Shelby County Today

August 10, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 10.

In the late summer of the year 70 AD, at about this time, the mighty Roman army destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Holy City had been under siege for months, until the ancient walls were finally breached and the great place of worship, of sacrifice, the center of Jewish life, was burned to the ground. Today, two thousand years later, the Temple has yet to be rebuilt.

The original temple, Solomon’s Temple, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. It was rebuilt 70 years later, but in a relatively small and modest fashion. Then, 20 years before Bethlehem, King Herod the Great expanded and enhanced it. During Christ’s ministry here on earth, it was known as Herod’s Temple. And Jesus foretold its day of destruction.

In Matthew 24:2 Christ said, “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.” These words came as Jesus and His disciples, a few days before the Cross, were walking by Herod’s Temple. It was said to have been breathtakingly beautiful, and so perhaps the attention of the Twelve was focused on that beauty. In that moment they were focused on the present, but Christ spoke of the future. We, like the disciples, are often preoccupied with what we can see, while God speaks to us of what is unseen. While we worry and fret about today, He speaks to us of eternity.

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

August 6, 2026 - In the “Sermon On The Mount,” Jesus tells us to “let our light shine before men” and he also tells us that we are “the salt of the earth.” What He means, of course, is that we are to live our lives in such a way that we bring honor and glory to Him and Honor and glory to the church. Yet, I often wonder how well we are doing at that.

When we lose our temper in the store and “explode” on some clerk or manager, does that reflect well on Jesus and the church? Those times when we are engaging in idle gossip, whether listening to it or repeating it, does that bring honor and glory to Jesus and the church? Obviously, there are many things we can do that bring shame to Jesus and the church.

Well, we can hand out more tracts, we can set up more Bible Studies, we can invite more people to church. That will honor Jesus. Wait, I know, we can take meals to shut-ins and sick people. To be sure, there are numerous good works we can be involved in that will reflect well on the church and bring honor to Jesus.

However, when all is said and done, Jesus gave us the supreme way we can bring honor and glory to Him and to the church. In John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, If ye have love one to another.” There it is, short, sweet and simple. If we want to bring honor and glory to Jesus and the Church, we are to love one another. We are to love as Jesus loved. How are we doing with that?

It’s something to think about... tbp

Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com

August 3, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 3.

Last night I had the pleasure of playing with a local community band in an annual event called The Orchestra Bash. The ensemble, about 35 players strong, with winds and brass and strings and percussion and keyboards, was made up largely of band directors. They get together each year around this time, right before school starts, for an afternoon rehearsal and an evening concert. Much fun!

I met a euphonium player who was new to the group. His brother, who I know, is a college student preparing to be a band director, just like their dad. I just assumed he was one too, and asked him what high school he taught at. He said he was actually an engineer, a career that would typically elicit much pride from proud parents. “Not in my family”, he laughingly told me. “I’m not a teacher - I’m the black sheep!”

My family tree is full of teachers. I taught at high school choir during the 1990’s. I have a great deal of respect for teachers. School bells start ringing in our area next week, but teachers start back this morning. Here’s some thoughts for them, and for all the teachers out there.

• Teaching is the one profession that creates all the other professions.
• It takes a big heart to shape little minds.
• Teachers affect eternity. They can never know where their influence ends.
• Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is becoming a lost tradition.
• Teaching is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

Thank you teachers!

Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com

July 21, 2026 - First Baptist Church and First Methodist Church Collaboration Blood Drive is Thursday, July 30 from 10am until 2:30pm at the FBC Fellowship Hall, 117 Cora Street, Center.

Reserve your spot online or contact Teresa Thomas or Bob Lacher. Email teresac@fbccenter.org or call 936-598-5605.

$25 eGift Card plus A1c Testing! This July, help keep the blood supply strong during the summer months. When you donate with Gulf Coast Blood from July 1–31, 2026, you’ll receive a $25 eGift Card as a thank-you for making a lifesaving impact. Plus donate blood and get a FREE A1c screening! Early detection of elevated A1c levels can be a game-changer in preventing the long-term complications of diabetes.

Eat. Drink. Bring I.D. Appointments preferred. Walk-ins welcome.