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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
March 9, 2023 - Why do we live in such a mad rush? Why have you been racing about all day, as though today is your last day on earth? Why do you sit and pat your foot impatiently when your telephone call is a little slow going through?
The answer of course is always, “There is so much to be done, and so little time!” And it is true. However, have you ever heard the old saying, “Rome was not built in a day?”
Jesus had the burden of the sins of the world on His shoulders, and yet, He said to His disciples, “come ye apart into a desert place, to rest awhile.” Jesus knew they could not crowd every day and every moment to the brim without losing some of the peace and relaxation they needed for their real goal in life.
When Jesus and the disciples passed through Samaria, Jesus was weary, so He sat down by the well to rest, while His disciples went away into the city to buy bread. He took the time to take little children into His arms and bless them. To a group of disciples with the most stupendous task before them any group of men ever had – evangelizing the whole world – Jesus said, “Consider the lilies.”
Take time out to notice the beauties of nature and draw some conclusions about God from them. Take the time to meet God at His house for Bible Study and Worship on the Lord’s Day. Don’t live in too much of a hurry.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day on Center Church of Christ or online www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
March 8, 2023 - The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries presents Founder's Day on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 3:30pm and celebrate, Apostle W.E. Nash, Jr.
Guest speaker is Apostle Rodney D. Beard, founder and overseer at New Birth Reconciliation Inc., Family Worship Center, Moss Point, MS. The events theme is "You're gonna live to see it happen" from Psalm 118:17.
The House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries is located at 215 Church Street, Center, Texas 75935.
March 7, 2023 - The Community Men’s Prayer Ministry of First Baptist Center is celebrating its one year anniversary with a breakfast on Wednesday, March 8 at 6am at Estrella Restaurant, 224 Tenaha Street. Dr. Tim Watson, interim pastor of First Baptist, will share a brief word of encouragement. Any man is warmly welcome!
March 7, 2023 - Clever Creek Baptist Church will host Evangelist Lee E. Thomas from Westlake, Louisiana, for a special study event on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Evangelist Thomas will be teaching his important study book on “Praying Effectively for the Lost.” The study will begin at 10 a.m. during the regular Sunday School hour and will continue through the morning worship hour normally at 10:55 a.m. Books and other materials will be available to assist in the study and prayer time.
A free lunch will be provided for all who attend the praying for the lost study at around 12 noon in the church fellowship hall. After finishing the lunch, around 1 p.m., the prayer study will resume in the auditorium, concluding about 3 p.m.
"Consider how the wild flowers grow...” Luke 12:27
March 6, 2023 - Back in the seventies, I had an appointment to preach a morning service at The Old Salem Baptist Church near Newton, Texas. When Amber, my youngest daughter, said she’d like to go with me, I told her that my old pickup was not air conditioned and that all my tires were treadless “may-pops.” It was during one of the “leanest” days of my life and I warned Amber that it would be an exceptionally hot summer drive.
After the service, we were returning home on that hot afternoon when a booming blowout pulled me off the highway. There was not a house in sight --- cell phones not yet invented --- and I didn’t have a spare tire. I was not only concerned about a tire, but was especially worried about how Amber was going to do in the hot sun. As I stood at the roadside thumbing a ride, Amber called out, “Look, Daddy,” and as she held a bouquet of flowers in her hand, smiled, “Aren’t they beautiful!”
I have thought of that day many times since then. We all experience stressful blow-outs during our lives, and when we do, we often don’t see the flowers growing along the roadside. It would be good if we’d forget our problem for a moment and pick some of these beautiful flowers…
... just like Amber did.
March 2, 2023 - Let’s be honest. We all enjoy a compliment from time to time. However, we like to hear genuine compliments and not flattery or exaggeration. When Jesus lived on this earth, and when he complimented someone, you can be sure it was sincere. It was not superficial. It had nothing to do with their clothing or style. It had to do with their heart and 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 women, there was not 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”. However, if we want to hear those words from the lips of Jesus, we must live our lives his way, doing his will, keeping his commandments. If we live life His way, we will someday hear those words. Conversely, if we fail to life His way, we will hear him say depart from me. The choice to make is ours.
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
March 6, 2023 - 27th Annual Joy Seekers Conference – Let’s Bloom Together! The 27th Annual Joy Seekers Conference for Women will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church of Center, Texas. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The Conference begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs through 1:00 p.m. Lunch is included.
The Speaker will be Debbie Stuart. She has served in Women’s Ministry for over 28 years. She has a God-given passion to draw women into the Word of God and equip them to become powerful influences in their families and communities. It is her utmost desire to motivate women toward a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the One who loves them most. Debbie is currently serving as Minister to Women at Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler. There is no fee, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Register online at fbccenter.org or call the church office at 936-598-5605.
March 1, 2023 - Bright Morning Star Baptist Church is hosting an Anniversary Celebration honoring Pastor and First Lady Anthony Jackson at a 2:30pm on Sunday, March 12. Special guest is True Vine Baptist Church, San Augustine, Texas and Sylvan Clark, Pastor. Bright Morning Star Baptist Church is located at 623 Martin Luther King, Center, Texas 75935.
February 14, 2023 - The Jackson Missionary Baptist Church is inviting men to join together Tuesday nights at 6:00 pm for men’s Bible Study. The meeting will be held at the Church’s Fellowship Hall, as we learn the meaning of being a warrior. We encourage men to join our study in order to enhance your skills as a soldier of the cross, grow stronger in brotherhood, and in our walk with Jesus.
Be a “Warrior for Christ” - Ephesians 6:10-13
Jackson Missionary Baptist Church is located at 11120 SH 7, Joaquin, Texas 75954.
February 27, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, February 27.
On this day, ten years ago, Texas lost a favorite son. Van Cliburn was one of the greatest pianists of the modern era, and easily the most famous. In 1958, at the tender age of 23, and at the heart of the Cold War, he won an international piano competition in Moscow. The tall, lanky Texan became the toast of Russia and a worldwide celebrity.
And he wasn't even a Texan! Van Cliburn was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to an oilman father and a concert pianist mother. His family soon moved to Kilgore, Texas and Van (at the age of three) began to take piano lessons. His fame made him a citizen of the world, but as an adult, he made his home in Fort Worth.
Van Cliburn was a longtime member of the Broadway Baptist Church, which was often the venue for concerts presented by Fort Worth's Southwestern Baptist Seminary. I was singing in one of those concerts, as a seminary student, in 1987. A buzz began backstage . . . Van Cliburn was in the audience! To use a basketball metaphor, it was like standing at the free throw line and seeing Michael Jordan sitting in the stands.
After the concert I got to meet the maestro and he was very gracious. I'll never forget shaking his hand. I've always thought that my hands were larger than average, but when we shook, Cliburn's hand swallowed mine up. I can manage the stretch of a 10th on the keyboard, that's two steps past an octave - pretty good. Van Cliburn could play a 13th - freakish! Next time you see a piano keyboard, start at middle C and take 13 steps. You'll be amazed.
An amazing talent, an amazing career, an amazing life. And a man that had been gifted by God with hands that were perfectly designed for the purpose he was born for. God made you unique, as well. And He made you for a unique purpose. Life is all about finding that purpose and embracing it.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
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