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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
Faith
December 22, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 22.
As a student of the Bible, wouldn’t you be thrilled to have the chance to sit down with a Bible character and interview them? What would you ask Moses? What questions would you have for Paul? This morning we focus on a man who may very well have had just such an opportunity. Today we look at Luke.
Luke was a physician and was highly educated for his time. He was a man of details, an historian of sorts. Luke was a valued associate of the Apostle Paul, and travelled with him on several of his missionary journeys. One of those journeys was to the city of Ephesus, and here’s where our story gets interesting. It is thought, by many Bible scholars, that one of the residents of Ephesus was none other than Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Did Luke have the chance to interview Mary? If so, it would explain why Luke’s gospel contains the most information about the birth of Christ. It would explain how he could write phrases like, “but Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart”.
Take a moment during this week of Christmas to reread the Christmas Story in Luke. And, as you do, try to imagine that those beautiful words are coming . . . from Mary.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 18, 2025 - Without a doubt, my favorite Christmas Song, is “White Christmas.” It was written by Irving Berlin for the movie “Holiday Inn” in 1942. My favorite recording artist for the song undeniably is Bing Crosby. I could not begin to tell you how many times I have listened to it over the years. I used to even be able to play it on the piano.
Well, have you ever thought about dreaming of a “Right Christmas” instead of a “White Christmas?” A “Right Christmas” would be one where you made room for Jesus. Have you ever thought about how many people at this season of the year give lip service to Jesus Christ and yet, they have never really made their hearts “right” with God?
Though we do not know when Jesus came into the world, and though we are not commanded to celebrate His birth, the majority of the religious world does focus their attention on Him at this season of the year. We are told that Jesus came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)
The great tragedy is that like the innkeeper in Bethlehem, many today have no room in their hearts for Jesus. You see, he did not come just to save us from the sins of the flesh, but also from the sins of the disposition. You know, things like envy, hatred or an unforgiving spirit. So you see, I’m dreaming of a right Christmas, the kind where men and women make Jesus King of their lives, every part of their lives. Have you done that?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 17, 2025 - Come One Come All to a New Year's Eve Explosion Strong Triumph Church December 31, 2025 at 6pm
Guest church, Bright Morning Star Church of Center, Pastor Anthony Jackson will be the speaker.
Address of the church is 2611 county road 2545 Shelbyville Tx 75973
For more information call, Shepherd,Elder FayeDell Allen at 936-572-5810
December 16, 2025 - St John's Episcopal will be having a Christmas Eve Service, December 24, at 3pm. Everyone is invited to attend and also our regular church service Every Sunday at 9am with bible study at 10am.
Located on 96S just past SV Circle.
December 15, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 15.
This week, in our Christmas series, we’ll focus on stories behind some of our favorite carols. Christmas songs are near and dear to our hearts, particularly the ones that remind us of the reason for the season. And they grow even dearer, when we know the circumstances behind their writing. Here’s a story behind a beloved carol.
There are many hymns that ask a question - “What Can Wash Away My Sin?”; “What Wondrous Love is This?”; “Were You There?”; and a number of carols as well - “Do You Hear What I Hear?”; “Mary, Did You Know?”; and our focus for this morning, “What Child is This?”
The tune for this carol is as celebrated as its lyrics. It’s called “Greensleeves,” and some historians believe that it’s over a thousand years old. Others think that it was written by English King Henry VIII. We find it referenced in a play by none other than William Shakespeare. During none of these periods was the tune ever associated with the church. Its lively rhythm would have made it totally inappropriate for religious music. It was heard, rather, in the pubs and tavern - a popular tune. Then in 1865, William Dix decided to write words worthy of this lovely melody. Dix, just 28 years old, wasn’t a minister - as most hymn and carol writers were - but an insurance salesman, who wrote poetry as a hobby. After a near fatal illness, during his recovery, he penned a poem that he titled “The Manger Throne.” I love that title! I love these words.
What child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary
These lyrics, for that time, were extraordinarily personal and intimate. The singer isn’t just observing the nativity, he is placed within it. This Christmas, 160 years after their writing, these words continue to touch our hearts, as we gather around... the manger throne.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh. Come peasant, king to own Him
The King of Kings salvation brings. Let loving hearts enthrone Him!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 11, 2025 - Peter was writing about Jesus when he penned these words in I Peter 2:21, “Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”. Sometimes it might be good for us to examine our lives and see how we are doing at following in the steps of Jesus.
Those footsteps of Jesus led him to the waters of baptism, the wilderness of temptation, the house of worship and the fields of service. They led him to the mountain of prayer, the garden of despair, the cross of suffering, the valley of death and ultimately to the throne of God.
When we are faced with temptation, do we come forth victorious as Jesus did or do we yield to that temptation? When we are presented with opportunities of service to others do we consider it an honor to be of service? The briefest biography of Jesus says, “He went about doing good”. Can that be said of us?
Jesus went to sinners to save them, to the sick to heal them and to the lost to rescue them. When he went to the mountain of prayer, he spent time there all alone with God and came back from prayer stronger.
When we follow in the steps of Jesus, they will ultimately lead us also to the throne of God, to live eternally in Heaven. Are you following in His steps? If not, right now would be a good time to start.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 8, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 8.
This morning we begin a series that will take us all the way to Christmas Eve. A series featuring thoughts on the culture, the carols, the characters of Christmas. And to get us started - here’s some Christmas quotes.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!” - Buddy, the Elf
“Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas means a little bit more.” - The Grinch
“I wish we could put some Christmas spirit in jars, and open a jar of it every month.” - Harlan Miller
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas morning. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” - Andy Rooney
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” - Ebenezer Scrooge
“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” - Anonymous
“The world has grown weary through the years, but at Christmas, it is young.” - Phillips Brooks
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” - Marjorie Holmes
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!” - Isaiah
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 4, 2025 - Thanksgiving Day has come and gone, “Black Friday” is past and “Cyber Monday” is in the history books. We have officially started that season of the year we call the “Christmas Season”. It is a time filled with happiness and joy. There is Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, Hot Chocolate, all kinds of candies and good things to eat. It is also the time of the year when the majority of the religious world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesus came into this world because God loved the world, that includes you and me, enough to send His Son to die to redeem our souls from sin. Because of the coming of Christ to this world, you and I are able to experience genuine love. Not only that, Jesus gives us many other things. He gives us lasting peace and He gives purpose to our lives.
Yet, the great tragedy is that even at this season of the year, the coming of Jesus really does not change people’s lives. You see, when all is said and done, Christmas does not bring a real change to our world. It makes us a little poorer and a little more fatigued but does not really bring a change to people’s lives. The purpose of Jesus coming was to bring a change to our world. He came to bring a change to peoples’ lives. Has Jesus really transformed your life?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 1, 2025 - First Methodist Church - Center is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, December 6 from 10am until 2:30pm. The church is located at 211 Porter Street, Center, TX.
Register at https://www.commitforlife.org/
Visit First Methodist Church online to find out about other upcoming events or ways to help at www.CenterFirst.org.
December 1, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 1.
Henry Ford had the idea to produce an automobile, the Model-T, on a moving line, an assembly line. This idea reduced the time of production from a full day to an hour and a half. It also, amazingly, reduced the price of his car from $780 to $290. That would be like slashing the price of a Ford, today, from $25,000 to $5,000! A new Model-T came off the assembly line every 3 minutes. And the first one came off on the morning of December 1, 1913.
Ford had lots of great ideas. Mass production. Interchangeable parts. The five-day work week. The eight-hour work day. His ideas made him one of the richest men in America. His ideas changed people’s lives. His ideas changed the world. John F. Kennedy said, “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on”.
Here’s some more ideas -
*Love your enemies
*Turn the other cheek
*The first shall be last
*Lay up treasure in heaven
*Whoever wants to be great, must be a servant
*Forgive, and you shall be forgiven
*If you have the faith of a mustard seed, anything is possible
Jesus Christ had some great ideas. Ideas that can change lives. Ideas that can change the world.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
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