+ 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
September 21, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, September 21.
Herbert George Wells was born on this day in 1866. H.G. Wells is considered one of the greatest science fiction writers in history. But the thing is, most of his fiction has become fact. His over 50 novels were mostly written in the late 1800’s, and in them he foretold the coming of airplanes, space travel, genetic engineering, television, wireless phones, and the internet. And in 1913, 30 years before Hiroshima, he coined the term “atomic bomb.”
One of H.G. Well’s most famous books was titled “The Time Machine,” and it seems like he must have had his own time machine in order to be so amazingly accurate about the future. As for me, I’ve never been very good at predicting what’s going to happen next. How about you? Want to hazard a guess what life will be like 50 years from now? In 10 years? Next week? I’m reminded of the lyrics of an old gospel song.
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what lies ahead
Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know He holds my hand!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
September 18, 2026 - Homecoming for Mt. Herman Cemetery located on Hwy 7 West in the Mt. Herman community in Center, Texas will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 12 noon.
The cemetery will be taking donations for the yearly upkeep. You may give to any board member or if you cannot make it but would like to donate please mail to:
Mt. Herman Cemetery
c/o Deanne Sample
1106 CR 4314
Tenaha, TX 75974
We are also collecting names and addresses of those whose loved ones are buried here, so please get with a board member to leave your info or email deannesample99@yahoo.com.
Deanne Sample, Secretary/Treasurer
September 17, 2026 - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church will be having their Usher’s Day program at 2:30pm on Sunday September 27, 2026.
Guest speaker will be Pastor Winston Kibbles of St. John Baptist Church.
The church is located at Hwy 96 N CR 4356, Tenaha, Texas 75974. Pastor Johnny R. Jones, Pastor. All are welcome.
September 17, 2026 - The doorbell rings. Oh no! It’s some of the church folks coming to see why it’s been so long since I’ve attended church services. Yes, come in. Won’t you have a cup of coffee? We engage briefly in small talk.
Yes. I know it’s been a while since I’ve been… I’ve had quite a bit of sickness… we worshipped with another congregation several times… once out at the lake we had a devotional-just the family… we have to work hard to make a living… one of the members hurt my feelings… there are hypocrites in the church.
Well, good-by. I’ll plan to see you before long if nothing happens. Okay. Good night. That takes care of that! My visitors seemed satisfied with my explanations so I guess everything is o.k.
You know, though, the thought does nag me some. What am I doing with my life? Why haven’t I learned to love the church more? I know that someday I will die and then meet God in the judgment. Who am I kidding anyway? Those visitors from the church were nice and gentle, but they still know I am negligent and weak. I am not really fooling the church, or my family, or friends or my God. I have been cold, weak and indifferent. Unchristian. I am not kidding anybody, not even myself. Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul and help me to do better.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come and Join us For Worship!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
September 14, 2026 - Hillcrest Baptist Church will be hosting a Vacation Bible School on Saturday, September 19th between 10am and 2pm. Come join us to learn more about Jesus, have fellowship and lunch with recreation time. Please bring a change of clothes and towel for water slides.
Please call 936-591-1198 or 936-572-5115 for more information or any questions.
September 14, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, September 14
I’m an avid collector, and one of the items I like to collect is postcards, particularly ones with interesting messages written on them. For a long time, postcards have been mainly sent by people on vacation. On one side is a picture of their hotel or the Grand Canyon or the Eiffel Tower, and on the other a message like “wishing you were here!” That kind of postcard always struck me as a bit cruel, since it was being sent to someone who was not on vacation and most certainly was not “here.”
But if you look at earlier postcards from, say, the early 1900’s, you’ll often find a very different type of communication. Back then postcards were used, by many people, in the same way we use texting today - for quick communication. If you lived in a city, your mail was probably delivered twice a day, seven days a week. You didn’t have a telephone, and a postcard was a lot cheaper than a telegram. And so I have a postcard in my collection with the cryptic message - “Meet me tomorrow at noon at the corner of Main and Seventh Street.“ I was always intrigued by that message. Who were these two people? And why were they meeting? If I was a better writer I could have turned that postcard into a short story or even a novel. I don’t think the message would seem nearly as mysterious if it was just a text.
And so, the technology of communication has changed. But one thing that has never changed, and never will, is the instinctual need for human beings to share their thoughts and feelings, to share themselves, with other human beings. And God gave us that desire. He created us that way. And He has much to say in His Word about sharing ourselves with others. In Romans 13:15, Paul encourages us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” And so we reach out, through phone calls and texts and social media and emails and notes and letters - and, yes, even postcards. And we try to connect the dots between two minds, between two hearts.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
September 10, 2026 - The Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ (COGIC) church is celebrating its 112th Church Anniversary at 3pm on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Guest speaker will be Supt. Fremon Bryant, Superintendent of the Shelbyville District. The Pastor and Congregation look forward to your attendance. Come and celebrate with us!
The church is located at 620 Greer Street, Center, TX 75935.
Elder Cleon D. Williams, Sr., Pastor
September 10, 2026 - As the story goes, a businessman was sitting at his desk. All around him were bills, letters and other evidence of the details of his business that he was totally absorbed in. The minister of the church entered, anxious to discuss the man’s soul. The businessman said, “I’m sorry. You must excuse me brother, I am too busy to take time for that today.”
Politely, the minister asked, “When shall I call on you again?” The businessman replied, “I really don’t know. I have a lot to attend to.” With a sad and heavy heart, the minister excused himself and the businessman returned to his paper work.
A few days later, a disagreeable stranger stepped into the businessman’s office and laid a cold hand on his shoulder. “Come, you must go home with me” the visitor demanded. The businessman laid down his pen, closed his desk and left. He had no choice. A cold chill settled on him as images of so many things left unfinished flashed before his eyes. The name of his visitor was death.
We may think we are so busy we don’t have time to obey the Lord and live His kind of life. However, we will someday not be too busy to die. Can you find time for Bible Study and Worship on the Lord’s Day?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come and Join us For Worship!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
September 7, 2026 - Logansport Missionary Baptist Church will be in Revival September 21-25 at 7pm nightly. Bro. Hayden Wilkes will be bringing the message each night. Come join us in hearing God's word. Specials are welcome.
September 7, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, September 7.
Have you heard about the zombie churches of Europe? Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Actually it’s more sad. The term refers to the thousands of churches there that have closed their doors during the last generation. It’s a cautionary tale for our congregations here in the United States.
During the 1950’s, church attendance averages in Europe began to fall and have continued to fall each year since. Right after World War II more than 90% of Europeans went to services each Sunday. Today that number is less than 25%, with some areas in the single digits. The secularization of the continent is almost complete.
One result of this alarming change is the closure and abandonment of thousands and thousands of houses of worship - zombie churches. Many have been torn down. Many others have been transformed into community centers, gyms, hotels, restaurants. Some are even nightclubs and breweries. The photographs online are surreal and sad.
This cataclysmic development didn’t occur over centuries. It has all happened within my lifetime. What will happen to the American Church within the lives of my children? It is a cautionary tale and reminds us of the wisdom found in Hebrews 10:23-25. “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
Pages
