Shelby County Today

July 13, 2017 - When I was a young boy I can remember going hunting for the first time. I couldn't wait to go squirrel hunting. The first day of squirrel season was a really special day. Everybody would go to camp in the swamp the night before so that they could get up early, before daybreak and get in the woods before the sun came up. That Friday before was a school holiday. It was a big deal. I remember sitting around the camp and listening to all the stories the hunters told. 

For a young boy it was one of the grandest adventures of my life. Every one of the older men were quick to tell you their secret to hunting success. It didn't take me long to realize that the secret to hunting any kind of game came down to one word: Patience. The best hunters were the most patient hunters. The ones who stayed in the woods until it was too dark to see, when it was too cold for everyone else, too rainy, it didn't matter they were there. Over the years I have found that life itself is like hunting. Those who are successful at it are patient.

Patience is a very important character trait or fruit of the Spirit that all Christians must posses to be successful in their relationships with others and the in the building of their faith.

In Romans 15:4-6 Paul writes; "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Patience does not mean giving up, but through patience we learn to stand firm in what we have been taught in scripture so that when trials occur we can have the hope that we are covered by the protective hand of God. When we have patience with those around us it shows them that God’s unconditional love flows through us as believers. That's why it is a fruit of the Spirit. 

It's an out growth of our relationship with God that is shared with others, that they too can be nourished and strengthened by it. That's why Paul goes on to say in verses 5-6 "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Patience is what unifies and holds people together in relationships. Could you imagine a family relationship where husbands and wives did not have patience with each other or their children? It would be a household filled with strife and constant conflict.

People often point to the Book of Job when describing patience. Job stood faithful through many painful trials. The beauty of the story of Job’s patience was not that he just bore those trials, but that he stood fast under tremendous pressure from his family and friends to give up or make excuses, with the staying power that turns trials into opportunities. That's what Godly patience is about, being steadfast and strong until your adversities turn into opportunities. Only God can cultivate that kind of patience in you. 

Jesus was the perfect example of patience.  Let Him guide you so that you may experience what James says "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4)." Do you want to be complete? Seek Him, Ask Him, and receive Him. He's patiently waiting.
                                  
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard

July 10, 2017 - In the fall of 1962 I became Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, Texas. On my first Sunday at the church, Deacon Thamar Dickerson walked into my study and as he held  his thumb in front of my face, said, “Brother Doug, my name is Thum-mar Dickerson”…and for an obvious reason, I never forgot his name. I never forgot his squirrel dog “Yeller’s” name, either. “She can’t bark, he said. “But she’s the best squirrel dog in the State of Texas.” And after a few hunting trips with Thamar, there was no doubt that he was right.

Thamar and I became close friends and he took me to all his best hunting and fishing spots. But we had a bitter disagreement at a committee meeting one night and he began missing church services. When I told Deacon Homer Bishop about the problem, he said, “When an eagle’s wing is broken, it may learn to fly again but will never soar as high.” I was just getting over a bad case of flu when the doorbell rang one morning. It was Thamar. “Want to go squirrel huntin’ today?”, he asked. ”I hear they’re stirring at the “S-Curve.” When we got to the canal lateral, the foot log that we always crossed on had fallen in and the water to wade was thigh –deep. “Get on my back”, Thamar said. “You could catch pneumonia.” As soon as we crossed, Yeller ran wide open into the woods and within minutes returned, jumped up on Thamar’s legs and began whining. When Thamar said, “Where is he, Yeller?”,  she led us into the woods to a white oak tree with a fat fox squirrel just waiting for us.

By God’s grace, the eagle did fly again…and soared as high as ever. And during my remaining six years at Mauriceville, Thamar and I hunted and fished often together. He crossed the Jordan River many years ago and did not cross alone. Thamar added many happy memories to my life. He was a good friend.

…..a good friend, indeed.

July 6, 2017 - Special Visitors from the Holy Land at First United Methodist Church Bible School

Sunday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 12 Center FUMC will be visited by David, who fought the giant Goliath; by Priscilla and Aquila, who traveled with Paul on his mission trips; by Deborah, who was a judge in ancient Israel; and by Jesus’ disciples – maybe ALL of them! Come join us and learn what God’s people DID in Biblical times and what God’s people DO in our current times!!

Children entering Kindergarten through those entering 5th grade will enjoy good food and fellowship, singing, making a variety of crafts, and learning about living the Christian life as they listen to the stories told by these Christians from Biblical times.

6pm through 8pm each night. The church is located on Porter Street in Center.

For additional information, call 936-598-2707.

July 6, 2017 - At the first constitutional convention the men who crafted the document that has defined freedom for the last 200 years knew where to draw there wisdom. They were at an impasse in there negotiation of the document when a well respected man in the group who was known for his ability to persuade people with both the written and spoken word, stood up and addressed the group. He requested that the group separate for three days in which they would pray and fast, then come back together and  again work on the document. They agreed,and after three days returned together and with the wisdom of God in their hearts. Ben Franklin, George Washington, and the other writers of The Constitution Of The United States penned the document that established the country that became the greatest provider of freedom and liberty that the world has ever known.

You see the founding fathers knew something we seem to have forgotten today; that it is impossible to be free without the help of God. Some people don't even realize that they are slaves to anything. But all of us are slaves to something. Some to work, some to addictions, some to our "things," some to our bodies, and the list goes on. All these things that we allow to bind us up, hold us as slaves. We allow ourselves to be lured into slavery by the bait of "more money, more fun, more pleasure, more fame, and more things" and before we know it we are slaves to those things. The more we struggle on our own to be free the more we become entangled until we give up and just start accepting our circumstances.

But there is good news. We have a redeemer who can set us free. If we trust Him , He promises to rescue us from our chains. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 "If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Here are three things you must do to be set free:
1) Recognize what you are a slave to. In the Alcoholics Anonymous program one of the first steps toward recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Once you realize your bondage you can work on getting out of it. When we confess with our mouth God is faithful to forgive.
2) Abide in His word. Be not only hearers of His word but also doers. Start reading the teachings of Jesus and do what He says.
3) Allow Him to set you free. Quit struggling to free yourself and let God take control of your life. In Jn 8:36 Jesus says "Therefore if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed."

Our freedom in this country was bought with the blood of those who died to insure that we would no longer be a slave to anyone. Our spiritual freedom was paid for with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who can set you free and get you started on a new life. Trust Him and you will live the life of freedom and independence you have always dreamed of.
                                                       
                                                       I'm Just Sayin
                                                       Mike Belgard