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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
December 7, 2023 - A man who had been a church member little more than a year was heard to say, “I must be losing my power of perception. I can’t find any of the hypocrites I used to see, looking in from the outside. Certainly, I see some with shortcomings and weaknesses, even as I have, but I cannot point out one person who is not serious and honest in his or her Christian endeavors. Could it be that I have acquired rose colored glasses?”
To this man we would say the answer is no. To be sure, his eyesight is actually better than before. He is having an experience that is common to people who learn from inside the church that Christians are actually wonderful people. True, they are also human, and therefore subject to the temptations and desires of the flesh. Yet, you can be sure that the percentage of sincerity and honesty is decidedly higher in the church than among the best of people outside the church.
This also serves as a reminder to us. Can each of us be sure that his or her behavior sets a good example to those outside the church? Is my light shining in such a way as to draw people into the church or is it a stoplight that keeps others away from the church? Let’s ask ourselves, “If all the members of the church were like me, what would those outside of the church truly think of the church?”
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
December 6, 2023 - First Baptist Center, once again this year, is inviting the community to take a trip to Old Bethlehem. It's a unique, interactive, and exciting holiday experience. Angels, Shepherds, and Kings. Sheep, Donkeys, and Camels. Free gifts for kids, and for their moms. Hot chocolate and Santa. Live music and a light show. And much more. Come and be our guest at Journey to Bethlehem II, Friday-Sunday, December 8-10, 6-8pm. A free Christmas gift to your family from the family at First Baptist.
Tickets and reservations will be available starting Monday, November 6, at the church office, 117 Cora, or by calling 936-598-5605. More Info at fbccenter.org.
December 4, 2023 - Comedy and Carols is coming to town with Noah Cleveland and Travis Krimm performing at 7:30pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at The Venue, 1229 Southview Circle, Center, Texas 75935.
Hosted by Smyrna Church, Comedy and Carols is an opportunity to bring our community together for a FUN night of laughter and fellowship. Through energy and laughter, Noah and Travis engage with everyone in the audience, but most importantly they will also point people to Christ.
Travis and Noah bring a phenomenal blend of joy, worship, and laughter that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
So don’t miss it! Tickets are free and everyone is welcome!
December 4, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 4. This past weekend, our choir and bells got to be in a parade! Each year, on the first Saturday of December, our town has a nighttime lighted Christmas parade. Once again, hundreds of friends from the community gathered at our historic courthouse square to kick off the holidays. It was fun!
Did you know that there’s a verse in the New Testament about a parade? Paul, who often used cultural events and traditions as metaphors for the Christian life, describes it in 2 Corinthians 2:14 - “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”
In Roman times, victorious generals were given a parade to celebrate their triumphs. These processions were actually called “triumphs” and entered the great capital city through the Triumphant Gate, a portal used only for this purpose. The general would ride in a huge chariot pulled by four majestic horses. And marching behind the conquering hero would be those who had been conquered - the captives, the slaves. In Paul’s metaphor we are the captives of Christ, who is eternally victorious. These Roman spectacles would often have religious overtones and many of the participants would be carrying incense. And so, we, the slaves of Christ, spread the aroma, the knowledge, of who He Is wherever we go.
Now that’s a parade!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
Journey to Bethlehem, First Baptist Center's Community Christmas event, is just five days away. Free tickets can be reserved online at fbccenter.org. Come to Old Bethlehem, December 8-10, 6-8pm, it's going to be fun!
November 30, 2023 - I read a story not long ago that came from another day and time. An era when life was simpler and it was common for people to work for their passage on ships. It seems a young boy approached a ship’s captain in Boston Harbor and asked him if he had a berth on board for a young man who wanted to earn some money during the summer.
The ship’s captain inquired what he could do. The young boy said, “Well, I can do my best at whatever I am asked to do”. The captain then asked him what kind of work he had done. The boy replied, “I have sawed and split all my mother’s wood for nearly two years.”
The captain then asked, “Well, what have you not done?” The young boy replied, “Well sir, I have not whispered in school for a whole year.” With that, the captain hired the young boy. He knew that a boy who can master a woodpile and control his tongue must be made of good stuff.
Truth be told, it would be good if all of us could learn to control our tongue. Remember, James would write of the tongue, “it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father and therewith curse we men; which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Many of the problems of life could be avoided if men and women would only learn to control their tongues.
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.
November 27, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, November 27.
"CHRISTMAS CANCELLED IN BETHLEHEM!" I saw this news headline a few days ago, the sad news that the town where Christmas began wouldn't be open for holiday pilgrims this year. This is, of course, because of the unrest in the Holy Land. Bethlehem is located in the West Bank, just outside of Jerusalem, an area where millions of Palestinians live. The danger for tourists is just too great. A sad note for this holiday season.
My church, First Baptist Center, is recreating Old Bethlehem, as a Christmas gift to our community. The December 8-10 event features 30 costumed characters in six outdoor scenes, with a dozen nativity animals. "Journey to Bethlehem" is in its second year, and, if you're a local reader, we invite you and yours to join us. Go to fbccenter.org for more info, photos from last year, and to reserve free tickets.
As I reflect on New Bethlehem today, and the wars and rumors of wars in our world, I'm reminded of this verse from an old carol about Old Bethlehem, that "little town."
O morning stars together
Proclaim Thy holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
November 22, 2023 - I read the other day about a man who took flying lessons. At the end of the course, he passed his tests and got his pilot’s license. So, one of the first things he does is take his wife up for a ride. As they were flying along, among the clouds he finally commented, “It surely is nice up here, no back seat driving. You are not constantly telling me to watch out, slow down, use my turn signal. It’s nice not listening to all of that.” That is when she said, “look out for those birds.”
You see there is just no getting away from “back-seat drivers.” They are like critics, every calling of life has its back-seat drivers and critics. They are always the ones who could do it better than you could and are glad to tell you that they could.
We find them in the community. Whatever comes up, they have all the answers and are free with their criticisms. They are in our families. They can tell others how to raise children. They are in the church. They have the answer to any question that comes up and never have to study a Bible to have that answer. They can put the preacher in his place and they can get the leaders of the church “told” in no uncertain terms. They know everything that is wrong and seldom see anything that is right.
Yes. Back seat drivers (critics) are everywhere. They are “swift to speak and slow to hear.” Let’s make sure we aren’t one of them.
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.
November 21, 2023 - Give the Gift of Life by Donating Blood from 10am to 2:30pm on Saturday, December 2nd at First Methodist Church, 211 Porter Street, Center, Texas.
Reserve your time today by using the link below or call the Church Office 598-2707.
ttps://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/360550?fbclid=IwAR3W_ke8nDGPyxalzN1S4jsGoTEcdopv3EDs21nBHlJIPEIOh1l649GiWGY
“Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me….” Matt. 25:35
November 20, 2023 - Deacon Jones was the most consistent and dependable deacon in one of my pastorates. He never missed a service, he served on the Finance and Usher’s Committees and never missed a meeting. His dress, home, automobile and lawn were immaculately neat. He was Chairman of the Deacons and was known for his prayers of thanks.
But none of us dared to be seen in public with him. His intimidation of waitresses, nurses, bankers and grocery clerks was well-documented in our town. After blessing the food one day, he shouted at the waitress, “You brought me cold coffee! Get out of my sight and don’t let me see your face again!” And his unconscionable mistreatment of his hospital nurses was an embarrassment to us… and to God.
I’m sure Deacon Jones was taught to say “thank you” while growing up. But saying and praying “thank you” is meaningless hypocrisy when we have no consideration for our fellow man. God, who sees in the darkness and the light, is not fooled by our unsubstantiated prayers of thanks.
“Thanks-giving” means nothing if we’re not “thanks-living.”
November 20, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, November 20.
Today we'll take a look at a Bible character... who was thankful.
Leprosy is considered by historians to be the first known and recorded disease. Scientific proof dates back to 2000 BC and Hippocrates wrote about leprosy five centuries before Bethlehem. It was incurable and those who contracted it were quarantined, not for 10 days, but for the rest of their agonizing lives.
The Bible mentions leprosy 68 times and in the Book of Leviticus we find rules for those who suffered from it. One of those rules was that the infected had to remain at least six feet away from other people. Anyone reminded of the Covid pandemic?
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered a group of ten lepers. He commanded them to go to the priest to be examined - this practice is also found in Leviticus. It is important to note that they were not cured until they turned to go. They made that decision not by sight, but by faith. But faith is not our focus today - we are here to think about thankfulness. And of the ten lepers who were made clean, only one turned back to say thank you.
This one, a Samaritan by the way, came back to the Lord shouting his praise! And then he "prostrated" himself - he laid spread eagled, face down in the middle of the dusty road. The nine others focused on finding the priest, being declared clean, returning to family and friends.
The one leper, instead, focused on the "giver of all good gifts"... and was thankful.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
Free tickets for First Baptist Center's holiday event, "Journey to Bethlehem," December 8-10, are available at fbccenter.org. My local readers are warmly invited, and urged to invite others. Thanks!
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