Monthly Archives: November 2025

Kids’ News – Solomon’s Dream

Posted on by

Long ago, after King David died, his son Solomon became the new king of Israel. He was young—much younger than people expected a king to be—and the responsibility felt heavy. One night, after a long day of thinking and worrying, Solomon fell asleep and had a dream unlike any other.

In the dream, God appeared to him and said, “Ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”

Solomon could have asked for treasure, power, or a long life. But instead, he thought about the people he was called to lead. He wanted to be a good king—one who made fair decisions and cared for others. So he said, “Give me an understanding heart, so I can tell the difference between right and wrong.”

God was pleased with Solomon’s request because Solomon cared more about serving others than helping himself. God blessed him with extraordinary wisdom—so much that people traveled from distant lands just to hear Solomon’s judgment and learn from his insights.

What We Learned

  • Wisdom begins with asking God for help.
  • Good leaders care about fairness and kindness—not power or riches.
  • God loves it when we choose what helps others instead of ourselves.
  • The best gifts God gives are the ones that shape who we become.

Kids’ Christmas Program Update

Christmas is almost here, and that means it’s time to prepare for our Kids’ Christmas Program! We don’t yet know which Sunday we’ll present it, but we will have a Saturday rehearsal to learn our parts and get costumes ready. And yes—Julie Anne has already reminded me that I promised pizza for lunch during practice!

If you have a young person who would like to take part in sharing the story of Jesus’ birth, we’d love to have them join in.

See you Sunday! Blessings…

Friday’s Word

Posted on by

At age 19, I had an experience that pushed my life toward ministry.

We lived on a farm just outside Kemp, TX. In the country, we had a night sky that was glorious with stars.

Before going to bed, I often stepped outside to gaze into the starry sky and pray. One of those nights changed my life.

When I glanced up to pray, I was hit by joy.

I say hit. I could say seized. It was a joy so strong it shook me.

It was so much joy I couldn’t hold it. I thought I might die! I thought I might stop breathing.

I told God so.

I said, “Thank you, Lord. But I can’t take any more joy.”

And it slowly subsided. It had lasted, I think, less than a minute.

Overwhelming as it was, it was joy—ecstasy beyond anything I ever imagined.

It was a “God thing.” I knew that.

I just didn’t know what it was, exactly.

So, I headed for the library when I got to my junior college the next morning. It was there I found William James’ masterpiece, The Varieties of Religious Experience.

That’s what I had—

a “religious experience.”

I knew that joy was not from me. It came from some realm beyond this one.

And I knew that realm, that sacred realm, was available to us.

God is available to us.

We live our lives on the verge of glory. And even when life is hard, that joy is never far away.

If we ask for it, we will receive it. I believe that.

But I must add—you’ll want a lower dose of it than I got.

(Worship is at 11:00. Look for us online.)

saintmatthewumc.com
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Max’s Corner

Posted on by

First of all, some good news—Winston Dietrick-Kirkpatrick’s mom is doing better. Her car was sideswiped by another vehicle. She’s badly bruised on her left side, but nothing is broken. We give thanks that things are moving in the right direction.

The days are getting shorter—and somehow, the weeks are too. We’re moving up on Thanksgiving, just a week from this coming Sunday. Remember our big Thanksgiving dinner after worship. We started sign-ups last Sunday and will do so again this Sunday if needed. Mostly, remember to come to worship and bring family and friends with you. It’s a joyful day!

Not this Sunday—but the next—will be my last time preaching for a while. My knee replacement surgery is scheduled for December 3. I plan to be in church on the first Sunday of Advent, but may be out for much of December while I recover. Mary will preach during that time, and I’ll return to the pulpit for Christmas Eve.

Pastor’s Class

We continue to discuss where we are theologically after this journey we’ve been on. Some old beliefs have gone by the wayside—like the idea of an angry God. Join us at 9:45 a.m., followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-bring Sunday.” Help bring! We need food to share—breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday

Sermon: “What If There Are No End Times?”

I’m going to preach this someday—it may as well be now. I’m not an “End Times” person. You won’t find me selling my house, putting on a white robe, and sitting on a mountaintop waiting for Jesus to return. Count me out.

The choir will sing an arrangement of the stirring hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.”

God Bless,

MB

Remember: Blake’s school choir concert will be on Friday evening, December 5, at 6:30 p.m. Mark your calendar!