Newsletter for February 12, 2025
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Life is Difficult – but Grace Is Sufficient
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