May 17, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, May 17.
Tonight, I'm going caroling. No, not Christmas caroling! I haven't lost my mind just yet. My adult choir, one Wednesday night each month, skips our usual mid-week rehearsal, and goes caroling, goes out to sing gospel songs in the front yards of shut-ins. It's the best thing since the invention of sliced bread!
This evening, we'll be sharing favorite hymns with our longtime church organist, Alice West, who is no longer able to attend services. It's going to be a sweet time of song, and a fun time of fellowship.
May 16, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, May 16.
As a young minister, I attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. One of my favorite courses was called "Comparative Religions", a study of the history and beliefs of all the faiths around the world. Here in America, we not only see a cross section of ethnic groups and languages, but also religions. Ministers - and we are all ministers, by the way - need to be prepared.
A few weeks ago, a member of my choir was blessed to take a trip to Israel. Today at 11:30 at First Baptist Center, she will share stories and photos of her adventure. It's the monthly Third Monday luncheon for the Golden Harvest Senior Adult Community Club. A free lunch will be followed by gospel music and the special program. Any senior is warmly welcome.
This Sunday morning, in churches across America, a moment will be taken to recognize, honor, and pray for the mothers that are present. But on this Mother's Day, many will be remembering those moms that are no longer with us. I take a moment, this morning, to remember.
May 11, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, May 11.
If you're a longtime reader of these daily devotions, then you know that I'm a big fan of quotes. There's a big day coming this Sunday for moms, so here's some quotes to prepare us for Mother's Day.
We focus today on a man who had to wait 70 long years for a job. Are you good at waiting? I'm not. They say that patience is a virtue, but it's not one of my strengths. This man, let's say his name is Charles, was four years old when his mom got her job, let's say it was queen. And last weekend this man finally got to wear the crown, after 70 years of waiting.
Something very special and kind of cool happened last Friday here in Center, Texas. A photograph was taken on our town square. Doesn't sound that special, you say? Well, here's some background.
On May 5, 1923, a panoramic photograph was taken on that same square. It showed a bustling town with hundreds of people, scores of Model-Ts, lots of horses, and even a team of oxen. Exactly a century later - last Friday, May 5, 2023 - that new photo was taken. Cool, right?
In 1885, a courthouse was built in Center. It was designed by an immigrant from Ireland, who, in its design, echoed the castles of his homeland. 138 years later, The Shelby County Courthouse remains one of the most interesting and beautiful buildings in Texas. And it is an appropriate setting for an event that is as old as America.