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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
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
September 9, 2024 - In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of those killed that day in 2001.
US Flags and other flags flying with it should be lowered to half-staff at Sunup on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and raised at sundown the same day. It is permissible to lower them the evening before on September 10.
If you have outdoor flags that cannot be lowered, respect for the day can be shown by tying a black cord or ribbon to the top of the mast.
God Bless America
September 5, 2024 - If you remember from Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he had a burning desire to preach the gospel in the Capital city. In Acts 27, we find Paul on his way to Rome, yet he is going as a prisoner. While there he would have great success and members of Caesar’s household would be converted.
However, the voyage to Rome was not without incident. A great storm occurred which threatened to tear the ship in pieces. The crew struggled to keep the ship afloat. They lightened the load by throwing everything overboard that was expendable. They went for days upon days not being able to eat.
Yet, in the midst of it all, Paul stood upon the deck of the ship and told them to be of good cheer. He did not tell them to be of good cheer because of the seaworthiness of the vessel. They were not to be of good cheer because of the experience and dedication of the crew. They were to be of good cheer because the Lord had promised Paul that there would be no loss of life. Paul said, “Be of good cheer, for I believe God.”
The faith that sustained Paul on that voyage and in that storm can sustain us in the storms of life. Whatever storm may be blowing through our lives, we can be of good cheer, for “we believe God”. Like the words of that old familiar song, “Be not dismayed, what-er be tide, God will take care of you”, and he will.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
September 3, 2024 - Logansport Missionary Baptist church would like to invite everyone to our Revival September 16-20 starting at 7pm nightly. Bro. Ben Brittain Associate Pastor of Bay Lake MBC Groveland Florida will be bringing the message each night. Come join us in hearing God's word. Specials are welcome. For more info call Bro. Joe Walker 936-590-2795 or 936-269-3682.
September 3, 2024 - The Pastor and members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville would like to invite you to our Annual Homecoming and three-night revival September 8-11.
- Sunday, September 8th at 3pm - Homecoming speaker, Apostle Cassandra Swindle, Murray Chapel Outreach, Nacogdoches, Texas.
- Monday, September 9th at 7pm - Pastor Dorene Hill, Carroll Chapel CME Church, Shelbyville, Texas.
- Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm - Rev. Mario Osby, Smith Chapel Baptist Church, Timpson, Texas.
- Wednesday, September 11th at 7pm - Rev. Frankie Cooper, Joaquin, Texas.
Everyone is invited.
September 3, 2024 - The annual Folsom Homecoming will be held on the grounds of the cemetery beginning at noon on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Families are invited to bring their lunch to share. Donations for the cemetery perpetual fund will be taken. Donations can be mailed to 3471 FM 2026, Center, Texas 75935.
September 3, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, September 3.
On this day in 1967, the entire country of Sweden made a change.
At 5am that morning, Swedish drivers moved from the left side of the road to the right. Can you imagine? Government leaders had been discussing this change for over a decade, and carefully planning it for several years. All of Europe drove on the right side, and Sweden had been driving cars with left-side steering for as long as anyone could remember. But still, 83% of Swedes were against it.
Change is challenging, but sometimes change is necessary.
You have either gone through change, are presently dealing with change, or will experience change in the future - maybe all three! There is comfort, during these times, to claim the unchanging nature of God.
For I, the Lord, do not change. Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no shadow of change. James 1:17
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
August 29, 2024 - There is a tender story told in Mark 14:1-0 of something which happened during some very difficult days for Jesus. The Jewish leaders were plotting his death and He was surrounded by his critics and His enemies. In this narrative, we see Him going to the little village of Bethany. It is the night before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and He goes to a party in His honor in the home of Simon, a leper.
Picture the scene as Jesus is reclining at the table and John tells us Mary came and anointed the feet of Jesus (John 12:1-2) Well, the critics began to raise their voices and talk about her. Jesus said to leave her alone, she had done what she could.
Have you ever thought about the love that caused her to do this? Have you ever experienced that kind of love? An unexpected act of pure love, that is what you see in this beautiful story. She loved Jesus and she did what she could. She didn’t have much, but what she had she gave to Jesus. Not to Simon the Leper, not to Peter or James or John. What she did, she did for Jesus.
God loves us more than we can ever love Him. You see, we can never pay Him back for what He has done. God doesn’t require the debt to be repaid. He just wants us to accept what He has done and to love Him for it. He wants us to live a life obedient to His will. He only wants us to do what we can.
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.
August 28, 2024 - Jackson Missionary Baptist Church is hosting its four day Fall Revival starting Sunday, September 1 and ending Wednesday, September 4. Services will be at 6pm each night with Evangelist Josh Adams.
Jackson MBC is located at 11620 Hwy 7, Joaquin, Texas 75954. For more information, call 936-269-3370.
August 26, 2024 - Pastor Riley and the St. John Baptist Church of Tenaha, Texas will be celebrating their Annual Homecoming and Revival on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 11am. Pastor Riley will bring the message.
Monday through Wednesday, August 26-28 at 7:00pm nightly Dr. Taylor of Bethel Baptist Church of Frierson, Louisiana will be the Evangelist for the Revival.
St. John Baptist Church is located at 102 Booker T. Washington Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974.
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