Shelby County Today

August 25, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 25.

“Fake news” is a term you hear a lot these days. But, as King Solomon told us, “there is nothing new under the sun”. Myth and misinformation have been around as long as man has been around. On August 25, 1835, the New York Sun newspaper printed a story on the front page. The article reported the invention of a super telescope that had made possible an amazing discovery . . . life on the moon. Through the lens of this powerful new device, scientists had seen roads and buildings and strange animals of many kinds, including unicorns. And the big headline - the astronomers had witnessed humanoid figures with wings. The Sun called them “bat-men”!

P.T. Barnum famously said, “there’s a sucker born every minute”. The newspaper, a few days later, announced that it was all a hoax, but not before thousands of readers had taken it as truth. It was the talk of the town, and the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 is still an item on the internet. Speaking of the internet, it has opened the floodgates of rumors and gossip and unfounded theories, and there are plenty of folks who are quick to swallow them hook, line, and sinker. The invention of Artificial Intelligence, with its amazingly “real” video and audio, is turning that flood into a deluge.

So, what are we to do? What are we to believe? That same King Solomon said, in I Kings 3:9, “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, and to discern between good and evil”. The wise king trusted the wisdom that comes only from God and from His Word. Solomon’s father, David, prayed these words in Psalms 119:66 - “Teach me, O Lord, good discernment and knowledge”.  With any information, the key is finding a reliable source. We have access, through prayer and Bible study, to the supreme source - the truth of God.

Meet you back here tomorrow,

David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

August 21, 2025 - It is an exciting time when a toddler abandons crawling and takes those first faltering steps. Once that happens, it is not long until they are going to attempt to climb the stairs. If they have reached the talking stage, they will inform you that they will do it “all on their own”. However, parents are standing nearby to see how they make out and make sure they do not fall. To be sure, that little toddler will reach the top safely if they just keep going. For them, the last step is just as easy as the first one. Trouble comes only if they begin to wonder why they are so high and they get in trouble if they turn back. It is then they will take a tumble.

Paul would write, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:13-14) As Christians pressing toward the goal, we can learn some things from a toddler. You see, our heavenly Father is standing by, ready to assist us when we stumble. We also can learn that the struggle is not greater as we climb higher, but it is easier because we have experience behind us. Then, it is dangerous to look back, we must forget what is behind.

It is a big adventure for a child to climb the stairs. It is the greatest possible adventure for us to climb the heights toward God. Are you moving closer to God day by day? If not, you should be.

It’s something to think about... tbp

Come join us for worship at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.

August 18, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 18.

With my background as a church musician and worship leader, it’s not surprising that a significant percentage of these little thoughts, over the years, have been about gospel music. The stories behind the hymns. The stories behind the men and women who wrote them. One of the most prolific hymn writers in history, penning over 8000 songs, was named, appropriately enough, Gabriel.

Charles Gabriel was born in 1856 on a small farm in Iowa. His father, to make extra money for his large family, held “singing schools” in their home. This musical tradition featured shaped note notation in oblong hymnals. The most famous of these was called “The Sacred Harp”. I’ve got one in my library. Sacred Harp Singings continue to this day, mostly in the Southern United States. Armed only with this meager education, Charles achieved a remarkable career as a songwriter, teacher, church music director, hymnal editor, and publisher. Many of his songs have survived and are included in modern hymn books. Maybe you’ve sung some of them -

*Send the Light *Higher Ground *I Stand Amazed *Crown Him With Many Crowns *His Eye is on the Sparrow

Gabriel died in 1832 in Hollywood, California - a long way from that little farm in Iowa. Two years later, the Carter Family - Country Music legends - recorded one of his songs. Hundreds of famous artists have recorded it since and it is perhaps his most famous composition. You know the chorus...

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

August 14, 2025 - It was Mark Twain who said, “They did not know it was impossible, so they did it.” When you give that some thought, it is a very inspirational concept. It conjures up thoughts of perseverance, courage and accomplishment. It is amazing to think how many interesting and worthwhile things most of us could do, if we did not put mental handcuffs on ourselves.

When we are young, we are filled with dreams of the future, and of the idea of attaining great things in this life. Sometimes, failures are made, and after a number of failures, we become permanently discouraged, we become cynical and decide that we cannot really do anything worthwhile after all. And so it is, as we grow older, the lives of the vast majority are filled with “it can’t be dones.” Along with the statement of impossibility is a myriad of excuses for why it cannot be done.

How long has it been since you took stock of yourself? Are you bound down by the idea that you cannot accomplish those things you need to accomplish?

It is time for us to realize that with the help of the Lord, anything can be done! It was Paul who wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) We need to eliminate from our vocabulary the expression “It can’t be done!”

It’s something to think about... tbp

Come join us for worship at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com