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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
April 1, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, April 1.
I hope you and yours had a blessed Easter weekend. The legendary words of the angel at the tomb are still ringing in our ears - "He is not here. He is risen!" And now we begin a brand-new month, the beautiful month of April. But be on the alert today for all those "April foolers" out there!
On April 1, 1976, two young men started a company. Steve Wozniak was just 25 years-old and Steve Jobs was even younger at 21. The headquarters for this new company was Job's parent's garage. They named it Apple. And this morning, just 48 years later, it is the largest company in the world. In 2023 Apple brought in revenue of 390 BILLION dollars. From little acorns, mighty oaks may grow.
In the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John, we read a story of a hungry crowd that had gathered to hear Jesus teach. At the end of the day, Christ took a little boy's lunch - fiveloaves and two fishes - and fed the crowd of 5000. John only counted the men, so we can assume that women and children brought the number up to 10,000 or more. This miracle is the only one recorded in all four gospels, with the exception of the one we celebrated yesterday.
From little things, great things can come.
We sometimes feel that our lives are too small to be of much service to God. What difference could one person possibly make in this big world? Well, consider this. In His hands, we can be difference-makers. In His power, we can be world-changers.
No fooling!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 29, 2024 - We are and have been in that season of the year that we often refer to as the “Easter Season.” This coming Sunday is what is almost universally referred to as “Easter Sunday.” To be sure, the world has made a great thing and big deal of Easter Sunday. This is a time when the world focuses a little more intently on the empty grave in a garden and the resurrection of Jesus than at other times of the year.
We need to make sure that our focus at this season of the year is not on a bunny rabbit that lays colored eggs. Our focus is not on a spring fashion show. It is more than a time for a spring festival. It is the time of the year that the world focuses on what happened that we read of in Luke 24:6; “He is not here but He is risen.”
Because Jesus Christ went to the cross on Calvary, was buried in the tomb and came forth from the grave, we can rejoice as Paul rejoiced in I Corinthians 15:54-57 where he writes, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” However, let’s make sure we celebrate his death and resurrection every Lord’s Day, not just one day a year.
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
March 29, 2024 - The public is invited to attend Center Christian Church on Sunday to worship at 10:45am.
Center Christian Church Is located at 1215 Woodlawn Drive in Center.
March 28, 2024 - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Tenaha is hosting an Annual Women's Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2024 starting at 10am.
Speakers are:
Min. Pauline Mitchell, Impact Church
Lady Kimberly Babers, Living Waters Min. Zion Chapel BC
Lady Michelle Hall, Union Spring Church
Stephanie Hicks, Reed Chapel BC
Each person is asked to give $25.
Pleasant Grove BC is located at 96 County Road 4356, Tenaha, Texas.
“…and we shall see His face…” Rev. 22:4
March 25, 2024 - I have a friend in Idaho named Ellen Rogers. She is a Conservative Christian who is talented far beyond what she'd ever admit. After teaching accounting at Lufkin’s Angelina College for several years, she and her husband Cliff retired to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I talk to her often and we've been invited to visit their home. Reading her letters and talking to her has revealed how she feels about life’s great issues. But even though I've known her for many years, I've never seen Ellen... not even a picture of her. It will be a joy to see her some day.
I have a friend in Heaven who has matchless wisdom. He taught theology in the Holy Land three years and after dying for my sins, He arose from the grave and returned to His home in heaven. He has described His home to me and invited me to come live there. Even though I have never seen Him (or even a picture of Him) his letters and our talks have revealed His knowledge to me.
My heart will rejoice the day that I see Him face to face.
Thanks to Ellen Rogers for sending this photo to me after reading the story... I now know how she looks.
March 25, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, March 25.
I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Palm Sunday. And now . . . on to Easter! But what happened on all those days between the two famous Sundays? Each day this week, we'll take a look.
On Monday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem. He and His disciples had spent Sunday night in Bethany, two miles east of the Holy City, at the home of good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. But, on that morning, Jesus was in the temple.
The first temple was built by King Solomon in 950 B.C. It was destroyed about 500 years later and a second temple was constructed. King Herod added to this structure 20 years before Bethlehem, and, in the time of Christ, it was called Herod's Temple.
When Jesus walked in on that Monday morning, He was not pleased with what He saw. Money changers were cheating the Passover visitors, creating a "den of thieves". We witness His anger as He overturns the tables and drives out the evil men.
Anger is sometimes thought of as a sin, however Jesus shows us a righteous anger than can be a tool to accomplish the will of God. But when we take a stand, there is often a price to pay. On that Monday morning, Jesus caught the attention of the Jewish leaders. And another step was taken toward the Cross.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 24, 2024 - Please join Saint John Episcopal Church for Good Friday service March 29, 2024, at 12-noon and Easter Service at 9am.
Located on 96S just past Southview Circle. Everyone is welcome!
March 21, 2024 - “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” The writer of the book of James pictures for us here the brevity of life. Without question, life is fleeting. If you doubt the validity of that statement, just read the obituaries. Yet, what is your life individually? That is the question.
Some lives are like a beautiful flower as it blooms and gladdens the earth with its lovely form and cheering color, sending a fragrance as of the sweet smelling incense of the creator. Others, like the song of the birds, overflow with joy. Often the birds are so full of song they cannot finish singing during the day and continue into the darkness of night. In that same way, optimistic lives sing. Paul and Silas sang in the midnight darkness of the Roman jail until the prison was shaken to its very foundation.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our lives could be like that? Rooted to the earth, but living above its darkness, despair and gloom, sending songs of joy into the hearts of those who would stop to listen.
A portion of God’s great power has been given to each of us, and it is largely up to us to fashion our own lives. Not alone, but by living within the will of God.
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.
March 19, 2024 - Evangelist Dwayne Williams will be Singing and Preaching at Clever Creek Baptist Church on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 10:55am.
Come join a congregation Praying, Praising, and Proclaiming the Lord’s Good News.
Clever Creek Baptist Church is located at 199 CR 1042 at FM 417 W, Center, Texas 75935. For more information, call 936-591-1936.
March 19, 2024 - First Baptist Church of Center is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10am until 2:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Contact Teresa Crawford at 936-598-5605 with sponsor code 7765 or visit online https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/381145 to schedule.
Receive a free limited edition tumbler for all who donate!
Appointments preferred. Walk-ins welcome! Eat. Drink. Bring I.D..
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