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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
August 28, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, August 28.
I was all set to focus my devotion today on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, the historic event that occurred on August 28, 1963, and featured Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. But then something happened last night that changed my mind, something amazing, something incredible, something exceedingly rare.
I was already asleep when, just after eleven, I was awakened by a thunderous clap of thunder. I got up, went out on my front porch, and witnessed a very strange weather phenomenon. In preparation for this devotion, I had to do some research on the internet. Apparently, the technical term for this phenomenon is . . . RAIN!
We haven't seen rain in over two months here in Tenaha, Texas. And the drought has been punctuated by a long string of brutal temperatures. It all adds up to an epidemic of fires. One of these was near my home just yesterday afternoon. Hopefully last night's rain, which radar indicated fell across our region, has greatly reduced that danger.
At my house, at least, we enjoyed several hours and several inches of refreshing rain. It was a long, slow, soaking rain - just what the doctor ordered. I Thessalonians 5:18 commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances", and so, this morning, we are thankful.
Thank you, God, for the long, slow, soaking rain.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
August 24, 2023 - Logansport Missionary Baptist Church. 1109 Main St. Logansport ,La. will be having revival September 11th-15th, 2023at 7pm nightly.
Bro. Levi Cohorst will be bringing the message each night. Please join them to hear Gods word. Specials are welcome.
August 24, 2023 - Open Mic Gospel Singing Friday September 1, 2023 at 6:00pm with doors open at 5:00pm for musicians setup. Temple of God Church 206 Yaupon St. Pineland, TX 75968.
August 24, 2023 - I read the other day about a man who took flying lessons. At the end of the course, he passed his tests and got his pilot’s license. So, one of the first things he does is take his wife up for a ride. As they were flying along, among the clouds he finally commented, “It surely is nice up here, no back seat driving. You are not constantly telling me to watch out, slow down, use my turn signal. It’s nice not listening to all of that”. That is when she said, “look out for those birds”.
You see there is just no getting away from “back-seat drivers”. They are like critics, every calling of life has its back-seat drivers and critics. They are always the ones who could do it better than you could and are glad to tell you that they could.
We find them in the community. Whatever comes up, they have all the answers and are free with their criticisms. They are in our families. They can tell others how to raise children. They are in the church. They have the answer to any question that comes up and never have to study a Bible to have that answer. They can put the preacher in his place and they can get the leaders of the church “told” in no uncertain terms. They know everything that is wrong and seldom see anything that is right.
Yes. Back seat drivers (critics) are everywhere. They are “swift to speak and slow to hear”. Let’s make sure we aren’t one of them.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
August 22, 2023 - Neuville Baptist Church will have their homecoming on Sunday the 27th of August. Service begins at 10:45am. Our new pastor Bro Steven Berry will bring the message. Meal to follow after the service in the fellowship hall.
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...
- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of reason, it was the age of foolishness. ~ Charles Dicken's "A Tale of Two Cities"
- Call me Ishmael. ~ Herman Melville's "Moby Dick"
- It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. ~ George Orwell's "1984"
- It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. ~ Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
- All children, except one, grow up. ~ J.M.Barrie's "Peter Pan"
Those are some great first lines from some great books. But they don't begin to hold a candle to this one...
- In the beginning... God
Gets your attention, doesn't it? Hard to put it down after an opening line like that. A real page turner! But you don't have to start at the beginning of this book. You can pretty much open it anywhere and find an interesting story, a word of wisdom, a blessing. It has taken you about two minutes to read this little devotion. Why not take the next 20 minutes to read a good book... THE Good Book.
By the way - it ends pretty well, too.
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Here's MY closing line...
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
August 17, 2023 - New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will have their annual homecoming on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 1:30pm, Pastor Mario Osby, Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will bring the message.
There will also be a one night revival on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 7pm. Pastor Carlos Johnson, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will bring the message.
Rev. Rayford Caraway, Pastor
Sis. Janice Garrett, Program Coordinator
Sis. Mary Criner, Announcing Clerk.
August 17, 2023 - Have you ever had some unexpected dinner guests appear at the last minute? That is what happens to Jesus and the disciples in Mark chapter 6. Herod had executed John the Baptist and Jesus and the disciple were doing their best to get to a secluded place to be alone. They were weary and tired from the teaching and healing being done. Their lives were busy and hectic and they needed a little time to relax.
Yet, it is on this occasion we find Jesus taking 5 loaves and 2 fish and feeding 5,000 men. But, I want us to notice the question Jesus asked them in Mark 6:38. He asked, “how many loaves have ye?”. It was as much as to say, “are your resources sufficient?”
Rest assured that Jesus was not asking for information. He also was not asking because he couldn’t feed the multitude without their loaves. What he was doing was trying to teach them and us a lesson. He wanted his disciples in that far off day and he wants us to know today that Jesus will bless others through us. He wanted those disciples to know they must be willing to use what they have. We also must be willing to use what we have.
You see, what we have must be given into His hands. We are to use our strength, our tongue and our heart. We are to use our material means. We are to be the earthen vessels in the service of Jesus. Jesus asks us today, “how many loaves have ye?” Are we using what we have, the talents He has given us, in His service?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
August 7, 2023 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Revival services will be August 16th - 18th starting at 7:30pm nightly. Speakers are Pastor Fredrick Fuller of the Desoto Fellowship Church, Kingston, LA on Wednesday; Pastor Johnny Jones of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Center, TX on Thursday, and Bishop Stanley Lawson of Unity Tabernacle, Longview Texas on Friday.
Bennett Chapel is located at 674 CR 2582 Shelbyville, TX – Bishop W.C. Martin, Pastor.
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.
I grew up in Houston, and have spent most of my ministry life in metroplexes. What occurred last night, here in our small town, would have never happened in those big cities. When I came to Center, seven years ago, I was amazed at the level of access that local churches had to the school system, access to support, to encourage, to make a difference.
Most of the members of my church grew up here, and so they probably take this access for granted. But it continues to be a revelation to me. And so, last night, we walked the halls of our schools, halls that, this morning, are filled with children. We prayed for their safety. We prayed for their families. We prayed for their future.
What a blessing.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
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