The Beacon

Blue Mound UMC September 2025

Three Wise Monkeys
The Three Wise Monkeys is linked to an ancient Japanese proverb made popular in the
17th century. It represents the values of not perceiving, not listening to, and not speaking
out about evil. They serve as a visual representation identified as ‘See no evil, Hear no
evil, Speak no evil’. It conveys the idea of a moral stance, steering clear of witnessing,
partaking in, or discussing malicious or harmful activities.
Eastern and Western Cultures perspectives of the symbol are somewhat different.
In the East, the image reminds us that we must follow a right moral path while avoiding
evil in all its forms. It reminds us to be pure and virtuous by avoiding negative and
destructive behavior. While in the West this symbol often represents turning a blind eye,
a deaf ear and not speaking up to something morally or legally wrong. This maybe in
order to avoid accountability and responsibility.
In Modern Social Networks, the Three Wise Monkeys are seen as emojis, in a playful
way, sometimes unrelated to their original meaning. The “see no evil” emoji can be used
to say, “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.” The “hear-no-evil” emoji suggests that people
hear things they don’t want to hear. And the “speak-no-evil” emoji can also be used to
express the reaction of a person who said the wrong thing in the wrong situation.
In The Bible >
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You
are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23: 4
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 21
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good
is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1: 11

Series Three Simple Rules…Do No Harm

The first simple rule is “Do no harm.” It is not that complicated. Even a child can
understand what it means, and it is applicable to everyone at every stage of life. And
when practiced, it works wonders in transforming the world around us. Most of us have
observed and experienced the struggle to resolve complex and difficult issues. When this
first simple rule is remembered, it often saves us from uttering a wrong word or
considering a wrong response.
This first simple step, when practiced, can provide a safe place to stand while the
hard and faithful work of discernment is done. When we agree that we will not harm
those with whom we disagree, conversation, dialogue, and discovery of new insight
become possible. When our words and actions are guarded by this first simple rule, we
have time and space to think about consequences before a word is spoken, or an action
taken.
Each of us knows of groups that are locked in conflict, sometimes over profound
issues and sometimes over issues that are just plain silly. But the conflict is real, the
divisions deep, and the consequences can often be devastating. If, however, all who are
involved can agree to do no harm, the climate in which the conflict is going on is
immediately changed. How is it changed? Well, if I am to do no harm, I can no longer
gossip about the conflict. I can no longer speak disparagingly about those involved in the
conflict. I can no longer manipulate the facts of the conflict. I can no longer diminish
those who do not agree with me and must honor each as a child of God. I will guard my
lips, my mind and my heart so that my language will not disparage, injure or wound
another child of God. I must do no harm, even while I seek a common good.
In trying to do no harm, we may discover that we stand on some common ground,
inhabit a common and precious space, share a common faith, feast at a common table,
and have an equal measure of God’s unlimited love. When I am determined to do no
harm to you, I lose my fear of you; and I am able to see you and hear you more clearly.
Disarmed of the possibility to do harm, we find that good and solid place to stand where
together we can seek the way forward in faithfulness to God.
When this step is not taken, it usually is not because it is misunderstood or because
it is too simple. More often it is a step not taken because it demands too much in the way
of self-discipline and a very deep faith that God will empower and lead the faithful.

Pastor’s Corner Three Simple Rules – Do No Harm Page 2 of 2
To agree to take this first step is for many of us to agree with a theology and a
practice too rigorous for our timid and tame commitment. If this step is so simple and so
easily understood, why then do so many of us do harm? Because it is not an easy rule;
and it does demand a radical trust in God’s presence, power, wisdom, and guidance and a
radical obedience to God’s leadership. Practicing our faith in the world requires our
deepest resolve, our greatest faith, our unwavering trust, and a very, very large measure
of God’s grace.
A second reason why this step is not taken may be that we have bound ourselves to
a certain ideology rather than binding ourselves to Jesus. Christ is both Savior and Lord
of all. We may have permitted our loyalty to a theological position to trump our loyalty to
Jesus Christ. We may be so sure that “our way” is the right and only way that we cannot
even consider that God’s way could be different than our own. We have forgotten the
importance of understanding clearly the God with whom we engage when we choose to
follow the way of Jesus. To abandon the way of the world and follow the way of Jesus is
a bold move and requires honest, careful, and prayerful consideration. It is not an
inconsequential decision. Jesus himself told us to consider carefully the cost of
discipleship: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and
estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?… So therefore, none of
you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (Luke 14:28, 33).
To follow Jesus is to follow a God made known in Scripture, history, our innermost
self, and – most of all – in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. To follow
Jesus is to follow One who fully trusts in God’s goodness, love, and intimate involvement
in the affairs of humankind. To follow this Jesus is to desire to be like him in our living
and our dying. For some of us, that choice is just too frightening and too demanding; so,
we follow at a distance or turn away. But deep in the silence of our hearts, we know we
do want to follow Jesus. We do know that following Jesus is the best and only way for us
to live fully and faithfully. We really do know that it is the only way to live a peaceful,
joyful, fruitful life. Deep in our hearts we know that this is the life we want. We do want
to follow Jesus, even if it means giving up our favorite position or our favorite
possession; and so, we pray for grace to be faithful as we say yes to the invitation to
faithfulness.
Next month, we’ll look further at the first of the three simple rules – Do No Harm.
Peace be with you, Buster

September Celebrations
Birthday
02 Jacob Klein
Michael Trietsch
James “Herf” Graham
03 Jessica Wright
04 Jasmine Wright
05 Juliet Wright
Tiffany Schertz Cooper
09 Kay Goodman
Nancy Franklin
13 Sally Harding Weiss
20 Trinity Kraft
24 Judy Klein
Lonnie Roberson
28 Amy Bowland
Anniversary
04 Jeff and Cindy Coffman
18 Sam and Karen Reynolds

September 1, 2025
Everybody’s Job is Important!

Come Join Us

♥ Second Sunday Lunch each month after Worship Service. Bring your special dish and
join us at the table. Also “Hear the Pennies Dropping” if it is your Birthday month bring a
penny for each year of your age. We collect them in a special offering for missions.
♥ Game Night Family Game Night happens every fourth Saturday of the month starting
at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Beginning with a great meal, so bring your favorite food
to add to our table. Then we gather together to play games. 42 and Mexican Train are
among the favorites. Food, Fun and Fellowship, Bring a Friend. Everyone is welcome.
♥ Bible Study >We have two opportunities. Pastor Buster leads a Bible Study on
Tuesdays at 10 am. At present he is continuing a study of The Book of Romans.  Seekers
Study meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 am before Worship Service. Many years ago, we
named our Sunday Bible Study, the Seekers. Mainly, we based the name on “seek and ye
shall find” and “seek ye first the kingdom of God”.
♥ Prayer Team Tuesday morning at 9:30 am, before Pastor Buster’s Bible Study. The
team meets to address the Joys and Concerns of the people in prayer. You can be part of
this team just come and join us.
♥ Our Children’s Program > Going and Growing Strong
♥ A Number of Events Happen Through the Year
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday Service, Easter Sunday -Sunrise Service, Worship Service
and Easter Egg Hunt > Mothers’ Day, Heritage Day, Father’s Day, 4 th of July Picnic,
Back to School, Grandparent’s Day, Annual Hayride and Hot Dogs Celebrations. All
Saints Day-We honor those who have gone to be with the Lord >We honor our military
on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.> Thanksgiving, Advent, Hanging of the Green,
Christmas Mail Boxes, Christmas Eve and Christmas Worship Services, Christmas Cheer
Basket> Plus New Year’s Eve Service and Game Night. And so much more!

September Calendar

01 Labor Day
07 Holy Communion
Grandparents’ Day
11 Patriot Day

14 Second Sunday Lunch, Noon
21 Autumn Begins

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

Patriot Day is a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to
commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia and those who
perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.
Patriot Day is observed annually as a National Day of Service and Remembrance
for the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 attacks.

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