Daily Archives: September 10, 2025

Friday’s Word

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I teach a class as well as preach most Sundays. I asked my class, “How do we handle it when a scriptural word disagrees with the teachings of Jesus?”

Example from the Flood Story: “The Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved his heart.”

A God who goofs and is sorry for his mistake is not the God of the Gospels. God doesn’t goof. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:48 that God is perfect. God is also omnipotent. So, God knew what we would be before God made us.

It is not possible to reconcile that word from Genesis with the God we know through Jesus. But many Christians try. They are forced to, for they have built their faith on the idea that the whole Bible is inerrant.

But we know that’s not true. I say “we” know it. Anyone who can read and think knows it. But scriptural inerrantists are taught not to think. They are taught not to believe their own eyes, not to read the clear meaning of words on a page.

Result: The teachings of Jesus lose their authority, for the perfect God he proclaims must also be a God who goofs and grieves his mistakes. The God of perfect love must also be a God who destroys his creation.

The Flood Story is a great story. But it is very bad theology.

There is a center of authority within the Bible, and that center is Jesus. His word stands above all others. John tells us he is the Word.

Of course, folks in my class knew this already. They can all read.

Come. Worship with us.

saintmatthewumc.com
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Max’s Corner

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Sermon This Sunday: Lost and Found
Scripture: The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin from Luke 15.

I will tell you a salvation story that will shock you. (I mean—really!) The guy seemed beyond hope: a white supremacist, a pagan priest, in prison for shooting someone. Then—in a moment—transformed.

Put on your Baptist boots. We will sing “Saved! Saved! Saved!”

Friday’s Word

Click on the link and read it before you leave these pages.

A Week Away

The great Gospel concert is coming—the MSB Gospel Choir. They must be good. They cost us $2,000 to get them here. We will not make much for Eastside Ministries with this concert—only what we sell over 100 seats. But I predict a great evening.

Do sell those tickets. Bring a friend—or two.

Pastor’s Class

Paul Davies, physicist, says it will be disastrous for Christianity if alien beings are found on other planets. I’ll tell you why that is not true—this Sunday—in class. You are welcome. Join us.

At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-Bring” Sunday. I am impressed with our great breakfast each week. Come early. Eat. Help with the food at 10:30.

St. Matthew Online

I received three calls praising the service, which looked and sounded great last Sunday. For some reason, I can’t find it—but I will take the word of the callers. Our new equipment makes a big difference.

I’ve reserved a spot for you on a pew if you can make it this Sunday. You may not like it. It’s toward the front.

Women’s Luncheon

Hey! Remember the Women’s Luncheon Thursday—at 11:00—I think.

God Bless—MB

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings to all of you! I thank God every time I think of you and of our wonderful church. I am grateful for your prayers and encouragement as my family works through some of life’s challenges. Thank you for respecting our privacy and for understanding the time required for me to be away from church. I do watch the services, whether live-streamed or recorded, and I love to hear you singing and worshiping. I am very much enjoying the new sound and video system—it is good to see all of you on the big screen, looking engaged and blessed by God. I am very glad to be back with you this Sunday.

We have a busy fall schedule! Choir practice begins very soon. The first rehearsal will be on September 21, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. Thanks to the new sound system, I have clearly heard some of your voices, and I know there are many of you who should be singing in the choir with us.

Our upcoming concerts include:

  • September 20 at 6 p.m. – MSB Gospel Choir from Denton. Tickets are still on sale in the church office and on the church website.
  • October 25 at 6 p.m. – All Peoples Church Choir performing Lazarus. This concert is free, and all proceeds will go to Eastside Community Assistance.
  • November 23 – Thanksgiving meal (more details coming soon).
  • December 5 at 6 p.m. – Western Hills Ensemble Choir, led by Blake Glass. All proceeds will support the Western Hills Choir’s 2026 competition expenses.

Meals will be served after every concert. We will announce what kind of food contributions are needed in advance.

My love to all,

Mary

Kids’ News – Baby in a Basket

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“Why are you being so quiet, Mom?” the little girl whispered. The room was dark, and she could hear the faint sound of a baby’s cry.

“Shh,” her mother said softly. “If Pharaoh’s soldiers hear him, they’ll take him away.”

Long ago, God’s people—the Israelites—were living in Egypt. At first, things were good, but after a new Pharaoh came to power, everything changed (Exodus 1:8). He was afraid that the Israelites were becoming too strong, so he made them slaves. And then he gave a terrible order: every Hebrew baby boy must be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22).

But one mother refused to give up on her child. She hid him for three months, but babies don’t stay quiet forever. So she made a basket, sealed it so it would float, and placed her baby gently in the river, trusting God to protect him (Exodus 2:3).

And here’s where the story takes a surprising turn: Pharaoh’s own daughter found the basket! Instead of obeying her father’s command, she felt compassion. She chose life. She adopted the baby as her own, and that child grew up to be Moses—the one God would use to lead His people out of slavery (Exodus 2:5–10).

This story reminds us that God has a plan, even in the hardest and scariest times. It also shows us that sometimes the most unlikely people—like Pharaoh’s daughter—can be part of God’s rescue mission.

What we learned:

  • God’s plans are never stopped, even by the hardest situations.
  • Acts of courage—like Moses’ mother and sister—can change everything.
  • Compassion can break through fear, just as Pharaoh’s daughter showed.
  • God watches over us, even when life feels uncertain.