Shelby County Today

May 11, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, May 11.

I’m a committed collector - record albums and sheet music, vintage cameras and antique telephones, old coins and music boxes, political buttons and coca-cola memorabilia, wooden boxes and ceramic elephants. But my favorite thing to collect, and my biggest collection... is books. My latest library count is about 2000 volumes. Some people buy fancy cars. Some people buy boats or fine watches or the latest fashions. I buy books.

What would you guess is the highest selling book in history? Well, the novel “Don Quixote” is said to have sold over 400 million copies. Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” rings in at 200 million. In our era, the “Harry Potter” series tops out at 500 million units, and my favorite novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has garnered over 40 million in sales.

But there’s one book that leaves all the others in the dust. The Book. It’s estimated that, to date, there have been over seven BILLION Bibles sold. And it doesn’t stop there. The Bible is also the book that is most often given away. The Gideons distributed over 70 million copies of The Word just last year. Take your own inventory. How many Bibles do you have in your house? How many have you owned over your lifetime? How many have you given as gifts? Perhaps your primary access to God’s Word now is electronic. Maybe you spend more time at sites like Bible Gateway and Bible Hub than you do within the literal pages.

I haven’t read all 2000 books in my library. Some were purchased and then just placed on a shelf. But that’s no place for a Bible. The Bible is a book to be read. The Bible is a book to be studied, and memorized, and meditated upon, and cherished. The Bible is a treasure.

Open one - from your collection - today.

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

May 8, 2026 - One thing that most of us excel at is wasting time. Though day planners are available in many sizes and styles, though Paul encouraged us to “Redeem the time for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16) we are still proficient in failing to use our time wisely.

Probably our preferred method of time wasting comes with worry and anxiety. Do you remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount? He left us this admonition in Matthew 6:34, ““Don’t worry at all then about tomorrow. Tomorrow can take care of itself! One day’s trouble is enough for one day.” (Phillips). Yet, how many of us actually listen to those words, much less heed them? We start worrying early in the morning and allow our anxiety to intensify as the day progresses. If we are short on a supply of things to worry about, we can watch cable news or check the news apps on our phone. We can then be sure we will have enough bad news, doomsday reports, human tragedies and late breaking calamities to keep our mind churning well into the evening hours. If that isn’t enough, then we can worry about our failures and mistakes, things we should’ve done or could’ve done and failed to do. We can worry about our weight, our health, the reality of aging - you name it, we can worry about it.

God did not intend for us to live this way. When you are tempted to worry and fret and let anxiety take hold of your life, remember what Peter encouraged us to do when he told us to cast our care upon Jesus because he cares for us (I Peter 5:7).

It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com

May 7, 2026 - The Jackson Cemetery Annual Homecoming will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, beginning at 10:30am. The program will be held in the old Jackson Church auditorium and will include a short business meeting, singing, and sharing memories of past homecomings. A potluck meal will follow the program. The Cemetery Committee encourages everyone to attend, but if you are unable to join them, donations can be mailed to Jackson Cemetery Association, P O Box 15, Joaquin, TX 75954.

May 5, 2026 - St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, located at 617 Hopkins St, in Center, will hold its 5th Annual Women's Conference on Saturday, May 16, 2026, starting at 10am with the theme of the event being “Willing Women Working for God.”

Beloved Sisters in Christ,

We are profoundly excited to extend a most special invitation to you for St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church's 5th Annual Women's Conference, a significant milestone in our collective spiritual journey. Prepare for a day of unparalleled spiritual enrichment and profound fellowship, meticulously designed to ignite your faith and fortify your walk with God.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
Kindly reserve Saturday, May 16, 2026, for this transformative experience, commencing promptly at 10am. This year, our hearts resonate deeply with the empowering and timely theme: "Willing Women Working For God." More than a mere declaration, this theme serves as a clarion call for each of us to delve into the depths of divine purpose, recognizing and utilizing our unique gifts, fervent passions, and God-given callings to advance His glorious kingdom. This gathering is dedicated to affirming your spiritual identity, championing your growth, and equipping every woman to embrace God's magnificent plan for her life, stepping forth boldly in His service.

Anticipate an unforgettable program brimming with inspired teachings, poignant messages, and powerful, heartfelt testimonies delivered by an exceptional assembly of spiritual luminaries. Our esteemed lineup includes respected First Ladies, dedicated ministers' wives, and fervent prayer warriors, each sharing their distinct anointing, profound wisdom, personal faith narratives, and practical guidance. Their insights are sure to uplift your spirit, equip you for your divine assignments, and significantly deepen your relationship with Christ. You will undoubtedly depart feeling refreshed, invigorated, and ready to pursue your God-given purpose with renewed passion.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
Beyond the enriching instruction, immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere of authentic sisterhood and profound connection. Envision stepping into a warm, welcoming community, a beautifully intricate tapestry woven with shared experiences, mutual encouragement, and unbreakable divine bonds. This is a sacred space where nascent friendships will flourish, and existing ones will be cherished, fostering a robust network of women united in faith and purpose. The fellowship continues during a delectable and thoughtfully prepared luncheon, providing the perfect opportunity for engaging conversations, shared laughter, and deeper connections among participants. Furthermore, heighten your anticipation with numerous chances to win fantastic door prizes, delightful giveaways, and for one blessed individual, the grand prize: a brand new 14-inch HP laptop!

The conference will be hosted in the comforting embrace of the sanctuary at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, located at 617 Hopkins St, Center TX. To help us facilitate this high-quality and memorable experience for every attendee, we kindly request a modest $15 contribution upon entry.

We eagerly await the privilege of sharing this powerfully blessed day with you! Come, allow yourself to be inspired, uplifted, and completely renewed, prepared to fully embody the spirit of a "Willing Woman Working for God!" Your presence is an invaluable enrichment to this sacred occasion.