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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
December 22, 2023 - Pleasant Grove MBC invites you and your family to the first annual Winter Fest!
There will be candy, games, a cake walk, a fire for S'mores, and other wonderful things! Winter Fest will be on December 30 at Pleasant Grove MBC, located at 1440 CR 1470, Timpson, TX.
It is located between Center and Timpson. Winter Fest will begin at 5pm.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Bro. Josh Crawford at 572-5303 or find him on Facebook.
December 21, 2023 - Paul would write to the Corinthians about the treasure of the gospel in II Corinthians 4:7 with these words, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” Tell me, what image comes to your mind when reading this passage?
I remember as a boy, watching the potter at work at the wheel at the old Marshall Pottery. I would stand mesmerized by the skill with which he would throw a lump of clay on the wheel and mold it into a work of art. They made pitchers, butter churns, strawberry pots, pickling crocks and many other items. However, they also made just plain, red clay flower pots.
It is those red clay flower pots I envision when I read what Paul wrote. You see, you and I are in that passage of scripture. We are the plain, red clay pots they made so many of at the pottery. Those red clay pots were nothing spectacular. They were nothing more than vessels in which to plant flowers, perhaps a beautiful lily or a magnificent hydrangea or some other flower of God’s creation. Yet, with a beautiful flower in the pot, you focused on the beauty of the flower, not the vessel.
We are often easily fooled by containers. Cheap jewelry can often be found in elaborate boxes while expensive perfume may be in a plain bottle. The splendor of God can best be seen in plain settings. We must take ourselves out of the center of the stage so others can focus on the beauty of God. We are just plain, red clay pots.
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.
December 18, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, December 18.
This morning we take a look at a carol story with enough drama for a week of devotions - O Holy Night.
When you Google the story behind O Holy Night you'll find lots of interesting information...
- It was once banned by the Catholic church
- On Christmas Eve 1871 it stopped the French-German War
- During the Civil War it became a rallying cry for abolitionists
But my favorite part of the story behind this carol happened in 1903. Reginald Fessenden was a scientist who had once worked for the great inventor Thomas Edison. But on Christmas Eve, 1903, he was preparing to unveil an invention of his own. He had fashioned a new kind of generator, a device that could transmit the human voice. 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, that was mainly sailors on ships at sea. But they were accustomed to only hearing clicks of information - 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 hearing a voice, coming out of nowhere - it must have seemed like a Christmas miracle! For the first time in the history of the world the human voice was being transmitted over the air, was being "broadcast." And when Reginald Fessenden finished reading from Luke 2, he reached over, picked up his violin, and began to play a beautiful melody that had been written 60 years before 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, till He appeared and the soul felt its 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 this week - or access any broadcast medium - remember the first song to go out over the airways - a song of hope, a song of peace, a song of Christmas.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
December 14, 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 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
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 23, 2023 - There are many gospel songs that ask a question - "What wondrous love is this?", "What can wash away my sin?", "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 favorite carol is as celebrated as its lyrics. It's named "Greensleeves", and some historians think it could be a thousand years old. Others believe that it was written by English King Henry VIII. We find it referenced in a play by none other than William Shakespeare. In none of these periods was this tune associated with any songs of the church. Its' jaunty rhythm would have made it totally inappropriate for religious music. It was heard, rather, in the pubs and taverns - 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 were many hymn and carol writers - but an insurance man, 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 . . .
Copied from SCT without permission.
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
For its time, these lyrics were extraordinarily personal. The singer doesn't just hear about the nativity, but is placed within it on that night in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. This Christmas, 158 years after their writing, these words continue to touch our hearts . . . as we gather around the "manger throne."
Copied from SCT without permission.
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,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
“… for you shall receive power…” Acts 1:8
December 12, 2023 - Years ago we sent our son Mark a professional digital camera for his early Christmas present. Since he isn’t a photographer, he has spent a lot of time learning how to use it. He called one day and said that when he tried to take a shot, an “error” warning kept popping up.
He thought he’d taken some beautiful wildlife pictures one day, but when he tried to view them, his card had no images on it. He read the troubleshooting section of the camera’s manual, but still couldn’t find his problem. Just before concluding that it was the camera’s fault, he decided to replace the batteries and… (!)… it began working perfectly! I should’ve told Mark that checking the batteries should always be his first step in troubleshooting.
We Christians don’t function properly on low batteries either. Spiritual energy from God comes through prayer, Bible study, and dedication to His will. It’s foolish to blame God for our spiritual problems when we’re trying to run on dead batteries. God has the power to keep us charged…
…but plugging into it is up to us.
December 11, 2023 - Good Morning! It's Monday, December 11.
This morning we take a look at a central character in the nativity story . . . who never said a word.
Is it Zacharias? Good guess, but no. Zacharias was the priest, the husband of Elisabeth, the father of John the Baptist, who was struck dumb by the angel Gabriel until his son was born. But after that, we heard the words of Zacharias. Our featured character today was given no words in the Christmas story, he has no recorded voice. But, his actions could not have spoken more clearly, more eloquently. Our featured character today is Joseph.
Under Jewish law in the Ist Century, when Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, and that the baby was not his, he could have seen to it that she was punished. Although execution as a penalty for adultery was very rare by this time, there were other punishments - separation, shunning, shame. But Joseph, before he learned of God's miracle, before he knew of Mary's blessing, before he received his visit from an angel - while he was still dealing with dark feelings of disappointment and betrayal - chose to show Mary kindness, mercy, forgiveness.
Matthew 1:19 - Then Joseph, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example of shame, chose to divorce her secretly.
We can read that verse and see how Joseph's actions, his choices, his heart for Mary can be seen as a foretaste of the kindness, mercy, and forgiveness that Jesus would show to me and to you - "while we were yet sinners". (Romans 5:8) And so Silent Joseph speaks clearly to us today, speaks the message of Christ, the Christmas message - the message of love.
Matthew 1:21 - And the angel said unto Joseph . . . she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sin.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
Thank you to the 400 friends from our community who joined us at "Journey to Bethlehem" this weekend, to the 100 brothers and sisters from First Baptist Center who worked so hard to make it happen, and to God who deserves all the honor, glory, and praise.
December 7, 2023 - A man who had been a church member little more than a year was heard to say, “I must be losing my power of perception. I can’t find any of the hypocrites I used to see, looking in from the outside. Certainly, I see some with shortcomings and weaknesses, even as I have, but I cannot point out one person who is not serious and honest in his or her Christian endeavors. Could it be that I have acquired rose colored glasses?”
To this man we would say the answer is no. To be sure, his eyesight is actually better than before. He is having an experience that is common to people who learn from inside the church that Christians are actually wonderful people. True, they are also human, and therefore subject to the temptations and desires of the flesh. Yet, you can be sure that the percentage of sincerity and honesty is decidedly higher in the church than among the best of people outside the church.
This also serves as a reminder to us. Can each of us be sure that his or her behavior sets a good example to those outside the church? Is my light shining in such a way as to draw people into the church or is it a stoplight that keeps others away from the church? Let’s ask ourselves, “If all the members of the church were like me, what would those outside of the church truly think of the church?”
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
December 6, 2023 - First Baptist Center, once again this year, is inviting the community to take a trip to Old Bethlehem. It's a unique, interactive, and exciting holiday experience. Angels, Shepherds, and Kings. Sheep, Donkeys, and Camels. Free gifts for kids, and for their moms. Hot chocolate and Santa. Live music and a light show. And much more. Come and be our guest at Journey to Bethlehem II, Friday-Sunday, December 8-10, 6-8pm. A free Christmas gift to your family from the family at First Baptist.
Tickets and reservations will be available starting Monday, November 6, at the church office, 117 Cora, or by calling 936-598-5605. More Info at fbccenter.org.
December 4, 2023 - Comedy and Carols is coming to town with Noah Cleveland and Travis Krimm performing at 7:30pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at The Venue, 1229 Southview Circle, Center, Texas 75935.
Hosted by Smyrna Church, Comedy and Carols is an opportunity to bring our community together for a FUN night of laughter and fellowship. Through energy and laughter, Noah and Travis engage with everyone in the audience, but most importantly they will also point people to Christ.
Travis and Noah bring a phenomenal blend of joy, worship, and laughter that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
So don’t miss it! Tickets are free and everyone is welcome!
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