Shelby County Today

March 28, 2017 - New Life Church would like to express their appreciation to everyone who came out and supported the Chicken Sandwich plate fundraiser held last week. Thank you for those who pre-ordered meals. We apologize for the delay in delivery. God blessed us with good weather and blessed the fundraiser turnout. Unfortunately the main cook for the event had a flat tire that morning which delayed the food cooking. The devil may make things difficult but God will get us through.

Thank you again to all who supported the fundraiser. 

March 27, 2017 - Sunday was the Fourth Sunday in Lent. We are more than halfway through Lent’s forty days. The Ides of March and St. Patrick’s Day just blew on by. On Sunday, April 16th the western half of the Christian world will celebrate Easter. Paxton Methodist and the Watson family invite everyone to the Watson home for Easter Sunrise Service. The service will begin at 7:00 AM; following the service, breakfast will be served. One of Dock’s cousins, Ron Hilton, will bring the Easter message. The Watson family is busy putting together another great Easter program. We are all hoping for a beautiful Easter morning, but whatever the weather may be, we will celebrate the victory of life over death, new beginnings, and Christ’s resurrection.

This Sunday, I used last week’s Old Testament Lesson from Exodus 17:1-7. The wandering tribes are already very unhappy in their long trek to the Promised Land. The uncertainty frightens them, and their thirst in the desert is very real. They begin to wonder if this Moses knows what he is doing, or if they would have been better off remaining in slavery back in Egypt.

We often long for the “good old days,” but the truth is all days, all ages, and all generations are full of challenges. Nonetheless, in our long journey toward God and the Kingdom, we are to be hopeful people.

We have been collecting cans of chili for Community Christian Services all month. In April—no fooling!—it will be toothpaste and toothbrushes. Next week we will discuss purchasing a portable speaker/sound system to be used by the church but also by family reunions and cemetery homecomings.

We got an update from the SFA students at the Wesley Foundation and will discuss sending them an additional check next Sunday. Next Sunday, the first Sunday of the month, we will celebrate Holy Communion. The following Monday is our ministry at Green Acres starting at 2:00 PM. We sure hope that Rose McNeil, Keith Knight, and Carolyn Hooker are feeling better soon.

Our nursing home ministries for Holiday and Lakeside are on the third Tuesday and fourth Thursday. In March, that meant they occurred in the same week. I was under the weather last week, but I got a full report from those who attended. At Holiday, Larry Terry fiddled some lively specials and also joined Mrs. Hilda’s piano accompaniments to group singing. Nora and Sue read kids’ books: There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly and Yertle the Turtle, both full of silliness. Jo shared a song from her mother: “Mairzey doats and doazy doats and liddle lamzy divey,” which of course translates to “Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy.”

At Lakeside, Maggie agreed to be “anointed” as emcee. She and Mrs. Hilda, on the electronic baby grand piano, kept things moving. Ollie, Laura, and Sue read poems: “I’m drinking from my saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed,” “The Highwayman,” and Calvin Trillin’s No Fair! No Fair! poems of childhood. It was goose bump time with Nora’s a capella version of “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” Gene sang several songs that he invited others to join in, including “Blessed Assurance” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Jo started the group on “Roses Are Red, My Love,” and Karen shared the oath on her Special Olympics shirt: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

“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!

March 20, 2017 - Springtime is upon us and isn't it beautiful. East Texas is ablaze with color. Driving down the highways you can see the woods filled with dogwoods that are in full bloom. Yards filled with beautiful Azaleas and Lillies. Deep green pastures and plowed fields form a patchwork of beauty that makes East Texas one of the most beautiful places on earth. All the trees blooms that capture the eye and add a realization of the magnificence of Gods creation of new life each year.

I am always most amazed at fruit trees. In the spring they are beautiful with their blooms. Everyone of them are covered with beautiful white or pink flowers that last for a few weeks and then they are gone. If you look closely when the blooms fall off you'll notice everywhere there was a bloom it is now replaced with a tiny fruit. You can't tell what kind of tree it really is until it starts producing fruit. The fruit is unique to the tree.

An apple tree can't produce figs, an orange tree can't produce peaches. A tree cannot produce a fruit that is not in its DNA to produce. Apple trees always produce apples.

Jesus draws the fruit tree comparison with religious people in Matthew 7:15-20. In the sermon on the mount Jesus says about "religious" people, "You will know them by their fruit". Notice He didn't say by their gifts. Don't misunderstand, the gifts of the Spirit are important, but Jesus is clear in His speech when He says "you will know them by their fruit." You see the fruit we produce comes from within us. If someone is filled with the Spirit they will produce the fruit of the Spirit. These fruit are the true character traits that all Christians should be identified by.

So what are the "fruit of the Spirit"? Paul lists those in Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control." He adds "against these there is no law." If you want to know if someone is a Spirit filled believer check their character. All born again believers have these traits as part of their spiritual DNA. Its the only fruit they can produce.

So to use Jesus' analogy, if you are not producing this kind of fruit in your life you probably need to check your heart and your faith. Remember in Matt. 7:19 Jesus said, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire."  He said that to emphasize how important it is for us to live our lives producing those good fruit. Just think what the world would be like if everyone possessed and lived by these nine fruit.

What a wonderful place it would be.

Here's the good news! No matter where you are in life or what you have done God loves you. He wants you to experience the joy of salvation so that you can have the peace that passes all understanding. He is long suffering and kind when you need Him. He wants you to taste the goodness of His blessings that He is faithful to pour out on His children. He will be gentle in His dealings with you and give you the self control that you need to keep yourself pure and holy. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you and let His Spirit take control of your life.
                                                      
                                                                              I'm Just Sayin
                                                                              Mike Belgard

March 16, 2017 - A Living Sacrifice

"I Appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)

A living sacrifice, to devote our bodies as followers of the Lord, giving to him as he asks each day. Not following the world, but keeping apart from the world, living in Christ Jesus. This is the duty of all Christians each day.

Paul even lists ways in which we may be called to serve each day. "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; if prophesy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; The one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8)

So we see ways in which God may call each of us to serve him, each having his own unique qualifications, given by the grace of God, for service to God.

Let us also look at several marks that will be seen in the true Christian. I am not attempting to discredit anyone here, only to give ways we can verify if the person before us is as he says. Even when that person before us is in the mirror.

First is love, Paul says Christian love must be genuine, not for show, but from the heart. Second, Christians freely contribute, as their own situations allow, to help others in need, one cannot be selfish and do God's will.

Third, maybe the most difficult of all, bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Forth, to live in harmony with others, rejoice with those who are happy, weep with those who are saddened. Live at peace with all people if possible.

Fifth, to never be haughty, but to live with humility always, to never be wise in your own sight for the one who is wise in his own sight is foolish indeed.

Sixth, never repay evil for evil, instead be patient, give thought to what is right, do what is honorable in response to another.

Seven, leave vengeance to the Lord; "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written. "Vengeance is mine says the Lord."" (Romans 12:19)

We are told to give food and water to our enemy when he is hungry or thirsty, in doing so we cause consternation or confusion in him. The Bible says in doing so, we heap coals of fire on his head.

"Do not be overcome by evil, overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

When one comes claiming to be a Christian, look at him using these Christians attributes to verify that he is as he says.

More importantly, look at yourself using these same attributes to see if you are you think you are.

The true Christian follows closely this verse; "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

Each of us can become better servants of God if we look at ourselves through these eyes. Amen...

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you...