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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
June 26, 2017 - Sunday was the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost. There were some pretty heavy storms around Timpson that morning, but thankfully they moved off before folks started out for church. I was the fill-in for Fannie, teaching our Sunday School lesson. Our lessons this quarter have focused on Judges; today’s was about Samson. Of course, what I remember from childhood Sunday school days is a tough-guy Samson who had really long hair. The readings today focused not on this but on his miraculous birth and that even as God’s chosen, he seemed to do everything contrary to the wishes of God. Our author said he was impulsive, violent, prone to rage, arrogant, and reluctant to lead. He was supposed to be a Nazirite—a holy order of upright men—but he violated every rule and restriction. He was to begin the resistance to the Philistines, but he ended up marrying one of their tribe. In many ways his disobedience mirrored the disobedience of the people of Israel. Through it all, God, who is love, remained faithful to Samson, continuing to love him even though he was a reckless and often disobedient person. This is definitely good news for us!
We had a small crowd this morning, but we had some very special folks. Cynthia came once again to play the piano for us. Also, Hilda was here this morning—so great to see her. She is out of her boot and getting around pretty well. We all certainly miss Hilda when she is not with us. We pray that she keeps getting stronger every day.
Those who participated in our Holiday Nursing Home ministry last Tuesday were surprised to find Hilda there. This time, her friend Minnie—who also volunteered to play piano—did the driving. We had a lively time, singing lots of old favorites, including some requests. Fannie read a piece as if America were speaking—for example, saying “the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate.” Nora had forgotten the accompanying CD, but her strong a capella voice brought glory to the song thanking Jesus for caring for her. Sue read a Dr. Seuss favorite, Gertrude McFuzz, and was the emcee for the program.
All this month we have been collecting paper towels and toilet paper for Community Christian Services. I will deliver the goods early in the week. It is hard to believe that 2017 is half over, and Saturday is July! In July we are going to collect cans of spaghetti and ravioli.
The Gospel lessons since Pentecost have come from Matthew, focusing on the long sermons or discourses. Today we were reminded how much God cares about us and loves us. God’s love and grace is never-ending: We can begin each day secure in that love regardless of what we will face.
“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. Godspeed.
June 23, 2017 - When is the Lord coming back to claim his own from the earth. Let's look at God's Word and see what Jesus says about that great and wonderful day.
"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36)
No one knows so let no one tell you that they do.
Jesus tells us also that all things will go on as usual as they did before the flood that the people of the earth will be doing as they have always done up until it happens.
"For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:38-39)
No sign will be given to warn the faithful, the faithful must be faithful, ever looking to heaven, waiting for that great day when the rapture happens.
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42)
While we cannot know the day nor the hour, we can know what is going to happen.
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) I write these words to you that you too might be ready for the great and glorious day of the coming of the Lord. Let us be alert, let us be looking and listening for his return. Let us be walking in the light of the Lord Jesus and not be in the darkness of this world. For those of this world will not understand until it is over, what has happened.
"While people are saying; "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:3) That is the fate of the lost, of the non-believer that he will perish in the fires of hell at the end of this age.
But for the saved in Christ we have a different future, for once we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are no longer destined for destruction.
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
So I ask you, are you ready, have you accepted Christ as Lord? If not today is the day for you to do so. "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10)
Accept him today, join with us in the air as we rise and meet our Lord on that great and glorious day of the coming of the Lord.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day...
June 22, 2017 - Surf's Up! It's VBS time at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on July 5th, 6th, and 7th! Come surf the wave of God's amazing love on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as we celebrate for three days.
Pre-K through High School from 6pm until 8pm nightly. Mt. Olive Baptist Church is located on CR 4054 in Timpson, Texas.
June 21, 2017 - House of Refuge First Lady Night honoring Lady Pearl Nash is Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 6pm. Guest speaker is Prophetess Ronda Coleman of Athens, Texas with special guest Praise Dancers and solo performers that you don't want to miss!
Everyone is invited. House of Refuge is located at 215 Church Street, Center, Texas with Apostle W.E. Nash, Jr, pastor.
June 21, 2017 - We would like to invite everyone to our revival at Pleasant Grove MBC, June 26th-June 30th.
Our services will begin each night at 7. We will have refreshments after service on Friday. On Monday Bro. Billy Windham will bring the message, Tuesday and Wednesday will be Bro. BJ Windham, Thursday will be Josh Crawford, and Friday we will have Bro Billy Windham.
Please come join us and feel free to bring a special. We are looking forward to our revival. For more information, please contact Josh Crawford (936)572-5303. 1440 CR 1470 Timpson, TX 75975
June 21, 2017 -When I was a boy we lived about a quarter mile down a dirt drive on the edge of the swamp in Louisiana. Coming home late at night you could see all kinds of critters crossing the road. There were no stock laws then and cows and pigs even roamed free without fences.
One night after a Junior high football game, I rode home with a friends parents and they dropped me off at the end of the drive. It was about midnight and it was overcast so there were no stars or moon for light. It was very dark. I had walked down that drive many times without light so I was not afraid. As I walked in total darkness though, I began to feel uneasy. I could see the porch light in a distance so I tried to focus on it.
There were lots of cows on the road and I could see their shadows as they moved. The further I walked the more afraid and uneasy I felt. My mind began to play tricks on me as it worked overtime to remind me that every sound or movement could be bobcats and panthers coming out of the darkness to attack me. My walk turned into a trot. I had my eyes fixed on the porch light thinking,"if I could only make it to the light." Then it happened! Not watching my feet, I stepped on something. It was large. It got up and bellowed. When it bellowed, I screamed liked a two year old who had just been told they couldn't have any more ice cream. I'm still not sure to this day if it scared me or I scared it. It really don't matter we both got away!
I don't remember much about what happened after that, other than I either had a world record 150-yard leap to my front porch or I ran so fast I transcended time. Either was a feat beyond normal human capabilities. All I knew was I was safe in the light.
You know life is like that sometimes. We walk in the darkness sometimes for reasons beyond our control. It could be illness, a bad relationship, financial trouble, work problems all of these can leave us dropped off at the end of a long dark road in our lives that we have to walk down. We sometimes get lost in these times and have a hard time finding our way. Some even become accustomed to living in the darkness and become comfortable there. Other times, just like on that night, we are walking along unafraid until we step in the middle of something we weren't expecting and it scares us silly.
The trick to surviving these situations is not screaming or relying on our self perceived, "super human" abilities, but learning where the light is running toward it. Jesus said in John 8:12 " I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
I want you to know that you don't have to stay in the darkness. God has much more for you than that. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us just what God thinks of us. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light." You see Jesus is the light and when you seek Him, he will bring you out of the dark place you are in. When things are brought into the light you realize they are not as scary as you thought. That animal I stepped on that I thought was a monster in the darkness in my mind, but when I looked back in the light, I realized it was only a cow that had been lying in the road.
Let the light of the Savior shine in your life. He is calling you out of that dark place and into His marvelous light. You don't have to be afraid of the dark any more. Trust Him to light your path and you will never have to walk in darkness again.
I'm Just Sayin
Mike Belgard
June 15, 2017 - The Youth Department of Strong Triumph Church would like to invite everyone to our Annual Youth Revival, to be held Tuesday, June 20 through Thursday, June 22, beginning at 7 p.m. each evening. The guest speaker will be Apostle Javoris Gatlin, Pastor of The Life Church International of Longview, Texas.
We also invite everyone to our Annual Youth Explosion, to be held Saturday, June 24, beginning at 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 25, beginning at 3 p.m. On Saturday night, we will have a motivational speaker, which will be Ms. Stephany Carter from Shelbyville, Texas.
The theme for both the revival and the explosion is 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
For more information, please contact Elder Faye Dell Allen at 936-368-2611/936-572-5810!
June 20, 2017 - House of Refuge Presents Youth Revival with guest speaker Pastor Vondrick Lawson June 28-30, 2017.
Starts 7:30pm nightly with the theme: Destiny - Step Into Your Purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11, Apostle W.E. Nash Jr.
For more information contact Sis. Tammy Johnson - 936-332-4830 or Sis. Tomeka Jones - 936-590-8221
June 20, 2017 - Strong Triumph Church invites all youth to join us June 28 - 30, 2017 for our annual Vacation Bible School. It will be held each night from 6-8 p.m. Come out for lots of fun, great food, and awesome fellowship as we dive deeper in God's Holy Word!
For more information, please contact Elder Faye Dell Allen at 936-368-2611/936-572-5810.
June 19, 2017 - Sunday was the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, denoting major religious and festival celebrations being over until fall. We had our usual crowd at Paxton this morning. Cynthia graciously came by and played the piano for us on the way to her own church. Joy and Gene brought produce from their garden, set up two long tables full of delicious looking vegetables, and even brought plastic bags to hold what we wanted. They also had their canned pickles and hot sauce. It was a real farmers’ market right there at church! I know everyone appreciated the veggies and the effort Joy and Gene made.
Our Sunday school lesson was from Judges, “Jephthah Answers the Call.” The twelve tribes came together only when they were under attack. In normal conditions they were unwilling to surrender power or authority to one or two powerful tribes or leaders. But the Ammonites were making life miserable for the twelve tribes, so they once again united, calling on Jephthah to raise an army to defeat the enemy. Jephthah appealed to the Lord for help and promised he would make a sacrifice to the Lord. He was victorious, but the sacrifice he promised would be far greater than he could imagine.
Our Gospel Lesson for Sunday was Matthew 9:35-42. Matthew’s Gospel was written for a Jewish audience. There are five major discourses in Matthew, just like there are five books in the Torah. In today’s lesson Jesus warns about empty words. There are two Greek words for “good” used in the earliest New Testaments. One means “to do good things,” and the other means “to be of good character.” We need to strive for both. I read a quote this week: “I would much prefer to see a good sermon lived than a good sermon spoken.” A helpful reminder for us all.
Sunday was Father’s Day, which has been a national holiday since 1924. Paxton Methodist wishes all good and loving fathers—including those men who are role models for others—a Happy Father’s Day. This week Sam Watson celebrates his 20th birthday, and Liz and Mike celebrate their anniversary. All during the month of June, Paxton Methodist is collecting paper towels and toilet paper for Community Christian Services. Tuesday we will head to Holiday Nursing Center for our monthly program, which begins at 2:00.
“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. Godspeed.
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