+ 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
August 30, 2025 - The annual Folsom Homecoming will be held on the grounds of Folsom Cemetery at 12 noon on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Family and friends are encouraged to bring their lunch and donations for the upkeep of the cemetery. Donations can be mailed to : 3471 FM 2026 Center, Texas 75935.
Danny Paul Windham Secretary/Treasurer
August 28, 2025 - Jesus was a man of few words, that was His general character. He was not one of those who would tell you how to make a watch. Neither was He one who used flattery or exaggeration. When Jesus complimented someone, the things He said were very few.
When Jesus gave someone a compliment, it was not superficial. It had nothing to do with a person’s clothing or style. It had to do with their heart and their character.
When Jesus was first introduced to Nathaniel, he said, “behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile” (John 1:47). When Jesus spoke of John the Baptist, he said that among those born of woman, there was none greater than John (Luke 7:28).
When Mary anointed Jesus with the costly ointment, Jesus said that wherever the gospel would be preached, that would be spoken of as a memorial to her.
Some day, when our forms have been bended low and we cross the great divide into eternity, I want to hear a compliment from the lips of Jesus. I want to hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”. I want to live my life so that I will hear Him speak those words. If we are to hear those words, we must live His kind of life and live it His way.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Come join us for worship Center Church of Christ www.centerchurchofchrist.com
August 28, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Thursday, August 28.
Ten years ago this week, I rode on a train to New York City. That’s a long, two-day trip, but I’ve always loved traveling by train. I went there to visit my youngest daughter, Caroline. She had moved to the Big Apple a few years before, as a 20-year-old, to pursue a career in modeling. Caroline had grown up mainly in the big cities of Dallas and Houston, but NYC is a BIG city, and her mother and I worried about her more than a little. But she’s still there, has done well there, has made a good life there. I’m a proud father.
On the last night of my visit I took her to the Broadway show “Les Miserables”. Great show, and we had a great time. The next morning, I sat in Grand Central Station waiting to board my train back to Texas. As I waited, I read a copy of The New York Times, and suddenly saw a disturbing story. A young man, about my daughter’s age, had been killed in an accident late the night before. As I read further I discovered that he was a member of the cast of “Les Miz”. Just 10 hours before, we had seen him performing on the stage. He had been full of life and youth and talent and promise. He was living his dream of being on Broadway, and was full of dreams for a bright future.
And, just like that, it was over.
I sat there, surrounded by multitudes of big city travelers, moving through their busy lives, and was struck by the uncertainty of life, how fragile and fleeting it truly is. And the words from James 4:14 came back to my mind - “Your life is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away”. A few verses later, James tells us that, if we know the good that we should do, then we should do it now . . . while there is time.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
August 28, 2025 - Pastor Hill and the members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville invite you to their Annual Homecoming Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 3pm.
Guest speaker will be Rev. Desmond Johnson of the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in San Augustine, Tx.
August 26, 2025 - Logansport MBC Revival. Revival at Logansport Missionary Baptist Church September 15-19 7pm nightly.
Join in for inspiring worship and preaching. Bro. Ben Brittain will be the speaker. Specials are welcome.
1109 Main St. Logansport La. Hope to see you there!
August 25, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 25.
“Fake news” is a term you hear a lot these days. But, as King Solomon told us, “there is nothing new under the sun”. Myth and misinformation have been around as long as man has been around. On August 25, 1835, the New York Sun newspaper printed a story on the front page. The article reported the invention of a super telescope that had made possible an amazing discovery . . . life on the moon. Through the lens of this powerful new device, scientists had seen roads and buildings and strange animals of many kinds, including unicorns. And the big headline - the astronomers had witnessed humanoid figures with wings. The Sun called them “bat-men”!
P.T. Barnum famously said, “there’s a sucker born every minute”. The newspaper, a few days later, announced that it was all a hoax, but not before thousands of readers had taken it as truth. It was the talk of the town, and the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 is still an item on the internet. Speaking of the internet, it has opened the floodgates of rumors and gossip and unfounded theories, and there are plenty of folks who are quick to swallow them hook, line, and sinker. The invention of Artificial Intelligence, with its amazingly “real” video and audio, is turning that flood into a deluge.
So, what are we to do? What are we to believe? That same King Solomon said, in I Kings 3:9, “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, and to discern between good and evil”. The wise king trusted the wisdom that comes only from God and from His Word. Solomon’s father, David, prayed these words in Psalms 119:66 - “Teach me, O Lord, good discernment and knowledge”. With any information, the key is finding a reliable source. We have access, through prayer and Bible study, to the supreme source - the truth of God.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
August 22, 2025 - Mt. Zion CME Church is hosting Missionary Sunday on August 31, 2025 at 3pm. Scripture is John 15:12-15 - “What a Friend.” The speaker is Sis. Latrice Gates from St. John Baptist Church, Tenaha, Texas.
Mt. Zion CME Church is located at 921 MLK Drive, Center, Texas 75935 with Joyce Johnson, President and Rev. Richards Edwards, Pastor.
August 21, 2025 - It is an exciting time when a toddler abandons crawling and takes those first faltering steps. Once that happens, it is not long until they are going to attempt to climb the stairs. If they have reached the talking stage, they will inform you that they will do it “all on their own”. However, parents are standing nearby to see how they make out and make sure they do not fall. To be sure, that little toddler will reach the top safely if they just keep going. For them, the last step is just as easy as the first one. Trouble comes only if they begin to wonder why they are so high and they get in trouble if they turn back. It is then they will take a tumble.
Paul would write, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:13-14) As Christians pressing toward the goal, we can learn some things from a toddler. You see, our heavenly Father is standing by, ready to assist us when we stumble. We also can learn that the struggle is not greater as we climb higher, but it is easier because we have experience behind us. Then, it is dangerous to look back, we must forget what is behind.
It is a big adventure for a child to climb the stairs. It is the greatest possible adventure for us to climb the heights toward God. Are you moving closer to God day by day? If not, you should be.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come join us for worship at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
August 18, 2025 - Jackson Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Youth Ministry Bash for all ages 3 years through 12th grade.
The Back-to-Awana's Bash is from 10am until 2pm on Saturday, August 23rd. Bring your towel and join us as we kickoff 2025-26 with food, fun, and games.
August 18, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, August 18.
With my background as a church musician and worship leader, it’s not surprising that a significant percentage of these little thoughts, over the years, have been about gospel music. The stories behind the hymns. The stories behind the men and women who wrote them. One of the most prolific hymn writers in history, penning over 8000 songs, was named, appropriately enough, Gabriel.
Charles Gabriel was born in 1856 on a small farm in Iowa. His father, to make extra money for his large family, held “singing schools” in their home. This musical tradition featured shaped note notation in oblong hymnals. The most famous of these was called “The Sacred Harp”. I’ve got one in my library. Sacred Harp Singings continue to this day, mostly in the Southern United States. Armed only with this meager education, Charles achieved a remarkable career as a songwriter, teacher, church music director, hymnal editor, and publisher. Many of his songs have survived and are included in modern hymn books. Maybe you’ve sung some of them -
*Send the Light *Higher Ground *I Stand Amazed *Crown Him With Many Crowns *His Eye is on the Sparrow
Gabriel died in 1832 in Hollywood, California - a long way from that little farm in Iowa. Two years later, the Carter Family - Country Music legends - recorded one of his songs. Hundreds of famous artists have recorded it since and it is perhaps his most famous composition. You know the chorus...
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
Pages
