+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
December 15, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 15.
This week, in our Christmas series, we’ll focus on stories behind some of our favorite carols. Christmas songs are near and dear to our hearts, particularly the ones that remind us of the reason for the season. And they grow even dearer, when we know the circumstances behind their writing. Here’s a story behind a beloved carol.
There are many hymns that ask a question - “What Can Wash Away My Sin?”; “What Wondrous Love is This?”; “Were You There?”; and a number of carols as well - “Do You Hear What I Hear?”; “Mary, Did You Know?”; and our focus for this morning, “What Child is This?”
The tune for this carol is as celebrated as its lyrics. It’s called “Greensleeves,” and some historians believe that it’s over a thousand years old. Others think that it was written by English King Henry VIII. We find it referenced in a play by none other than William Shakespeare. During none of these periods was the tune ever associated with the church. Its lively rhythm would have made it totally inappropriate for religious music. It was heard, rather, in the pubs and tavern - a popular tune. Then in 1865, William Dix decided to write words worthy of this lovely melody. Dix, just 28 years old, wasn’t a minister - as most hymn and carol writers were - but an insurance salesman, who wrote poetry as a hobby. After a near fatal illness, during his recovery, he penned a poem that he titled “The Manger Throne.” I love that title! I love these words.
What child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary
These lyrics, for that time, were extraordinarily personal and intimate. The singer isn’t just observing the nativity, he is placed within it. This Christmas, 160 years after their writing, these words continue to touch our hearts, as we gather around... the manger throne.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh. Come peasant, king to own Him
The King of Kings salvation brings. Let loving hearts enthrone Him!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 11, 2025 - Peter was writing about Jesus when he penned these words in I Peter 2:21, “Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”. Sometimes it might be good for us to examine our lives and see how we are doing at following in the steps of Jesus.
Those footsteps of Jesus led him to the waters of baptism, the wilderness of temptation, the house of worship and the fields of service. They led him to the mountain of prayer, the garden of despair, the cross of suffering, the valley of death and ultimately to the throne of God.
When we are faced with temptation, do we come forth victorious as Jesus did or do we yield to that temptation? When we are presented with opportunities of service to others do we consider it an honor to be of service? The briefest biography of Jesus says, “He went about doing good”. Can that be said of us?
Jesus went to sinners to save them, to the sick to heal them and to the lost to rescue them. When he went to the mountain of prayer, he spent time there all alone with God and came back from prayer stronger.
When we follow in the steps of Jesus, they will ultimately lead us also to the throne of God, to live eternally in Heaven. Are you following in His steps? If not, right now would be a good time to start.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 8, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 8.
This morning we begin a series that will take us all the way to Christmas Eve. A series featuring thoughts on the culture, the carols, the characters of Christmas. And to get us started - here’s some Christmas quotes.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!” - Buddy, the Elf
“Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas means a little bit more.” - The Grinch
“I wish we could put some Christmas spirit in jars, and open a jar of it every month.” - Harlan Miller
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas morning. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” - Andy Rooney
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” - Ebenezer Scrooge
“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” - Anonymous
“The world has grown weary through the years, but at Christmas, it is young.” - Phillips Brooks
“At Christmas, all roads lead home.” - Marjorie Holmes
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!” - Isaiah
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 4, 2025 - Thanksgiving Day has come and gone, “Black Friday” is past and “Cyber Monday” is in the history books. We have officially started that season of the year we call the “Christmas Season”. It is a time filled with happiness and joy. There is Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, Hot Chocolate, all kinds of candies and good things to eat. It is also the time of the year when the majority of the religious world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesus came into this world because God loved the world, that includes you and me, enough to send His Son to die to redeem our souls from sin. Because of the coming of Christ to this world, you and I are able to experience genuine love. Not only that, Jesus gives us many other things. He gives us lasting peace and He gives purpose to our lives.
Yet, the great tragedy is that even at this season of the year, the coming of Jesus really does not change people’s lives. You see, when all is said and done, Christmas does not bring a real change to our world. It makes us a little poorer and a little more fatigued but does not really bring a change to people’s lives. The purpose of Jesus coming was to bring a change to our world. He came to bring a change to peoples’ lives. Has Jesus really transformed your life?
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 1, 2025 - First Methodist Church - Center is hosting a Blood Drive on Saturday, December 6 from 10am until 2:30pm. The church is located at 211 Porter Street, Center, TX.
Register at https://www.commitforlife.org/
Visit First Methodist Church online to find out about other upcoming events or ways to help at www.CenterFirst.org.
December 1, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 1.
Henry Ford had the idea to produce an automobile, the Model-T, on a moving line, an assembly line. This idea reduced the time of production from a full day to an hour and a half. It also, amazingly, reduced the price of his car from $780 to $290. That would be like slashing the price of a Ford, today, from $25,000 to $5,000! A new Model-T came off the assembly line every 3 minutes. And the first one came off on the morning of December 1, 1913.
Ford had lots of great ideas. Mass production. Interchangeable parts. The five-day work week. The eight-hour work day. His ideas made him one of the richest men in America. His ideas changed people’s lives. His ideas changed the world. John F. Kennedy said, “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on”.
Here’s some more ideas -
*Love your enemies
*Turn the other cheek
*The first shall be last
*Lay up treasure in heaven
*Whoever wants to be great, must be a servant
*Forgive, and you shall be forgiven
*If you have the faith of a mustard seed, anything is possible
Jesus Christ had some great ideas. Ideas that can change lives. Ideas that can change the world.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
November 25, 2025 - Thanksgiving Community Dinner November 27th dinner will be served 9am-12:30pm.
Presented By Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, 623 Martin Luther King Dr.
Bright Morning Star will be serving plate lunches to the community on Thanksgiving Day. Deliveries will be available. To request a plate, call: Debra Johnson at (936)590-5392; Pastor A. Jackson at (936)201-2837
November 24, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, November 24. And we continue today our Thanksgiving series, with a look at a Bible character who was thankful.
The Apostle Paul wrote just about half of the New Testament - 12 books out of 27 - 13 if you believe that he wrote Hebrews. I do not. I like to believe, as do some theologians, that Paul’s fellow missionary, Priscilla, wrote Hebrews. Out of the 66 books in the Bible, it would be nice if at least one of them was written by a woman.
But I digress. Our focus this morning is thankfulness, and in almost every one of Paul’s books, or letters, he takes the opportunity to express his thankfulness for the churches to whom he was writing. Here are just a few examples.
- Romans 1:8 - I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you
- I Corinthians 1:4 - I give thanks always for you
- Ephesians 1:16 - I do not cease to give thanks for you
- Philippians 1:3 - I thank my God in all my remembrances of you
- Colossians 1:3 - We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you
- Philemon 1:4 - I thank God always when I remember you in my prayers
Well, you may say, those thank you notes all appear at the beginning of the letters, and that was something Paul included simply out of habit, like Dear Sir or Sincerely Yours. Even if that was true, and I don’t believe it was, Paul would still be making a choice to express thankfulness. And, when it comes down to it, isn’t that what every relationship is built upon - making the right choice? Making the choice to be encouraging, making the choice to be forgiving, making the choice to love.
I encourage you to make the choice this week to reach out to someone in thankfulness - what better time! Maybe a family member or friend, maybe a Sunday School teacher or your pastor, maybe someone from your past who made a difference in your life. What a blessing it would be for them to receive your message of thankfulness. What a blessing it would be for you to send it.
One last word from Paul, in I Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
November 20, 2025 - It’s the season for Thanksgiving, and to be sure, we have much to be thankful for. Most of us will never be rich in the way that the world measures riches, and yet, all of us may be rich toward God. The riches of the world are subject to loss, taxation and the fluctuation of the markets. The riches of God cannot be stolen, taxed or devalued. They can however be shared.
To many folks, there is only one kind of wealth. Houses, stocks, securities and money in the bank. Their happiness rises or falls with the stock markets. To these people everything has a monetary value. Often, only bitter experience is able to teach them that some things in life are more valuable than money.
The carpenter of Nazareth lived and died as one of the poorest men on the earth, yet he taught the true sense of values when he proclaimed, “A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things he possesseth” (Luke 12:15) He came to enrich human life, to teach the value, not of man’s accumulations but of his soul. Faith, hope, love, these attributes of the soul, Jesus made them of inestimable value.
We must not let things which are part of the passing scene, stocks, houses, securities and money in the bank cloud our vision to the finer spiritual securities in Jesus Christ. Yes, at this season of the year we say, “Thank you Lord!”
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship This coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
November 18, 2025 - The Shelby County Ministerial Alliance invites you, your family, friends and neighbors to join us for a heart-warming Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 23rd at 6pm, hosted at First Baptist Church, Center.
We’re delighted to welcome Pastor Malcolm Monroe from First Methodist Church, Center, who will be sharing an uplifting message of gratitude and hope.
Got a Favorite Pie? Enter the Pie Judging Contest!
Add to the fun by sharing your best pie creation. Anyone can enter! Drop off your entry by 5:30pm. For more info, simply contact First Baptist Church at (936) 598-5605
Pages
