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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Fri, May 01
April 24, 2026 - Smyrna Youth Fundraiser is coming up! Friday, May 1st, the fundraiser starts at 10:30am on the Square in Center.
We’ll be selling plates that include: Chopped brisket sandwich, Chips, and Water for $12 per plate.
Orders of 10 or more can be delivered!
All proceeds go to help send our youth to GoTell Camp this summer.
Come support a great cause and grab a great meal!
Sat, May 02
April 14, 2026 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and Fish Fry will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 11am.
Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be $12 per plate. Sardis cookbooks will be available for $10 each.
Business meeting will follow after cleanup. Please make plans now to come by, sit around, visit with friends and family and just enjoy the day.
Donations are welcomed and will be used for the upkeep of the cemetery.
Donations can be mailed to:
Sardis Cemetery
6034 FM 414,
Center, Texas 75935.
Sun, May 03
April 22, 2026 - Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Service Honoring surrounding Shelby County Schools and College Graduates on Sunday, May 3, starting at 3pm in the Center High School Cafetorium, 658 Roughider Drive, Center, TX 75935.
Encouraging words will be offers by Dr. Sidney Arrington, PH.D. Criminal Justice and Criminology Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
The guest speaker will be Pastor Deshmond Johnson Mt. Horeb Baptist Church San Augustine, TX 75972.
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
For more information contact Anita Williams 936.332.7847.
Faith
April 27, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 27.
During my college years, I made extra money playing piano for student voice lessons. That was over 40 years ago, but I still vividly remember one memorable moment. The voice professor, a man in his seventies who had been an operatic star in his youth, became impatient with his student. After giving repeated instructions and suggestions, the teacher finally rose to his feet and said, “Do it like this!”. The lesson was being held in the professor’s office, a fairly small room. The old singer was maybe five feet away from me. And as he began to sing a phrase from a famous tenor aria . . . it very nearly blew me off the piano bench! He was decades from his prime, but his voice was still freakishly powerful. It was, in a word, overwhelming.
My sister-in-law once worked at KTBC TV in Austin. That’s the station that was owned by Lady Bird Johnson. She told me about a memorable moment she had one day. She was asked to interview a guest to the station and was waiting in a small broadcast studio. The door opened . . . and in walked Billy Graham. She wasn’t a particularly religious person and had never been to a Graham crusade, but the personal presence of this man, in that small room, a man who had preached - in person - to over 40 million people, was almost too much for her to take. It was, in a word, overwhelming.
God has a unique plan for each person. You and I may not be freakishly talented - ok, we’re definitely not - but, in God’s eyes, we are precious. In His plan we are unique and have the potential for a unique purpose, a unique ministry, a unique impact. And that’s a powerful thing.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
April 24, 2026 - Smyrna Youth Fundraiser is coming up! Friday, May 1st, the fundraiser starts at 10:30am on the Square in Center.
We’ll be selling plates that include: Chopped brisket sandwich, Chips, and Water for $12 per plate.
Orders of 10 or more can be delivered!
All proceeds go to help send our youth to GoTell Camp this summer.
Come support a great cause and grab a great meal!
April 23, 2026 - Have you ever taken notice of the importance of prayer in the life of Jesus? He began his earthly ministry in prayer (Luke 3:21) He continued in prayer, and ended in prayer (Luke 23:34) The Heavenly Ministry of Jesus was begun in prayer (John 14:16) and is now continued in prayer (Hebrews 7:25)
The disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) Prayer is more important than rest, for we read, “in the morning, a great while before day, He rose up and went out into a desert place and there prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
Prayer was more important in securing workers than either money or machinery, for Jesus said, “Pray the Lord of Harvest that He send forth laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)
It pains me to find someone here and there who feels that the only answer we receive to our prayers is the satisfaction of praying. I believe with all my heart that God does something in answer to prayer that he would not do if I did not pray. There just isn’t any end to the things that may be accomplished by prayer.
Do we realize there is absolutely no limit to the power of God? Do we realize that the Lord has said, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened.” Never discount the power of prayer. Pray and pray often.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 22, 2026 - Class of 2026 Baccalaureate Service Honoring surrounding Shelby County Schools and College Graduates on Sunday, May 3, starting at 3pm in the Center High School Cafetorium, 658 Roughider Drive, Center, TX 75935.
Encouraging words will be offers by Dr. Sidney Arrington, PH.D. Criminal Justice and Criminology Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
The guest speaker will be Pastor Deshmond Johnson Mt. Horeb Baptist Church San Augustine, TX 75972.
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
For more information contact Anita Williams 936.332.7847.
April 20, 2026 - Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church would like to invite everyone to help celebrate our 187th anniversary of the church and 87th Annual Homecoming Service on April 26th, 2026.
Bro Charles Williams will be bringing the morning message, and lunch will follow in the fellowship hall following services. Program begins at 10:30am. The address is 2271 FM 139 in Joaquin. Hope to see everyone there!
April 20, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 20.
Lately there’s been a lot in the news about religious leaders speaking out to political leaders. It reminded me of a dramatic encounter found in 2 Samuel, an encounter between a political leader named David and a religious leader named Nathan.
Nathan was a prophet during the time of King David. We first meet him in 2 Samuel Chapter 7, when David was just beginning his reign and, filled with youthful ambition, proclaimed his desire to build a temple for Jehovah. Nathan, however, received a message from God in a dream that David was not to be the one to build it. He bravely came before the young king to deliver this disappointing news. David, to his credit, accepted Nathan’s instruction, and accepted the will of God.
In 2 Samuel Chapter 12, we find a much darker encounter. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. Nathan came to the palace and shared a parable with the king - the story of a rich man who owned hundreds of lambs and a poor man who had just one. When the rich man welcomed a guest to his dinner table, instead of serving one of his own lambs, he took the single lamb from the poor shepherd. When David heard this, he raged against the actions of the man in the story. And, in that moment, Nathan rose to his feet and said - “YOU are the man!”.
In speaking truth to power, Nathan risked his position and perhaps his life. David, however, accepted the indictment from the prophet and was moved to a heart of repentance. We can read his sorrowful thoughts in Psalm 51. And when, years later, David and Bathsheba had a son, the king named him . . . Nathan.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
March 30, 2026 - FCA is bringing Fields of Faith with special guest speaker Cameron Tate to Shelbyville, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7pm to Dragon Stadium.
From Jackson Mississippi, Cameron Tate along with his wife Yvonne are the founders of Bridging the Gap Outreach Ministries which strives to fortify the bond between churches and organizations and to connect more deeply with their community.
Fields of Faith is an FCA certified ministry program where athletes gather at sport environments in their communities to challenge their peers to read the Bible daily and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
Dragon stadium is located at 5322 Hwy 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973. For more information about the event, call Levi Willoughby at 936-332-4443.
April 16, 2026 - One of the most elusive things in our lives are friends. We might have some we consider to be our friends, yet, they later prove themselves to be what are known as “fair weather friends.” When the going gets tough, often they are nowhere to be found. There is one friend who will never let us down and that is God.
When we turn to the word of God, we find a man who was known as a “friend of God.” That is what James tells us about Abraham in James 2:23, he was “called the Friend of God.” Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever considered what a high honor that was for Abraham?
Abraham believed God. Faith is something that must be present for us to be pleasing to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet, Abraham did more than this. He obeyed God, he feared God and he had a deep concern for the lost.
With God there is no such thing as being a partial friend. There is no such thing as being an acquaintance. James also tells us in James 4:4 that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. That whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God. The question we must ask ourselves is could it be said of us that we are the friend of God? Are we living our lives as friends of God or friends of the world?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 16, 2026 - Join a powerful and heartfelt Mother’s Day Prayer Luncheon — “A Cry Within”
This special gathering is designed to uplift, heal, and restore mothers and women navigating life’s deepest emotions. Through prayer, fellowship, and transparency, we will come together to “take the mask off” and experience God’s presence in a real way.
- Date: May 9th
- Time: 12pm – 4pm
- Location: The Burning Bush Co.
- 1229 Southview Circle, Center, TX
Featuring dynamic guest speakers and honorees who will inspire, encourage, and pour into every woman in the room.
Guest Speakers & Honorees
- First Lady Vanessa Davis - Center, Texas
- Kim Holman Bobb, MBA - Houston, Texas
- Evangelist Lisa Carpenter - Center, Texas
- Sis. Shirley Rucker - Center, Texas
- Evangelist Sylvia Bennett -Bryan,Tx
Please bring a $15 gift as a token of love
Come expecting healing, connection, and a divine encounter. You don’t have to carry it alone—this is a safe place to release, renew, and be restored.
For more info: 214-213-5181 or 936-332-6006
April 15, 2026 - I want to talk to you about Mary Magdalene, who did a lot of waiting. You see, we are always in a rush to get things done, only to find that when we reach our destination, we have to wait. As a kid, did you ever get a toy and get excited, only to find out that Santa forgot to bring batteries for it? Maybe you have been running late to get to work, only to run into a traffic jam or get behind a chicken truck! There is always something. We hurry from task to task, appointment to appointment, hoping life will finally “start” when the next thing arrives. But spiritually, many feel stuck in a waiting room of some sort, waiting for healing, answers, and a breakthrough. The life of Mary Magdalene shows that while we are in a hurry, God often does His best work in the seasons when we are forced to stop and wait.
The Bible introduces Mary Magdalene as a woman who had been tormented and possessed by seven demons until she encountered Jesus Christ. He delivered her completely, transforming her from a captive into a free and devoted follower of Christ. Her story reminds us that some of our longest, darkest seasons of waiting are the ones that end in the greatest freedom. Many people today are hurrying from solution to solution, but still waiting for real change. When Jesus intervenes, the waiting for true deliverance is over. His power still sets people free!
Mary also appears at the cross of Jesus. While others ran and scattered, she remained at the feet of the tortured and lifeless Jesus. Standing near the cross, she could not change what had happened to her Lord and Savior. She could only stay, watch, and wait through the deepest pain of her life. Jesus was more than just a great mentor and teacher to her. He was her Deliverer, Savior, Teacher, and Friend. That image is familiar to anyone who has waited by a hospital bed, a graveside, or a broken relationship, wondering why God allowed such sorrow. Mary’s faith teaches us that real devotion does not waver when life makes no sense. It holds fast to Christ even at the place of suffering.
On the first day of the week, Mary rose early and hurried to Jesus’ tomb, only to find it empty. Confused and grieving, she stayed outside the tomb, weeping. In that moment of waiting and heartbreak, Angels and Jesus appeared. She did not recognize Him until He spoke her name, turning her mourning and sorrow into joy and peace. The empty place where she feared all was lost became the very place she encountered the resurrected Christ.
Many of us today live in that state of being. We are always rushing things and want the imminent answer to our problems, only to find ourselves in the waiting room of sorrow and grief. We are in a hurry for life to change, but unsure how long we have to wait. The good news of the gospel is that, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we do not have to wait for Him to show up. He is already here. The wait is over! You do not have to wait for peace, deliverance, joy, strength, purpose, and confidence anymore! Jesus has all of that and more ready just for you. Does that mean that we are exempt from heartbreaks and hard times? No. But it does mean that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Revelation 3:20 gives us His invitation when it says, “ He stands at the door and knocks.” He is calling each of us to open our hearts to Him.” I always tell my congregation that Jesus is at the door, knocking. He is not going to force His way in. He is not going to bust the door down. We have to hear it and answer it. We may still wait on God’s timing for certain answers, but we do not have to wait one more minute to come to Christ.
Mary had to “hurry up and wait”, but all that waiting led her to the feet of Jesus. Jesus is here today. You can hurry to Him now. The wait is over!
God Bless,
Josh Crawford
Pastor, Pleasant Grove MBC
-1 Timothy 4:12-
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