Chaplain's Corner
In 1972, Chaplain Max Caylor was ordained as a minister and served at Jasper United Methodist Church from 1984-1991. While pastoring at JUMC, he founded the Rotary Club of Jasper and served as chaplain for the Pickens High School football team and videographer for Pickens High School graduations.
In 2012 he retired after 39 years in the ministry. He lives in Pickens County with his family and currently serves as president of the Rotary Club and acts as chaplain for the fire department.
Mother’s Day: The Apostrophe is Significant!
May, 2024
In 1907 Anna Jarvis organizes a small service in honor of her deceased mother on the second Sunday in May at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.
In the wake of the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis (Anna Jarvis’ mother) coordinates a Mothers’ Friendship Day in West Virginia to bring former foes on the battlefield back together again. The initially tense day goes well, with veterans from the North and South weeping and shaking hands for the first time in years.
Also, her mom had nursed soldiers in the Civil War and founded ‘Mother’s Day Work Clubs’ to help tackle public health. Eager to continue her mother’s work, Anna was successful in getting a day dedicated to honoring mothers nationwide.
In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made the second Sunday in May as our country’s official Mother’s Day! From conception Anna’s first conception of Mother’s Day it was to honor one’s own mother … and not a general day grouping all moms together!
Jarvis believed, “that a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world.” Reflect on that statement for a moment!
Although my mom, Marian Grey King Caylor, went to be with the Lord in 2003, I will tell a few “Mama Caylor” stories with a smile and a tear honoring her on HER Day! I hope you will share some mom stories as you remember your mom, too!
Our mom’s love can be linked to Psalm 139 which says 18 times …”God’s love endures for ever” and so is a MOTHER’S LOVE!”
Happy Mother’s Day!
Are You Prepared For Christ’s Birth?
December 8, 2021
Yesterday was the First Sunday in the Christian year beginning the Season of Advent. The word means “awaiting” and since the 400’s denotes the birth of Christ our Savior!
The Candle of Hope is lit in worship and family Advent Wreathes on the first Sunday repressing the Hope God will bring us in the birth of Jesus.
“Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass.”
Advent is the season we prepare for the birth of Christ as if it were the first time ever! We decorate trees, yards, tables, doors and more with color and lights for a special event … the birth of Christ in our spiritual lives.
Hope in God brings us a future with HIM! Not a wished hope like I wish it would not rain but a Certain Hope that God in Jesus will meet our every need!
Forty one years ago my wife was having trouble with her pregnancy! The Christian doctor, after treating her, told me “to go home and Hope and if I couldn’t I was in the wrong business as a preacher.”
Going home I was frantic about the possibility of loosing the baby! Had a lot of what if questions?
As I read a Christian commentary on the word Hope I experienced it … the Holy Spirit revealed that whether or not we kept the baby God was going to be there for us! O K God, I got it: regardless of what happens we are going to be fine because you are with us! My wife kept the baby but at the time I did not know what was going to happen!
So, as you prepare for the birth of Christ in your life during Advent … “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” … Romans 15:13.
Blessings,
Chaplain Max
Well Done Good And Faithful Thrift Store Volunteer
October 23, 2021
Thrift Store Mission
Below are Hope House of North Georgia children who benefit from the volunteer workers at the Thrift Store. There are as many as 15-20 other non-profits in Pickens that change lives because of unloading, sorting, pricing and selling at the store! Look at their faces … they are why we do what we do …. it was and is God’s vision through Don Russell and us today!
Scripture Luke 19:23
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Luke 19:11-27
Jesus told a story that is identified as the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew Luke 19:11-27 and maybe good for us to read and apply to ALL who are involved at the Community Thrift Store.
As you read the parable it clear that there are different talents for everyone. The key is how they are used for the Master … not themselves.
Our talents, abilities, gifts and graces are given us to use for the glory of God and building his Kingdom of goodness and service!
I came to the store last Monday after all the turmoil somewhat holding my breath of what I would see but when I got there the back parking lot was almost full … through the week and Saturday and Saturday, too.
There you were … Volunteers … not clear about what was going on but YOU were in your place using your talents … Well Done Good And Faithful Thrift Store Volunteers!
As we move forward with the Board and management may we continue to use our talents to benefit the whole.
Here is a Prayer to guide us in our ministry together:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Thank you Volunteers!
Chaplain Max
Treasure Hunters
October 14, 2021
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Guess how many cars were in the front parking lot Tuesday morning at the Thrift Store? It was full … 32 parked cars of treasure hunters!
A treasure is something of value and our community friends were looking for items of value for a good price! A Bargain!
Our second set of community friends donate items they no longer need or want and our treasures get restocked daily! Praise the Lord!
These are two Tuesday happy shoppers! The little girl said, “I like this store as she tightly held her new Valentine bear … her new treasurer!
Here is a Tuesday volunteer hugging an arm load of clothes freshly priced for the store! Her treasurer is serving, helping, making a difference!
Also, I counted the cars/trucks in the rear parking lot …it was almost full with 22 volunteer cars/trucks!
Our scripture verse says “where your treasurer is, there will be your heart will be, also!” Kathy has a list of 140 Volunteers in her notebook… all people whose Treasure is service because what you do comes from your hear!
Thank you for your heart!
Max, CTS Chaplain
Community Thrift Store Fruits?
September 30, 2021
“You Will Know Them By Their Fruit”
Matthew 7:7
For around 20 years The Community Thrift Store in Jasper, Georgia has been doing a miraculous good by donating about $10,000,000+ to area non-profits …improving the lives of people!
Founder, Don Russell, was touched by the poverty in Pickens County and was inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin the store. Doing good to everyone was in his heart!
Don issued the invitation and people brought stuff … sofas, beds, clothes, books, pots and pans, clothes, toys, pictures and more clothes. Russell would often remark about his pants, shoes, shirt and shoes … a bargain at $2.50!
The Jasper Miracle Thrift Store added the second piece of the puzzle which were the volunteers! They are grapes, strawberries, bananas, figs, apples and more. Six days a week, this produce section of 140 fruits unload, sort, price, display and sell items that were donated to the store … folks so committed that they joyously give their time and talents to run the store!
In the Scripture above Jesus is saying “you will know the good folks by their fruit or work. What is in their hearts will be shown in how they live … Thrift Store Human Fruits!
The Miracle of the Thrift Store is that the community gives their stuff, volunteers process it, the community buys what others have given and around 20 Pickens nonprofits improve the lives of their clients.
Come be a Thrift Store Fruit … we need a few more pears, avocados and tomatoes, too!
Email Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Browning [email protected] or call 706-253-0520.
Max Caylor, CTS Chaplain
You Can Be A Miracle Worker
September 24, 2021
For around 20 years The Community Thrift Store in Jasper, Georgia has been doing a miraculous good by donating about $9,000,000,000+ to area non-profits …improving the lives of people!
Founder, Don Russell, was touched by the poverty in Pickens County and was inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin the store. Doing good to everyone was in his heart!
Don issued the invitation and people brought stuff … sofas, beds, clothes, books, pots and pans, clothes, toys, pictures and more clothes. Russell would often remark about his pants, shoes, shirt and shoes … a bargain at $2.50.
The Jasper Miracle Thrift Store added the second piece of the puzzle which were the volunteers! Six days a week an army of 140 volunteers unload, sort, price, display and sell items that were donated to the store … folks so committed that they joyously give their time and talents to run the store.
Paul’s letter to Galatians comes to mind when I see all the volunteers at work …
“let us not grow weary in doing good.”
The Christian Galatians had divided themselves between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Nothing unusual for humankind to think some of them are better than others!
The Miracle of the Thrift Store is that the community gives their stuff, volunteers process it, the community buys what others have given and around 20 Pickens nonprofits improve the lives of their clients.
Come volunteer and you can be a Miracle Worker, too … email Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Browning [email protected] or call 706-253-0520.
Max Caylor, CTS Chaplain
Come Visit Us!
110 Samaritan Drive, Jasper, Georgia 30143
Shopping Hours
Mon 10AM – 2PM
Tue 10AM – 2PM
Wed 10AM – 2PM
Thu 10AM – 2PM
Fri 10AM – 2PM
Sat 10AM – 2PM
Donation Hours
Mon 10AM – 2PM
Tue 10AM – 2PM
Wed No Donations
Thu 10AM – 2PM
Fri 10AM – 2PM
Sat 10AM – 2PM
Closed Sundays
Closed on the 5th Saturday of the month. (4 times a year)