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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
“Men will give account of every careless word they have spoken….” Matt. 12:36
September 25, 2017 - When we arrived home after Sunday morning’s church service, I was really shocked by a call from my daughter in New York. “Dad, what did you mean by your call this morning?” she asked. When I said I hadn’t called her, she began telling me about the sermon I’d just preached. “And you all sang Hymn No. 124 for the Invitation.” “I heard it all”.
I felt the hair on my head move a little when I realized she’d actually heard our morning service. Then Pam asked, “Where’s our cell phone?” “In my coat pocket…why?” “Well, you must have leaned against the speed dial while you were preaching and called Caralee.” “Boy, I’m glad it was a sermon she heard instead of something else”, I sighed. “What if the whole world could hear everything we say?” Pam added. “A lot of us would be in hot water, wouldn’t we?”
But even though she reprogrammed the phone, we’re still not out of the woods. We’ll always have to be careful about what we say and think.
God’s line is always open!
September 25, 2017 - The wisest man who ever lived, king Solomon of Israel, lived a long life, a life filled with every reward known to man. Anything he desired was immediately available to him, both from God and from the people he served as king.
As he grew older and neared the end of his time here on earth he began to reflect upon what he had learned in all the years with all his wisdom.
The book of Ecclesiastes is the reflections of this old man.
He recounts how futile the effort or the vanity of chasing after what we consider to be the “good” things of life. Things such as; wisdom, work, pleasure, and wealth. These things are satisfying for a time, but death is certain to end this satisfaction. Solomon, although he struggled from time to time had learned that the person who lives in fear of the power of God will enjoy God’s good gifts.
As God had given Solomon the wisdom that he had asked for he applied his heart to seek out by this wisdom all that is done under heaven.
His deduction from this lifetime of study and searching; “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)
So Solomon realizes that nothing worldly is worthy of trying the achieve or acquire, that only the things of God matter in the end.
In reference to the daily work that people do in the living of life on planet earth he says this.
“What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11) Solomon sees the futility of trying to know and understand all that God has done. He finally truly understands what God intends for man as he lives out life on earth. As he goes on to explain more of man’s duty toward God he says; I perceived that there is nothing better for them (for man) than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; and that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
So there we have it according to Solomon, we are to do good as long as we live, to be joyful in life. That we are to enjoy our good deeds, to be joyful workers for the Lord each day, to do the job God has given each of us with a smile on our face and a smile in our heart that the joy we have will convict those whom we meet each day.
Solomon understands the futility of man’s striving for fame and wealth. That man and beast have the same breath, that man has no physical living advantage of the beasts, for all is vanity. That man and beast will die the same physical death, ashes to ashes and dust to dust.
From this he deducts that; “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22)
Again reaffirming that we are to live our lives simply, serving God with the talents God has given each of us, being joyful every day that we have the honor and privilege of serving the Most High God, for when our time is done, how are we to know what will happen to our worldly possessions, who will remember us as time passes us by. Worrying about nothing of this world, but enjoying our lives each day, serving God by living joyful lives of service to him. May the rich blessings of our Lord be yours…
September 22, 2017 - She is more precious than rubies; and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her (Proverbs 3:15).
The Diamond in the Rough Women's Conference will be held 9:30am-1pm Saturday, October 7, 2017 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church located at 2308 C.R. 2050 Center, Tx 75935.
Speakers will include Phillis Hancock Chavis, Evangelist; Sharon K. Horton, Evangelist; and Sis. Feleshia Thompson.
Admission is free, lunch will be served.
September 22, 2017 - O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up.” (Psalm 139:1-2)
“Though I walk through the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7)
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (psalm 139:14)
These verses from God’s Word are from the songs of king David and tell a wonderful story of life. A story of the creation of each person on earth, formed in the womb by our eternal Heavenly Father who knows all, see all, and is all.
The power of God being incomprehensible for man, we see his creations and we marvel at many, but we cannot understand how it could have been done.
But, that is the mystery of faith, believing in what we cannot see, but knowing in our hearts that it is true and knowing that one day we will see what we cannot see today.
For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord we understand, through faith, that many of the mysteries of life are not meant to be understood, that is the mystery of faith.
Yet we do understand from the scriptures that God is everywhere, that He watches over his own, that he knows our every move, our every thought, even before we think it. How we cannot know, but that he can, we do know.
If we have faith we know that wherever we walk, God is there protecting us through the Holy Spirit.
That we cannot escape his sight, no matter how we try to hide our sins, he sees all, and we are filled with praise for him and his greatness and majesty. And we know that once we have accepted his offer of salvation from the penalty on sin we are truly blessed for eternity.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
Born in a weakened state by the sin of Adam, spiritually dead in the sins of the world but lifted from the pit of death into the light of the Lord by the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)
Let us be thankful as we walk through this foreign world, knowing that our home is not here but in heaven with our Lord.
Let us give thanks that because of the sacrifice of Jesus that we have become heirs of the kingdom of God. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
Blessed and hallowed be the name of our Lord… May his grace and mercy fall upon you this day and may his blessings be yours for ever…
September 20, 2017 - The McWilliams/ Rather Cemetery Association will meet on Saturday, September 23rd at 4:00pm. The meeting will be held at Todd Springs Baptist Church, Shelbyville. All are invited to attend.
September 19, 2017 - The East Texas Community Choir will host their 1st Annual Musical on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at St. Paul Baptist Church in Center.
Director Rev. Jeremy Moore will begin the musical at 5:30pm with the following featured soloists and special guests:
- James Brown, Carthage
- Christina Leary, Nacogdoches
- Kim Lumzy, Shreveport
- Zorana Skinner, Carthage
- The Thompson Brothers, Center
- Devante Crutchfield, Shreveport
- Guest musicians, Josh and The Band.
St. Paul Baptist Church is located at 617 Hopkins Street, Center, Texas 75935.
September 18, 2017 - Sunday was the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Gospel Lesson was Matthew 18: 21-35 and deals with God’s idea of absolute forgiveness. Jesus calls upon us to forgive others as God forgives. That task sounds impossible but each of us knows of some unbelievable story of forgiveness. St. Thomas Aquinas says that God never commands us to do impossible things—he commands us to do things that would be impossible if not for the grace of God.
PBS had a special on the life of Martin Luther. I was raised a Lutheran and I thought I knew all there was to know about Luther—how wrong I was. Toward the end of his life Luther said that two words provided him the most comfort—“God forgives.” Our Gospel Lesson tells us we must learn to forgive. I think forgiveness is one of the essentials of the Christian faith.
Our Sunday school lesson focused on the importance of the Sabbath and the need to keep it holy. It is obviously very important to the Jewish community then because it was enshrined as on of the first 10 Commandments. We got into a discussion of blue laws and the importance of carving out time to rest and reflect and to be one with God.
This past week volunteers went to Focus Care better known as Green Acres. Fannie, Minnie, Jo, Nora, and I went to visit and to sing and tell stories. We have started coming on a different day and in the morning hoping that our new day and time would be better for the residents. We only had a small handful of residents that came and though we were few in number we sang many requests and we all had a good time.
During the month of September we are collecting boxes of macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services. In October we will collect peanut butter and jelly. Tuesday volunteers will go to Holiday Nursing Center for our program that begins at 2pm. Our Charge Conference is coming up soon and I need to get busy and fill out paperwork. Every Methodist Church small or large fills out streams of paper. When I am working on this I am thankful for the computer and I am reminded of my years as a public school principal and the endless paperwork the state wanted you to generate. In all the years in public school my biggest laugh came when the legislature passed a “paperwork reduction act.” That act generated mounds of paper to show you were in compliance.
“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 9:30am and Worship begins at 10am. 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
Paxton Methodist Church
“I was sick and you looked after me....” Matt. 25:36
September 18, 2017 - My brother John and his wife Shirley have lived many years in the Huxley area on Toledo Bend. They’ve worked hard growing hydroponic tomatoes, baling hay, raising cattle and caring for their rental property.
During my month in the hospital some years ago, they were especially kind to to Pam and Me. John fished in the rain to catch fish to fry for me. And Shirley, one of the world’s greatest cooks, brought me many of my favorite foods: cornbread, buttermilk, pinto beans, and a cocoanut cake “made from scratch”.
When everything looks grim and everyone’s predicting doom and disaster, Shirley has a favorite saying to lift our spirits: “It aint no big deal”.
Hobbling into their house a few weeks after getting out of the hospital, I began thanking her and John for what they’d done. “Thanks for the food, Shirley...I appreciate all the times you all visited me... thanks for helping Pam.... for John’s mowing our grass and picking up Caralee at the airport.... and getting the Sonic slushes...”
She seemed preoccupied as I tearfully poured out my heart. Then, she quietly sighed: “It aint no big deal, Doug”.
But I knew it was.
September 18, 2017 - Annual Yellowpine community homecoming activities are being planned. There will be a community gospel singing at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 23. A full day of events is scheduled for Sunday, September 24, beginning with a morning church service highlighted by music from the Southern Plainsmen and the homecoming message by Dr. David C. Digmon of Lumberton. Lunch is served at noon, followed by an afternoon singing at 1:30 p.m. with the Southern Plainsmen.
Activities will be held on the campus of Yellowpine-Macedonia Baptist Church, located at the intersection of Highway 87 South and FM 2343 in Sabine County's Yellowpine community. For information, contact T.A. Lane at 409-382-8765 or 409-584-1144.
September 14, 2017 - We see these days much discussion of just what is marriage. Who should marriage be between? Is it correct for two men or two women to marry within their own sex?
Is marriage to be only for a single man and a single woman?
Just what is the correct and right marriage. The only answer I can give to that question is the answer to be found in God’s Holy Word. There are those who say that does not count, that the Bible is a book of fairy tales and should not be considered to be the inspired words of our Lord God.
To those I would quote the words of God delivered by the apostle Paul in which he said; “All scripture is breathed out of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
I ask you now, if the Bible is a book of fairy tales how could it then be all these things described by Paul. If the Bible is as Paul describes and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking one’s faults, for correcting one’s mistakes and for training others in righteous living, how then are we to use it each day and for whom.
“That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17)
The Bible then is the single source, our single need, for our education in righteousness, giving each the necessary tools to do the Lord’s will and work each day.
So I can determine from these scriptures that, yes, the Bible is the place we should turn for the answers to the question of marriage.
One answer to this question concerns one complete book, eight chapters of the Bible dedicated solely to marriage, the marriage between, one man and one woman, the book known as “The Song of Solomon”.
In this book the author spends the entire book extolling the virtues of the marriage of a single man and a single woman as the right and correct marriage. Even comparing that marriage to the marriage of the one Lord and the one church body, the body of Christ.
Farther proof of God’s intent for marriage comes in the first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28)
Now that is pretty plain to me, God made both man and woman in his image, meaning they have a spirit, a soul that will live forever, for even though the body dies the spirit endures forever.
God’s first instruction to man and woman was to be fruitful, to multiply and fill the earth with people. Now I ask you, how can a marriage of two men or two women follow this first command for God to mankind?
If God didn’t care then why is this his first instruction to mankind, to multiply and fill the earth?
If God didn’t care then why did he instruct Solomon to write a complete book of the Bible on this very subject, the marriage of a man and a woman?
God tells us through Paul that the Bible is all we need to study to live the life he has set before us, so I ask again why do we not heed the written, inspired words of God in all our daily living?
God’s Word will not follow the wishes of mankind, it does not change as the world changes, it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and I suggest to all that you begin each day reading the Bible if you are to know the truth and are not to be deceived by those either ignorant of God’s Word of those who promote the wishes of the devil.
May God’s Word surround you as a wall of protection against the evils of this world…
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