The Beacon
Blue Mound UMC August 2025
Signs, Symbols and Gestures have been around throughout history as a way of communication. The message can change from generation to generation. In different cultures, simply gestures may have different meanings including something negative, offensive, positive, financial, numeric, devotional, and political. In some cultures, the way it is used, the famous Hook ‘em Horns sign of Texas Longhorns is considered insulting. In the U.S. “gang” signs are used to communicate a message from one member to another.
OK Hand Sign: The “OK” hand sign is a simple gesture with complex meanings and a long history of use. The gesture has been used for centuries, with origins tracing back to ancient Greece and Rome. It can be used to express love and approval. However, this symbol of approval to many people is also a controversial symbol with negative connotations to others. The majority of people who use the “OK” sign display it innocently without hidden motives.
Sign languages use gestures. In Plains Indian Sign Language, Hand Talk, this gesture signifies the Sun when held up in front of the face or moved in an arc following the Sun’s track. In American Sign Language, signing and different gestures are used by the deaf as a form of speech. They can mean a number of things depending on how they are applied.
By the early 19th century in the United States, the gesture denotes approval, agreement, and that all is “okay“. Commonly used by scuba divers, it signifies “I am OK” or “Are you OK?” sending a message when underwater. They are taught to use thumbs up to mean that a diver needs to ascend.
Thumps Up Sign: In Ancient Rome, it was used to indicate a gladiator’s fate: a thumbs-up signified execution, while a thumb-down (swords down) signified sparing the warrior. In the 19th century, the gestures evolved to represent the reverse for victory and defeat. Now, it is recognized as showing approval, positivity, and agreement. It is widely used in social media as a message, represented by the thumbs-up emoji.
Christian Signs send a message too.
Continuing Series – Three Simple Rules…
Most of us never imagined we would be living in such a divided world. But here we are in a world where divisions are growing deeper every day.
The world of peace and plenty for all has not happened. Nations are increasingly hostile toward one another; communities are divided around issues of education, development, and the status quo. Religion is divided with each claiming to have a firm grip on the truth. Denominations and congregations are divided over doctrine and what constitutes faithful discipleship and mortal sin. And families are divided by competing agendas, rival priorities, and the daily pressure to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive culture.
Those who seek to follow Jesus must be asking if this is the way Christians are to live. Are we really measuring up to our calling as Children of God? Is there a better way for us to practice our faith? A way so simple and substantial that none are turned away and all are able to practice as together we engage in our quest for faithful living?
Do we look at one another and see movement toward our oneness in Christ? Do others look at us and see God at work in our life together? Is our way of living life-giving rather than life-draining? Is our way of living one that will enhance the quality of life of each of us for as long as we live?
At their best, Christians believe that the possibility of such a way of living exists and is open to all. When we have seen such a way of living practiced, we have not only been inspired by it but drawn to it. In our better moments we know we have not lived up to that shared belief of living the good and faithful with Jesus Christ at the very center of all we do and are. Deep within, I believe all of us do want to live that faithful and fruitful life even though we have often turned away from God’s invitation to holy living.
Pastor’s Corner Page 2
And we are not the first to struggle with faithfulness to the highest we know in Jesus Christ. The author of Colossians reminds us: ‘As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12-14).’
Here is clear reminder that the follower of Jesus Christ is God’s chosen one and as such deserves and demands a certain way of living.
Their world, like ours, was not on a path toward God and righteous living; and it was easy to stray and difficult to stay focused on Christ alone. The author knew that only a radical change could place the reader back on that road of faithfulness. A road that promises to take the faithful traveler ever nearer to God and God’s chosen way for God’s people.
Most of us yearn to live just such a good and faithful life in Christ. We do want to be faithful to the highest we know. We do want to practice our faith in ways that are healing and life-giving, not destructive and life-denying.
John Wesley anticipated times like these, and he knew that everyone needs help to live a holy and good life in a world like ours.
Wesley was determined to foster the disciplined practices that would lead to faithfulness to the way of Jesus.
It was these simple rules that transformed and gave new life to women and men of high and low estate, setting them on a path that would become a movement that formed a denomination and transformed a forming nation in North America. The three simple rules in themselves are contemporary and exceptionally well suited to our time, our culture, and our needs today.
Next month, we’ll look at the first of the three simple rules – Do No Harm.
Peace be with you, Buster
It’s A Boy! Blue Mound rejoiced with Raquel and Terrence
with a Baby Shower on Sunday, July 13
Nikola will soon be a Big Brother!
August Celebrations
Birthdays
02 Cindy Coffman
07 Buster Noah
08 J.B. Haisler
09 Tia Hackett
17 Katie Klein
26 Barbara Garrison
27 Luci Hackett
28 Sam Reynolds
29 Karen Reynolds
Anniversary: 31 J.B. and Shirley Haisler
KID’S CORNER
School Starts This Month
AUGUST EVENTS
03 Holy Communion
10 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon
23 Family Fellowship Night, 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food.
Thoughts On Attitude
It is not the body’s posture, but the heart’s attitude that counts when we pray. Billy Graham
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results. Willie Nelson
The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. Charles R. Swindoll
Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind, for they are weeds that strangle confidence. Bruce Lee
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Dolly Parton
A bad attitude is like a flat tire. You won’t get anywhere until you change it. Unknown
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?
