Monthly Archives: September 2025

Kids’ News – Moses and the Burning Bush

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Last week, we met Moses as a baby floating in a basket, saved from the river by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grew up in Egypt, but now the story takes a surprising turn.

One day, while Moses was tending sheep in the wilderness, he saw something strange. A bush was on fire, but it didn’t burn up! Curious, he came closer. Then he heard a voice:

“Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am,” Moses answered.

God spoke from the flames:

“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have seen the suffering of my people in Egypt. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring them out.”

Moses was afraid. He whispered, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” He felt unworthy because of his past mistakes. But God gave him a promise:

“I will be with you.”

God was not choosing Moses because he was perfect, but because He had a great plan—and Moses was part of it!

What We Learned:

  • God can speak to us in surprising ways.
  • We don’t have to be perfect for God to use us.
  • When God calls us, He promises to be with us.
  • With God’s help, we can do important things for Him.

See you in church Sunday as we follow Moses to see where God will lead His people next!

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