The Beacon

Blue Mound UMC August 2021

 

Do you ever wonder why God compares us to sheep in the Bible?

Sheep are not meant to carry burdens

Have you ever heard of a person going to an outfitter and wanting to hire a couple of pack sheep? Other animals are good for carrying things, but not sheep. They were not meant to carry a heavy load. In fact, they would be crushed under such a weighty burden.  Jesus can carry our heavy load.  “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).

Sheep are emotional and recognize the Shepherd’s voice

Sheep know the voice of their shepherd. Because they are emotional animals, they can detect strangers. Amazingly, they will fear a stranger’s voice and flee. What sheep lack in direction, they make up for in loyalty, friendship, and voice recognition for the shepherd. Sometimes we aren’t so loyal, we don’t always help a friend and we struggle to recognize the Shepherd’s voice. Maybe we don’t know His voice because we aren’t talking with Him. We have the ability to hear if we will stop and listen.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

 

Sheep are valuable

Sheep were treated as a prized possession in Jesus’ day. You were counted a wealthy man if you owned large flocks.  Shepherds made many sacrifices to make sure their flocks were protected. How much more precious are we to God? Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us because He loved us so much. He died on a cross so we would live with Him forever. Jesus was called a Lamb.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he shouted, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)    

 

Pastor’s Corner

Hello Blue Mound Church Family! My name is Buster Noah and I am the new Pastor of Blue Mound. At the beginning of July, I started preaching and teaching on the book of James. This is what we have learned so far:

July 4th – Being Mature (Overview of James)

  • Being mature is not a matter of your age or how long you’ve been a Christian. It is not a matter of your appearance. It is not a matter of what you have achieved. And it is not a matter of academics. Maturity is more about your attitude. It is about your character. James teaches that there are five marks of maturity.
  • First, a mature person is positive under pressure.
  • Second, a mature person is sensitive to people.
  • Third, a mature person has mastered his mouth.
  • Fourth, a mature person is a peacemaker not a troublemaker.
  • Fifth, a mature person is patient and prayerful.

 

July 11th – Growing Through Trials (James 1:2-5)

  • Every one of us will face trials in life. There is a difference between reacting and responding. A reaction is instant. A reaction does not take into consideration long-term effects of what you do or say. A response on the other hand usually comes more slowly. A response will take into consideration the well-being of not only you but those around you. It weighs the long-term effects and stays in line with your core values. The right attitude when faced with trials, is to see them as opportunities to grow – not to react negatively – but to respond positively, maturing through the trials. Here are four facts of life that help us to respond maturely when we are faced with trials.
  • First, problems are inevitable.
  • Second, problems are unpredictable.
  • Third, problems come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
  • Fourth, problems can mature you if you have the right attitude in them.
  • Here are three ways to understand this: Problems can increase your faith. Problems can also develop your endurance. Problems can also mature your character. Your character grows through two ways – First, through the Word of God. And second, through the circumstances of our lives.
  • Here’s a simple three-step process to remember to help you through when you are faced with the inevitable trials of life: Rejoice, Request, and Relax.

 

July 18th – Making Mature Decisions (James 1:5-11)

  • The quality of your life will be determined by the kinds of decisions you make in life. Because we are human, we all have a great possibility for error.
  • In particular, the problem is indecision, being double-minded. If you are indecisive, James says you will be unstable. Here are three ways that indecision can make you unstable.
  • First, it can cause you to have unstable emotions.
  • Second, it can cause you to have unstable relationships.
  • Third, it can cause you to have an unstable spiritual life.
  • The solution is to get wisdom.
  • James teaches that there are three practical steps to take to get wisdom.
  • First, admit your need.
  • Second, ask for wisdom.
  • Third, anticipate it.
  • When you admit your need, ask for wisdom, and anticipate it, the promise is that God will give it.

 

These are just the highlights. I know for those who have participated in person in worship that these highlights will seem familiar to you. I hope that these highlights will pique your curiosity for those of you who have not been worshipping with us in person. Let me personally invite you to return to the fellowship of your church family by joining us in worship this coming Sunday.

You were created to be in fellowship with other believers. Covid caused us to separate ourselves from one another and we lost something very precious when that happened. What we lost was how we build one another up when we are worshipping together in person. We all need the support and encouragement of our church family, especially during life’s challenges. So, come to church. It will warm my heart to see you, and it will warm your heart too!

Peace be with you,

Buster

 

    More About the Shepherd and Sheep

 

 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them…I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:11-15 ESV).

 

Just like sheep, we have no direction without Him, we lack protection on every side, and we were never meant to carry a heavy load. We cannot make it alone without Him.

You would never think that we had any redeeming qualities because we are such wanderers. But we do. God Loves Us All. If we would be like sheep and run to the Good Shepherd, He will lead us to the spring of living waters and take care of us forever. And that we would truly know our value as one who is priceless to the Shepherd. The Shepherd provides.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I want for nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters” (Psalms 23:1-2).

 

“For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).

 

August – Celebrate Good Times

Birthday

06 Rey Trevino

08 J.B. Haisler

09 Sophie Cotton

Tia Hackett

17 Erin Riddle

Katie Klein

18 Danny Schertz

26 Bob Goodman

Barbara Garrison

27 Jacob Cotton

Harley Hutson

Luci Hackett

28 Sam Reynolds

29 Karen Reynolds

 

Anniversary

02 Tom and Carolyn Brooks

24 Susanne and Caroll Barnett

31 J.B. and Shirley Haisler

 

 

Seekers Morning Bible Study – Together Again

Many years ago, we named our Sunday Morning Bible Study, the Seekers.  Mainly, we based the name on “seek and ye shall find” and “seek ye first the kingdom of God”.  Even now I think it still holds true, we as Christians are Seekers. After a long absence due to Covid, we are going to be seeking together again. I will continue to be the teacher, guide, traffic cop and a fellow seeker.  However, A teacher alone is not enough to make a Bible Study. Any study needs people coming, sharing and looking into God’s word. I invite you to join me Sunday mornings at 9:30 am beginning August 8th (2nd Sunday) to be a SEEKER!     God Bless You, Linda

 

Calendar

   01 Holy Communion

08 Seekers Morning Bible Study Begins

Second Sunday Lunch, Noon

 28 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.

 

4th of July – We welcome Pastor Buster and Janet with a special gift basket.

BLUE MOUND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

8421 N. Interstate 35, Denton, TX 76207-1537   (940) 382-0825)

Midway between Denton and Sanger at Exit 473

Sunday School: 9:30 am, Sunday Worship: 10:45 am

Website: www.bluemoundumc.org

Linda Boyer, Newsletter Editor

Need to contact Pastor Buster Noah

Email:  pastor@bluemoundumc.org