Shelby County Today

March 14, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the 4th Sunday of Lent. In the United Church of Canada, today is also Laughter Sunday. Lent is such a solemn time for people of the Christian faith, but we must never forget laughter and humor. An old proverb says, “If you don’t laugh, you don’t take life seriously enough.” During my sermon I told some of the “humorous” tricks the Joaquin high school seniors played on me, their first-year teacher who wasn’t much older than they were.

Ms. Fannie had another good Sunday School lesson for us today. Gene read the scripture that served as the focus of the lesson—1 Peter 2:1-10. Our writer says that this letter was written to the many new Gentile Jesus Followers. They must have seemed out of the loop, not knowing all the Jewish spiritual stories, commandments, and special celebrations. Peter tells them that they need only to remember two things—love God and love your neighbor. Pretty good advice for everyone.

Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! The two songs we used during worship were from a CD that Fannie loaned me. Our first hymn was “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” soothing and melodic. Later, we enjoyed a lively banjo version of “Where the Soul Never Dies.”

The Gospel lesson for this Sunday includes John 3:16. The writer of the John Gospel refers back to what was the Old Testament lesson today: Moses crafts a bronze snake on a pole so all the Israelites who had been bitten by God-sent snakes could look upon the idol and be saved. The Gospel writer says that the Son of God must be raised up just like Moses raised up the bronze snake. In case comparing Jesus to a snake sounds strange, I reminded the congregation that Hebrews viewed snakes as a symbols of wisdom, not just as sneaky evildoers like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and medical professionals, who know more than politicians about this subject, say that we can do three simple things to curtail the spread of Covid-19: wash our hands regularly, stay at least six feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask—or maybe two masks--mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. And get that vaccine!

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 10, 2021 - Huxley Helping Hands drive thru food pantry, Saturday, March 13 at 9 am, at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Center, TX. Only (1) box per household, must show your ID and be in line by 9:30 am to receive a box. 

“In this world, who can do a thing, will not; And who would do it, cannot, I perceive.” (Browning)

Read the story of “The Good Samaritan” Luke 10:25-37

March 8, 2021 - On the day before the Texas great Snow-Ice Storm of 2021, Pam and I drove to Atwoods in Nacogdoches to buy bird food. We parked in front of a stack of bundled firewood about five sticks to a bundle and I waited in the car while Pam was in the store.  Suddenly as if they knew that we were about to be hit by a winter storm the next day, a large number of husky, young men drove up and feverishly began to snatch up these small bundles of oak.

Then through my window I saw an elderly white-haired woman slowly stumbling to the wood.  Her steps were short and unsure, and she trembled as she bent over and tried to lift a bundle that she could not hold.   Meanwhile, the steady flow of men walked around her as if she were invisible.  There I sat, unable to get out of the car without my walker. My shouts of “Help her!” went unheard as she stumbled away with a bundle of wood.

When Pam came back, I tearfully told her what I had seen, and the old lady slowly disappeared in the parking lot behind us. “I was Browning’s man that “would do a thing but could not’” I said.  “And all those thoughtless men could have done a thing but would not.” Where did this lady go with her bundle of wood and did her five sticks keep her warm when the massive storm brought the temperature to three degrees in Nacogdoches? That eighty-year-old lady was very unfortunate.  The Levite and Priest passed her by and could have helped her.

But the Good Samaritan was in the car ... and could not.

March 4, 2021 - Words are wonderful things.  They have a beauty and eloquence all their own.  Yet, there is often an eloquence without words.  “Silence is golden” someone has said.  Silence can also be eloquent.  Jesus was the master at using the eloquence of silence.  He used it many times.
 
​A woman was brought to Him who had been caught in the act of adultery.  The law said such a person must be put to death.  What must Jesus say?  He was silent.  He stooped down and wrote in the sand.  He said, “Let the sinless one throw the first stone”.  Then He went on writing.  When He looked up, His words and His wise silence had done their work.  All the accusers were gone.  A penitent woman stood there alone.
 
​He told Peter of the sin he would commit in denial.  Peter argued.  The day of trial came and Peter sinned.  At the right time, Jesus turned and looked at Peter.  That was all.  He just looked.  That was enough to make Peter go out and weep bitterly.
 
​In His trial, He refuted all charges made  against Him.  The paid liars came back with their exploded stories.  It was then Jesus fulfilled a prophecy made about Him and opened not His mouth.  The judge and others wondered.  But the judge was so impressed with him that he pronounced Him innocent of all fault as he pronounced the sentence of death.
 
​Silence is golden.  Silence can be as eloquent as words.  Knowing when to speak and when to be silent is one mark of real wisdom.
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It’s something to think about…..TBP