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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
August 6, 2026 - In the “Sermon On The Mount,” Jesus tells us to “let our light shine before men” and he also tells us that we are “the salt of the earth.” What He means, of course, is that we are to live our lives in such a way that we bring honor and glory to Him and Honor and glory to the church. Yet, I often wonder how well we are doing at that.
When we lose our temper in the store and “explode” on some clerk or manager, does that reflect well on Jesus and the church? Those times when we are engaging in idle gossip, whether listening to it or repeating it, does that bring honor and glory to Jesus and the church? Obviously, there are many things we can do that bring shame to Jesus and the church.
Well, we can hand out more tracts, we can set up more Bible Studies, we can invite more people to church. That will honor Jesus. Wait, I know, we can take meals to shut-ins and sick people. To be sure, there are numerous good works we can be involved in that will reflect well on the church and bring honor to Jesus.
However, when all is said and done, Jesus gave us the supreme way we can bring honor and glory to Him and to the church. In John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, If ye have love one to another.” There it is, short, sweet and simple. If we want to bring honor and glory to Jesus and the Church, we are to love one another. We are to love as Jesus loved. How are we doing with that?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
August 3, 2026 - We would like to thank all of the families of Westview Cemetery.
Our committee would like to inform you of an increased price change effective October 1, 2026 on burial plots.
For those that have requested payment plans to secure a price lock you must contact us and begin payments prior to October 1, 2026.
We are truly grateful for your business and understanding. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to any member of our committee.
Kind Regards,
Evette Netherly
Westview Cemetery Secretary
August 3, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 3.
Last night I had the pleasure of playing with a local community band in an annual event called The Orchestra Bash. The ensemble, about 35 players strong, with winds and brass and strings and percussion and keyboards, was made up largely of band directors. They get together each year around this time, right before school starts, for an afternoon rehearsal and an evening concert. Much fun!
I met a euphonium player who was new to the group. His brother, who I know, is a college student preparing to be a band director, just like their dad. I just assumed he was one too, and asked him what high school he taught at. He said he was actually an engineer, a career that would typically elicit much pride from proud parents. “Not in my family”, he laughingly told me. “I’m not a teacher - I’m the black sheep!”
My family tree is full of teachers. I taught at high school choir during the 1990’s. I have a great deal of respect for teachers. School bells start ringing in our area next week, but teachers start back this morning. Here’s some thoughts for them, and for all the teachers out there.
- Teaching is the one profession that creates all the other professions.
- It takes a big heart to shape little minds.
- Teachers affect eternity. They can never know where their influence ends.
- Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is becoming a lost tradition.
- Teaching is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
Thank you teachers!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
July 31, 2026 - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Tenaha, Texas will be celebrating Homecoming on Sunday, August 16th at 10:30am. Pastor Johnny Jones will bring the message.
Revival will be held August 10-12th at 7pm nightly. Messages will be brought by:
- Monday, August 10 - Pastor Jeremy Moore
- Tuesday, August 11 - Pastor Derrick Rhodes of Wallace Chapel
- Wednesday, August 12 - Apostle W.E. Nash, Jr. House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries
Pleasant Grove is located at Hwy 96 N. CR 4356, Tenaha, Texas 75974.
July 21, 2026 - First Baptist Church and First Methodist Church Collaboration Blood Drive is Thursday, July 30 from 10am until 2:30pm at the FBC Fellowship Hall, 117 Cora Street, Center.
Reserve your spot online or contact Teresa Thomas or Bob Lacher. Email teresac@fbccenter.org or call 936-598-5605.
$25 eGift Card plus A1c Testing! This July, help keep the blood supply strong during the summer months. When you donate with Gulf Coast Blood from July 1–31, 2026, you’ll receive a $25 eGift Card as a thank-you for making a lifesaving impact. Plus donate blood and get a FREE A1c screening! Early detection of elevated A1c levels can be a game-changer in preventing the long-term complications of diabetes.
Eat. Drink. Bring I.D. Appointments preferred. Walk-ins welcome.
July 30, 2026 - The disciples of Jesus came to him one day and they said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Of all the things they had seen Jesus do, this was the one thing they wanted him to teach them how to do. They had seen Him perform miracles. They had seen Him heal the sick and raise the dead. They had seen Him feed the multitudes. They watched as He turned water to wine. They had also seen Jesus spend time in prayer. Doing so, they asked Him to teach them to pray.
Prayer gives us the strength to live. Through prayer we have an opportunity to serve. We can come to God in prayer and ask God for the boldness to speak for Jesus. Then again, we know that through prayer we can ask for wisdom to guide our ways. Prayer is something that should constantly be practiced in the life of a Christian. We should practice both scheduled prayer and spontaneous prayer. When we have a set time to pray, that can help us develop a habit of prayer. If you remember, Daniel was described as a man greatly beloved and he prayed 3 times a day with his face toward Jerusalem. However, we should not limit prayer to a set schedule or time. Before selecting His apostles, Jesus spent all night in prayer. In a prison cell in Philippi, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God. We should pray whenever and however the occasion calls for it.
It is no wonder that the apostle Paul exhorted us to “pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) Prayer is a wonderful privilege for the child of God.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
July 29, 2026 - You are both welcome and invited, to join Abundant Love Ministries' church family as we celebrate our Inaugural Summer Revival, Thursday - Saturday Aug 6 - 8.
Service times are Thursday and Friday, at 7pm nightly; Saturday at 10am. Abundant Love Ministries' very own, dynamic Youth Pastor, Minister Cameron Cloudy, Sr., is the Revivalist.
Bring the entire family out for an in-season Word as summer break closes and we prepare to send our youth back into the classrooms.
Abundant Love Ministries is located at 1426 Shelbyville St., Center, TX 75935
July 29, 2026 - O Lord, Send a Revival! And let it begin in me!
Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Center Texas Pastor Byron Coutee Jr. invites you to their Annual Revival July 29, 30, 31, 2026 at 7pm nightly.
Homecoming service and cemetery drive to follow on Sunday August 2 a 11:30am with Rev, Dr. Jackie Garrett, Borden Chapel Baptist Church, Beaumont.
- Wed. July 29 a 7pm Bishop Cedric Grace, Mount Zion Baptist church San Augustine, Texas
- Thurs. July 30 7pm Pastor Johnny Jones Pleasant Grove Baptist church, Center, Texas
- Friday. July 31 at 7pm Pastor Deshmone Johnson Mt, Horeb Baptist Church, San Augustine Texas
July 28, 2026 - New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will be celebrating Homecoming on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 1:30pm. Pastor Mario Osby, Smith Chapel Baptist Church will bring the message. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this special occasion.
New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church will also have a one-night revival on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 7pm. Rev. Jeremy Moore will bring the message.
Sis. Janice Garrett, Program Coordinator
Sis. Mary Criner, Program Coordinator
Rev. Rayford Caraway, Pastor
July 28, 2026 - Mt. Gillion Baptist Church in Center, Texas will be celebrating Homecoming on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 12 noon. Rev. Eric Harton of Humble, Texas will bring the message. Everyone is Cordially invited to attend this special occasion.
Mt. Gillion Baptist Church will also have a three-night revival starting Monday, August 10th and continuing through Wednesday, August 12th at 7pm nightly.
- Monday - Sup. Marvin Jackson, Clay Temple Church of God and Christ, Timpson, Texas
- Tuesday - Kenneth Boyer, Sweet Union Baptist Church of Garrison, Texas
- Wednesday - Bishop Cedric Grace, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, San Augustine Texas
Sis. Sharon Hamilton, Church Clerk
Rev. Rayford Caraway, Pastor
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