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Life is Difficult – but Grace Is Sufficient
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Monthly Archives: February 2025
Friday’s Word – “He Does Not Know How to Love”
Many Christians pay little attention to Jesus.
Take J.D. Vance, who proudly wears the name Christian.
He has been in a spat with Rory Stewart, a podcaster, about biblical teachings.
Vance says we love people in this order: “First, you love your family, then your neighbor. After that, it’s your community, then your fellow citizens in your own country, then the rest of the world.”
Stewart says that sounds pagan.
Vance says loving your family, friends, and people of your own country first is just “common sense.”
Stewart says that’s a “bizarre” statement.
And Vance says Stewart “has a low IQ.”
(Time for someone to say, “So’s your mama.”)
Stewart, of course, is right. What Vance says is pagan.
It’s doing what comes naturally.
But it’s not the Gospel.
It’s not what Jesus taught. He says in Matthew 5:46 that if you love those who love you, you get no reward.
Why should you?
Jesus said, “Even the Gentiles (the pagans) do that.”
Jesus tells us to love people who do not love us just as we love those who do.
Jesus calls us to love all people everywhere.
That must include gay people, trans people, and immigrants.
I won’t comment on Mr. Vance’s IQ. I suspect it is pretty high.
But he doesn’t know how to love.
Listen—our Discovering God classes start with NDEs, beginning Wed., March 12, at 6:30 PM.
Drop me an email if you are interested.
Max’s Corner
The Big Birthday
Nineteen St. Matthew people gathered at the care facility for Keith Butterfield’s 98th birthday celebration. And Keith was better—able to respond to others and enjoy his cake. We give thanks.
Discovering God Class
Last week, we hit the most challenging section of the book. I will continue this week discussing why science and religion are simply two roads to the same reality.
We will look at three more very strange experiences, including that of a man who saw what would have happened if he had died—something like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life.
At 9:45 AM. Join any time. Breakfast after.
Breakfast This Sunday
This Sunday, Joe and Jo Christian Adams will be doing the breakfast. (We thank them muchly.) Feel free to help.
Come—10:30 AM—eat!
I Get the Stronger Shots—
—in my knees—this Friday. So, Sunday, you can watch me run down the aisle.
Don’t I wish.
This Sunday
Sermon: Life is Difficult—but Grace Is Sufficient.
I’m loving talking about Paul. Last week, we saw the rough stuff he went through. This week, we find out how he made it.
Last week, Blake sang. I loved the way he built and built the drama—and the volume.
This week, the choir sings Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. (Yes, the choir is back after break!)
We had just one short of 70 last week—69.
This week, let’s see if we can hit that 70 mark.
📢 On any Sunday before Easter that we hit 70, we will close with Victory in Jesus.
God Bless,
—MB
P.S. — The Rev. Beverly Tye will preach a week from this Sunday—February 16.
Then Mary on the 23rd. Then me on March 2, Transfiguration Sunday.
Ash Wednesday is March 5. We will have a sandwich supper at 6:00 PM before the Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 PM.
Mary’s Corner
Dearest church,
I have completed my interview process today with the Horizon Texas Board of Ordained Ministry. I am very disappointed to inform you that I have been held over for another year at the district level. I was not approved for ordination. I can interview again in 2026. I will receive written instructions and comments from the BOM in a couple of weeks. Until then I have been encouraged to dig deeper and to work harder. The BOM offers support and continued encouragement to stay the course.
I am tired right now and will have more later.
My love to all of you. Thank you for your prayers and love. I will be studying for next year. And you know that means that so will you! Mary
Kids’ News – Peter’s Great Escape!
King Herod was not a good man. He wanted to stop the followers of Jesus, so he ordered the death of James, the brother of John. When he saw that this made the people happy, he arrested Peter too.
Peter was put in a prison with chains on his hands, surrounded by two guards and even more soldiers outside. Herod planned to put him on trial after the Passover feast. But God had other plans!
That night, as Peter slept in his cell, something amazing happened—a bright light filled the room, and an angel appeared. The angel nudged Peter awake and said, “Get up quickly!” Right away, the chains fell off his hands.
The angel told Peter to get dressed and follow him. As they walked, no one stopped them—even though they passed two sets of guards! Then they reached a big iron gate leading out to the city. And guess what? It opened all by itself!
Once Peter was safely outside, the angel disappeared. That’s when Peter realized—this wasn’t a dream! God had really rescued him!
Peter hurried to Mary’s house, where his friends were praying for his safety. He knocked on the door, and a girl named Rhoda answered. She was so shocked to hear Peter’s voice that she ran to tell the others—but forgot to open the door!
At first, no one believed her. They thought she was imagining things. But Peter kept knocking, and when they finally opened the door, they were amazed!
Peter told them how God had saved him and then he left for a safe place.
What We Learned
This story reminds us that God hears our prayers—even when we don’t see answers right away. Just like Peter’s friends prayed for him, we can pray for others too!
How do you like to pray? Do you pray before bed? Before meals? Do you pray when you’re scared? This week, let’s remember that Jesus is always with us, and we can talk to Him anytime!
Hope to see you in church Sunday!
Blessings…