August 22, 2023 - Good Morning. It's Tuesday, August 22.
Last Friday night, a good friend of mine went on to Glory. Her name was Dorothy, but everyone called her Dot. She was 96 years young. And if we had to find one word to describe her, it would be the word . . . JOY. She always had a welcoming smile, a twinkle in her eye, even in times of trial and tragedy, even on days of challenge and change.
August 21, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, August 21.
I'm focused this morning on the opening lines of famous books. When you begin to read a book it's a bit like meeting a new person - and you know what they say about first impressions. The author has just a few pages, a few paragraphs, maybe just a few lines to grab your attention, to draw you into their story. A strong opening line makes all the difference. Here's a few...
August 18, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Friday, August 18.
Today is National Mail Order Catalog Day. Why did they choose August 18th? Because, on this day in 1872, Montgomery Ward issued the first retail catalog. It was only one page, and featured only 163 items. Just five years later, the "wish book" had grown to 150 pages, and boasted over 3,000 items. Americans could use the catalog to buy clothing, toys, tools, even entire houses. And consumers were promised "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back". Wards invented that slogan.
August 17, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, August 17.
Seven years ago, I didn't know very much about Center, Texas. I was serving at a church near Texarkana, when I received a phone call from a man named Carl Smith. He was chairman of a committee at First Baptist that was searching for a Minister of Worship. At the end of that call, I still had lots of questions about Center, but I had a very positive impression... of Carl Smith!
August 16, 2023 - Good Morning. It's Wednesday, August 16.
Tomorrow at 2:00 pm, First Baptist Church of Center, Texas will host a memorial service for our pastor emeritus, Carl Smith. Bro. Carl chose several songs for us to sing, and I have the blessing of singing one by the gospel artist, Andrae Crouch. "My Tribute" will certainly be a tribute to the life that our pastor lived.
August 15, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Tuesday, August 15.
On this day in 1969, half a million young people gathered on a dairy farm in upstate New York, for a music festival. It was called Woodstock, even though the town by that name was 40 miles away. Max Yasgur's farm was actually in the little hamlet of Bethel. That's a Hebrew name that means "House of God". And so, in retrospect, Woodstock was a better name for an event that saw rampant drug abuse, three deaths, monsoon rains, and acres and acres of mud.
August 14, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, August 14.
This morning, the sound of school bells once again fills the air in Center, Texas. The first day of school is here. But I want to focus on what happened last night, something that is unique to life in a small town. Our church, and others, were invited to walk through our schools... to pray.
August 11, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Friday, August 11.
Every year, on the Sunday before school starts, my church takes a moment to honor teachers, to thank educators, to pray for all those in our community who shape and mold and bless our children. This Sunday is that moment, and any local teacher is warmly invited to join us at our 10:15 service.
August 10, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Thursday, August 10.
On this day, in 70 AD, the Roman army set fire to the temple in Jerusalem, leaving it completely destroyed. This event was predicted 40 years before, when Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down." (Matthew 24:2)