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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
August 22, 2017 - The pastor and members of The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries presents Bro. Josh Black, a native of Shelby County, to preach his first message Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 3pm.
Josh is the son of Melvin Black and Patricia Nash.
Everyone is invited.
August 21, 2017 - Todd Springs Baptist Church will have its annual homecoming Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 3pm.
Special guest will be Bishop W.C. Martin and the Bennett Chapel Baptist Church family. Everyone is invited to attend. Wilbert Simmons Jr., Pastor.
August 21, 2017 - Sunday was the 11th Sunday after Pentecost. The Gospel Lesson came from Matthew 15:21-28. It is one of the most difficult passages because it doesn’t show Jesus in a favorable light. Jesus spurns the Canaanite women and refuses to help her daughter. He questions why he should feed the dogs and ignore the children of Israel. This woman, who calls Jesus the Messiah, says that even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. Once again we see Jesus “grow in wisdom,” and it becomes more and more clear that the ways of the Christ—the Messiah—are not only for Jews but for anyone who wants a closeness with God. Jesus assures the woman that her daughter is healed.
Often my sermon seems to build upon the fine Sunday school lesson that Fannie has put together. I don’t read the lesson before I finish my sermon, so it’s not that I am trying to tie my sermon to the lesson. Today’s Sunday school scripture comes from Acts: 9:10-20. Paul has been struck blind. This enemy of the Jesus movement has had a vision and becomes one of the greatest apostles of the Jesus movement. As we have seen all quarter, God often picks unlikely people to be his prophet—his spokesman—in a way, like the Canaanite woman.
All this month our church is collecting children’s underwear and socks for Community Christian Services. Next month it will be boxes of “mac and cheese.” Most Texas school children head off to school Monday. Our own Ms. Vera starts a new school year, and her friends at Paxton wish her a great year. Liz begins working at Center ISD, and we hope that she also has a great school year! Last week was our ministry at Holiday Nursing Center. Sue found a really cute picture book to read about the goat that seemed to curse the Chicago Cubs for so many years. Fannie read “And God Said ‘No’ (and later, ‘Yes’). Nora sang a beautiful but lesser-known hymn, and Ms. Minnie played for the congregational singing. Ms. Hilda said they had a good group of volunteers and residents, including some new ones. This Thursday we go to Lakeside Village Assisted Living at our regular time of 2PM.
I have spent much of the last two weeks in Dallas. My brother had a lung transplant and is coming along nicely. He is breathing on his own! The doctors are looking to this Thursday as the day he will get to go home. Our yearly conference with the District Superintendent has been set for October 2nd at 6:00. Having these “Charge Conferences” is a Methodist thing, but I imagine most denominations have something similar. Just like when I was in the school system, you have to be accountable.
“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. Godspeed.
August 21, 2017 - In a world overtaken by the devil and sin there is much need for strength for all people to stand against the forces of evil. Much need for all to come together in love for Christ and one another to become the body of Christ as he intended from the beginning of his ministry on earth.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we think or ask, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)
The prayer for spiritual strength, a pleading to God by Paul for the people of the churches at Ephesus.
Paul had a threefold message or purpose in this prayer, this letter of faith-giving.
First, he wanted to fully expound on the blessings enjoyed by the church.
Second, he stressed the importance of unity in the body of Christ, the church itself, how each should work together with the others.
Third, he was encouraging all believers to walk together in the ways of Christ. For all to be imitators of our Lord, showing his grace and mercy to others in our daily lives.
As with many of his letters to the churches of Asia Minor, Paul was writing during one of his times of imprisonment, imprisoned by the Roman government for preaching the gospel of Christ our Lord.
But, he goes on emboldened by the very gospel message that he was in prison for preaching;
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (the gospel) with all humility and gentleness (as Jesus walked) with patience, bearing with one another in love (for Christ and each other) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
It is through this Christian love that we become able to walk together in Christ, to walk in a manner worthy of being imitators of our Lord Jesus. Showing the love of Jesus for all people, showing the Christian attributes that Paul describes in his prayer; humility, gentleness, patience and love. For it is through this Spirit of Christ that we are to be unified in Christ, that we can then become a force for Christ in the world today.
“There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-8)
The gospel message is intended to blend all followers of Christ into one body, one giant multitude of people, of like minds, working together for the greater good of all. Spreading the unified message of the love of Christ for all people, Jew and Gentile alike, together, using the God-given talents of each individual for Gods glory.
May Gods blessings be yours this day…
August 14, 2017 - The Golden Harvest Ministries Club will meet Monday, August 21st, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church at 11:30 AM. The program will be presented by Ron Barbee telling about the work and opportunities of Texas Baptist Men.
Visitors are always welcome to join us for a delicious covered dish luncheon, a good program and time of fellowship.
August 21, 2017 - Back in the fifties, I became pastor of the Bonaldo Baptist Church in Nacogdoches County (Texas). Located near the Angelina River, the church had an old log cabin parsonage (inhabited mainly with rats and snakes) and their ancient water well was filled with years of “dinner on the ground” leftovers. So I asked Buddy Pratt, a college friend, to help me clean it out.
I went down in the well and filled the buckets while Buddy “pulled” them up and emptied them. After a few minutes in the well, I suddenly gasped for breath and feebly called out for help. I grabbed a rope and tied it under my arms … and in an unbelievable show of willpower, Buddy pulled me out. As I lay recovering my senses, Patricia Smith shouted from across the dirt road, “Mama wants to know if y’all are hungry.”
After a generous meal of pinto beans, cornbread and buttermilk, we headed back to college. As we sang along with some peppy gospel songs on XERF, I noticed my ‘55 Ford speedometer was reading 85 mph, so Buddy advised me to play some slower music.
I’ve been Pastor of a good many small country churches since that day and have eaten a lot of cornbread and beans with the members. But I’ve never gone down into another one of their water wells.
I never will, either.
August 18, 2017 - I saw a bumper sticker not too long ago that I thought was kind of humorous that said, "Live your life in such a way that the preacher won't have to lie at your funeral." As I continued down the road I began thinking, there really was some wisdom to that little statement. I began to think; What if we lived our lives everyday in such a way that we would insure that the legacy that we leave with our family and friends would be one that they could and would, want to emulate? How can we insure a legacy of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control?
With what's been going on in our country recently and around the world, it's hard for us to believe that human beings can be capable of true love. We have "prostituted" the true meaning of love. For many, love is equated to sex. For some it has become a verb that we use to describe how much we really care for something ( i.e. "I love chocolate."). But for believers in Christ "love" should take on a much deeper meaning. For a believer in Christ we are commanded to love everyone with an unconditional love.
Now I know that this may come as surprise to some of my friends and fellow Christians, but I will say it again for emphasis, God has commanded us to love everyone. John 13:35 "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." That's right even those, that we do not agree with or who have opposing views than ours. As a matter of fact in 1John 4:20 the writer delves deeper into what God thinks of Christians who hate, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not." That's pretty cut and dry.
The only thing that is going to stop this violence and hatred in America and the world is the love of Christ demonstrated by those who call themselves His. Its the only way. We as believers of Christ; that's all races and denominations, must come together to pray for our country and for those who have fallen prey to the hatred that Satan has put in the hearts of those in the world. Its time for us to be "salt and light."
We need to stand up and be "the church." As a pastor I call on all pastors to preach what the word of God says in Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Teach your congregations what the Spirit of God is saying in these difficult times.
So the answer to our original question is wrapped up in this verse. We are to be imitators of God. To leave a legacy of love we have to "be" love to those who do not know love. It's like investing money in a bank. The more money you invest the more money you will be able to leave those you love. The same is true with people and love. The more love you invest in their lives, the more love you will leave them when you are gone. The more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control you invest in life the more you will leave in this world when you are gone. Because just like money it accrues interest and starts to grow itself. That's how legacies are built.
How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the generation who through love out the window? When you die, what do you want your family and friends to look back and gain encouragement from in your life? I would guess that you would want them to remember you in a positive way. You may be feeling that its too late for you to change. Maybe you feel like you have never known love so you can't show that kind of love. Well God loves you so much that He gave his son Jesus for you. Trust Him and allow His spirit to guide you. It will change your life and allow you to leave a legacy of love in this world that will never pass away. Jude 1:21 "keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Im just Sayin
Michael Belgard
August 17, 2017 - Exciting things are happening at Toledo Bend Cowboy Church in Huxley. Bro. Jeff Spring will start a 4 week series on Signs of the Times; The Road to the Apocalypse on Sunday, August 20th. This is going to be a great series, and one that is definitely needed at this time. We know you won’t want to miss a single segment of this informative and timely series.
On Friday, August 25th, all are invited to attend a concert featuring the Christian music group Summit Trace. A FREE Covered Dish Dinner at 6:00 PM will proceed the concert which will start at 7:00PM. From its outset in 2013, the message of Summit Trace has struck a resounding chord – a genuine burden to reach the lost, minister to those who are hurting, and encourage the church. This purpose driven devotion continues to be delivered by some of the most talented and spirit filled young men in Christian Music. Lead vocalist Keith and his son Alex have previously toured with a number of respected Christian Music artists perfecting their God given talents in ministry and now bring that experience to the stage with Summit Trace. The result is rich, high-energy, harmonies, stirring testimonies and a message of hope conveyed by professional, sincere, compassionate servants of the body of Christ.
These men are certainly no strangers to the Christian music world having a long list of accomplishments during their vocal careers. Christian music is genetically programmed into their DNA. Each one grew up surrounded by the sound of people praising God through their musical gifts. They experienced a very impressive musical beginning even before reaching their teenage years. They sang together for several years in regional bands until 2006 when the door was opened for both Keith and Alex to begin touring with the Anchormen. During this time the group experienced continued success with Keith serving as the group's lead vocalist on several of the group's high-charting songs such as 'Reach Out To Jesus', 'Almost Time To Fly', 'Everything But Time', and 'All In A Sunday's Work'. After a four-year tenure with the Anchormen, Keith went on to join the award-winning Dove Brothers Band, while Alex began touring as a soloist. Following the call of God to begin touring together again, Keith and Alex formed Summit Trace early in 2013 reuniting their unparalleled vocal excellence and impeccable tight family harmony.
After teaming up with long time friend and outstanding musician, Justin Hamby, Summit Trace began to reserve their spot as one of the most prominent, talented new bands in Christian music. Their style and versatility have earned devoted fans all across the US. They consistently deliver an exciting energy packed concert and a message that ministers to each person individually in a way that is genuinely and sincerely felt by all, and they are committed to continue doing so for as long as God makes a way.
With the success of their debut radio release 'Better Than Ever', this group has taken Christian music and radio by storm. The song, which is produced by the award-winning Donna Beauvais King and penned by dynamic songwriter Sherri LaFontaine, showcases the vocal team's unique style and tight harmony.
Whether you’re listening to Summit Trace for the first time or have been a faithful follower, you won't be disappointed. An event with Summit Trace combines talent, sincerity, and professionalism to create a memorable concert experience. Their goal for the evening is to usher in the presence of God and celebrate the Christian message. They feel privileged and honored to enjoy the freedom to honor Christ with any and all of their abilities. Their purpose is obvious. These people love great songs, know how to deliver them, and obviously love God and ministry!
If you have any questions, please call Lynda Huebel, 936-368-2547 or Bro. Jeff Spring at 936-488-9091.
August 14, 2017 - Overcomers Recovery is presenting a 4 week Seminar featuring Joyce Meyer “Beauty for Ashes” beginning Wednesday, August 16th at 6 p.m. Timpson Assembly Outreach Center.
Timpson Assembly Outreach is located at the corner of Houston & 59 in Timpson.
Many people seem to have it all together outwardly, but inside they are a wreck.
Their past has broken, crushed, and wounded them inwardly. They can be healed. God has a plan for everyone. Come join us and be set free from the past.
August 16, 2017 - We are ready for another Great year of AWANA. All we are waiting on is you!
August 23rd is our Kick-Off Night. Registration and meal begins at 5:45pm.
Parents are invited to visit the classrooms, meet our AWANA leaders, and see first hand what your child will be learning this year.
Pastor - David Long
Awana Commander - Sue Finch
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