+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
“Tis a sad, sad story they relate
These weak and foolish beings
Who never get through the day
But someone hurt their feelings”
September 19, 2024 - Injured feelings are given as an excuse for a lot of wrong doing. Alcoholics have used hurt feelings as an excuse for going on another binge and not a few Christians have forsaken the church because some member of the church hurt their feelings.
Let’s face it, there are tactless, ill-mannered people who are forever saying crude and harsh things that would puncture the feelings of most anyone. Yet, it matters little what people of this disposition say or do. No life has ever been lived without a few knocks. If every sensible adult would stand firm and fight their own battles with life, each little knock would leave them stronger and more knowledgeable than before. Remember, kites rise against the wind, not with the wind.
Hurt feelings usually spring from a well of self-pity and folks, life is too short to spend one minute in self-pity, or in seeking after the pity and sympathy of others. We must make sure we are not one of those tactless people who needlessly hurt the feelings of others, and we must also make sure we don’t “wear our feelings on our sleeve” just waiting for someone to hurt them.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
September 19, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, September 19.
When I began writing these daily devotions four years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would not abuse your time. You're a busy person, places to go, things to do, people to see. So, I've tried to never write more than it would take you more than two minutes to read. Today's devotion will most certainly come under the wire.
One verse. One thought. One prayer.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Don't give up.
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 16, 2024 - Annually the Clever Creek Baptist Church celebrates its founding which was in September of 1903 with a Homecoming and Cemetery Celebration. This year, as always, the gathering will be on Sunday morning, September 29, 2024, for Sunday School at 10am and for the morning worship at 10:55am. A special offering will be taken for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery and grounds. At the conclusion of the worship there will be a report on the cemetery endowment and offering.
Reverend Bobby Warr will be the special guest preacher for this annual gathering. Bobby grew up in Clever Creek Church and under the ministry of Brother Henry Clark was called to ministry and has served for many years Baptist churches in this area as pastor and preacher.
Clever Creek is celebrating 121 years worshipping, witnessing and working for the Lord. We welcome you to share with us on this special occasion.
After the morning worship and cemetery meeting, lunch will be served in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to share in this good time of celebration and faith.
September 16, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 16.
Misidentification can be embarrassing. Have you ever called someone by the wrong name or asked them how their Aunt Bertha is doing after her recent surgery, and then realized that this is a completely different person who does not have an Aunt Bertha. Embarrassing. I once had an experience like this, without even speaking a word.
My wife and I had gone to a movie, and it must have been opening night because the theater was packed. When the film ended, everyone made that mad dash to the exit doors. The aisles were really crowded and, afraid that my wife and I would get separated, I reached out and put my arm tightly around her. Except, as it turned out, it wasn't my wife. My wife was a couple of steps behind me, with a look on her face that is hard to describe to you. What isn't difficult to describe is the look on the stranger's face - a mixture of surprise and abject fear. Misidentification can be an embarrassing thing.
In Matthew 16 we see an example of misidentification in the gospel story. Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." During his three-year ministry on earth, Jesus was often misunderstood and, apparently, often misidentified. But then he asked, "But what about you? Who do you say that I am?" And Peter, in one of his finest moments, rose to his feet and said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" Peter was often guilty of speaking before he thought. He sometimes, as they say, would "put his foot in his mouth." But in that famous moment, he nailed it.
And so, in this moment... Who do you say that Jesus is?
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
September 16, 2024 - The historical Old East Hamilton Cemetery will have its Annual Homecoming and Dinner on the Grounds on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 11am to 3pm. This is a wonderful time of visiting and singing, as well as conducting the annual business meeting for the cemetery.
As always, donations are welcomed and encouraged for the maintenance and upkeep of this beautiful old cemetery. We look forward to seeing everyone! If, for some reason you are unable to attend, but would still like to donate, please contact Dudley Cox at 936-368-2596, and he will be glad to accept your donation. Thank you for your support.
Directions: From Shelbyville, take Hwy 87S to Patroon. Turn left on FM 2261, and drive approximately 6 1/2 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 126 off of FM 2261, there is an East Hamilton Cemetery sign on FM 2261 showing where to turn. Continue down FSR 126 to the next intersection and turn right. Continue less than a quarter mile to the Old East Hamilton Cemetery sign on the left, and turn left and go to the end of the road.
Hope to see you there!
September 13, 2024 - Drive thru food pantry on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Center, Texas. Must be in line by 8:30am to receive a box. A Photo ID and proof of residency are required.
September 12, 2024 - There will be a Work Day at the historical Old East Hamilton Cemetery on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 8am to 10am in order to set up and ready the area for the homecoming on September 22nd. Anyone who is available and willing to help is greatly appreciated. See you there!
September 12, 2024 - One of the things there is too little of in our world today is praise. People have become so filled with critical ideas and harsh words that a little genuine praise and appreciation is often mistaken for flattery. Yet, every heart yearns for appreciation. All of us want to know that our efforts, however small they might be, are appreciated and noticed.
The Apostle Paul was noted for his compliments, whenever praise was due. Once, he wrote to the Thessalonians and said, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:2-3) Neither Paul nor the church would have been better off had he withheld his words of praise and commendation.
Our world is filled with wickedness, it is true. But there is also much goodness, patience, sacrifice, loyal work and kindness that needs to receive credit. Solomon said, “Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner.” (Proverbs 25:4)
Look for something to praise in someone you meet this week. If you are sincere in your praise, you will lift a person’s courage and determination every time you open your lips. Remember that someone’s circumstances of life may be molded by your words today.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
September 9, 2024 - The Mt. Herman Cemetery Homecoming is set for Sunday, September 15 beginning at 12 noon in the Mt. Herman community on Highway 7 West. Please come out to help support the cemetery. Bring a covered dish or just come out for great food and fellowship. We welcome donations to support the upkeep of the cemetery. Your support helps keep the cemetery looking nice and we appreciate your donations. If you are unable to attend but want to donate, please mail checks to:
Deanne Sample
Secretery/Treasurer
1106 CR 4314
Tenaha, TX 75974
As always you may contact any board member for questions or to send in donations. The board members are Jerryl Adams - President, Deanne Sample - Sec/Treasurer, Roscoe McSwain, Ronnie Peace and Curtis Hughes.
Thank you and we look forward to a great turnout!
Deanne Sample
September 9, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, September 9.
Last Saturday night, we had a celebrity sighting in Shelby County, Texas. Elvis Presley was in the building, giving a concert in our Civic Center! And for a guy who's pushing ninety years old, he looked good. It was a fundraiser for Shelby County Outreach, the organization in our area that faithfully cares for the needy. A great cause. A great concert. A great night.
Elvis sang most of his rock and roll classics - Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Burning Love. But he also sang a number of gospel songs - Amazing Grace, Where Could I Go, Peace in the Valley. And he sang a hymn that he recorded in the spring of 1967. Elvis had recorded religious albums before, but this one became a platinum record - over three million sold. And it earned him a Grammy award.
I have a copy of this record in my collection. The album is named after this famous church song, a hymn that is regularly voted as one of the top five gospel songs in America. The others in that vote - It is Well, Holy,Holy,Holy, Blessed Assurance, and Amazing Grace - have been around for centuries. But this song didn't appear in our hymnals until the 1960's. Elvis loved it. I imagine that you do, too.
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
Pages
