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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
May 26, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Tuesday, May 26.
Last Sunday afternoon, I had the honor of playing piano for the memorial service of a longtime football coach in Carthage, Texas. There are a few songs that are frequently featured at funerals, songs like “In the Garden,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “Amazing Grace.” But there’s another gospel hymn that I always like to include. This is the story behind that song.
Thomas Dorsey was born in 1899 in rural Georgia. Like many southern African Americans of that era, he migrated to the north, settling in Chicago. There Dorsey, a talented musician, rubbed shoulders with such legendary performers as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey and Louis Armstrong. He forged a successful career as a blues artist. But then, in 1930, he found the Lord, and was led by God to become a gospel singer.
One night, in 1932, Dorsey was leading the music at a revival crusade, away from home, away from his wife, who was due to have their first child. After the service ended, he received a fateful telephone call. His wife, Nessie, had died in childbirth, and their infant son had lived for only a few minutes. Grief stricken and inconsolable, Dorsey drove through the night back to Chicago. In those dark, lonely hours, the Spirit of God began to comfort his broken heart, giving him a simple lyric and a simple melody.
Twenty years later, the Blackwood Brothers Quartet would have moderate success with a recording of Thomas Dorsey’s song. A young truck driver, driving through the night, heard the song on the radio. Five years later, that young man recorded that same song. His rendition was a huge success, and introduced the little gospel hymn to the world. The young man’s name was Elvis Presley. The song was “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
Mark 9:27 - “And Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.”
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
May 25, 2026 - Come join us for the Annual Homecoming of the Joaquin Community Cemetery to be held at the First Baptist Church of Joaquin on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:30am.
Door prizes will be 8x10's on heavy photo paper of carefully restored photos of ancestors from numerous family lines and other iconic photos of Joaquin history. In addition we will be playing “Name or Claim That Ancestor.” Kids of all ages are invited to create sidewalk chalk art.
A regular business meeting will be conducted and an offering will be taken for the upkeep of the cemetery.
A potluck dinner will follow and the committee will provide ice and paper goods.
We hope that you and your family can attend and share with us the joys of the occasion as we celebrate our beautiful historic cemetery and honor the lives of those who came before us. If you cannot be present and desire to make a contribution, please send your check payable to Joaquin Community Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 236, Joaquin, TX 75954.
May 21, 2026 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church is hosting the 19th Pastor and Wife Anniversary for Pastor Winston and 1st Lady Terri Kibbles on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 2:30pm.
"Called and Chosen for This Season" Isaiah 61:1-2
Guest speaker for the event is Pastor W.R. Ricks, First Missionary Baptist Church, Lufkin, Texas.
May 21, 2026 - In the long ago, when God appeared to Moses out of that burning bush, He was sending Moses on an errand to the ruler of Egypt. He was going on a mission to the king for his King. He needed credentials.
God asked him, “What is that in thine hand?” Moses answered, “A rod.” What was simply a stick in the hand of Moses, by the power of God became the force that brought the plagues on the land of Egypt, divided the Red Sea and brought water from a rock. All of that when Moses used it as God directed him. Little things, when placed in the hand of God become great things.
In the hands of a young shepherd boy named David, a sling and five small smooth stones were enough to bring down a Philistine giant. A young boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish when placed in the hands of Jesus and with his blessing became enough to feed five thousand.
Each of us have in our hands a decision. The decision of whether or not we are going to live God’s kind of life. God can take our life and make it something big, wonderful, useful and beautiful. When we submit ourselves to the Lord, when we allow God to direct our lives, we can become a mighty force for good.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
May 20, 2026 - New Hope Cemetery annual homecoming will be on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Please bring your lawn chairs and favorite dishes.
If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation for the upkeep of the cemetery, please send your checks to:
New Hope Cemetery Association
c/o Alyson Harris Porter
1597 FM 2974
Center, TX 75935
May 18, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, May 18.
I had the blessing yesterday of preaching at a lovely little church near my home in Tenaha, Texas. A warm and welcoming fellowship of believers, a lighthouse on a hill for over a century. The church literally sits atop a hill, overlooking miles and miles of beautiful green pastures, pastures filled with contented Texas cows. It’s a picture. As I left the sanctuary following worship, I paused to take it all in. And a scripture verse came to mind.
“Every beast of the forest is mine, says the Lord, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10
Sometimes we pat ourselves on the back when we put a little money in the offering plate, or maybe we congratulate ourselves for giving to a special ministry or mission project. But when you really think about it, it’s kind of ridiculous. It’s like if I borrowed my neighbor’s lawn mower, used it, gave it back - and then celebrated MY generosity! Everything we have comes from God and literally belongs to Him. Our houses, our possessions, our jobs, our families . . . the cattle on a thousand hills.
He asks only that we be good stewards of His blessings. And that we be careful not to let all these things become more important than our relationship with Him, our relationship with “the Giver of all good gifts”.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
May 15, 2026 - Everyone is invited to come to the West Hamilton Cemetery Homecoming on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
We will begin at 11am With singing followed by a message by Pastor Bro. Wayne Butler.
Then we will have the cemetery association meeting followed by a covered dish meal. Singing in the afternoon for all interested in hearing, or singing praise to the Lord.
Come and enjoy fellowship together and honor our loved one who have gone on.
For more information please call Maxine Parker, 936-275-3897
May 14, 2026 - Sometimes, the best thing we can do is just get out of the way, not make any comment and let the word of God do all the talking. The dictionary defines obedience as “compliance with an order, request or law or submission to another’s authority.”
That said, here is what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:21; “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (KJV)
Here is that same passage in some other translations:
“It is not everyone who keeps saying ‘Lord, Lord’ who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the man who actually does my Heavenly Father’s will.” (Phillips)
“Knowing the correct password – saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance – isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience – doing what my Father wills.” (The Message)
“Not all those who say “You are our Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do what my Father in heaven wants.” (New Century Version)
Seems like this concept of “obedience” that is “living God’s kind of Life” just might be important.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
May 12, 2026 - Join First Methodist Church in Center to celebrate Pastor Malcolm Monroe and his faithful years of ministry and leadership at a reception following the 10am worship service on Sunday, June 7th.
Thank you, Pastor Malcolm, for your dedication, faithfulness, and the lasting impact you've made.
First Methodist Church is located at 211 Porter Street, Center, TX 75935.
May 11, 2026 - Mt. Calvary Full Gospel Church is hosting a Meet and Greet from 11am until 4pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Come enjoy free food, fellowship, and fun for all ages!
The church is located at 2925 FM 417, Shelbyville, Texas 75973.
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