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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
January 23, 2017 - Bro. T.A. “Tracy” Lane of Pineland has recently been elected to serve as 2017 moderator of the Original Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Association. This association includes several churches throughout the Deep East Texas area. Bro. Lane serves as the bi-vocational pastor of Yellowpine-Macedonia Baptist Church in Yellowpine.
Original Bethlehem’s first meeting of 2017 will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2017, at Bishop Chapel Baptist Church, located on Highway 63, east of Jasper. Bishop Chapel’s pastor, Bro. Wes Wright, is serving the association as treasurer and his wife, Susan Wright, is the association’s clerk.
Bro. Lane and Bro. Wright jointly welcome everyone to this quarterly meeting on January 27. “We are excited to present special guests who will be sharing about an awesome work planned for Peru,” according to Bro. Lane.
At this meeting, the Sookraj family will sharing plans to establish and orphanage ministry for the abandoned children of Peru.
BMA of America approved and commissioned the Sookraj family in 2016 for this mission project. This has opened many doors for the family to visit churches to discuss the work and gain support.
Central Church of Southaven, Missisippi, is the sponoring church for this mission.
Friday’s meeting is open for anyone from the local churches as well as visitors to the Original Bethlehem Association. Interested persons may contact Bro. Wright or Bro. Lane, 409-382-8765, for more information.
January 23, 2017 - Last week Pam and I made our bi-monthly Sam’s Wal-Mart-Ralph & Kakoo’s trip to Lufkin. Since we’d be shopping in some large stores, I took my walking cane in the car just in case I needed it. Since I have neuropathy in my feet, the cane helps me keep my balance while walking. We parked at Sam’s and had taken few steps towards the store when an elderly lady came wheeling toward me in an electric shopping cart. “Here, Sir..Here” ”Let me help you”, she said. I told her I was fine and thanked her as she walked away.
The following Sunday, church member Brooksie Sanders walked in with a walking cane. Since we’d never seen her use it, we began talking about it and the experience I’d recently had at Sam’s. As we were all laughing together, Brooksie said a lady recently saw her with the cane for the first time and asked her, “Brooksie, are you alright?” “Have you been sick?” Brooksie replied, “No, but I am 90 years old, you know!” All of us here at Calvary Baptist Church are amazed at how she looks, thinks and maintains her special, sense of humor. Brooksie and I are two of around ten million Americans who have discovered what great friends canes can be.
When Pam and I got home that Sunday, she said, “In time everyone will get used to your cane. “I know”, I laughed.
“I probably will, too”.
January 23, 2017 - Last week we celebrated the baptism of Jesus. This Sunday, the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany, Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to become his first disciples. John the Baptizer is in prison; Jesus picks up the mantle, calling upon people to prepare for the coming Kingdom of Heaven. The radical call and the radical response by the four fishermen served as the Gospel for this Sunday. The response by the four was radical in that they immediately answered the call. They walked away from the way they made a living. They also walked away from their comfort zone—their families and their community. Few people are willing to make that kind of sacrifice to become disciples.
I read an article where the writer says he is not a “fan” of Jesus, which really grabbed my attention. The writer is astounded that 75% percent of Americans—some 223,000,000 people—say they are Christians. If this is indeed the case, then how can so many people go to bed hungry every night? Why are so many children ignored? The writer decides that most people who call themselves Christians are really just “fans of Jesus.” They like the story of Jesus. They certainly want their tickets punched for Heaven. But to be a disciple—that simply requires too much. I think between disciples and fans are the vast majority of Christians who try to be followers. We try to follow in the footsteps of the master, but we find such an adventure very difficult.
Our Sunday School was special in many ways. First, Pat Pate came this morning, and we were all so happy to see her. Pat taught with Sue and me for a long, long time and remains one of our best friends. Secondly, Ms. Fannie sang the beginning of Psalm 104. Joe sang the next part, and then the entire class sang the last of the Psalm that was printed in our lesson. It was a great way to rejoice at God’s goodness, although singing isn’t the greatest talent of so many of us.
We were in double digits this morning—always something to celebrate with such a small congregation as Paxton. Joe and Laura, our “newbies,” as my sister-in-law said upon meeting them, came to church this morning. Pat knew most of the folks at Paxton already and was introduced to those she didn’t know. We received a letter from First Baptist Joaquin thanking the Paxton church for our financial and personal support in providing Christmas gifts to young folks in the community.
Our Paxton ministry served Holiday Nursing Center last week. Hilda, Fannie, Sue, Nora, and the preacher visited friends, shared stories, and sang songs. The weather had been steady rain for several days, but Thursday afternoon the rains slowed and the sun came out. We are looking forward to our outreach at Lakeside Village this coming Thursday at 2:00. Many of our volunteers are Paxton members, but others just have that desire to bring cheer to our friends and neighbors.
In November there was a wreck out in front of our house. It was rainy weather and a car hydroplaned, leaving the road and taking out two large bushes, our street sign, the State’s “55mph sign,” hitting our culvert and flipping over. Luckily, all were safely buckled in, so no one was hurt. This past week I went to a sign shop in Center to order a new street sign. The gentleman who waited on me and I got into a long conversation about people we both know. Ms. Margie Dorner, who we all know from our visits to Lakeside, came in. Turns out she is his mother, and we had one of those “small world” visits.
“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!
January 19, 2017 - Jackson's Annual Chili Cook-Off is Sunday, January 22nd and everyone is invited to attend.
The Chili Cook-Off will take place after the 10:50am Worship Service. Also, special music during the 10:50am Worship Service will be provided by the Stephens of Northport, Alabama. Everyone is invited to join us for an afternoon of Worship with the Stephens at 1:30pm on Sunday, January 22nd.
Jackson Baptist Church is located at 11120 State Hwy 7 East, Joaquin, TX 75954.
January 17, 2017 - Last week we celebrated the Epiphany, which put off to this Sunday the scriptures about the baptism of Jesus. All four of the canonical gospels have a baptism story, so we know how important this event is. Jesus comes to the Jordan, where John is urging people to be baptized and transformed. Jesus is baptized, which marks the beginning of his ministry.
Water is the most valuable resource—all living things need water to survive. Water is a source of life and has great importance in almost all world religions. The Hebrew Scriptures begin in Genesis speaking of water covering the face of the earth. Revelation in the Christian scriptures has a vision of water flowing from the throne of God.
Baptism joins us with God and a community of God. Stanley Hauerwas writes that we are called upon to be a community “capable of forming people with virtues sufficient to witness to God’s truth in the world.” Our baptism calls us into the Kingdom—a Kingdom of tolerance, love, and bravery. Our baptism is joined with Jesus’ and from that union living water must flow from our lives into the lives of all we meet.
The scripture for our Sunday school lesson continues to be the Psalms. Psalm 65 praises and blesses God for abundant grain and rain. The poet says that even the deserts drip with God’s goodness. All the little things that we often take for granted make life good. We often forget that.
We had a good crowd by Paxton standards. We have been in double digits every Sunday this year! Sam came with his grandmother, Mrs. Fannie: We at Paxton have enjoyed seeing Sam grow up, and now he is all grown up! He is getting ready for a new semester at Panola. Our End-of-Year Reports and other required paperwork were sent via the mail and the Internet. It is always nice to get this business completed so we can concentrate on the important things. I have a meeting with the District Superintendent next week in Lufkin.
This Tuesday we go to Holiday Nursing Home for our monthly program. A week from this Thursday, we head to Lakeside Village. Both programs begin at 2:00.
“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!
January 17, 2017 - Repelling is fun. The feeling of walking off a 50 ft. tower or large cliff with just a rope between you and the ground is exhilarating!
I will never forget the first time that I was challenged to do it. I have to say this right off, I have always had a "fear" of heights. So for me to do this, in my mind, was truly a feat. As I began to climb the tower and think that what I was about to do feeds one of my biggest fears, my chest began to tighten, hands sweating, breathing labored, and my knees got weak. That's right I was in full anxiety mode. My fear was so strong I didn't know if I could make it to the top of the tower, let alone jump off it with nothing more between me and the ground but a rope and one of my Army buddies holding the line at the bottom.
Once I got to the top I was "rigged up" and walked to the edge of the platform. The instructor could tell I was nervous, so he comforted me with the words, "Don't worry if you fall, we can slow your descent so you probably won't die, just break a couple bones." Then he laughed. I was given instructions on how to stop or slow myself on the way down and told to step over the edge. As I looked back over the edge and seen how far it was to the ground, all those fears rushed through my head, "What if the rope breaks?, What if I forget how to stop?, What if the guy on the ground is not paying attention as I plunge to the earth?" Then the instructor gave me some wise advice. He said, Just step over the edge and hold for a few seconds until you get used to being over the edge." Then he told me that the guy on the ground end of the rope could stop me if I started to free fall. You see the "anchor man" at the other end of the rope could actually be your salvation if you began to fall. With this realization, my fears were relieved and my anxiety began to subside. I made the repel without incident and couldn't wait to get back and try it again. I almost let fear and anxiety keep me from experiencing something that could give me enjoyment.
In life we let our fears lead us to anxiety and worry. When we allow these to take control of our lives it can paralyze us and keep us from moving forward. Did you know that about 90 percent of the things we worry about daily never materialize. So we spend a lot of our days being afraid to step out of our comfort zones to be all that God wants us to be. We can use fear and anxiety as justification for our inaction, but in reality it comes down to not trusting our "anchor man." Who we put our trust in if we start to "free fall."
Hebrews 6:19-20 says, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus." When we are convinced that we can trust Jesus as the anchor of our soul we can live life head on, without fear. Paul tells us that if we, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4: 6-7)
So don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Its time for you to stop letting fear and anxiety hold you back. Step out, and put your faith and trust in the "anchor" that never fails, Jesus Christ. When anxiety enters faith leaves, but when faith takes over anxiety disappears.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt.
Trust God and stop worrying. You won't succeed if you never try.
I'm Just sayin,
Mike Belgard
January 17, 2017 - The St John Baptist Church of Tenaha, Texas would like to invite everyone to our Winter Musical featuring the Chariots of Fire from Shreveport, Louisiana on February 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm.
We would be delighted to see you there.
January 16, 2017 - "Arise and go down to the potters house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potters house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potters hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done?" Declares the Lord. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:2-6)
This story of the potter's wheel truly is the story of the relationship of mankind on earth with the Lord.
Just as with the clay of the potters wheel, all men are "spoiled" as we are all born into this world with the sin nature inherited from our forefather, Adam.
From birth we are molded by our parents, our siblings, our school and our church, yet we are still spoiled by our sin nature and for us to be complete and be useful vessels we too must be reworked into a useful vessel, a new creation.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"If anyone is in Christ", meaning, once we have accepted Christ as Lord and Master we are then a "new creation". Once saved you will be changed, the old things of this world will no longer control you as you learn the true joy of living in Christ. You will grow in faith to realize that nothing of this world matters, only God's Word and your relationship with God is important. It is your future, your place in eternity that matters.
"Arise and go down to the potters house, and there I will let you hear my words." Is God not the potter, is the potters house not the church? Isn't God telling us here that if we are to become useful vessels then we must go to where we can hear His words? "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17)
Absolutely, we see here from the scripture that to be saved; we must "hear the word" for "faith comes from hearing". God is telling us that we must be told as were the 1st century Christians, they did not know "the Word" until John the Baptist and Jesus Christ came preaching repentance of sins. Without this preaching, not one person would be saved today.
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
"For with heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:10)
There it is, we must be reworked by God's grace into new creations, useful vessels for the work He put us here to do.
If you don't know Him, find a church today be there tonight and begin the process of being reworked by God into a useful vessel.
May God's blessings be upon you...
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so..” Psalms 107:2
January 16, 2017 - I was a college sophomore when I bought my first car. It was a black twelve-year old ‘41 Ford. Jones Chevrolet in Center, Texas stored it for me eight months while I paid for it. It cost me $495 and I couldn’t wait to drive it home.
I painted the dash tomato red and put a wheel cover and steering knob on it before driving it to ETBC to show it off. Parking it every day in front of the dining hall assured me that everyone saw it. I was proud of that car!!
When I was converted to the Lord, I was so proud of the Lord Jesus. I apologized to people I had offended, returned the fifty cents I’d stolen from Barney Bridges’ Café , and showed my new faith to everyone.
Many people don’t show off their cars like they used to. I’ve also noticed that many Christians don’t show the Lord off like they once did.
I wonder why.
January 11, 2017 - As we look upon the light of a new day, a new year, let us have hope for a better time in 2017. Let us look forward to a closer walk with our Lord each day, let us do as the Lord instructs us in Psalm 27. "You have said, "seek my face." My heart says to You, "Your face, Lord do I seek." (Psalm 27:8)
We must seek His face daily if we are to walk closer with Him who is our refuge, our strength.
But, how do I seek His face and walk closer with God each day? God set in motion the link we have to Him, He inspired the writings of the Old Testament Prophets, then He sent His only Son, to open the door to the throne of God and to start the gospel of Christ. Through the Apostles and disciples that Jesus called to Him we have the New Testament, more inspired writings of God, we must seek His face through His word.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) When man has rejected us, when the world looks upon us with scorn for our faith, let us know that the answers to life's problems are within our reach, within God's Word.
"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10)
God told the Israelites at the Red Sea when Moses said; "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today." (Exodus 14:13) God is telling us the same today, when we are troubled we must turn to Him for strength and guidance. Know that He is God, that He is all powerful, that all glory is His and that we have our Lord to carry us.
Jesus tells us; "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Study in God's Word gives us the most powerful weapon on earth, no enemy can overcome the message of the Word.
As the Word says; "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord and you are exalted as head above all." (1Chronicles 29:11) NOTHING of this world can overcome our Lord.
Study His Word daily so you too have the weapons to overcome the world. And remember this each day, no matter the situation or circumstances; "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:11)
Seek His face daily, if you know Him seek His face so you can walk closer with Him. If you do not know Him, please, seek His face, pray to Him, today, for forgiveness for your sins, for if you do, He is good and just and will forgive you and save you from the fires of hell.
May God bless you each day...
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