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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
October 17, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. I didn’t submit a news article or write my weekly newsletter last week because I was out of town visiting family. I had a great time with my son and daughter, as well as visiting with my brother and sister-in-law. Last week we had a Gideon speaker, so he took over the sermon part of the service, while Larry and my wife did the rest. Sue reported that David was an interesting speaker and a very nice person. Fannie and I attended the Gideon banquet on Thursday evening, which featured a program and an excellent meal.
We were in double digits this morning, an exciting event at Paxton Methodist. Gene and Joy’s daughter and son-in-law were in for a family reunion (plus a victorious homecoming game) and attended church. It is always good to see them. The quotes in our bulletin today came from two well-known people of our world: Queen Elizabeth II and Dr. Seuss. According to the Queen, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” Dr. Seuss, in his Oh, The Places You’ll Go, said this: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself /Any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy/ who’ll decide where to go.”
Our church service was supposed to begin with a Gathering Hymn today, but either Sue or I accidentally switched the stereo into the off position. Our Gathering Words were based on Psalm 119, where the poet speaks about his love for God and God’s ways. After figuring out the problem with the stereo, we were able to sing “When We All Get to Heaven” and “Hymn of Promise,” two of Paxton Methodists’ favorites. At the Gideon banquet, we also sang “When We All Get to Heaven,” prompting me to include it in Sunday’s service.
My sermon was based mainly on Jeremiah 31: 31-33. Jeremiah is a long book, where he goes from a prophet correctly predicting doom and destruction to a prophet speaking optimistically of a new day and a new covenant. Today’s Old Testament lesson sounded a hopeful message for the future: God would once again make a pact with humanity. This one wouldn’t be written on stone tablets but on the human heart. We mortals would have within us the love, hope, and promise of God even if, like the Israelites, we were forced to leave our beloved home.
We had a really good Sunday School lesson. Fannie pointed out that our writer has for several Sundays in a row stressed that God requires us to look out for those less fortunate than we are. Jesus calls upon us not only to care for our families and friends, but even for those who don’t like us. Claudia read the scripture that came from John 9. Our writer warned us that we sometimes try to keep those who are marginalized out of view or treat them as if they are invisible. In the Bible lesson Jesus heals a blind man. In that time period, it was thought that blindness was inflicted by God for some wrong the person or his ancestors had committed. The blind man was really at the margins of society—but not to Jesus.
During the month of October, Paxton Methodists will collect peanut butter and jelly for Community Christian Services. Remember that a Blessing Box is located between Cindy’s Mexican Restaurant and the Community Center in downtown Joaquin. If you are clearing out your cupboards, take extra non-perishables to the Blessing Box. A big Happy Birthday this week to our dear friend Vera.
Last Thursday, Paxton Methodist met again about disaffiliation—whether to stay in the United Methodist Church denomination or join the new Global Methodist order. Rev. Tim Turner from San Augustine joined us to deliver information and answer questions. San Augustine has already been through the separation process and is going to become a Global Methodist Church. Rev. Turner also serves on various steering committees with the new GMC, so he was able to share many details. In the next few weeks, Paxton Methodists will meet in a more formal Church/Charge Conference and officially vote whether to disaffiliate or remain United Methodists.
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.
October 17, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, October 17.
I love crossword puzzles. And every day I try to complete the one from The New York Times. It’s the “gold standard” - the best of the best. I grew up in Houston and started doing the Houston Chronicle crossword when I was a kid. Good puzzle. But not the best. But the best that a South Texas boy could get his hands on.
When the internet came along, so did remote access to the New York Times crossword. But I resisted. In my opinion, puzzles should only be done on paper. And they had to be done with a pen - never a pencil! That was my gold standard. But times change, and now, every day, I open up my iPad and do the best crossword puzzle in the world.
Life is constantly changing. And, every day, the rate of change seems to be accelerating.
Standards from the past are being left in the past.
But a "gold standard" for living life still remains. You can find it in your Bible - or on your iPad if you prefer.
2 Timothy 3:16-17. All scripture is inspired by God, and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the child of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I'd like to write more... but I've got a puzzle to finish!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
October 13, 2022 - A businessman was sitting at his desk. All around him were bills, letters and other evidence that he was totally absorbed in the details of his business. The minister of the church entered, anxious to discuss the man’s soul. The business man said, “Oh, you must excuse me, brother, I am too busy to take time for that today.”
Politely, the minister asked, “When shall I call on you again?” The business man replied, “I don’t know, and really can’t tell you. I am just too busy right now. I have a lot to take care of.” With a sad and heavy heart, the minister excused himself and the businessman returned to his paperwork.
A few days later, a disagreeable stranger stepped into the businessman’s office and laid a cold hand on his shoulder. “Come, you must go home with me” the visitor demanded. The businessman laid down his pen, closed his desk and left. He had no choice. A cold chill settled on him as images of so many things left unfinished flashed before his eyes. The name of his visitor was death.
We may think we are too busy. We may think we don’t have time to obey the Lord and live His kind of life. However, we will someday not be too busy to die.
Do you think you could find time for Bible Study and Worship this coming Lord’s Day?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 11, 2022 - Shelbyville First United Methodist Church - “the one with the tall steeple” in downtown Shelbyville - will celebrate our church building’s 125th year birthday October 23, 2022!
Early visitation coffee with friends will begin at 9am.
Our worship service will begin at 11am and we are excited to announce Bishop Scott Jameson Jones of the Texas Annual Conference will bring the message on this day! District Superintendent Dr. Richard White will assist.
Please join for this special time in our history!
October 10, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, October 10.
These daily devotions began in March of 2020, when my church shut down for the pandemic. I began to send these little thoughts to members of our Worship Ministry, just to stay connected. That was two and a half years ago, 30 months, 130 weeks... over 600 little devotions.
This morning, I woke up without a thought in my head. I didn't know what I would share with you today. I was thoughtless! And then I remembered the King James translation of Matthew 6:26 - "Take no thought about your life." These are words spoken by Jesus in His famous Sermon on the Mount. The modern translations use different words - Don't Worry!
Later in the chapter Jesus says, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" And then there's the famous verse 33 - "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you." I had no words to share with you this morning, but His words are more powerful than any that I could ever imagine.
I didn't need to worry!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
October 6, 2022 - If you remember reading Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he had a burning desire to preach the gospel in the Capital city,. In Acts chapter 27, we find Paul on his way to Rome, yet he is going as a prisoner. While there, he would have a great success and members of Caesar’s household would be converted.
However, the voyage to Rome was not without incident. A great storm occurred which threatened to tear the ship in pieces. The crew struggled to keep the ship afloat. They lightened the load by throwing everything overboard that was expendable. They went for days upon days not being able to eat.
Yet, in the midst of it all, Paul stood upon the deck of the ship and told them to be of good cheer. He did not tell them to be of good cheer because of the seaworthiness of the vessel. They were not to be of good cheer because of the experience and dedication of the crew. They were to be of good cheer because the Lord had promised Paul that there would be no loss of life. Paul said, “Be of good cheer, for I believe God.”
The faith that sustained Paul on that voyage and in that storm can sustain us in the storms of life. Whatever storm may be blowing through our lives, we can be of good cheer, for “we believe God”. Like the words of that old familiar song, “Be not dismayed, what-er be tide, God will take care of you”, and He will.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 6, 2022 - The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries presents the 22 years Pastor and Wife Anniversary honoring Apostle W.E. Nash Jr. and First Lady Pearlie Nash on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 3:30pm. Everyone Welcome.
The theme is “You’re gonna live to see it happen” and guest speaker is Dr. Bobby Sims, Jr. from The Emerge Church, Hattiesburg, MS.
The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries is located at 215 Church Street, Center, TX.
October 4, 2022 - Fall Festival at Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church 5527 FM 417 East Shelbyville, TX 75973 on Oct. 22, starts at 5:00pm. Maze Blowup, Ring Toss, Outside Games, Board Games, Cake Walk, Prizes & Candy, 42 Domino Players, Serving Chili & Hot dogs.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
October 3, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Our church service began with a Gathering Hymn today: “This is My Song,” sung by Joan Baez. This beautiful hymn is also known as “Finlandia,” the national anthem of Finland. Our Gathering Words were based not on a Psalm this week but from Lamentations 3: 19-26. The poet of Lamentations thinks of his homeland and hopes that the love of God is still with him. Much of Lamentations is poetry of despair, but today it was tinged with a little bit of optimism. We sang two hymns, “My Hope Is Built” and “It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord,” one we knew well and one we didn’t. Our first bulletin quote came from motivational speaker Michael Altshuler: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” The second was from John G. Shedd, a philanthropist: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
Two of the bulletin pictures were tied to the Epistle lesson, the main scripture for my sermon, “The One and Only Paul.” It has been quite a while since I preached about Paul. In this letter, he tells us when we free ourselves from earthly things that don’t matter in the long run, we have more time to pursue righteousness, godliness, love, endurance and gentleness. I think most churches consider Paul a saint; many historians and scholars regard him as the founder of Christianity—or at least the co-creator. There is no denying the influence that Paul had on the early Jesus movement or his success in bringing ideas of God and faith in Jesus to many areas in the Roman Empire. Paul’s mission also focused on including Gentiles in the new faith.
We had a really good Sunday School class. Gene read the scriptures that came from James 2 and Exodus 22, both stressing the need of God’s faithful to care for the most vulnerable in our society. The reading from Exodus says we are not to mistreat immigrants, which certainly speaks to us in our fractured country today. James stresses that true faith empowers us to do good works.
I delivered a back seat full of mac-n-cheese brought to Paxton Methodist for Community Christian Services, along with some checks. In October, we’re collecting peanut butter and jelly for CCS. When I delivered the goods, I saw so many friends working hard to get food into the hands of those in need. Mayor Cooper brought out a shopping cart, which made loading and unloading easier. The Children’s Christmas part of CCS is also gearing up: This last week, we delivered two checks for that, one from our church and one from the VFW Auxiliary.
Last Thursday, we had called Church meeting. We have approved a budget for 2023 as well as the Trustees and Finance Committee reports. Sue brought Subway sandwiches and cookies, chips, grapes, and water; we ate during discussion and also took food home. The business of this meeting concerned the issue of disaffiliation. Many churches around the United States and other countries have left the United Methodist Church to create a new denomination called the Global Methodist Church. We at Paxton are still in the discernment phase—looking for guidance from above, from other churches who are further along in the process, and from each other. One important issue to all those present was the legacy of Paxton Methodist Church, whether it remains United or becomes Global.
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.
October 3, 2022 - Bro. David's under the weather today, so we're reprinting a devotional that originally went out in April of 2021...
Today's devotion is all about 3:16. There are 49 "3:16" verses in the Bible. Why aren't there 66 - one for every Bible book? Well, some books, like Psalms, have a 3rd chapter with less than 16 verses, and other books, like Jude, don't have a 3rd chapter at all.
Here are a few notable "3:16s"...
- Matthew - When Jesus had been baptized, as He came up from the water, suddenly the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighted on Him.
- I Corinthians - Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
- Colossians - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- 2 Timothy - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
- I John - We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
Having shared these random, single verses today, I must admit that I prefer to study God's Word "in context." Looking at each verse in the context of the verses that come before and after, in the context of the entire book - its writer, it's intended readers, the time and history and culture of its writing.
But, then again, there are some verses that seem to... stand alone.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
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