When we think about children's hymns, the first that comes to mind, of course, is "Jesus Loves Me." And maybe "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "Fairest Lord Jesus", and a few others. What doesn't come to mind is the mighty and majestic "Doxology." But this great hymn of the faith was written for kids.
May 30, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, May 30.
Yesterday, a good crowd of community friends met at our civic center for a Memorial Day event. One of the children from First Baptist, Dylan Roberts, gave us a special moment as he sang "God Bless America".
Let me tell you about a remarkable method of communication and connection. You probably haven't heard of it. It's exceedingly rare. I'll describe it for you.
First, you take a sheet of paper and place it flat on a table or a desk. Then, you use a writing instrument to fill the paper with your thoughts. Thoughts of important things, thoughts of trivial things. Humorous thoughts, serious thoughts, thoughts of love.
May 24, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, May 24.
Today we look at purpose and position. Do you believe that God has a purpose for your life? And does He place you in a position to fulfill that purpose? I believe the Bible tells us that this is so, and it does so through the life stories of its' characters. Today we look at the life of the Apostle Paul.
May 23, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, May 23.
On this day, about 90 years ago, an infamous event happened about 90 miles from Center, Texas. A posse of lawmen laid a trap and ambushed a car. They poured 130 rounds of ammunition into that car, and when the firing finally stopped, 25-year-old Clyde Barrow and 23-year-old Bonnie Parker lay dead.
Yesterday, in my broadcast Sunday School lesson, we studied the famous passage in Ephesians 6, where the Apostle Paul encourages us to "put on the full armor of God". Paul wrote those inspiring words to the church in Ephesus from Rome. He had always dreamed of going to Rome, as a missionary, as a church-planter, as a preacher. But when he finally arrived in that great city, he came as a prisoner.
One way to chart where you are in your life is the kind of questions that people ask when they run into you. As a young adult it's often, "Do you have a photo of your new baby?". Before long it's, "How's your son doing in college?", and then, "Do you have a photo of your new grandchild?", followed closely by, "How's retirement treating you?", and finally, "How's the arthritis?". But there's a period early on when the typical question is, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
May 18, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, May 18.
Today is Graduation Day! No, not at our local high school, or at nearby Stephen F. Austin University. It's the graduation at our church's daycare! This morning, a crew of four and five-year-olds will march in to the sound of "Pomp and Circumstance", wearing their miniature caps and gowns. It's going to be quite the memorable moment!
May 17, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, May 17.
Tonight, I'm going caroling. No, not Christmas caroling! I haven't lost my mind just yet. My adult choir, one Wednesday night each month, skips our usual mid-week rehearsal, and goes caroling, goes out to sing gospel songs in the front yards of shut-ins. It's the best thing since the invention of sliced bread!
This evening, we'll be sharing favorite hymns with our longtime church organist, Alice West, who is no longer able to attend services. It's going to be a sweet time of song, and a fun time of fellowship.