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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
January 13, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, January 13.
We begin today with a question. Is your Christmas tree still up? Well, you need to get busy! Seriously, there will be no shaming coming from me. I didn’t take my inside decorations down till last week, and my outside lights are still up. I read on the internet (so it has to be true), that the average American takes their holiday decorations down by January 15. So, good news - you still have two days to become an average American.
I hope that my opening paragraph didn’t cause you any stress. But leaving things undone is one of the causes of stress, as is having too much to do. We find an example of this in the New Testament, exemplified by a woman named Martha. Here is her story, found in the 10th chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to what He was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed - indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
And so, Jesus is teaching Martha about the sin of worrying. And He is speaking to her about the need to set proper priorities. Yes, her work - the preparation for Jesus’ visit - was important. But nothing was more important, or would bring greater comfort, than Mary’s priority . . . sitting at the feet of the Master.
A good lesson for the new year.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
January 10, 2025 - Shelby County Today remembers Michael David "Mike" Mills who contributed articles published on the Faith Page of SCT from 2014 until 2020. Mike Mills entered into his much-anticipated Heavenly home on January 6, 2025 at home surrounded by his family.
In June 2014, Mike reached out to SCT about running a column to discuss the chapter his Bible group at Spring Hill Church would be studying. The relationship continued for six years with the 'In God's Word' weekly column.
Whether visiting with Mike in person or through his columns, he always shared his love of God.
Sometime later in 2022, the final email SCT received from Mike was addressed to a small group to whom he shared an accounting of a feeling that God allowed him to experience, a feeling that he wished to pass on...
Eternal Bliss-
Hello, my name is Mike Mills, I live in the Great State of Texas here in the USA.
I am a retired businessman and a born-again child of the Most High God, and, I am here to tell you of the Grand Prize of Life and the steps needed to attain it.
The Bible says, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
This much I can tell you, "This is true." While I have not seen all that God has prepared for those who love him, I have, through his grace and love, experienced a part of it.
I lost a great and loyal friend two years ago, my Australian Shepherd cattle dog, Mick. Mick died on Sunday and that evening as I lay in bed I spoke to the Lord saying, "Lord, I don't know if dogs go to heaven or not, but, I want to tell you that if they do, he is a really good boy."
Immediately, in my mind's eye I saw two individuals dressed in white, descend down to Mick's grave in our yard and I saw Mick come up out of the grave with a giant smile on his face. The three of them then went straight up and out of sight.
"I said, Lord, I don't know why you showed me that but I do appreciate it so much."
Two years went by and one morning at 4:00 AM I awoke. I am now having to sleep in my recliner for medical reasons, I looked at my watch and attempted to go back to sleep when I felt myself lift straight up out of the chair in a standing position, I then started going up, like the feeling one gets on an elevator.
I went up for a time, can't say how long for I could not see, it was totally black around me and I literally could not see my own hand in front of my face. After some time it began to get light and I came to rest in a beautiful green pasture.
At that point I knew where I was for Mick and another dog we had lost, Toby, came running to me and I knew where Mick had gone, to heaven.
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures." (Psalm 23:2)
As you might imagine, I was overjoyed at seeing the two of them and lost all track of anything else around us. I knelt down to greet them and suddenly a feeling of total and complete comfort, the feeling of utmost contentment, knowing that nothing could harm me, that everything was alright, no pains, no sadness, no anxiety, just complete joy and peace overcame me. What Christians have referred to as Heavenly Bliss.
This Bliss, I believe is the feeling one gets all the time as one stands in the direct presence of Almighty God.
I could not see him that morning for I had not died and the Bible tells us that a live person cannot look upon him, or he will die.
But, believe me when I say I could feel him, nothing, nothing at all of this world could be worth losing this feeling of Bliss.
I believe God gave me this that I might spread this word to others that they too may be able to endure the world until the time when the Lord returns for his own.
There are more parts to this story.
After a time, a short time, I took off again, this time going down, again in total darkness, until I landed, this time by a country road next to a creek bridge.
Being a country boy, I started to walk down behind the bridge bannister to the creek when I discovered a piece of metal. I turned that metal over in my hands as I looked at it, until I lifted it over my head as high as I could and slammed it to the ground. I then looked up and said in a loud voice, "I don't need this, I believe in him and I trust him, I don't need anything else.
Immediately I took off again, back into the darkness. I realized what he had just given me as I thought of the Bible verses that had brought out the words that I spoke there by the creek.
Jesus said, "For it is the will of my Father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will lift him up on the last day." (John 6:40)
My reference to believing in him, and; "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2-3)
My reference to trusting him, for I do trust him to return for me.
These two things in (John 6:40) and (John 14:2-3) are the steps to the kingdom; and the feeling one will have as long as one is in the presence of the Almighty, Heavenly Bliss, is the grand prize.
We must believe for if we do not believe we will certainly not see the kingdom of God. But, if we believe we must also trust in him to return for us that we can endure the pitfalls and tribulations that we will experience in this world.
As we see the world getting more and more violent, filled with more and more hate and discontent, I think we will need both if we are to remain steadfast in our faith and true to our God until that glorious day when he lifts us from this world and into the kingdom of God. Glory, glory, glory to the Lord God Almighty...
May this message comfort you and give you the strength that you will need to believe in him and trust him and gain eternal life with the Father in heaven...
Bliss awaits all who remain true and steadfast, don't miss it!!!
Each email from Mike signed off with "May you hear God's voice in your heart, know His touch in your life and feel His love each day." ~ Mike Mills
Thank you Mike for helping viewers to spend time in God's Word. If you would like to read Mike's columns on SCT, click here.
January 9, 2025 - Have you ever watched a small child as they observe the simplest things in life? I love to watch my grandsons as they marvel at the small creatures that God has made. Small children see the beauty in butterflies that often as adults we take for granted. They observe ants and various other bugs. Truly, small children “wonder” at the creation and order of this world around them.
Yet, one of the great tragedies of life is that as we grow older, we become jaded, we become cynical, we take this world around us for granted and we lose our “wonder”. When we are young, we live in a thrilling and wonderful world. As we grow older, we begin to live in a world that is gray and commonplace. Yet, the change is not in the world around us, the change is in us. When that wonder is gone, life loses some of its zest and excitement.
Somehow, we must keep the sense of wonder alive. In fact, if we focus our attention on God this is not such a difficult thing to do. The more we observe about God’s creation, the more we know about this astonishing world God has created for us, the more we are bound to wonder. Look at the beauty of the heavens, the order of the universe, the millions of stars that light the night and who cannot be astonished at a universe like this?
When we look at God’s world, and even more look at God’s love, we will be lost in wonder, love and praise. You see, the more we know of the love of God, so amazing and so divine, the more we will be astonished.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
January 6, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, January 6.
Are you missing Christmas already? Well, you’re in luck, because today is “Old Christmas”. It’s known by that name because, before the Gregorian calendar was adopted five centuries ago, January 6 was Christmas Day. Some religious groups, like the Mennonites and the Amish, still observe it. Today is 12 days after Christmas (cue the song!) and some call it “Little Christmas” or “Epiphany” or “Three Kings Day”.
Three Kings Day is a day of celebration in many places. For our neighbors in Louisiana it’s the beginning of carnival season, and they’re baking “king cakes”. In Tarton Springs, Florida they’ll throw a wooden cross into the bayou today, and the diver who finds it gets good luck all year long. In Colorado they’re having fruitcake throwing contests. Whatever gets you through the winter, I guess!
For us this morning it means one last breath of the Nativity story. A story of Persian “kings” who traveled far, who faced danger and hardship, all to meet the King of Kings . . . and to fall down and worship Him. Here’s one last Christmas carol, and like most of the carols, it’s not just a song of the season, it’s also a song of worship.
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar
Seek the great Desire of Nations, You have seen the Infant’s star
Come and worship! Come and worship! Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 24, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, December 24. I hope you’ve enjoyed our holiday series “The Twelve Days of Christmas” that concludes today. These little daily thoughts will return on Thursday, January 2.
There are some Christmas songs that really don’t have anything to do with Christmas. “Jingle Bells” doesn’t mention gifts or Santa Claus - it’s just a song about winter fun - but what would Christmas be without it! “Joy to the World” wasn’t inspired by Luke 2, it’s based on the 98th Psalm - but what would Christmas be without it! This morning we focus on a song that is sung all year round, but that most people don’t realize is a Christmas song.
In 1955, Christmas Day fell on a Sunday. Audrey Mieir was in a little church in California that morning, a church decorated with fresh evergreen boughs. The choir loft had been transformed into a stable, and the children of the church had been enlisted to portray the nativity characters. As Audrey sat in her pew, she was overcome by the smells, the sights, the sounds - overcome by the presence of the Spirit of God.
And then, as the simple pageant drew to an end, the pastor rose to his feet, walked to the pulpit, raised his arms, and proclaimed - AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL! That was all the inspiration that Audrey needed. She opened to the fly leaf of her Bible and began to write down the lyrics and music of a new song - a song of praise, a song of worship, a song of Christmas.
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
He is the Mighty King, Master of everything, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
He’s the Great Shepherd, the Rock of all Ages, Almighty God is He
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called WONDERFUL!
Here’s wishing a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all our faithful readers.
Meet you back here on January 2,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 23, 2024 - Sherry Harding invites everyone to First Methodist Church of Shelbyville Christmas Eve Service on December 24, 2024. It will begin at 6pm. All are welcome.
Blessings and Merry Christmas.
December 23, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 23.
What day was Jesus born in Bethlehem? December 25th, right? Probably not. The Bible doesn’t pinpoint the date of the nativity, but several biblical passages point us to a different part of the calendar. Let’s take a quick look.
The Romans were nothing if not efficient. Their innovations in the areas of urban planning, water systems, road building, etc. are still being used today, two thousand years later. Luke 2 begins by telling us of a census that the Romans were taking. The last thing they would have done would be to schedule that census - which would require people to travel - during the winter, when storms and temperatures would make travel very difficult.
The shepherds are a beloved part of the nativity cast of characters. Traditionally, shepherds would have their flocks in open fields only from April to October. During the rugged weather of late December, those sheep - and those shepherds - would have been safely tucked away in protected camps. The angels in the skies outside Bethlehem would have been proclaiming the good news to empty fields.
Many biblical scholars believe that the birth actually happened in the early fall, perhaps in September, a time of festival in Jerusalem, when multitudes of pilgrims would have been traveling to the area, an area that included Bethlehem. Perhaps that’s the reason there was no room in the inn.
So does any of this really matter? Does it change anything? No. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” That doesn’t change. And that’s what really matters.
Meet you back here tomorrow - for the final devotion in our series “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 18, 2024 - Bro. Kevin Windham and the congregation of Patroon Baptist Church invites everyone to a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 6pm. The church is located at 310 FM 2261, Shelbyville, Texas. Come celebrate the birth of our savior with us. For more information or directions, contact Shonia Putman at 936-591-7569.
December 16, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 16.
This is Day Six of our “Twelve Days of Christmas” series. The final one will come on Christmas Eve. I hope you’re enjoying these little looks at Christmas characters, culture, and carols. This morning we take a look at a carol story with enough drama for a week of devotions.
When you Google the story behind “O Holy Night”, you’ll find lots of interesting information. Here’s a taste -
*It was once banned by the Catholic Church
*On Christmas Eve, 1872, it stopped the French-German War
*During the U.S. Civil War it was a rallying song for abolitionists
*Mariah Carey’s version went platinum, selling over a million units
My favorite part of the story behind this carol happened in 1906. Reginald Fessenden was a scientist who had once worked with the great inventor Thomas Edison. But on Christmas Eve, 1906, he was preparing to unveil an invention of his own. He had fashioned a new kind of generator, a device that could generate, could transmit sound. Today we call it “radio”. On that evening, from his lab in New Jersey, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and was heard by anyone with a wireless radio receiver. At that time, however, that would have been mainly sailors on ships along the Atlantic Seaboard. But these men were accustomed to only hearing a series of clicks, a code, Morse code. On that evening, they heard a voice, a voice reading these words -
“And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...”
Imagine being a lonely sailor, away from home on the holidays, and suddenly, out of nowhere, hearing a voice - it must have seemed like a Christmas miracle! For the first time in the history of the world, sound was being transmitted through the air, was being “broadcast”. And when Reginald Fessenden finished reading from Luke 2, he picked up his violin, and began to play a beautiful melody that had been composed 60 years before, composed to accompany these words -
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O night divine
When you listen to the radio today, or stream a video, or search the internet - when you access any broadcast media - remember that the first sound to go out over the airways was this song, a song of hope, a song of Christmas.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 12, 2024 - Did you ever wake up early Sunday morning, the neighbors are all in bed, the streets are quiet and the yards are empty? The world is asleep as you prepare for worship on the Lord’s day. Did you ever leave dishes in the sink, a blouse un-ironed and the floors un-swept to visit a sick friend, run an errand for someone who was confined to home? Did you ever say no to a social gathering for all day on the Lord’s Day? Well, that’s what you get for being a Christian.
Did you ever work with a group of people who use profanity, live loose lives morally, who think you are strange because you are a Christian and not like they are?
All of that is what you get for being a Christian. Yet, think what is yours for being a Christian:
You are a child of the King.
You are loved and cared for.
You have a peace and happiness the world does not know and cannot take away.
You shall inherit eternal life.
You have a Father to whom you can take all your unresolved problems. A Father who abolishes fear and doubt.
All of those things are yours when you become a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, living His kind of life, His way.
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
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