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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Psalms 111:9
February 27, 2017 - J. W. and I were students at ETBC in Marshall, Texas back in the fifties. We had several things in common: We were both ministerial students, drove '55 Fords, were both English majors and were both student pastors.
One Sunday he invited me to visit with him at his church in Weaver, Texas, (a small town in northeast Texas.) The building resembled many of the country churches of that time… a small sanctuary with two Sunday School rooms. As he walked me through the building, I called out, '"J", what is the seating capacity of the building?" He immediately grabbed me by the arm, pulled me to the side and whispered, "Doug, don't call me "J." "Call me "Rev. Baker"… "I want the people to respect me here." And since members were now arriving, I choked down my rebuttal for the time being.
As we drove home, I asked if he knew that Billy Graham never liked being called "Reverend". "'When Reverend" appears in the Bible," I said…" it is referring to God…not man". "People respect us by what we are", I insisted.
I haven't seen J.W. since we graduated from ETBC in the summer of '58. I heard he married a girl named Patricia that he called "the world's sweetest girl".
J. W. Baker was a good man and I have no doubt that he was respected wherever he went…..
….. Even by those who called him "J".
February 27, 2017 - The Shelbyville First United Methodist Church will have an Ash Wednesday service including the imposition of ashes on Wednesday, March 1 beginning at 6:00 pm.
February 23, 2017 - Short United Methodist Church is hosting an evening of Singing and Fellowship at 4:00pm Sunday, February 26, 2017.
There will be congregational singing as well as special music for all to enjoy. Bring a song or two and a covered dish. We look forward to seeing you.
For more information contact: Kenny or Lisa Harris 936-332-5619.
February 22, 2017 - There was an experiment where a group of children were put in a classroom. A teacher was chosen to go into that classroom and teach these children. However, before the teacher went into the room they were briefed on the children's behavior. The first was told that these children were good students and that they had exemplary behavior. When the teacher went into the room she walked in smiling with a pleasant demeanor. She was eager to answer the children's questions. When asked at the end of the day how it went she gushed at how smart and easy these children were to teach.
The second teacher was briefed on the same class but was told that the children were difficult to control and slow to learn. Her approach to the children was vastly different. She was very stern in her speech and gave only short answers to the children's questions. At the end of the day the second teacher appeared much more stressed and told the researcher how difficult her day had been with these children. The researchers came to the conclusion that the teachers attitudes toward their work and the children were directly related to the positive or negative information they received. Positive counsel produces positive attitudes and results. Negative counsel produces negative attitudes and results.
We can easily apply these same principles to our lives. Have you ever worked with someone who always says "that will never work" before they even try? What about those who are constantly complaining? They seem to always want to share their misery with everyone. If we are to be happy and productive, we need to avoid those who would speak negativity into our lives. Instead you need to seek out those who can speak positive things into your life. We can use the principles taught in the Bible to help us overcome negativity in our lives.
First, we can make sure that we do not ask people who have predetermined, negative ideas about things for counsel. King David tells us in the first Psalm, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields it's fruit in season, it's leaf does not wither . And he will prosper in all he does." In other words when you seek counsel from someone who is not a Godly person, you cannot get wise, Godly answers. But if you align yourself with those who are seeking God, you will most often receive wise counsel that is led by the Spirit. The Bible promises us if we follow this principle we will always be successful.
Second, we must speak positive encouraging words into other's lives. When we speak encouraging words to others it not only gives them hope, but helps us to maintain a positive attitude and wholesome spirit. "We are what we speak." Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for edifying (building up), that it may minister grace to the hearers." We must learn to speak good things if we are to expect positive results. Our words are powerful, and must be spoken wisely.
God loves you and He wants you to live a happy, successful, joy filled life. When you meditate on the love that God gives us in His word and share through positive words to others, both of you will "bloom where you are planted." Believe Him, trust Him, and surround yourself with others who do the same, and He promises to never let you fail.
I'm just Sayin,
Mike Belgard
February 22, 2017 - St. Johns Episcopal Church will have an Ash Wednesday service at 2pm on Wednesday, March 1st. Communion will be served by Father Bob DeWolfe.
Everyone is invited to attend. Located at 1063 Southview Circle - 96 South.
February 22, 2017 - Mt. Mariah Baptist Church cordially invites you to come and share in this great event to be held March 5 at 3pm.
11941 East County Road 3285 Garrison, Tx. 75946. Rev. Arthur Cloudy, Pastor.
Come one, come all!
February 21, 2017 - St. Johns Episcopal Church is having its annual pancake supper on Feb. 28th Fat Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm.
Located at 1063 Southview Circle-96 South. Everyone is invited to attend.
February 21, 2017 - Gates Chapel Baptist Church of Shelbyville will host its 104th Church Anniversary program on Sunday, March 5 at 2:30pm. The special guest speaker will be Rev. Marvin Jackson, Jr. of Clayton Temple, Timpson. Everyone is invited to attend says Pastor Frankie Cooper.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
February 21, 2017 - The great king Solomon, the son of king David brings us these words in the book of Proverbs, the source of many of the wisest words of the Bible.
King Solomon advises us against depending upon our own opinions, but instead to trust in the Lord and not ourselves.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
To make straight our path means to make our path shorter, more direct, an easier way to go. So by asking God for His help and leadership in all that we do we find ourselves having an easier time of navigating the path through this world. Acknowledge your own weakness and His strength.
As the old saying goes; "the man who has himself for his lawyer has a fool for a lawyer" so to is the man who "leans upon his own understanding".
"Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil." (Proverbs 3:7)
The wise man fears the Lord, for He is all powerful, controlling all things, at all times. As the model prayer says; "for your's is the power, the kingdom, the glory" these things, all power, all kingdom and all glory belong only to the Lord, it is His and His alone and He will not share His glory with anyone.
The person who thinks he is smarter than the Lord is indeed a fool and destined for darkness. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil so that you too may flourish and be fruitful.
No man possesses wisdom, wisdom is an attribute which must be found and it is only found through prayer to the Lord. When, as a young man,Solomon became king of Israel God asked Solomon what he would wish for God to grant to him. Solomon asked for the wisdom to govern his people with knowledge and understanding. "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore," (1 Kings 4:29)
Solomon understood what God had done for him and he used his God-given wisdom to rightly judge and rule over Israel all of his days. He wrote these words about wisdom and understanding; "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from "her" (being wisdom) is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold." (Proverbs 3:13-14)
If you find yourself floundering in a sea of despair, if the daily grind seems just too much to handle, stop what you are doing.
Sit for a time each morning, waiting on the Lord. Just sit and talk to the Lord as you would your best friend, for He wishes to be so. Talk to Him about your problems and troubles, ask Him for guidance and leadership and wisdom.
But first, if you are not saved, ask Him to save you, for the prayers of the unsaved fall on deaf ears.
Ask him to forgive your sins and to save your soul from hell, accept Him as Lord and He will redeem you. Gain the wisdom from God to navigate the straight path through this world.
May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you...
February 21, 2017 - Patroon Baptist Church will be holding a spring revival March 5 through March 8. Supper will be served each night at 6 p.m. and services will begin at 7 p.m. The revival will be brought by Bro. George Ross from New Hope Baptist Church. Patroon Baptist Church is located at 310 FM 2261 in Shelbyville.
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