February 22, 2023 - Good morning! It’s Wednesday, February 22.
On this day, billions of Christians around the world are beginning the spiritual season called Lent. And on this day, in the year 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian ushered in a period of persecution against Christians that saw churches closed, scripture burned, and believers martyred.
February 21, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, February 21.
Hope you enjoyed the President's Day holiday. And now we celebrate again . . . Happy Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent that leads to Easter Sunday. The tradition was to indulge in rich foods and merriment on Fat Tuesday that would be discouraged during Lent. Mardi Gras parades and festivities are held in St. Louis, Mobile, Galveston, Shreveport, and, of course, New Orleans.
February 17, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, February 17.
Were you in Texas at this time two years ago? Well, then you remember the Wacky Winter Weather Week when it never got above freezing, temps went down into the low single digits, and we were walking in a winter wonderland! Here’s a reprint of a daily devotion from that week.
February 16, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, February 16.
This Sunday, our interim pastor, Dr. Tim Watson, will be preaching on the subject of... salt. His text will be these words from Matthew 5:13, words spoken by Jesus - “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
February 15, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Wednesday, February 15.
On this date in 1564, a baby boy was born in Pisa, Italy. His name was Galileo Galilei. He would grow to be perhaps the greatest scientific figure in history. Albert Einstein called him the “Father of Modern Science”. Galileo laid foundations in mathematics, physics, engineering, and the scientific method. But, perhaps, he is most remembered for his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy. When NASA prepared a spacecraft to explore the planets, they named it “Galileo”.
February 10, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, February 10.
Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
In 1772, John Fawcett was a young pastor in Yorkshire, England. His little church was made up of working class people who dearly loved their pastor. And he had grown to love them, too. But, as always happens, young pastors, especially those who are gifted preachers, receive offers to move to larger churches. A prestigious congregation in London offered Fawcett a position and, after much prayer, he accepted.
February 9, 2023 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, February 9.
There’s only five shopping days till Valentine’s! Today we look at the story of two Christian love songs - with the same title - but written two centuries apart.
In 1738 Charles Wesley was 31 years old and had just experienced a spiritual conversion. In honor of this experience he wrote a hymn. He called it “And Can It Be”. Wesley went on to write more than 6000 hymns. And in his spare time, he and his brother, John, founded the Methodist Church!
February 8, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, February 8.
Do you have a day each week that's your "long" day? A day when you go from early till late? Maybe that describes most of your days! Wednesday is my long day. Like most Baptist churches, Wednesday nights are a busy time with lots of different activities. I don't get home till after 8pm on Wednesdays. And at 6am each Wednesday, I attend a men's prayer breakfast at an area restaurant. A long day.