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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
March 28, 2016 - “For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof” (Hos. 8:14).
These words almost seem to be an impossibility. How can Israel and Judah, Gods' own people forget their Maker? Their forgetfulness began when they began to depart from the Word of the Lord and ended up by building their “own churches” if we may put it that way. For they had begun to build temples for themselves, they wanted places of religion that would suit them and not God.
How true these words are today as well. People and even the Lords' people seem to have forgotten their Maker. “Religious” people seem to have forgotten that the Lord is the one who is calling the shots, not our selfish religious desires.
Jesus said that He had all authority (Matt. 28:19). And Paul writes, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:17-18).
I suppose most folks would rather see Jesus as a baby in a barn or a sacrifice on the cross. With this mind set Jesus is not telling them what do which in turns gives them the liberty to do what they want.
Jesus said, “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:12-13). Sound familiar to Hosea 8:14? What did God do to Judah and Israel when they built themselves temples for their religion? He sent fire and devoured them, sounds a whole lot like plant rooting in Matt. 15:13 doesn't it?
So many seem to have forgotten that the Church was built by Jesus (Matt. 16:18), purchased by Jesus (Ac. 20:28), has Jesus as the head (Col. 1:18), Jesus is over the house (Heb. 3:12; 1 Tim. 3:15) and it was the Father that put Him there (Eph. 1:22-23).
Not much has changed has it? So many have forgotten their Maker when it comes to acceptable service to God. It has been, it is and always will be Lords' way and not ours.
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March 28, 2016 - “Show love to strangers for some have entertained angels unaware…” Heb. 13:2
I recently told a friend about an experience Pam and I had last year in Colorado. We were caught in a blizzard near the peak of Mt. Elbert causing our truck and trailer to slid backwards and almost over a precipice.
Eventually we got into the trailer, opened a can of soup and checked our food and gas supply to see how long we could weather the storm. But our wait wasn’t long. Within an hour, we heard an approaching vehicle and suddenly a snow plow pulled along side us. “You folks need help?”, the driver hollered. Moments later, we were sitting safely at the base of Colorado’s highest mountain.
I finished the story by telling my friend that I had also gotten a picture of the man who helped us. “That’s wonderful,” she remarked, “Because he wasn’t a man…he was an angel”. As I fumbled for an appropriate reply, she continued, “You know, angels can take many forms.”
“You can say that again”, I laughed. “This one had a mustache and smoked a cigar!”
March 22, 2016 - Bennett Chapel M.B.C. will be hosting their Annual Easter Bake Sale this Friday, March 25, 2016 (Good Friday) in the H & S parking lot. There will be many cakes, pies, cookies, teacakes, etc. with your name on it. Come on out and purchase your delicious sweets for this wonderful Easter Weekend.
March 23, 2016 -
Thursday, March 24th
St. Mary of Epiphany - Timpson: English Mass - 4pm; Spanish Mass - 6pm.
Friday, March 25th
St. Therese - Center: Adoration of the Holy Cross - English at 5pm; Live bilingual outdoor Passion play - 6pm. The community is invited to come see this enactment of Jesus' crucifixion.
Saturday, March 26th
St. Therese - Center: English Vigil Mass - 6pm; Spanish Vigil Mass - 8pm.
Sunday, March 27th
English Mass - 10:30am; Spanish Mass - 12:30pm.
March 22, 2016 - Easter Sunrise Service at St. John Missionary Baptist Church Center, Texas with Rev. Winston Kibbles Sr.- Pastor.
Sunday March 27, 2016
- Sunrise Service at 6:30am
- Sunday School at 9:00am
- Easter Program at 10:00am
Everyone is invited to come and celebrate The Ressurection of Jesus Christ!!
March 22, 2016 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville Texas Annual Easter Bake Sale. The sale will be held Good Friday March 25, 2016 10AM until, in the parking Lot of H & S Foods.
March 22, 2016 - This year, we invite you to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us at Shelbyville UMC & Short UMC.
Easter Sunday (March 27) Worship:
- 6:30am - Sunrise Worship at Shelbyville UMC
- 6:30am - Live Stream worship (www.ShelbyvilleUMCWorship.weebly.com)
- 9:00am - Easter Worship at Short UMC
Easter Worship Series: "You've Got Questions?"
After the resurrection, the Apostle’s wrestled with what Jesus taught. We still have many questions about the Christian faith. Join us April 3 – May 8 to look at some of the questions such as “Where is God When It Hurts?,” “Why Forgive?,” “What is Eternal Life / Salvation?” This series will help us gain greater appreciation for our Savior and what He taught.
- April 3: "Who is Jesus?
- April 10: "Why Forgive?"
- April 17: "What is Eternal Life / Salvation?"
- April 24: "Where is God When it Hurts?"
- May 1: "Possible Peace?"
- May 8: Knowing Christ.
Upcoming Bible Study: “Jesus Encounters”
- Short UMC: Tuesday, April 5 & May 3 at 7:00pm
- Shelbyville UMC: Tuesdays 10:00am April 5 - May 10
Bible study that encourages you to walk with Jesus and not just a Jesus. Learn to walk with Him daily, side by side, through all your circumstance – big and small – just as the disciples did.
March 22, 2016 - This week we look at the events 3 days following Jesus' death on the cross of Calvary. The most selfless act ever committed on this earth,an act that paid-in-full the sins of all men for all times. The scene here is the arrival of 3 women at the opened tomb of our Lord.
"He is Risen" these were the words spoken by the angel sitting at the tomb to the women that followed Jesus; Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome as they came to the opened tomb that Sunday morning 3 days after His crucification on Friday. (Matt. 28:5-6) "And the Angel answered and said unto the women, "fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
The women mentioned here had come to the sepulcher or tomb of Jesus, I suspect to see if He indeed had risen as He had promised. Upon their arrival they found the guards all unconscious and the large stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb and the Angel of the Lord sitting by the tomb, waiting on them. He then made the statement; "He is risen" speaking of the absence of Jesus in the tomb and even invited the women to go in and witness for themselves where he had laid, so they knew for certain that Jesus had indeed "risen".
We can only imagine the shock and feelings of gladness when the women looked into the tomb to see only the clothes Jesus had been wrapped in when He was placed in the tomb 3 days earlier. Especially His own Mother, the Mother of James mentioned here.
(Matt. 28:7-8) "And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goeth forth before thee into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word."
From this day forth Jesus was seen many times by each of His disciples and the women who tended to them, He met with them, He talked with them and He ate with them all the while teaching them and proving of His being alive for about 40 days following His resurrection, the date we celebrate as "Easter Sunday" each year.
We can see in the book of Luke what Jesus did at the end of the 40 days; (Mark 16:19) "So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
The verses called "the great commission" tell us what He expects of us today as we wait for His return. (Matt. 28:19-20) "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Because "He is risen" we have hope for eternity spent with our Lord in heaven. Amen.
March 21, 2016 - Sunday was Palm Sunday, which begins the fateful week that will end with Easter. During the time of Lent, I have preached a series using the chronology of Mark. Mark tells the important events of each day of Holy Week. Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday in the English speaking world and means commandment or mandate. Jesus tells us that loving God and loving our neighbor are what the Kingdom is all about. In the English speaking world, Friday is Good Friday. It was probably at one time “God’s” Friday but over the centuries became “Good.” In the eastern part of the Christian faith, Friday is known as Holy and Great Friday. In the German speaking world, Friday is known as Sorrowful Friday. I think that says it best.
Paxton Methodist was in double digits Sunday, an exciting thing. As always we appreciate Roy and Judy at Sunshine Flowers for providing the palm fronds for our Palm Sunday Service. They decorated our altar and were there for people to take home also.
It was so great to see Keith and Vera this morning. Both report that they are feeling better. The Watson family and Paxton Methodist extend an invitation to everyone to celebrate Easter at a sunrise service starting at 7:00. Rev. Watson from Center First Baptist will bring the message. Breakfast will be served after the service. Be sure to come celebrate with us.
This past week we went to Holiday Nursing Center and had a good time with the residents, telling stories and singing songs. This coming Thursday at 2:00 we will head to Lakeside Assisted Living. All month long we are collecting cans of chili for local food banks.
“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 9:15 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 21, 2016 - “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” Jeremiah 1:5
My brother John lives in Huxley, Texas (Pop. 218) on one of the most beautiful spots on Toledo Bend Lake. Several years ago he turned his RV Park and surrounding area into a haven for birds and other wildlife. One of the most interesting spots on his land is a wet marshy area adjacent to the lake that he appropriately calls “The Duck Pond”.
Pam and I drove down one day to photograph the wood ducks that come daily to the pond. As I sat in John’s photo blind, I noticed a snake’s head protruding from one of the duck boxes. Soon afterwards the hen flew in and began nervously flying to and from the box but never entering it. She finally dropped into the box and perched right on top of the coiled-up snake. After moment or so, she reappeared briefly in the opening of the box and then squealed away.
When I reported what I’d seen to John, he quickly grabbed a ladder and we drove down to confront the intruder. While I stood at the bottom of the ladder, John screwed the top off the box and peered inside. Sure enough, a huge chicken snake was in the process of swallowing its fourth duck egg. A stiff jab with a stick sent him straight into John’s face spraying him with egg juice as the snake dropped writhing at my feet. It was the largest chicken snake we’d ever seen…and one of the quickest.
We were concerned that the duck might not return to her nest, but when John climbed the ladder the nest morning and asked, “Duckie, are you in there?” she exploded from her nest and flew into the open lake.
It’s comforting to know the little hen is back in her nest again and that she didn’t use the snake as an excuse to abandon her eggs. I’m also glad that our mothers didn’t take us from her nest before we were born.
Aren’t you?
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