be a Fish Fry on Saturday at 5:00pm followed by worship at 6:30pm. Services will be held at 11:00am and 6:00pm on Sunday. Guest speaker will be Rev. Billy Smith of Emory, Texas.
Bro. Smith is the pastor of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Saline, Texas. He has served God faithfully as a bi-vocational pastor for over 40 years. During that time he has pastored 5 churches in East Texas. He is self-employed and has a servant’s heart for the wellbeing of the rural church. His desire is to see smaller churches grow spiritually and numerically.
He has been married to D’Andra Smith for 46 years and together they have 2 sons, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren all of East Texas.
May 2, 2017 - Many Americans are unaware that they live in a nation that has a law in place requiring our President proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year on the first Thursday in May inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. (Public Law 105-225)
As citizens and residents of the United States we not only have a spiritual responsibility according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray, but a civic duty as well to heed our President's call to stand in the gap for our nation. This is based on the understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
The theme this year is: For Your Great Name's Sake! Hear Us... Forgive Us...Heal Us! Taken from Daniel 9:19, which says, "0 Lord, Listen! 0 Lord, Forgive! 0 Lord, Hear and Act! For Your Sake, 0 My God...".
Center's National Day of Prayer Observance will take place this Thursday, May 4 at 7:30 am at the Senior Nutrition Center on Loop 500 with a prayer breakfast. Donations for breakfast will be accepted and all proceeds will pay for the meal. Any profits will support the ongoing ministry at the Senior Nutrition center. This event is sponsored by Center's Ministers' Fellowship.
May 1, 2017 - Sunday was the Third Sunday in Easter. I am doing a series on the many stories that people have told in the past, stories that are being told, and stories yet to be told. Last Sunday I focused on those first century Jesus followers who experienced the Risen Lord. From the women who went to the tomb, to those traveling the Emmaus Road, to those behind locked doors and windows—with and without Thomas, and the fishermen who experienced the Christ on the shore of the Galilee. What wonderful stories they told! Each of these early stories set off a new way of looking, experiencing and understanding God and changed the Western World.
This past Sunday my scripture came from Acts 2, usually one of the scriptures used at Pentecost. The verses chosen come from Peter’s first sermon. We know from the New Testament that Jesus said Peter would be the rock upon which he would build his church. But if we look at almost all the other gospel stories, they tell a story of a man who looked to be a poor choice. One would certainly question Jesus’ wisdom when he spoke up for Peter. But the Peter after the events of Holy Week is a much different person.
Even though Mrs. Hilda was rehabbing after a stroke, her “army” gathered together to carry on her mission at Lakeside Assisted Living last Thursday. Joyce Hughes agreed to be the accompanist; she also played a special and worked up the program. Her granddaughter Tori Windham did some specials and sang with others also. Nora “sang a book” with a John Denver song; Gene sang “Morning Has Broken,” along with Tori and Laura. Ollie read a poem and a short article, Sue read an Ogden Nash poem, and Laura did Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Fannie not only read the legend of the sand dollar, but she also passed out sand dollars to everyone in attendance. Maggie emceed the whole shebang, making spiritual links to different parts of the program. And at the end, Margie stood to thank those putting on the program—for carrying on in Mrs. Hilda’s stead. It was a feel-good time, although Mrs. Hilda absence was certainly felt.
“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!
April 25, 2017 - Begin your day in prayer at the Annual Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 7:30a.m. at the Senior Nutrition Center.
Donations accepted for Breakfast. Event sponsored by the Center Ministers’ Fellowship.
May 1, 2017 - There will be Mass on Friday, May 5 at 6pm to welcome Fr. Nelson. Following Mass there will be a covered dish dinner. All are encouraged to attend.
Thank you,
Fr. Jose Luis
“What thy hands find to do, do it with thy might…” (Ecc. 9:10)
Willie came this morning to do some painting for us. He arrived at 8: oo sharp as he always does but his 20-year old helper came dragging up an hour late with his hands in his pockets and mumbling excuses.
It’s a good thing he wasn’t working for my father-in-law, Oley LeDoux. Oley has worked for the same company in Sulphur, La. for 56 years and says they never hire anyone who comes for a job interview with their hands in their pockets.
My Dad, one of the world’s hardest workers, told my brothers and me to keep our hands out of our pockets and to work for our pay. But times have changed and we now have a generation of lazy parents spawning a brood of lethargic hand-warmers.
My Pastor told me years ago that the world didn’t need any lazy preachers and advised me to never preach with my hands in my pockets. I never have…
…and never will.
April 28, 2017 - Spring is certainly showing off with its many beautiful colors and various shades of green. It is, as always, the perfect season to stop and reflect on treasured memories and how blessed we are. Our loved ones will be honored at the Willow Grove Homecoming on Saturday, May 6, 2017. It will be a day of fellowship, fun and food. It is also the time of year we contribute to our cemetery fund. We find it our responsibility and honor to pass on this tradition and our heritage to our children.
We will begin the morning with a stroll through the cemetery. Our group meeting will begin at 11am followed by a pot luck dinner in the Willow Grove Fellowship Hall. Everyone contributes dishes and everything is always most delicious.
If you were unable to attend last year, but will this year, you will see our new addition to the cemetery. The new six-foot directory allows anyone to walk up and locate their family gravesite by name and grid. We have gotten many compliments on it and its usefulness. As always, we spotlight Lennis Holt for taking care of the back forty. We also appreciate Bill Davis for keeping the inside grounds so nice. If you see them be sure to thank them!
We are hoping you will make the Homecoming this year. Should you not be able to and would still like to contribute please make checks payable to: Willow Grove Cemetery Fund and send to Willie Edwards, P.O. Box 71, Joaquin, Texas 75954. His telephone number is 936-269-3236.
April 27, 2017 - Mt. Mariah Baptist Church is having a Pastor and Wife Church Anniversary for Pastor Author Cloudy and First Lady LeVarie Cloudy on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 3pm in Garrison, Texas.
Guest speaker will be Pastor Marlon Cloudy of Abundant Love Ministries, Center. Everyone is cordially invited to celebrate with us.
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