June 2013 Vol. 19 No. 10

      FRANCES   WOODRUFF

After living in the heart of Almeda in the same house for 55 years where she and her husband raised three children, Frances has decided to move.

Frances is one of those quiet people who do so much to benefit others in our community. Serving as the secretary of the Almeda cemetery association, active in the Methodist women’s group and in her own church at Southway Community, she also helps in the Good News Club at Almeda School and is always ready to answer a call for help from her neighbors and friends. While no longer living in the heart of Almeda, Frances still has Almeda in her heart and plans to continue being active in the community.

ALMEDA CEMETERY

As you drive east on Beltway 8, do you appreciate how beautiful the Almeda Cemetery is? Ken Moore is responsible. For years he has freely given his time to maintain the cemetery at his own expense. We seldom see Ken but we certainly enjoy the results of his labor. Thanks Ken Moore. 

Honorary Associate Degree

Houston Community College recognized Linda Scurlock, President of the South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition, with an Honorary Associate Degree on May 18th at their Commencement Ceremony.

UNCOVERING HISTORY

Archeology Site work was done at the Historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church until May 12th. The first church was built in 1891 by Jack Yates. It was rebuilt after the 1900 hurricane. In 1923 it was built again and yet again in 1950. That church building burned down. Under the 1923 cement slab is where the archeologist work took place before the city started working on Bethel Park which will open this summer at 801 Andrews St. in the Fourth Ward.

Arcola Election Results

         Greg Abarr with 52 votes won the city council seat that Lizzie Jackson (25votes) held. Tom Hilton, (54 votes) and Rosie Rojas (46 votes) retained their seats. Rojas was chosen to be Mayor Pro-Tem.

         After the election Tom Tuffly sent in his resignation since he now resides at Harbour Tower in League City in a nursing home. You can reach Tom at 281 772 7521.

The council voted for Florencia Martinez to fill his spot. She had placed 4th in the number of votes cast.  

ON FIRE FOR JULY 4TH

Rosie Rojas is excited to head up the Fourth of July celebration. She was one of the driving forces in getting the event started 12 years ago when Roy Jackson was mayor.

This year it will be held in front of the Arcola Feed and Tack at 6215 Hwy 521. The Bly family will allow the use of adjoining property. Once again as they have since 2001, the Pate family will provide fireworks. The Johnson family has joined in to help also. The businesses and individuals have worked together to give the community all that is needed to make the 4th an exciting, event right in their own town where everything will be free. Rojas would like to thank all who have helped in the past and those who will help this year. Call her at 281-543-6762 or call city hall 281 431 0606 to donate.

Ms. Cage’s Farewell Letter

       I cannot believe after 11 years at Almeda and 31 years in Houston ISD and 38 years in Education, I am saying good-bye to being a teacher, a mentor and a principal.  

       The Almeda Community and Parents have been the best.   The Almeda community, parents and staff are so much of a family that it is very hard to say good-bye. I know this community is part of my family now and I cannot say good-bye but so long for now.

      Over the 11 years I have been at Almeda, I have been in  3 different buildings and 2 locations. We have grown from 600 – 860 last year and this year we are 760. 

      We have a wonderful new building that our students, parents and staff love. I have been so fortunate to have such great neighbors with the two churches adjacent to Almeda  pastured by Reverend B. Taylor and Reverend Foger who are always here for us and another church, Almeda Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, whose minister, Revered Sammie Morris has been on our SDMC committee for many years.

        Almeda has been so fortunate to have  businesses within our community who wanted to partner with Almeda, again this is like a real family. Almeda’s Business Partners, located only a mile or two up and down Almeda Road are Akzo Nobel for 10 years, Nalco-Champion for 7 years and Dupont for 1 year. We have also partnered with Sis Andrews who publishes “Our News” to get information to our community. All of these partnerships have benefited Almeda Elementary from judging Science Fairs to serving on committees, to planting shrubs and cleaning up our community around the school.

      With our state testing through the years, we have been up and down with the State Accountability ratings. A couple of years ago, we reached “Exemplary” and with the new state testing called STAAR, we have not been rated yet. Almeda will receive an Accountability rating this fall based on the new STAAR state testing.

       I want again to thank the Almeda Community for a wonderful 11 years . I wish the parents, students and staff of Almeda Elementary the very best.

       Ms. Cage was asked about all her accomplishments at Almeda, instead she sent the above. For 11 years she gave her all to improve Almeda even through the upheaval of moving a school twice. She didn’t mention the hard work of bringing Almeda up to Exemplary status. We have lost a great asset to our community. We know that wherever or whatever she decides to do she will do it very well as she did here. We also wish the very best for you Ms. Cage. God bless you.

Condolences

Beverley “Potts” Eugene Rhodes 84, passed away May 6, 2013 in Liberty, TX. Born in Almeda, TX in 1928, Potts lived on White Road while his father worked in the surrounding oil fields. Potts thought nothing about his mild mannered father coming home from work at the Blue Ridge oil field  wearing a hog leg, long barrel 45. Blue Ridge was pretty rough in the 20’s and 30’s. Potts went to Almeda ISD through the 8th grade. The next year he went to San Jacinto as AISD joined HISD. Potts was in the last class to graduate from the 11th grade. A Production Foreman in the oil industry for many years, he was also a 32 degree Mason. Besides teaching Masons, Potts loved hunting and training dogs. Preceded in death by his wife, Billie Sue; parents, Virgil/Ada; siblings: Malcomb, Donald, and Marion, he is survived by a son Michael Rhodes. If you would like to share his memories go to www.sterlingfuneralhome.com

Joyce Evelyn Atkinson, age 75, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Preceded in death by her son, James Randall Burkhalter, she is survived by daughter, Patricia O'Neill; sons, Wayne Atkinson, Greg and Jimmy Burkhalter; five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, Services were at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.

Me maw ~ I couldn't have ask for a better Grandmother. You were always just a phone call away anytime I needed you. Your calming voice and encouragement always made any situation better. Your strong Faith in Christ gave us all reassurance that "Through Christ all things are possible." You touched the lives of so many and I am so proud to call you my grandmother. I will miss you everyday till I see you again and I know you will be watching over all of us from above and guiding us as you always did. I love you Me-maw!!! Hugs and kisses oxoxoxo Love always ~  Stephanie Ainsworth,

STEPHEN DANIEL EPPS born August 13, 1953 passed away May 21, 2013. Danny became a member of the Almeda Bible Church in the early 1960’s. Preceded in death by his father, J. D. Epps; brother, Michael Timothy Epps, Danny is survived by his wife, Tina; son, Ryan Daniel; mother, Eva Epps.

LOIS WISTRAND Searcy 86, passed away May 22, 2013. She graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1944. Preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Elsie Wistrand, a son, Philip, she is survived by her husband, Ted Searcy, sons: Ronald, Douglas and Robert; siblings Kent, Lila, Glen and Barbara. Her services were at Rest Land Funeral in Dallas, TX.

YOUR ADDICTION  

I led you here to prison

After dragging you through hell

You may not recognize me, but you know me very well.

I’m the who cradled you

And I was always there

To comfort and console you when life seemed so unfair.

Was there when you were lonely,

The only one around.

Always there to pick you up when you were feeling down,

I flattered you with feelings,

Or so I made you think.

Then led you into quicksand,

Stood by and watched you sink.

Took away your will to live

And stole your dignity.

Wrapped you in my golden chains and wouldn’t set you free

Took all of your possessions,

Your money and your name.

Left your life in shambles, then led you off in shame.

Though first I brought you pleasure

And took away your pain,

Soon I brought you madness,

 and made you go insane.

Now let me introduce myself

In case you still don’t know.

My name is your addiction And I’ll never let you go

However, you can control me,

Live happy healthy and free.

But you must keep me locked inside

And throw away the key.

Cause if you should ever release me

By using drugs again,

I’ll take you back to hell with me

And this time do you in.

By Brian Andrews

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

VBS at Almeda United Methodist Church will start July 21st thru the 25th. Sunday starts with supper at 5:30. Mon. –Thurs is 6-8:30.

VBS at Anderson Road Baptist Church June 24-29 5:30 - 8:45 832 431 0566  or 713 433 7464

To announce VBS in July or August free of charge call or email before the 25th.

Vinson Library

3810 West Fuqua 832-393-2120 Open Tue. & Wed. 10-6 Thurs 12-8 Fri. 1-5 Sat. 10-5 Closed Sun. & Mon.

www.houstonlibrary.org

Multi-center open Mon. –Fri.

Sienna Branch Library

8411 Sienna Springs Blvd. 281-238-2900 Regular programs have resumed. You must register for free computer classes go online at (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Calendar,” select “Sienna Branch,” and find the program. Or call the library at 281-238-2950, or 281 238 2900 or visit the library.

 Email from Joyce Scott.

Dollie and Gordon Scott were my parents. I married in the church then moved to Cazenovia, New York in 1975. I am married to the same "Yankee" Ron and we have 3 children. three grandchildren and one step grandchild. I am new to the computer world, but am trying to learn and found your blogging/e-mail address. My parents were loyal to Almeda.

Almeda moe

Moe decided to give his son a fatherly talk. “Son,” said Moe, “ I am so proud of you. Now, you have graduated you will have lots of opportunities. You will also face some hard times, but I want you to know I’ll always be there for you and if there is anything you need you come to me. I’ll show you how to get along without it.”

WHY SO MUCH CRIME?

Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.' Albert Einstein.

REMEMBER WHEN

Weingarten’s was where Food-A-Rama is now. Eckerd’s Drugs were on the far west in a separate building. In between was a barber shop. East of Weingarten’s was TGY, a movie theater and a Firestone Tire store.

Before 1953, Fuqua was a short dirt road called Romaine with two houses, according to Fred & Frances Bones. The Woolsom house was bought by LaFleur and another home at the end of Romaine (about 1/3 a mile) was where George Ando had a truck farm. His okra fields stretched to the drainage ditch.

Joaquin Rodriquez loves history so much he has read Back Yonder in Almeda twice. Send $14.50 to P. O. Box 450336 Houston Texas 77245 to have a copy of the history of Almeda mailed to you. Call 713-433-1098 for more info. .

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government,” Thomas Jefferson

FREEDOM

Thousands of soldiers have died to give us freedom  but all the armies in the world can’t free us from our own sinful, selfish nature. Only Jesus Christ can do that. 

OUT OF SCHOOL PARTY

Students and parents had plenty of fun and food thanks to the Almeda UMC and the Harvest UMC.

  

May issue

Hello George! Some of the customers who saw Georgio Vloutis day after day for 19 years at Beef & Bun thought he might have gone back to Greece where he was born and had studied Naval Architect. But George was working for a man he knew, Kamel Baki, who owned Hungry Farmer. When Baki opened up his 3dr outlet on the corner  of South Post Oak and Brookfield, George returned to serve some of his old customers and get acquainted with new ones.

After 19 years of serving BBQ, George enjoys the variety that Hungry Farmer provides to their customers and he continues to enjoy seeing the many faces he has recognized for two decades.

Good bye  Mrs. Wofford

As students walk in the door at Almeda Elementary, the first person they see is Cecilia Wofford. Cecilia first came to Almeda when her daughter, Valeria, started Kindergarten. As a stay-at-home mom with too much time on her hands, Cecilia used that time and energy to serve as an Officer of the PTO, and as a Parent Volunteer . In Feb. of 1993 she was offered a job  as a Title 1 Teaching Assistant.

Ten years ago she transferred to the front office serving as a receptionist. Her duties have included translating, assisting with registration, coordinating student incentives, and the Parent & Community Volunteers.

What will she do with all of her free time? A few projects at home, traveling & spending more time with family & friends are at the top of her list. Actually she hasn't even made a list.  Her only goal is to make these the best years of her life.  None of her plans include waking up to an alarm clock. Her husband Wes, (the son of Virginia Whitley, a former Almeda student) is thrilled his wife is starting this much deserved, new chapter in her life. Daughter Valerie has a feeling mom might actually be busier now she doesn't have to follow a schedule.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

MAY 12, 2013

One of the nicest presents a mother can get from children young and old is the gift of time.

Most Arcola Residents Missed It.

      The Pate Brothers hosted a Meet-the-Candidates at Arcola City Hall and provided free B B Q. All but one candidate attended but very few voters. Early voting: April 29-May 7, Election Day: May 11, 2013

HELP

The Association of the Fresno-Arcola Cemetery are in dire need of lawn equipment, such as a commercial riding mower and dirt mover, weed eater, hedge cutter, etc. Also, we need for family members of the loved ones buried at the cemetery to come forward and help out in cleaning their loved ones plots. This Cemetery needs everyone’s cooperation. For information or donations call 713-820-1358.

53 Senators Voted to Uphold Our Rights

In a 53 to 46 vote the U S Senate narrowly passed a measure to keep the US from entering into the UN Arms Trade Treaty. The Statement of Purpose from the bill read: To uphold Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

The U.N. Small Arms Treaty, which has been championed by the Obama Administration, would have effectively placed a global ban on the import and export of small firearms. The ban would have affected all private gun owners in the U.S., and had language that would have implemented an international gun registry on all private guns and ammo.

The 46 senators that voted to give a way our rights to the U.N. should be required to study the Constitution which they have sworn to uphold.

Elta Alvarez Is Also Leaving Almeda School

      In 1981, when Alvarez’s son started to kindergarten she became his homeroom mother. As her other children started to school she served in three different classes, worked long hours in the Halloween carnival, and stepped in when they needed someone to translate to Spanish speaking parents. The principal, Nancy Nichols, asked her to be a cashier in the cafeteria. Later, she was asked to be a teachers aide which she continued to do under Mrs. Schilette who was the principal in 1988. In 1990 Alvarez took a leave of absence to attend college. “It was hard,” she says since her oldest child was 13 and her fourth child was 1 1/2 years old. Yet she managed to graduate cum laude and get a degree in four years.

      

        In 1995, she began her student teaching when Ann Harvey was the principal and finished when Gail Wolfe assumed the role because Harvey went to the hospital.

      In December 1996 she became the third grade bilingual teacher.  The students had had a semester of substitutes and were on a second grade level but she managed to bring them up to their grade level. Alvarez enjoyed teaching. In 2002 she became the Title I Coordinator and the Instructional Coordinator. One of her duties is to appraise the teachers, a job she does not like because she sees teachers doing an awesome job but not according to HISD. To her, teaching was fun, but now instead of teaching to learn, students are taught to pass the test format and every few years the format changes.

Alvarez got her very own office when the new school was built. After six years of being a volunteer, earning a college degree, 25 years on the HISD payroll, raising four children and keeping her husband happy for 39 years, Alvarez is retiring. Not exactly. Besides keeping her husband happy she plans to take training so she can  teach computer programming to teachers. And she may do a little traveling, but Almeda will still be her home base.

 POLITICS OF JESUS

      The first time Pilate, the Roman ruler, asked if JESUS was a king the question was dripping with the politics of the day – “art thou the king of the Jews”, to which JESUS replied, “My kingdom is not of this world”.

      Pilate’s next question was subtly different than his first. He realized that JESUS had not denied being a king while rejecting the political limitations of Pilate’s first question. JESUS would not allow Pilate to paint HIM into a corner. If JESUS were to be king of the Jews, which sect would HE favor. At the time there were several factions among the Jews each seeking to dominate the other. There was not a possibility of compromise between any of these group. It’s interesting to consider how similar those various Jewish factions of 2000 years ago were to the dominate political parties in the U.S. today.

     Our modern Democratic party might feel comfortable with the politics of the Sadducees. They held to a generally humanistic world view and discounted the possibility of a supernatural personal god. Religion for them was a useful tool for controlling people while enriching themselves. For the Sadducees, faith except in one’s self was unnecessary.

       Next the party of the Pharisees. They were the God bless America party of JESUS’ time. They would have easily aligned themselves with the Republican party here in the U.S. They saw some benefit from applying Biblical principles to their personal and social life. They probably also recognized the logical necessity for a transcendent GOD. But they weren’t able to allow that logic to lead them to giving up control of their lives and allowing GOD to be their personal “LORD”. When it became clear to them that JESUS could not be controlled for their interest, they found an alliance with the Sadducees was their only hope of retaining any control.

      Lastly, a new group was emerging. These were from among JESUS’ own disciples. They were a small group though probably representative of the disenfranchised masses oppressed and manipulated by the two “officially” recognized parties of the Sadducees and Pharisees. This small movement would likely have been attracted to the politics of the “Tea Party” that has recently gained the attention and scorn of the “officially” recognized Democratic and Republican parties. These sword wielding Christians like the Apostle Peter wanted GOD’s rule in everyone else but weren’t willing to trust GOD enough to allow HIM to have complete rule in their own lives.

      Each party made a claim that their Jewish heritage entitled them to decide what was best for all present and future Jews.

Pilate must have realized the difference between the kind of king JESUS is and the kind of king the Jews wanted him to be because he said, “I find in HIM no fault at all”.

     

      The distinction was made clear by JESUS to the Pharisees in Luke 17:20-21. The Pharisees demanded of JESUS, when the kingdom of God should come? HE replied, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”.

The Pharisees wanted to know when GOD would drive out the pagan Roman oppressors, convert the unbelieving Sadducees, and put them, the worthy Pharisees in charge of everything. JESUS’ answer exposed their selfish ambition for power. The kingdom JESUS came to establish was not about controlling the Romans or the Sadducees, it was about their own hearts becoming a place where JESUS could have complete control. The Pharisees wanted to see how JESUS would control everyone else, not how HE would rule in their own lives. JESUS was saying that there was no place or need for their politics in HIS kingdom where everyone’s heart is yielded to JESUS as their king.

      

      There are some today who would ask JESUS, are YOU King of the Americans. Will you make everybody else in the world live the way we want them to? But HIS answer is still the same. MY kingdom is not of this world, I am not interested in controlling this group or that group of people. I want to have complete trusting obedience from each individual. MY kingdom is not about the group, it’s about the individual.

      So where does that leave me in 2013? It leaves me more focused on trusting GOD to change me than on trusting a political party to change everyone else to be like I want them to be. For the last 2000 years nations have risen and fallen while the kingdom of GOD has never been diminished. In feast and famine, peace and war, GOD’s kingdom has grown to fill the whole earth, not by political cunning or military might, but by yielded individuals, one person at a time allowing the kingdom of JESUS to direct their lives.     

                                                                                                                         By Robert Andrews      

ARCOLA FEED TRADE DAY

May 18th, 2013 9am—4pm Buy, Sell, Trade with your neighbors

At 6215 FM 521         281-431-1014

Biggest Energy Breakthrough in Our Industry

      Shale gas has been one of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of our industry and it has happened really fast. Shale gas has risen from two percent of domestic production a decade ago to 37 percent of supply today. US output has increased by 38% in five years, now equal to that of the 7th largest OPEC Producer. This boom is supporting 1.7 million jobs, direct and indirect. It provided $62 billion in revenue to the local, state and federal governments just last year.

This info came from BLACKWATER  SUBSEA, LLC website

MEGABUS

Eva Epps’ niece recommends the Megabus.

It cost $7 from San Antonio to Houston and $14 to return. Eva says it is a little difficult the first time to find the spot to pick up passengers. She didn’t see a sign nor a building but when she saw a Megbus pull out of a fenced lot at 815 Pierce she drove around the block and pulled into a lot with an open gate where she was able to wait for her niece. Although she doesn’t understand the price difference in the return trip, she thinks it is a bargain.

 Almeda Moe

>A newcomer called Moe and said I hear you handle all kinds of wild animals. I know it is hard to believe but I got a bear on my roof. “No problem. I’ll be right over says Moe. When Moe arrives he unloads his equipment and explains to the homeowner that his ladder is so he can get up on the roof, his bat is to knock the bear off the roof, and his pit bull dog is trained to grab the critter by the testicles and never let go until he can load the bear in the pen in his truck.” “What about the shotgun,” asked the homeowner. “That,” replies Moe, “is for you. If the bear knocks me off the roof, shoot the dog.”

Notice for John Breckenride please call Sis at 713 433 1098

Commissioner Richard Morrison, Precinct 1, will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting in Fresno on May 2nd at the Mustang Community Center located at 4525 FM 521 North 6:30 P.M.8:00P.M

Http stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It is not protected from others seeing your info. An https website does protect you. The s stands for secure. Never enter your credit card number or info you want to keep personal on a web site that is not https.

Condolences

 FEDERICO ROLANDO GARZA  December 10, 1973– April 6, 2013

Rolando attended Madison High School and St. Benedicts Church. He worked at Beck and Masten as a car salesman. He is survived by his wife, Frances M. Garza; parents, Federico and Ophelia Garza, and his mother-in-law, L. Fay Marshall, who wrote the following:

Dear Son-in-Law,

Your love and cheerful heart radiated so much love for my daughter and that was always enough for me. Whenever we were together you were so proud to tell everyone, “That’s my mother-in-law, so make sure you don’t mess with her”. Assuring everyone you were there to protect me. I will forever cherish our crazy laughs together because we just understood each other without saying anything. Roland you became a part of our family. Everyone just loved you and loved you being around to share your love and joy. I am assured that you are resting in the palm of Jesus’ hands, so I whisper to you my second son, “See you soon. I love you my second son and have my smoked fish ready”. Ma    His loving, happy spirit will be missed by many.

JAMES POTTER  

October 14, 1934– April 17, 2013-

James and his wife came to Almeda in 1963. He never missed work as a welder. He loved animals and gardening. James shopped at Pyburns so often, other customers thought he worked there. His wife, Barbara,  says “James was a selfless, hard working, wonderful husband, father, grandfather of eight, and great grandfather of four. Before he died, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He’ll be waiting for his family in heaven. Praise God.”

James is also survived by his four children: Michael, Dory, Jeff, and Chris. God blessed James with 78 years of life, most were lived in Almeda.

 Georgia S. (Santana) Hernandez, 95, of La Grange formerly of Fresno Texas, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in La Grange. Georgia was born in Fulshear, Texas on December 13, 1917, the daughter of the late Antonio Santana and Anna (Morales) Mendoza. She is survived by daughters: Zenaida Mendoza of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Helen/Dan Spradlin of Galveston, Anita Hernandez of La Grange, Alice/Gary Christopherson of Leander; sons: Grady S. Hernandez Jr. II of Fresno and Antonio (Tony) Hernandez of Houston; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; sisters: Josie Aldana and Anita Juarez; brothers: Toribio Mendoza, Meleton/Lena Morales and Augustine/Emma Mendoza. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady V. Hernandez; infant twins Georgia Kay and George Ray; two sons, Felipe Vigil and Ramon Vigil and daughter Irene Hernandez. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Memorial Services will be held at Second Victorian Village Clubhouse, 10500 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77043 on Saturday May 4, 2013 from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, Texas 78945.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home 208 W. Pearl,  La Grange, TX.

Dear Editor,

               This is a response to the biblical challenge from Jason and Ron Carlson in “Our News” of March 2013.   This may be reprinted, if you so choose.  If not, I understand, as the response is contrary to the “Our New” view of religion.

 In a recent “Our News” Jason and Ron Carlson issued a biblical challenge defending the idea that the Christian bible is “the inspired word of God.”  The challenge fails because the bible cannot meet their standard of having no contradictions.

One biblical contradiction is a disagreement between St. Paul and Jesus.

In Exodus 34:29-35, we read that the face of Moses shone with the reflected radiance of seeing God face-to-face.  Moses some times covered his face with a cloth because that reflected radiance disturbed the Hebrews.

In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus says he comes to fulfill, not abolish, the Mosaic Law.  Jesus says not a single letter of the Law will pass away as long as heaven exists, a nice way of saying forever.  Jesus strongly reconfirms the Law He gave to Moses, since Jesus is God.

In Corinthians 2, Chapter 3, Paul says nasty things about Laws written on stone, arguing that you can break the Mosaic Law and be a good Christian.  Paul then says Moses put a cloth over his face to hide the fact that Moses’ face did NOT shine, meaning Moses was a liar who did not get laws from God.

So, Jesus/God says He upholds the Law He gave to Moses, yet Paul says that Law is dead.  Both things cannot be the inspired word of an all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect god that does not make the mistake of telling Paul something different from what He told Moses and what He came to earth to tell his chosen Apostles.

The usual defenses against this contradiction, such as the “until all is accomplished” phrase, create new contradictions, such as Jesus saying the Law lasts forever, then immediately saying it will have an ending.

Sincerely,

H. M. Thompson

      A pastor from a local church, Sean Nelson’s reply to H.M. Thompson's letter to the editor.  The response provided by H.M. Thompson, is a disconnect between the interpretation given of Paul’s words, and the text of 2 Corinthians 3 itself. He claims that Paul says “nasty things” about the Mosaic Law, yet Paul wrote that the Law is “holy and righteous and good,” (Rom. 7:12) and to “delight in the Law of God.” (Rom. 7:22)

     

       Perhaps Thompson is referring to 2 Cor. when Paul speaks of the Law as a “ministry of death.” He is not denouncing the Mosaic Law but contrasting the effects of the Law (which declares God’s perfect and holy standard), and the effects of the Spirit’s work in the believer’s life (which enables God’s people to obey His commands).

    

      The Law is a “ministry of death” because it declares God’s righteous requirements to a sinful people. That same sinful people are unwilling to submit to God’s commands, and found themselves under judgment. When the command comes, our sinful hearts drive us toward disobedience. Apart from the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms our hearts and teaches us to forsake ungodliness, the Law will only be a source of condemnation. This is why Paul wrote: I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. (Rom. 7:9-11) Still Paul affirms that even in its “ministry of condemnation” the Law brought glory to God. (2 Cor. 3:9)

   

     Thompson also claims that Paul argued that “you can break the Mosaic Law and still be a good Christian.” Nothing in 2 Corinthians 3 nor in the rest of scripture suggest that this was Paul’s viewpoint. (See Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:13-14)

   

      Next he claims that Paul said Moses “put a cloth over his face to hide the fact that Moses’ face did NOT shine, meaning Moses was a liar who did not get laws from God.” This contradicts what Paul actually said, that the “Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory.” (2 Cor. 3:7) And that he put the veil over his face so that the Israelites would not have to look upon the fading reflection of God’s glory. (2 Cor. 3:13)

    

     Finally, he claims that there exists a contradiction between the words of Jesus and those of Paul. In Matthew 5:17-18, we read the words of our Lord: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

 Here we see Christ affirm the continuing authority of the Old Testament scriptures. “The Law and the Prophets” is a summary of the entire contents of the Old Testament. Though Christ came preaching a “new” gospel of the Kingdom of God, that gospel did not negate or set aside the Old Testament. But is any of this in contradiction with Paul’s teachings?

     

     Not at all. Paul writes, All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Paul affirms that the Law is righteous and holy, revealing God’s good commandments to humanity. (Rom. 7:12) He also believes that Christ is the fulfillment of the law on behalf of His people. (Rom. 8:1-4) And as we have already seen, much of Paul’s moral instruction to the church flows out of the Old Testament Law.

     So why does Thompson believe that Paul contradicts Jesus? Contrary to what is claimed, nowhere in 2 Corinthians 3 does Paul say that “the Law is dead.”   From what I am able to tell, the only support for this idea comes from the fact that Paul speaks of the transition between the Old and New Covenants. In the coming of Christ, the ceremonies, the shadows, and the prophecies of the Old Covenant ministry find their fulfillment. But as Calvin helpfully points out, this does not take anything away from the authority of the Law or the Prophets. Instead, it confirms their authority by displaying the fullness of truth to which they pointed.

If you would like to respond to anything in the Our News Almeda blogspot, just email siskeyworth@att.net

                                                 

  

What got left out of the April issue

I forgot to include the following for the April Issue

TAX HELP

every Tue. and Thur. from 12:30 to 3:30 pm at Vinson Library.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

NRA members meet May 3rd and 4th at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Sarah Palin, Ted Cruz, Governor Perry, LA Governor Jindal, Rick Santorum and Asa Hutchinson will be in attendance. Ticket prices for NRA members are $10 for one event. Call 1 877-672-7632 for more info

Fresno Fresh Water Board

The Water Board meets every third Thursday of the month. They will meet at 6:30 at the Mustang Community Center which is open to the public. The minutes are posted at Fort Bend 1.com

In the minutes of the Jan. 17th meeting, the Operator’s report from Mr. Anmel said the district pumped 2,933,000 gallons of water for the month. The district has 366 connections. Operational charges were $16,708 and a repaired chlorinator cost $728 A special session was held on March 27th at 1980 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 1380. One of the items on the agenda was a discussion on a policy regarding customer leaks and billing adjustments.

CONDOLENCES

ELSIE ROCO SURFACE passed away March 21, 2013. Elsie attended Almeda School and graduated from San Jac. Not far from San Jac, Elsie’s father, Morris Roco, had an auto repair shop on Almeda Road. Most of his customers were from Almeda. The family moved to Almeda in 1936. Elsie became a devoted Christian, always wanting to help others. Preceded in death by her four brothers, Morris, Al, Calvin and Richard, Elsie is survived by her husband, Bill Surface; children Bill Jr., Morris, Daniel, Nancy, and Bonnie; sisters, Marion Binner and Sue Parker. 

Jesus said, “because I live you shall live also.” John 14:19

VINSON LIBRARY

3810 West Fuqua 832-393-2120

Open Tue. & Wed. 10-6, Thurs. 12-8 Fri. 1-5, Sat. 10-5. closed Sun. & Mon.  www.houstonlibrary.org

Multi-center open Mon. thru Fri. 

 Sienna Branch Library,

8411 Sienna Springs Blvd ,281-238-2900

Book Club, April 8, at 10 am; Crime Mystery Book Club  7 pm, April 23, Culinary Book Club April 15, at 1:30 pm, “Spring Vegetable Dishes.”

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, Story Time, Kinder Korner,  “Pajama Night Story Time -- every Mon. at 6:30 pm -s The After-School Break grades 1-5 only on 4th Thur.t 4:15 pm. ”Book club for 4th and 5th grades –2nd Tue. at 4:15 pm. Teen Programs, 6:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tue. 6-8.

April 16 – Teen Study Break

COMPUTER CLASSES Free but reservations required:“MS Word Survival Basics for Spanish-Speaking Adults,” April 9th, 10 am, “MS Word: Intermediate for Spanish-Speaking Adults,” April 16, at 10 am,

“MS Word Survival Basics” for version 2007 April 3rd 10:00 am, “MS Word: Intermediate April 10th 10 am, “Blogging for Dollars” April 17th 10 am, Digital Storytelling April 24th 10 am. Teach Yourself How to Type”

Job & Career Accelerator™ resource to the LearningExpressLibrary online database. The Job & Career Accelerator feature enables job-hunters to explore info on 1,000 different occupations, and five million up-to-the-minute local and national job postings, providing valuable tips and advice through every step of the job-search process. The staff at Sienna will present a demonstration April 11 at 10 am of the LearningExpressLibrary’s Job & Career Accelerator resource. It can be accessed remotely at any time of the day or night from a home computer with an Internet connection. A library card barcode number is required to use this resource outside of the library. For more info 281-341-2677.

Three-part series of “Job-Search Survival Tips,” April 22nd, 23rd,&25th, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm,

Sweet Adelines International on Saturday, May 4, beginning