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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
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!
November 17, 2023 - The Minister's Alliance of Shelby County invites you to a Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 19, 6pm at Abundant Love Church, HWY 87 East at Loop 500. Pastor Marlin Cloudy will bring the sermon, and will be joined by pastors and musicians from several area churches.
At 7pm, following the service, the community of believers will enjoy a pie contest and pie fellowship. First place receives a$50 gift card, second place a $40 gift card, and 3rd place a $30 gift card. Contact David Mathis, Minister of Worship at First Baptist Center, for more info, by calling 979-533-1575.
November 16, 2023 - Dr. Luke records a story for us in Luke 17 that occurred one day when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and was passing through Samaria and Galilee. Jesus was approached by ten lepers, miserable creatures afflicted with a horrific disease. They cried out to Jesus for mercy and He told them to go and show themselves to the priests. While they were on their way, they were cleansed. We are told that only one of the ten returned to Jesus to say “thank you.” Jesus asked the question, “were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God save this stranger.”
How much like those nine lepers are we? This is the season of the year that we refer to as the “Thanksgiving Season.” November 24th of next week is the day set aside on our calendar as “Thanksgiving Day.” Yet, how often do we really take the time to show our gratitude to God for all that He has done for us? Has “Thanksgiving Day” simply become a day when we gorge ourselves with copious amounts of food and watch football and spend time with family enjoying a day off from work? Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have clothes to cover your nakedness? Do you have food to eat? Then how about we show our gratitude to God for what He has done for us, not just on one day a year, but let’s express our gratitude daily both in word and in deed.
One way of showing our gratitude to God is to meet Him at His House regularly for Worship. I would encourage you to do that, not just at this season of the year but all the year through.
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.
“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46
November 13, 2023 - In the late forties, we moved to East Center (Texas) just two fences and a pasture from Mama, our Preacher/Grandmother Sister Oleatha Richards. Mama and Paw Paw lived next to The Pentecostal Church that she pastored. My brother Bill and I were eleven and nine years old and loved singing together. Mama asked us one day to sing in her church and we practiced on the only song we knew well, 'You Are My Sunshine.'
When we began our song that morning, Mama and the whole congregation looked shocked as we sang our song. Afterwards, she asked us to sing a 'church song' next time. A lot of people were signing that song in the forties. Louisiana Governor Jimmy Davis had written and recorded it in 1940 and it became his theme song.
In 1990 Pam and I moved back to East Texas where I became Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Shelbyville, Texas. Church member Joe Higginbottom asked us to go to Nacogdoches to hear Ex-Louisiana Governor Jimmy Davis sing. “He’s in his nineties and is still singing,” Joe said. When the 95-year-old singer was introduced that night, he walked slowly on the stage with the help of his young wife and began singing his theme-song, 'You Are My Sunshine.'
Jimmy did a much better job singing that night than Bill and I had in the forties, but the more I think about it, the more I believe the song could be both secular and spiritual… and Jimmy Davis thought so, too. After all, who brings light to our lives and “makes us happy all day long?”
All Christians know the answer.
November 12, 2023 - Come join us at The First Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ at 2pm on Sunday, November 12. The address is 480 FM 2026, Center, Texas!
Come help us welcome Bro. Joel Woolen of Arkansas. Come enjoy and worship the Lord with us and listen to the southern gospel recording artist. There will be a cake walk, walking tacos after service, obstacle course, lots of snacks and treats. Hope to see you Sunday!
November 11, 2023 - A prayer gathering for Kevin Windham, Shelby County Sheriff and pastor of Patroon Baptist Church, was held on the Downtown Historic Square in front of the 1885 Historic Jail which is now the Chamber office on Saturday, November 11. Bro. Kevin Windham under went a double transplant surgery on August 22 and has been working on recovery.
Bro. Chris Collins with McClelland Community Church gave a welcome to everyone attending. He commented this is not only a time for prayer for Windham but is also a time of praise because God has already gotten him through the transplant surgery and on the road to recovery.
Darla McDaniel then gave an opening invocation giving thanks and prays over all who come to the prayer vigil for Kevin Windham. She asked that the prayers given tonight were not only for the Windham family but for all those who are sick and needing God’s touch.
The youth then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and Jeff Windham led everyone in singing the hymn ‘He Touched Me.’
Bro. Collins invited Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom to the podium representing first responders. Chief Byndom spoke a prayer asking God not to move a mountain but to give Kevin the strength to climb that mountain. He prayed for Windham’s strength and health to recovery.
Next, everyone was asked to light their candles and Easton Steptoe representing the youth group of Patroon Baptist Church spoke about the light as a symbol representing the Light of God and His presence here tonight.
Following the candle lighting, special prayers were offered by Keith Putman, Bro. Billy Windham of New Harmony MBC, Jeff Windham, and Tom Jenkins. All prayed for Bro. Kevin Windham’s health to be restored and for God to be with Windham and his family during this journey. Following the prayers, Jeff Windham once again led everyone in song singing Amazing Grace.
Bro. Chris Collins once again prayed and asked Gary Hackler to say the closing prayer. Darla McDaniel ended the vigil by once again thanking everyone for coming out to lift up Bro. Kevin Windham and his family in prayer.
November 8, 2023 - An Evening of Prayer for Sheriff Kevin Windham on November 11th, 2023 at 6:30pm located at The Historic Courthouse on the Square. Praying for healing for our Sheriff, Bro. Kevin Windham.
Bring you own chair if needed. Come Support and pray for our Sheriff, Bro. Kevin Windham. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
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