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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
December 5, 2016 - Sunday was the Second Sunday of Advent. Last Sunday the theme dealt with hope and the need to be a hopeful people. Advent is certainly about hope and anticipating a better world with Christ coming into it. This Sunday the theme was peace—God’s peace—shalom. As one of the writers I read in preparing my sermon said, the coming Kingdom of God cannot engulf our world while there is so much fighting and hate in it. The Old Testament Lesson was Isaiah 11: 1-10 where we see the prophet promise that a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse. Jesse means “from God.” We Christians see this shoot “from God” to be the Human One—Jesus the Messiah. In our Gospel Lesson we hear John the Baptizer calling on everyone to repent and get prepared because the Kingdom of God is near. Like Isaiah, John is a voice in the wilderness calling for everyone to prepare the way for the Lord—to make straight the path for him.
In preparing for my sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent I came across this statement by Jack Rimer. Jack Rimer, Jewish theologian, in his book Likrat Shabbat, states that we cannot ask God in prayer to do something which is within the power he has already given us, so as to spare us the chore of doing it. That makes sense. It also tells us to not just be people of words but also people of deeds.
We started a new quarter in Sunday school, which means a new writer and a different theme. In keeping with Advent and Christmas, the first unit’s theme is The Savior has been Born. Fannie, using the story of the annunciation, stressed how Mary, just a young peasant girl, saw herself as the Lord’s servant. Her servant role is something that has been celebrated for over 2,000 years.
The Paxton Christmas Party is this Tuesday at 6:00, and we hope that many of our Paxton neighbors and other friends will join us for songs and stories. After the program will be finger foods. This year Joaquin First Baptist is organizing Christmas gifts and clothes for area kids. This is the first year that Community Christian Services will be heading up the Christmas effort after 25 plus years that Gayle and Christian Services have brought Christmas cheer to so many. Next Saturday, the East Texas Chopper guys will head up a toy drive and fundraiser at First Methodist at Joaquin.
Monday afternoon will be our ministry at Green Acres in Center. I have a doctor’s appointment in Shreveport, but I know that there will be many volunteers bringing songs and cheer to the residents of Green Acres. Later this month we will head to Holiday (Tuesday December 20th) and Lakeside (Thursday December 22nd). All the programs begin at 2:00.
In fine, organized Methodist fashion churches are preparing the “End of Year” Reports for the District and Conference. All United Methodist Churches, large or small, must fill out pages of numbers. I have really good help from the Paxton folks. Gene is our treasurer and keeps close tabs on the monies. I really appreciate him filling out all those questions dealing with finance. I was not raised Methodist and didn’t know anything about charge conferences and end-of-year reports, but after seventeen years of ministry I have gotten used to them—not liking them but used to them. On January 3rd I will have my yearly meeting with the District Superintendent. Our new DS is the Reverend Tony Vinson.
“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!
December 5, 2016 - "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…." Hebrews 4:12
The Marlin Model 5510 Super Goose Gun was produced from 1976 to 1985 and was advertised to be "the shotgun you need for those long, hard- to- hit shots". This gun had a 36"(!) length barrel and many bought one thinking it was the barrel length that gave it the extra power for those long shots. But Marlin couldn't be faulted for false advertising because they never said that a long barrel was the secret of the gun's power. Actually it was their 3 1/2" 10-gauge Magnum ammo that did the trick!
There are a lot of church members that mistakenly think that their education and long personality barrels will provide all the power they need to reach distant sinners. Consequently, they fail to reach their targets and return home empty. They…. like some of the mistaken Goose Gun owners of the past…. need to realize:
It's not man's long barrels that provide the power.
It’s God’s ammo.
December 2, 2016 - National faith-based film company, JCFilms, is touring their newest dramatic feature film at Toledo Bend Cowboy Church on Sunday, December, 4th, at 6:00 PM. The movie will be preceded by a covered-dish dinner at 5:00 PM. JCFilms is bringing the filmmakers to speak after the movie. The movie, titled The Perfect Day, answers the horrifying question, “What would happen in America if simultaneous terrorist attacks happened on the same day?”
The Perfect Day is a feature film with a faith-based message created to start a national awareness and discussion on issues such as border protection, homegrown terrorism, radical Islam in America, weakened National Security, and to invigorate a renewed patriotism.
The film was created by FDNY 9/11 Survivors and military operations veterans. The film features 9/11 family members, first responders, military wounded warriors, families of the fallen and 9/11 survivors. The film stars actor Dean Cain (Superman), Retired Navy SEAL and Wounded Warrior Jason Redman, Retired FDNY Tim Brown and Karen Vaughn, who is the Gold Star mother of fallen Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn.
Jason Campbell, President of JCFilms says, “Who better to make a film about terrorism other than the survivors of 9/11 and the American warriors that have directly engaged terrorism on the battlefield overseas or who have personally lost loved ones to Islamic Terrorism?
Retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman, who plays the lead role and Producer said, “Our goal in making this film is to create a national awareness and discussion amongst all Americans that local, regional and national law enforcement cannot beat this threat alone. It will take all Americans to be vigilant and aware to ensure an attack like 9/11 will never happen again.”
The producer of the The Perfect Day Film will be at Toledo Bend Cowboy Church on Sunday, December 4th at 6:00 PM to introduce and host the screening. Bro. Jeff Spring. Pastor of TBDB, said, “We are delighted to host this film event and the producer of the film to our church. It is important as believers we learn to be more vigilant in these uncertain times, but equally, we must be bold in proclaiming God’s providence and faithfulness.”
To view the trailer and learn more about the film, please visit: www.ThePerfectDayFilm.com
December 1, 2016 - I love the Christmas season. I love everything about it. I love the lights, the food, the smiles, the fellowship, the sappy Christmas movies on Hallmark channel, but most of all I love the music. Christmas carols are beautiful and each one has a message that is rich in history. I want to share the history of a few of these songs over the next couple of weeks.
Take for instance the carol "O Holy Night". It was extremely popular in France after it was written in 1847 but fell out of favor with the church when it was found out that the composer was Jewish. But God had other plans for the song. The French people knew and loved the song and continued to sing it outside the church and God used it in a powerful way in the the Franco-Prussian war, when a French soldier jumped out of the trench he had been fighting from in the middle of combat and began to sing "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve1871.
One of his German opponents countered by singing the German Christmas carol "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come" by Martin Luther. These two mens courage to drop there weapons and sing, led to a 24 hour truce in honor of Christmas Day. When word of how "O Holy Night" brought peace on that Christmas, traveled around the world, singing of the carol became popular. On Christmas Eve 1906, American professor Reginald Fessenden became the first person to broadcast his voice over radio waves. He read the Christmas story and sang "O Holy Night" making it the first song in history to be broadcast on the radio.
The message that we can take away from this story is that God can take things that others want to throw away and do great things with it when we use it serve Him. So don't feel discouraged if you feel like others have given up on you. God created you and has a purpose for your life. He loves you and wants you to be bold, step out of the trench you've been living in, sing His praises, and He will bring you peace.
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard
December 1, 2016 - The Center First United Methodist Church will host Sacred Sounds of the Season Thursday, December 1 in the church sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. Soloists, pianists, choirs, handbell choirs, and choirs from around the county will all be a part of this joyous celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Everyone is invited to attend.
December 1, 2016 - First Baptist Church of Timpson will host Southern Gospel Quartet, Paul's Journey, for a Christmas Themed Concert on December 11th at 6:00PM.
For more information please see our website at www.timpsonfbc.com First Baptist Church Timpson - Timpson Texas or call 936-254-2220. A love offering will be collected. We look forward to seeing each of you here.
W. Dee Daniel, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Timpson
November 29, 2016 - As John tells us in the 3rd Epistle of John; "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good." (3 John 11)
In the 5th chapter of Ephesians the great Apostle Paul is tells us just how we should walk or live as God's children.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
He makes no bones about it, telling us bluntly that as we are now blessed to be walking in the light of the Lord, we must act like it. In other words if we are going to talk the talk then we must walk the walk.
In the 4th chapter he tells us; "and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God ( to cause mental stress ), by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) Having the blessing of redemption from God we are not to grieve, or cause mental stress, on the Holy Spirit.
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (loud outcry, to drive or force), and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (evil intent, desire to hurt or harm). And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)
There is the formula for Christian living, loving God and loving our neighbor as ourself. We must remember, we are saved from God's wrath by God's grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. We are so richly blessed being heirs of the throne of God, members of the Holy Family of God, no manner of earthly fortunes can compare to the riches we have stored up for us. Praise God daily for this blessing, amen...
But, this great fortune carries with it responsibility. Each of us may be the only image of Jesus many of the people we encounter each day will ever see. The image we project is going to be the vision they will forever have of the Lord Jesus.
It is the responsibility of each and every Christian to project a Godly imitation. If we are going to talk the talk, then, we must walk the walk, or, we do Jesus a great disservice.
As Paul tells us; "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
We must project that Godly image if we are to serve God as He wishes each day.
May God bless all each day...
November 29, 2016 - On behalf of Pastor George Cartwright and the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church family we would like to invite everyone to our annual Men’s and Women’s Day Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in the Bland Lake Community. Rev. Timothy Teal and the Bell Chapel Baptist Church will be our special Guests for the evening, please join us and be blessed.
November 28, 2016 - The holidays can be a stressful time for some as hardships fall trying to come up with the extra for meals and food. Turtle Rock Baptist Church will be hosting a food drive this month.
Saturday, December 2 we will be coming to your neighborhood passing out plastic bags with a note attached to the bag about the food drive. We will be back around Saturday, December 10th to pick up any non-perishable food items you will donate. Just leave the bag with the food on your porch.
We are also going to have drop off boxes in a few stores in Shelbyville and Huxley for drop off points for those houses we aren't able to leave bags. We just don't have enough volunteers to canvas the whole area of Shelbyville. If your church or organization would like to help pass out bags next Saturday or pick up food, please let us know. You can contact Sandra Lindley at 936-598-9750.
If you know of someone in need of a food basket, call Sandra Lindley at 936-598-9750.
November 28, 2016 - In the spring of 1938, Mother took this picture of me. It was my first picture and was taken on Maxwell Street in Center, Texas. This red clay street was too rough to drive on when dry and too slick to drive on when wet. As I studied this picture last week, memories popped up everywhere. I immediately spotted the hill where we had dug up arrowheads. We called it “the hill where the Indians used to live.”
My grandparents lived next door in a house that looked just like ours. All Maxwell Street houses looked alike. They had a water well, an outdoor toilet and a wash pot in the back yard. The well’s water bucket became our refrigerator when we loaded it with milk and butter and lowered in the well. A number 2 wash tub of sun-warmed water and a bar of Mama’s (my grandmother’s) home-made soap got us “clean as a whistle”. We didn’t bathe every day but had to wash our feet every night before going to bed.
We were overjoyed when Daddy brought a box of “Post Toasties” home one morning. When we asked for some, Daddy replied, “Yes, but you’ll have to eat your breakfast first”. So after gulping down our oatmeal, we ate our first-ever bowl of Post Toasties. Since none of us wore shoes, we often got painful bruises on our feet. These bruises (called “stone bruises”) were injuries to the bone and not the skin.
While Mother was visiting Mama one day, I saw smoke pouring from the windows of our house. When I screamed, “The house is on fire!” Mother and I ran into the house and grabbed my sleeping sister from a pallet on the floor. We got “Sissy” and her goldfish out just in time.
After our house burned, we moved to a house on Cotton Ford Road and eventually our family grew to ten children. I have vivid memories of all the years of my life, but none more vivid than the year of 1938. We were without doubt the poorest family on Maxwell Street, but in the ways that really matter….
….the richest.
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