Shelby County Today

September 10, 2026 - As the story goes, a businessman was sitting at his desk. All around him were bills, letters and other evidence of the details of his business that he was totally absorbed in. The minister of the church entered, anxious to discuss the man’s soul. The businessman said, “I’m sorry. You must excuse me brother, I am too busy to take time for that today.”

Politely, the minister asked, “When shall I call on you again?” The businessman replied, “I really don’t know. I have a lot to attend to.” With a sad and heavy heart, the minister excused himself and the businessman returned to his paper work.

A few days later, a disagreeable stranger stepped into the businessman’s office and laid a cold hand on his shoulder. “Come, you must go home with me” the visitor demanded. The businessman laid down his pen, closed his desk and left. He had no choice. A cold chill settled on him as images of so many things left unfinished flashed before his eyes. The name of his visitor was death.

We may think we are so busy we don’t have time to obey the Lord and live His kind of life. However, we will someday not be too busy to die. Can you find time for Bible Study and Worship on the Lord’s Day?

It’s something to think about... tbp

Come and Join us For Worship!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com

September 7, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, September 7.

Have you heard about the zombie churches of Europe? Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Actually it’s more sad. The term refers to the thousands of churches there that have closed their doors during the last generation. It’s a cautionary tale for our congregations here in the United States.

During the 1950’s, church attendance averages in Europe began to fall and have continued to fall each year since. Right after World War II more than 90% of Europeans went to services each Sunday. Today that number is less than 25%, with some areas in the single digits. The secularization of the continent is almost complete.

One result of this alarming change is the closure and abandonment of thousands and thousands of houses of worship - zombie churches. Many have been torn down. Many others have been transformed into community centers, gyms, hotels, restaurants. Some are even nightclubs and breweries. The photographs online are surreal and sad.

This cataclysmic development didn’t occur over centuries. It has all happened within my lifetime. What will happen to the American Church within the lives of my children? It is a cautionary tale and reminds us of the wisdom found in Hebrews 10:23-25. “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

September 3, 2026 - The members and Pastor of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville invite you to their Annual Homecoming Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 3pm.

Guest speaker will be: Rev. Frankie Cooper of the Social Point Missionary Baptist Church in Tenaha, Tx. 

Everyone is invited.

August 31, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 31.

I’m writing today’s devotion from one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. It’s a place that combines history and music and food - three of my favorite things! I’ve had the pleasure of coming here about 20 times over the years, and I always take a moment to go to the great St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square in the French Quarter, the church with the three spires that overlooks the Mississippi River. I went to the service there yesterday morning and it was beautiful and inspiring. In all my visits to the Big Easy, this was the first trip that included a Sunday. But it wasn’t the first mass that I attended in New Orleans. That occurred on Tuesday, August 29, 2006. The one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

I decided to attend the first anniversary ceremony that year at the cathedral, as did President George W. Bush (we traveled separately). The 300-year-old church seats about a thousand people, and it was standing room only on that hot summer morning. Leaders from across the country, the state, and the community were in attendance, plus a lot of locals, first responders, and ordinary visitors like me. The service was basically a time of prayer, spoken and silent, remembering the lost (1400 souls) and the rebuilding (200 billion in damage). 

There was lots of music. Some pieces, by Bach and Mozart, that you’d expect in a cathedral. And some music, black gospel and jazz, that you’d expect in New Orleans. And then the service was ending and there was one more song. A song by a Jewish composer from New York. A song that always appears whenever our country faces war or crisis or tragedy. It was a song appropriate for that day, twenty years ago this weekend, in New Orleans. A song appropriate for any day. Sing it again this morning.

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her 
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com