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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
March 7, 2022 - The ordination service of Bro. Charles Paige as deacon will be March 20 at 1pm at the Wallace Chapel B.C. where Pastor Derrick Rhodes is pastor.
The church is located at 109 South Marcus Street in Timpson.
Speaker will be Pastor Carlos Johnson of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
March 17, 2022 - My mother always was one who enjoyed doing “crafty” things. When we were cleaning out her house, we found numerous half-finished projects. Things like purses being made from lunch boxes, wooden trays to be painted, pictures she was going to decoupage and, well, you get the idea. If we are honest, all of us have a number of “unfinished projects” of our own. It seems we “run out of time.”
Perhaps one of the saddest of our “unfinished projects” are the things we were going to do in the service of the Lord. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16) Sadly, for most of us, the passage should read “our good intentions” rather than our good works. We tend to be more like what Paul wrote in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want” (ESV).
In all of our lives, there are good things and deeds of kindness we intended to do that we have failed to do. Let’s realize that we seldom accomplish all the good things we plan to do. It’s not that we are bad people, it’s not that we don’t care, it’s just that somehow we run out of time and we leave things unfinished. So, we need to resolve to do better tomorrow than we did today and we need to be loving and understanding toward others who have failed in the same way we have.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
“Whosoever shall humble himself as a little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of God…” Matt. 18:4
March 15, 2022 - In the seventies I was asked to preach a revival in a Southeast Texas town and was warned beforehand that the church had deacon problems. Two deacons (the church’s only deacons) couldn’t agree on who should be the Deacon Chairman! (True Story). Sure enough, they sat on opposite sides of the church and never spoke to each other during that week.
A desire to be the church boss is not a new phenomenon. Jesus’ twelve apostles (Mark 9:30) argued about who was greatest and the mother of James and John asked Jesus to let her sons sit next to Him in His Kingdom. Jesus bypassed these selfish glory-seekers by saying that only humble people could be great in the Kingdom.
Humility is a hard (but not impossible) virtue to attain. The minute we think we have it, we prove we don’t. We can only achieve it… if we’re willing to see ourselves as we really are…
… and God like He really is.
March 15, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Our small congregation of Paxton Methodists met Sunday, the 2nd Sunday in Lent. We are about 10 days into Lent, forty days of introspection, prayer, and thought. Our church ancestors set aside these forty days so we can prepare ourselves for Easter. This year, Easter comes late—April 17th. I am hoping and, yes, praying that we have seen the last of the freezing temperatures. I have always been told to wait until after Easter to plant vegetables but such will put gardeners later than usual in 2022.
During the month of March, Paxton Methodists will be collecting cans of chili to take to Community Christian Services. Last night I spoke to Joe’s son Ben, and we had a really nice conversation. Ben says his dad is feeling better and making progress. That is certainly heartening as we keep Joe in our prayers. Also in our prayers, of course, are the people of Ukraine. Their bravery, love of country, and steadfast democracy are totally admirable, especially when facing the cold-hearted Putin and his well-armed troops.
Our Sunday School class is so happy to have our dear friend Carolyn back. She adds so much to our Sunday School lesson. In the article before Sunday’s lesson, the author mentioned that John Wesley urged Methodists to begin a routine practice of self-examination and reflection. Carolyn had her granddaughter get on Google and print off those 22 questions we are to ask ourselves, and they are as relevant today as they were 250 years ago.
We began our church service with the Gathering Words that are based on Psalm 27. Our affirmation of faith was A Modern Affirmation, a little different from the 21st Century Affirmation that we have used the last few weeks. Needless to say, the sentiment is the same. Because of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, our bulletin quote was part of a traditional Irish blessing: “May peace and plenty bless your world/with joy that long endures/May all life’s passing seasons/bring the best to you and yours!”
Our first song was “Take My Life and Let It Be,” which was a little slow-moving for my taste. The second hymn, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence,” made up for that as we all spiritedly sang out on the chorus. Our service also includes the Gloria Patri as a response to the Affirmation of Faith and the Doxology in thanksgiving after the offering is collected.
The Gospel lesson (Luke 13: 31-35) seemed right for Lent. Jesus is at the outskirts of the city and laments that Jerusalem doesn’t often welcome those who speak for God. Jesus wants to pull the people close to God and himself—just like a mother hen gathers her young under her wing.
John Wesley certainly called upon Methodists to study scripture and to work really hard to discern the words of God. As you are reading ancient scripture, you will hear the voice of God. One of my first professors at SMU said if you are not preaching the Good News, then you are not preaching the Gospel of Jesus. These ideas join together to show the comfort we can find in scripture.
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, and Open Minds.” 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
March 14, 2022 - Good Morning. It’s Monday, March 14.
Today my subject is family. During our lives we may have several families - spouses, children, second marriages, step kids, grand kids, etc. But my focus this morning is on the family we grew up with - mom, dad, brother, sisters.
That first family features a unique connection for most of us. Our siblings know us in a way that no one else does. And brothers and sisters know their parents in a unique way as well.
Change impacts the relationships in our first families, as it does everything. Our interactions may diminish, but our connections remain. After our parents pass away we may not see our brothers and sisters as much as we once did - but they are still a part of us.
And so, today, we celebrate siblings. Those people in the world who remember us from “way back when”, who know some of our secrets, who trust us with some of theirs. The people who fill a place in our lives that only they can fill, pieces of our puzzle, characters in our story.
Today we celebrate siblings. We thank God for them. We pray for them. We remember them.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 10, 2022 - Harmonia Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas is hosting its 127th Church Anniversary Service on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 3pm with guest speaker Pastor Mario Osby, Smith Chapel Baptist Church, Timpson, Texas.
March 10, 2022 - It was one night a few weeks ago, my wife was watching Hallmark Movies and I just wasn’t in the mood for a Hallmark Movie. I was more in the mood for an old World War II Movie. Well, I started searching Amazon Prime and found an old movie I had only seen once before. I had watched it on the “Late Show” with my dad in the mid 1960’s. So I tuned in and watched the movie.
As I watched that movie, as I got lost in the action, I was a young boy once again, I was laying on the couch, my dad was sitting in his recliner, the fire was crackling in the fireplace and I relished the memories brought back. It was almost like daddy was in the room with me again, though he has been gone over a quarter of a century. I also saw the movie in color this time because in the mid 1960’s we only had a black and white television.
Yet, thinking about the memories that movie brought back, also made me think about the Lord’s Supper. The memorial feast we observe each Lord’s Day in memory of our suffering savior. When Jesus gave those emblems to his disciples he told them, “this do in remembrance of me”. Those warm feelings I felt watching that old movie are the kind of feelings we should have every Lord’s Day when we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I hope you are planning to assemble with the saints of God this coming Lord’s Day and that taking the Lord’s Supper will be part of that assembly. The Lord will be there.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
March 9, 2022 - Huxley Helping Hands Drive Thru food pantry will be Saturday, March 12 at 9am at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Must provide photo ID and be in line by 9:30am. Only one box per household will be given.
“God will supply your needs…...” Eph. 4:19
March 8, 2022 - An empty stomach and a place to play hooky made Weaver’s Pond “the place” for my brothers and me. With a few hooks and a can of worms we often caught a needed meal for our family of eight children.
At eighteen, I hitch-hiked to Springfield, Missouri to enter The Baptist Bible College. With the help of some kind motorists and roadside apple orchards, I arrived there with my three dollars still in my pocket. Our dishwashing jobs at the Colonial Hotel guaranteed peanut butter and crackers for me and several other lean preachers.
A picture of Weaver’s Pond always flashes thru my mind when I return thanks. Maybe it’s God’s reminding me that while He hasn’t always granted my wants…
He has faithfully supplied my needs.
March 7, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. We have entered the forty days of Lent. This period of time prepares us for the coming of that last terrible week in the life of Jesus—but also the promise of Easter. Lent is often a time of contemplation and sacrifice.
March has come in “like a lamb,” being pretty warm. But I think Mother Nature has a few cold snaps left to bestow on us. I have started watermelon and cantaloupe seeds, but in my greenhouse. We still need rain: I hope I remember that the next rainy day, and especially during those damp dog walks.
I took a couple of checks and a back seat full of soap and shampoo to Community Christian Services. As always, it is nice to see friends and to observe all the good they do for folks in our area. During the month of March we are collecting cans of chili for CCS.
Uppermost in our hearts this week has been the brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia. It is heartbreaking to see every day the savagery of the invaders and the suffering of ordinary people, whose lives will never be the same again. I hope that the Western democracies and their people will keep up their resolve, continuing to put pressure on Russia, while supporting and supplying the people of Ukraine.
We were delighted to have Carolyn back with us at Sunday School. She has been gone for most of the last 16 months lovingly looking after her sister. Our Sunday School lesson focused on Mark 8: 27-38, when Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say I am?” He then asks the same question of the disciples. Peter is quick to answer for the twelve, saying Jesus is the Messiah. But when Jesus explains what that entailed, Peter is shocked and unbelieving. We all admit not understanding why Jesus had to suffer as terribly as he did.
Our first hymn, “Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed” speaks of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. “Standing on the Promises,” our second song, reminds us to stand firm and not to give up hope. We had two quotes in the bulletin Sunday: “When you follow your dreams, you encourage other people to follow theirs,” from American actress Nafessa Williams. Also an illustration from the music legend Duke Ellington: “I don’t believe in the generation gap. I believe in regeneration gaps. Each day you regenerate—or else you’re not living.” Ellington said this back in the 70s when people talked plenty about the generation gap.
I used the Old Testament lesson, Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 which is the liturgy for the celebration of first fruits. It is important to remember difficulties in our past past as well as celebrate the goodness that God brings to the people. Lent is also meant to keep alive the hopes, dreams, and promise of living in God’s Kingdom, which we do every day.
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, and Open Minds.” 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
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