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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
July 17, 2017 - The worst thing about the East Texas summer isn’t sunburn, heat or humidity – its chiggers. They were commonly called “red bugs” when I was growing up during the 1940’s and 1950’s. There were times when I went fishing and the next day those annoying red bumps began to appear on my legs and torso. Then the itch began, and grew in intensity. From my feet and ankles upward, and especially at those tender locations my mother told me not to scratch in public, the maddening itch took hold. The itch would last for days, and even weeks. There was not much one could do to relieve the itch but grin and bear it.
I knew a man, an unusual man, who seemed to be immune to these juvenile forms of a mite, akin to a tick. His name was Ben Woods, my uncle. When my father’s sister, Margaret, married Ben, he was a candy salesman in the late 1930’s. Uncle Ben worked for a candy company. He would load his car trunk with all types of candy and traverse the dusty country roads of East Texas and western Louisiana. Aiming for small communities in the back woods, he would park his vehicle under a tree and honk his car horn repeatedly. Kids showed up in abundance to purchase his nickel candy, and earn a chance to try their luck at a punch card. If they punched out the right hole they could win even more candy or other prizes. He never seemed to attract any chiggers while working the back roads.
In the late 1940’s Uncle Ben got a job with the Texas Highway Department, the perfect job for him. His task was to search for gravel on private land that the department could lease from the owner then use it in new road construction or maintenance. This required Uncle Ben to roam through the forests of East Texas, parts of which required a machete to get through. Day after day he searched for gravel, often finding Indian arrowheads and other relics of the past. Still, he never seemed to be bothered by those small, red pests.
Perhaps he knew something that I did not know about them. One day I asked Uncle Ben a question, “What do you use to keep the chiggers off you?” He looked at me, a cigarette hanging from his lips, and chided me, “Well, son, it’s simple - bacon grease.” Surprised at his answer, I replied, “Are you kidding? Bacon grease? Just how does that work?” He flipped the ashes off his cigarette, put his hand on my young shoulder, and explained, “What you do is smear bacon grease from your ankles up past your knees, a real good coat of it.” Was he kidding, or serious? I could not determine. “So, do the chiggers not like the smell or something?” I queried.
“Nope, it works like this. When the tick or chigger starts to climb up your leg he can’t get any traction, and simply slides back down. After a while it just gives up and jumps off.”
As a youngster I figured that this advice had to be real. After all it was from a man who practically lived in the thickets. I actually tried it a few times but stopped when my mother loudly complained about my greasy pants, and her lack of bacon grease to cook with. I think I finally figured out his secret – he used powdered sulphur, called sublimed sulphur.
Chiggers hate sulphur and definitely avoid it. Available at most pharmacies, it works well when it is dusted around the opening of your pants, socks, and boots. Some people rub on a mixture of half talcum powder and half sulphur on their legs, arms and waist.
I recently asked a local surveyor the same question I asked Uncle Ben so many years ago. He told me that he uses ordinary flea and tick collars usually seen on dogs. They are placed around his ankles and thighs, according to him, and they keep the ticks and chiggers off. I wonder if that is an “Uncle Ben” answer? What do you think?
July 17, 2017 - “Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.”
After working in the garden and piddling in my gun shop today, I came in to check my email. As I was reading it, I noticed a fly had flown into my half-filled glass of water. He was one of the bad ones (the green ones)…the kind that hang around carcasses and filth.
My first thought was to let him drown and periodically checked to see if he had. He incessantly buzzed the glass’s periphery and was a real fighter. When he finally quit moving, I felt guilty for letting him die. As a penitent gesture, I lowered a ball point pen down to him and when the seemingly dead fly crawled up on it, I lifted him to safety. After testing his wet wings for a moment, he took flight again and began terrorizing me with erratic bump-and-fly tactics.
My son Mark called about that time and as I was telling him about the dive-bombing insect, he landed again in the same glass of water (!) and resumed his “gasping for breath” routine. I opened a window and poured the water and the fly outside to fend for itself.
That fly reminds me of people who promise God everything if He will just save them. Then when the danger is over and their wings dry, they fly right back in. They can’t blame God for being back in their predicament. Rescuing us from the water is God’s part…..
… but staying out of it is ours.
July 17, 2017 - The Pastor and members of Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church would like to invite you to our Annual Homecoming and Revival.
Homecoming: Sunday, July 23rd, 2017 at 3pm. Special guests will be Pastor M.E. Lyons and the Goodwill Baptist Church of Lufkin, Texas
Revival: July 24th - 28th, 2017 at 7pm nightly. Evangelist for the week, Arthur Douglas Jr., of the Evergreen Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Everyone is invited!
July 17, 2017 - Sunday was the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, in the midst of Ordinary Time on the Christian calendar. This is the year of Matthew, and starting in Chapter 13 we have a series of Kingdom parables. Parables are more poetry than prose—more of a comfortable stroll along a stream than a strenuous walk. Many parables are the parts of the New Testament that people can recall from their early days in Sunday school. These parables are not about regulations and rules but about dreams and poetry and images of living in God’s Kingdom in the right now.
Sunday’s Gospel Lesson is about the farmer planting seeds. Matthew 13:1-8 is about the sower who wildly spreads seeds on rocky soil, poor soil, in the weeds, and on good soil. In Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus continues with the theme of the farmer planting. He is teaching his favorite pupils—his disciples—and he gives more information on the Kingdom of God, calling it as close as the coming rain storm.
Our Old Testament Sunday school lesson moved to Jeremiah and his reluctance to answer God’s call to be a prophet. I don’t think Jeremiah was being obstinate like Jonah but just felt he was too young and unqualified to be God’s spokesman. God assured Jeremiah that he would be with him as he proclaimed God’s desires. We Methodist pastors are taught that one of our roles is that of prophet. A prophet is not someone who predicts the future but someone who proclaims God’s desires and commands. This is not a favorite role for any preacher because if we take this role seriously, we may run into resistance from the very people we care most about. I am a chicken at heart, and the older I get the less I like confrontation. Ms. Fannie always leads us into a good discussion, showing that even though the stories are thousands of years old there is wisdom for us to find.
We were in double digits for worship this morning—always an exciting thing at little ole Paxton. Gene and Joy’s niece Debbie, up from Texas City, is such a fun person to be around. She has been visiting at the Hutto farm, where Gene and Joy put her to work picking peas and doing other gardening chores. Debbie’s week was reminiscent of times in her childhood visiting her grandparents’ farm and seeing friends in Shelby County.
It’s so nice seeing Mrs. Hilda back on the piano bench and knowing that she’s feeling better. Tuesday we head to Holiday Nursing Center for our ministry there. Our program will begin at 2:00, and everyone is welcome. On Thursday, July 27th we go to Lakeside Village. In July our church is collecting cans of spaghetti and ravioli for Community Christian Services.
“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
July 13, 2017 - Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley Community, are holding a food pantry for the residents of Shelby County. I.D. & proof of residency will be required. Only (1) box per household will be given.
It will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church 901 Southview Circle, Center Texas July 15, 2017 9AM – until food is gone.
July 13, 2017 - When I was a young boy I can remember going hunting for the first time. I couldn't wait to go squirrel hunting. The first day of squirrel season was a really special day. Everybody would go to camp in the swamp the night before so that they could get up early, before daybreak and get in the woods before the sun came up. That Friday before was a school holiday. It was a big deal. I remember sitting around the camp and listening to all the stories the hunters told.
For a young boy it was one of the grandest adventures of my life. Every one of the older men were quick to tell you their secret to hunting success. It didn't take me long to realize that the secret to hunting any kind of game came down to one word: Patience. The best hunters were the most patient hunters. The ones who stayed in the woods until it was too dark to see, when it was too cold for everyone else, too rainy, it didn't matter they were there. Over the years I have found that life itself is like hunting. Those who are successful at it are patient.
Patience is a very important character trait or fruit of the Spirit that all Christians must posses to be successful in their relationships with others and the in the building of their faith.
In Romans 15:4-6 Paul writes; "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Patience does not mean giving up, but through patience we learn to stand firm in what we have been taught in scripture so that when trials occur we can have the hope that we are covered by the protective hand of God. When we have patience with those around us it shows them that God’s unconditional love flows through us as believers. That's why it is a fruit of the Spirit.
It's an out growth of our relationship with God that is shared with others, that they too can be nourished and strengthened by it. That's why Paul goes on to say in verses 5-6 "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Patience is what unifies and holds people together in relationships. Could you imagine a family relationship where husbands and wives did not have patience with each other or their children? It would be a household filled with strife and constant conflict.
People often point to the Book of Job when describing patience. Job stood faithful through many painful trials. The beauty of the story of Job’s patience was not that he just bore those trials, but that he stood fast under tremendous pressure from his family and friends to give up or make excuses, with the staying power that turns trials into opportunities. That's what Godly patience is about, being steadfast and strong until your adversities turn into opportunities. Only God can cultivate that kind of patience in you.
Jesus was the perfect example of patience. Let Him guide you so that you may experience what James says "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4)." Do you want to be complete? Seek Him, Ask Him, and receive Him. He's patiently waiting.
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard
July 11, 2017 - St. John Baptist Church is hosting Homecoming 2017 on Sunday, July 16 with special guest Rev. J.D. Parks. Rev. Parks is pastor of St. Beulah Baptist Church, Silsbee, Texas.
The Homecoming is followed by Revival Celebration July 17-21 at 7pm nightly with guest speaker Rev. Kenneth Cotton who is pastor of Goodwill Baptist Church of Pineland, Texas.
Come worship with us for homecoming and revival services. Homecoming theme is “A Home away from Home” John 14:2-3
July 10, 2017 - In the fall of 1962 I became Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, Texas. On my first Sunday at the church, Deacon Thamar Dickerson walked into my study and as he held his thumb in front of my face, said, “Brother Doug, my name is Thum-mar Dickerson”…and for an obvious reason, I never forgot his name. I never forgot his squirrel dog “Yeller’s” name, either. “She can’t bark, he said. “But she’s the best squirrel dog in the State of Texas.” And after a few hunting trips with Thamar, there was no doubt that he was right.
Thamar and I became close friends and he took me to all his best hunting and fishing spots. But we had a bitter disagreement at a committee meeting one night and he began missing church services. When I told Deacon Homer Bishop about the problem, he said, “When an eagle’s wing is broken, it may learn to fly again but will never soar as high.” I was just getting over a bad case of flu when the doorbell rang one morning. It was Thamar. “Want to go squirrel huntin’ today?”, he asked. ”I hear they’re stirring at the “S-Curve.” When we got to the canal lateral, the foot log that we always crossed on had fallen in and the water to wade was thigh –deep. “Get on my back”, Thamar said. “You could catch pneumonia.” As soon as we crossed, Yeller ran wide open into the woods and within minutes returned, jumped up on Thamar’s legs and began whining. When Thamar said, “Where is he, Yeller?”, she led us into the woods to a white oak tree with a fat fox squirrel just waiting for us.
By God’s grace, the eagle did fly again…and soared as high as ever. And during my remaining six years at Mauriceville, Thamar and I hunted and fished often together. He crossed the Jordan River many years ago and did not cross alone. Thamar added many happy memories to my life. He was a good friend.
…..a good friend, indeed.
July 10, 2017 - Mt. Zion CME Church is hosting Pastor Elgena Weaver's first appreciation service and celebrating 10 years of dedicated service to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 3:30pm.
The theme of the service is "It is necessary" (Romans 8:28).
Guest Speaker is Rev. Charles Tutt, II, from New Hope Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, TX. Special musical guests are Praise & Worship Psalmist Tranika Holland from Alto, Texas; East Texas Community Choir; and The Thompson Brothers.
Morning worship is at 11a.m. with guest speaker Minister Kimberly Hollis-Hutchinson from Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church Palestine, Texas.
Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
921 Martin Luther King Drive
Center, Texas
Rev. Elgena Weaver ~ Pastor
Rev. Trever Barnett ~ Presiding Elder
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III ~ Presiding Prelate
July 6, 2017 - Special Visitors from the Holy Land at First United Methodist Church Bible School
Sunday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 12 Center FUMC will be visited by David, who fought the giant Goliath; by Priscilla and Aquila, who traveled with Paul on his mission trips; by Deborah, who was a judge in ancient Israel; and by Jesus’ disciples – maybe ALL of them! Come join us and learn what God’s people DID in Biblical times and what God’s people DO in our current times!!
Children entering Kindergarten through those entering 5th grade will enjoy good food and fellowship, singing, making a variety of crafts, and learning about living the Christian life as they listen to the stories told by these Christians from Biblical times.
6pm through 8pm each night. The church is located on Porter Street in Center.
For additional information, call 936-598-2707.
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