Shelby County Today

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 - 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 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 - 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.