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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
September 26, 2022 - Short Community Homecoming and Singing on October 9, 2022. Potluck dinner at 12 noon with Open Mic Singing at 1:30pm. Come enjoy good food and fellowship. For more information contact Sherry Harding 936-288-2382 or Kenny Harris 936-427-7913.
September 26, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Our church service began with a Gathering Hymn today: “Morning Has Broken,” sung by Cat Stevens. This beautiful hymn is often used in the spring around Easter, but we enjoyed it just as much in the newly cooler fall. Our Gathering Words were based on Psalm 91, with the poet wondering who will live in the shadow of the Most High. The tormented picture on the front of the bulletin I assumed was Lazarus from the Gospel story, living in hunger and poverty. As I was going up front to preach, I realized it was Dives, the rich man in Shoal. Both men’s distress was needless—Lazarus because Dives could have helped him, and Dives because his riches only benefited himself.
To offset the agony expressed in the cover picture, we chose quotes from humorists. First, Groucho Marx said, “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.” The inside statement was from James Thurber: “It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” As my wife says, the affirmation was “the same old Apostles’ Creed,” which we answer by singing the Gloria Patri. The Gospel lesson was about a miserable Lazarus at the gate of the rich man’s house. The rich man had everything—but didn’t share; in death, he suffered while Lazarus was comforted. We sang “Softly and Tenderly” another beautiful hymn, had prayer, and then held a business meeting.
We approved a Budget for 2023, also okaying the Trustees and the Financial reports. I then gave the congregation an update on the church’s movements toward disaffiliation. If you can stream on your TV, on You Tube you can see story after story about the split in the Methodist Church. This week a nurse made a home visit for our insurance company’s annual assessment. In our back-and-forth conversation, I told her I was a Methodist minister and explained the troubles Methodists are currently having. She laughed and said, “You know, you Methodists aren’t as good at fussing and arguing as the Baptists.” Sorry, Baptists, but I think she is right!
The business meeting went so long we decided to meet Thursday at 4:00 to continue our path of discernment. Sue is bringing Subway sandwiches, chips, cookies, and bottled water since 4:00 is almost dinner time for us “more mature” folks. I sure want to thank Larry for his calm counsel during this period. Our church is lucky to have such a rational, reasonable advisor in our group.
We had a really good Sunday School class. All of us were on time, present, and accounted for. We often get off topic, but the words from our text, Deuteronomy 30: 15-20 said, “Look here. Today I’ve set before you life and what’s good, versus death and what’s wrong.” It goes on to say that the best way to understand begins with obedience to God. We are told that after forty years of walking, Moses felt that he saw clearly the best path forward. Maybe Moses can make an appearance at Paxton on Thursday!
Today was the last Sunday of the month, so we gathered up the mac-n-cheese brought in September for Community Christian Services. I’ll deliver it this week. In October, we’re collecting peanut butter and jelly for CCS. When we first chose different monthly items at Joaquin Methodist, October was peanut butter month. A member of the congregation objected, saying you couldn’t have the PB without the J. So we adjusted—PB and J it is. CCS Christmas for Kids is also approaching; Gene had our church’s check ready for them, and Joy brought one from the VFW Auxiliary. We’ll deliver those tomorrow.
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.
September 26, 2022 - Good Morning. It’s Monday, September 26.
Our focus this morning is on a song by the Contemporary Christian band, Casting Crowns. A song with an inspiring story behind it. A song that speaks in a unique way to our world today. A song called “Praise You in This Storm”.
On Valentine’s Day, 2004, the members of Casting Crowns met a little girl who had cancer. Her name was Erin Browning. It’s not unusual for celebrities - actors, musicians, athletes - to meet with children in hospitals, giving them hope and encouragement in the midst of their challenging experience. But Erin made an unusually strong impression on the band, and they stayed in touch with her and her family.
Erin died on November 1. The way that she and her parents faced the storm of cancer inspired the band’s leader Mark Hall and producer Bernie Herms to write this song. It quickly went to #1 on the charts and was voted Song of the Year in 2005. Fifteen years later, the world faced the storm of the pandemic. Christian singer Natalie Grant, the wife of Bernie Herms, re-recorded the song. Here are her words - “This song became new to me in 2017 when I walked through the storm of cancer. Now, as the world finds itself in a storm, it speaks once again”.
Let it speak to you today.
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I cried
You hold in Your hands
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 22, 2022 - Believe it or not, there have been times I have been accused of being too “narrow-minded” when it comes to spiritual matters. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 7:14, “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.” There are actually other areas of life where you find narrow-mindedness.
There is no room for being broadminded in the chemical laboratory. Water is composed of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. The slightest deviation from this formula means you don’t have water.
There is no broadmindedness in the garage. The mechanic says the piston rings must fit the cylinder walls within one thousandth of an inch if the motor is to run smoothly, there cannot be any variation.
Broadmindedness cannot exist on the athletic field. The game is played according to the rules and there are no favors shown for “charity’s sake.”
Why then do folks expect broadmindedness in the realm of religion and the plan of salvation? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the father but by me” (John 14:6) Jesus Christ expects us to follow His plan and live His kind of life if we want to go to heaven. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). Well, neither am I.
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.
September 21, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Church began this morning with discussion on various committee reports and the budget. The plan is to have the reports and budget voted on before the yearly Church Conference. This is a Methodist thing, and we tend to be very methodical in getting our “i’s” dotted and our “t’s” crossed. That’s OK unless I fall behind. Starting from behind isn’t a surefire way to stay caught up. We talked briefly about Community Christian Services; this month we’re collecting mac-n-cheese, and in October, another kid favorite, PB+J!
After our short business meeting, Sue started us off with the Gathering Words based on Psalm 37: 1-9. The poet speaks of the love, faith, and transformation that can happen to us if we open our lives to the great possibility of God. We followed the Gathering Words with more words—affirming our faith in the God made known by Jesus. We always respond to the reading of the affirmation with the Glori Patri. Sue read the Gospel lesson. Until Friday my sermon was going to focus on Paul and the letter to his friend Timothy. The Gospel story was another puzzler this week, and I just didn’t feel like tackling it...but I did. Luke 16: 1-13 was explicated in Paxton on Sunday!
Our songs were beloved Methodist ones starting with “My Hope Is Built,” and right before the sermon, “This Is My Father’s World.” As a bonus, Sue played one verse of my favorite hymn, “Morning Has Broken,” from the facing page. The quote inside the bulletin was by William Arthur Ward who said, “Love is more than a noun—it is a verb; it is more than a feeling—it is caring, sharing, helping, sacrificing.” On the front, Og Mandino reminded us, “Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday.” On the Prayer List we remembered Joe’s birthday last week, Charlie who has had some good and some bad days lately, Elton’s progress, and Billie Joy Allen’s grief.
At Sunday School, Claudia read the Bible passage from Exodus 17. We heard that the people were on their long journey—a lifelong journey really. When water became scarcer, they began to remember the days of slavery when they at least had water. It does seem that often when times become desperate, God brings help.
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.
September 19, 2022 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 19.
As I write this, I'm watching the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth, along with billions of others around the globe. When it comes to pomp and pageantry - no one can do it like the British. It is truly a ceremony... fit for a Queen.
The service included some inspiring music, including the national anthem of England, which, for the first time in 70 years, is called "God Save the KING". I'm reminded of one of the hymns often sung at funerals here in the States - "In the Garden."
Austin Miles, a pharmacist by trade, wrote this very personal song in 1912. He was having his morning devotion and opened his Bible to John 20. It features the account of the first person to see the risen Christ - Mary Magdalene. After reading the passage, Miles began to meditate on it. Is meditation part of your daily time in the Word? The Bible encourages it.
As he thought about that moment in the garden, Austin Miles, was inspired to write this lovely hymn, a song that has comforted the hearts of many who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Mary Magdalene was just such a person, as she approached the tomb, but Jesus restored her hope and gave her peace.
He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 16, 2022 - Third Monday Lunch Meeting - Monday, September 19, 11:30am at First Baptist Church of Center, 117 Cora, Center, TX. Free lunch and program presented by Leigh Porterfield.
September 12, 2022 - The annual Mt. Herman Cemetery Homecoming is scheduled for Sunday, September 18. Please come out and enjoy food and fellowship at the Mt. Herman Cemetery located on Hwy 7 West in Center beginning at Noon.
Covered dishes and especially donations for the upkeep of the cemetery are greatly appreciated. Attendance has been down over the past couple of years due to Covid but we are hoping there is a nice showing going forward.
If unable to attend but would like to contribute please mail donations to:
Mt. Herman Cemetery Fund
c/o Deanne Sample - Sec/ Treasurer
1106 CR 4314
Tenaha, TX 75974
September 15, 2022 - Sometimes, I read things that are just too good not to pass along. I don’t recall exactly where this came from, but it needs to be shared.
It seems that the preacher had just concluded a hot and scathing sermon on the sin of swearing. He had stated several times that he knew that one of his hearers was guilty.
The services ended. The worshippers, one by one filed out the door. The first to go was a woman never suspected of using foul language. With a red and angry face she exclaimed, “I’ll never darken this door again!” Before the astonished preacher could recover from the blast, another said, “Well preacher, if I had known you were near last week, I would have been more careful.” A third said, “I think that you might at least have come to me privately about it, rather than telling it to the whole church.” A fourth remarked, “I was never so embarrassed in all my life.”
Then came the real culprit – the one at whom the preacher had aimed all his remarks. With a bland and innocent smile, he grasped the hand of the preacher and said, “Brother, that was what I call a real sermon. You certainly did pour it on them today.”
Sadly, I have met that individual more than once over the last 50 plus years of preaching.
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.
September 13, 2022 - First Smyrna United MBC Annual Homecoming Services will be held on September 18, 2022 at 12:30pm at 644 Railroad Ave., Timpson, TX 75975. Pastor Charleston “Earl” Johnson.
Guest Pastor, Bryan Gates from Harmonia Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
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