Center Point Christian Church

06/18/2026

June 18, 2026

Dear Church Family,

I hope everyone is having a great week. The recent rains have been a blessing, but now it looks like the summer heat is beginning to settle in. I am dealing with a few things I haven’t had to worry much about in recent years—mowing and fire ants. The rain certainly makes the grass grow, which means mowing more often, but it also seems to bring out the fire ants that had been fairly dormant during the drier years.

Lawn mowers, w**d eaters, and fire ants are minor inconveniences that many of us face. They are simply part of everyday life. However, as Christians, we may also face struggles that go far beyond such annoyances. Currently, we are blessed to live in a country that has largely supported our faith and was founded upon Christian principles. However, a time may come, and I believe we may already be seeing the early signs of it, when standing for Christ will bring increasing opposition and even persecution.

The believers in Philippi understood what it meant to face hardship for their faith. They had witnessed persecution firsthand. In his letter, Paul encouraged them that regardless of what happened, they were to "live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ." They were to remain faithful in their conduct, stand united as a church, and courageously defend the truth of the Gospel. My sermon this Sunday will come from Philippians 1:27-30 as I examine what it means to live a life worthy of the Gospel, even in difficult times.

Sunday is Father’s Day. It kind of snuck up on me this year, so my message is not directly related to Father’s Day as it has been in years past. However, much like Mother’s Day, I would say that we do not need a special day to honor our fathers; they should be honored every day. I think of my dad often and thank God that I was blessed with a man who taught me how to be a husband, a father, and a man. I am also grateful that our son has become a strong and godly father.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians that being a godly father begins with being a godly husband. When a husband loves his wife as Christ loves the Church—sacrificially, faithfully, and unconditionally—he sets the tone for the home. Children learn by example, and one of the greatest gifts a father can give is to model what godly love and leadership look like. It is not about perfection, but about being present, prayerful, and anchored in God’s Word. Let us be thankful for the godly men who have shaped our lives and remember that our influence does not end with age. Whether we are guiding children, grandchildren, or others in the faith, our legacy of love and spiritual leadership still matters.

One reminder before I close: There will be a meeting for VBS workers on Monday, June 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church. Please pray for our workers as well as our children.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Bible Study begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Continue to check on one another, and as always, let me know of any concerns.

Lord Bless,
Scott

YouTube Link:

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

June 10, 2026

Dear Church Family,
I pray everyone is doing well and having a great week. I know many are dealing with illness and loss, so I want to remind us all to continue praying for one another. It was a beautiful morning today. It has been a while since I saw the sunrise, not because I slept late, but because we finally had a clear sky. The rains and cooler weather have been a blessing, and hopefully they will return soon. However, it does look like some heat and humidity are headed our way for the next few days, so I would encourage everyone to be careful and avoid overheating while working or spending time outdoors.

The last two years, during June and much of July, our grandchildren were making deep runs through the Little League All-Star playoffs. Both were fortunate enough to make their respective teams and advance well into postseason play. Last year, both teams won their state tournaments, and our grandson's team made a legitimate run at winning the regional championship and advancing to the Little League World Series. One year later, both are once again preparing for the first round of the playoffs. Our granddaughter is playing on a Major League softball All-Star team, and our grandson is now on a Senior League team. The only difference is that they are now in New York instead of Waco. I have to admit; it saddens me that I cannot be there to follow them through the playoffs. I could go, but it would require being away for several weeks, and I have responsibilities here that need my attention.

I in no way compare myself to Paul, but the Apostle Paul also found himself in a place he would rather not have been. Chained in prison for preaching the gospel, he would have much preferred being back on the missionary trail. Yet rather than allowing his circumstances to dictate his outlook, Paul chose how he would respond to them. He reassures the church in Philippi that the gospel is still advancing and being preached, even while he is in chains. And because of that, he remains joyful. This Sunday, I will continue preaching from Philippians, focusing on chapter 1, verses 12–26. If I could summarize the message in a single sentence, it would be this: "Paul could not choose his circumstances, but he could choose his response to them."

I hope to see you this Sunday. Bible Study begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.

If you have not already done so, please be praying for our Vacation Bible School, which begins July 13 and runs through July 17. Pray that the lives of our children will be impacted as they come to know and understand our Lord Jesus Christ.

I also encourage you to pray for one another and for our church. In Philippians 1:19, Paul reminds the believers, "...I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." May we never underestimate the power of prayer, or the work God can accomplish through a faithful church family praying together.

Lord Bless,
Scott

YouTube Link:

Advancing the Gospel Philippians 1: 12-26

06/04/2026

June 4, 2026

Dear Church Family,

I pray everyone has had a great week. I know we have continued to be blessed with rain. After such a long dry spell, it has been nice. Hopefully we can continue with the mild temperatures and much-needed moisture for a little while longer. I know that would make me happy.

Speaking of happiness, it doesn't take much to make me happy. On the other hand, it doesn't take much to make me sad. Some events in life make me angry, while others can leave me discouraged or bitter. As I sit here writing this update, it is beginning to rain again, which makes me happy. But if I had outdoor plans or accidentally left the pickup windows down, that same rain might make me unhappy. Happiness often depends on circumstances, and circumstances can change quickly. Joy is different. Joy is not based on what is happening around us, but on what God has done within us. That is what we see in the life of the Apostle Paul. He gave up virtually everything to spread the Gospel and endured hardships most of us can hardly imagine. Yet he never lost the joy of his salvation. While sitting in prison, Paul wrote a letter to the church he had founded at Philippi. Instead of complaining about his chains, he expressed gratitude, confidence, and joy. My sermon this Sunday is titled "Reasons for Rejoicing," and I will be preaching from Philippians 1:1-11, where Paul reminds us how and why we can rejoice even in difficult circumstances. Take a little time this week to reflect on the joy God has given you. Don't simply look for reasons to be happy; look for reasons to rejoice in what God has done and continues to do in your life.

A few reminders of upcoming events. The Fellowship of Christian Women will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Also, we are a little over a month away from Vacation Bible School. VBS will begin on Monday, July 13, and continue throughout the week. I will provide more information later, but for now, mark your calendar, help spread the word, and be in prayer for VBS. Encourage your kids, grandkids, neighbors, and friends to save the dates as well.

We spend a lot of time each Sunday reviewing our prayer list. I want to thank Don for his leadership in presenting our prayer requests each week and for his efforts to keep the list current. We have a large number of people we mention and pray for regularly. If there is someone you personally know who is on our prayer list, take a moment to let them know they are remembered in prayer.

If you are looking for something to do this Friday evening, Rod's band, "Marathon Highway," will be playing at Howdy's from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. I hear the food is good, and I know the entertainment will be good.

I look forward to seeing everyone this Sunday. Summertime sometimes takes a toll on attendance, but we have been holding steady at around 30 in worship each week. Bible Study begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Have a great week, and as always, let me know of any concerns.
Lord Bless,
Scott

YouTube Link:

Reasons for RejoicingPhilippians 1: 1-11

05/28/2026

May 28, 2026

Dear Church Family,

I hope everyone is doing well. I’m a little later than usual getting this week’s update out. It seems I’m still trying to catch up after being gone for over three weeks. I do want to begin by praising God for the rain we received this week. I know some areas experienced wind and hail damage, and I hope it wasn’t too severe. At our house the rain came hard and fast for a while, but after the storm passed, we were treated to a beautiful, colorful sky. Moments like that remind us that even after the storms of life, God still paints reminders of His grace and faithfulness.

As I mentioned, this update is going out later than normal. I have learned that if I put things off too long, it becomes much harder to catch back up. During a normal week, I try to have my sermon prepared by Tuesday or Wednesday and then follow that with the weekly update. That did not happen quite as planned this week. I would like to blame being too busy, but honestly, I just was not a very good steward of my time. That is a polished way of saying I can sometimes waste time or become distracted by less important things.

That idea of stewardship, priorities, and the consequences of neglect actually ties directly into my sermon for this Sunday. This week I will be looking at Paul’s words in Galatians 6 concerning sowing and reaping. In this passage Paul reminds us that the choices we make today eventually produce a harvest tomorrow. Some consequences arrive quickly, while others take time to surface, but eventually what we sow is what we reap. Paul specifically contrasts sowing to please the flesh with sowing to please the Spirit. We are reminded that a life centered only on self eventually leads to emptiness and corruption, while a life surrendered to God produces spiritual fruit and eternal value. It is both a warning and an encouragement as Paul challenges believers to remain faithful, persistent, and intentional in doing good.

This Sunday is Fellowship Dinner Sunday. I think I got it right this time. We will be having roast beef, so bring a side or dessert to help complete the meal. As always bring an appetite, not only for the meal, but also for the Word of God. And of course, bring a friend.

Remember, Bible Study begins at 10:00 am. We may even finish the Gospel of Luke. Worship service starts at 11:00 am.

Please continue to pray for one another, and as always let me know of any concerns.

Lord Bless
Scott

YouTube Link:

Reaping What We SowGalatians 6: 1-10

05/19/2026

May 19, 2026
Dear Church Family,

A 70’s song by James Taylor begins with the words, “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.” Over the last three weeks, I’ve not only seen fire and rain, but also snow, ice, and a little wind thrown in as well. It is good to be back home after a week in the mountains of New Mexico, my “happy place”, followed by another week with Brenda’s mom, where we were blessed to spend time with her over Mother’s Day. Then, after about twenty-four hours at home, we headed out again for eight days with the grandkids in New York.

So, between the changing weather, hiking mountain trails, watching baseball and softball games, and even attending a middle school orchestra concert, I have once again been reminded of just how blessed I am. For me, hiking in the mountains runs a close second to spending time with family and watching the grandkids do what they love. But as much as I enjoy traveling and making memories, it is always good to come back home and see everyone again.

As joyful as those moments with family are, they still pale in comparison to the joy awaiting believers in Heaven. Scripture reminds us that we will spend eternity in the presence of God, in a place prepared for us by Christ. Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure so valuable that a man would gladly sell everything he had in order to possess it (Matthew 13:44-46). And in Revelation 21, John gives us a glimpse of the promise of a new Heaven and a new earth, where sorrow, pain, and tears will be no more.

James Taylor wrote “Fire and Rain” out of personal grief, loneliness, addiction, and emotional struggle. Music and words can often help people express pain and process difficult seasons of life. I do that myself, and there is certainly value in it. But my prayer is that beyond the words and thoughts we may pen, people would also discover the lasting hope and comfort found only in the promises of God.

This Sunday, my sermon will focus on the question: “What Is Heaven Like?” I can say before I even begin the message, that even our best words and descriptions fall short of fully capturing the glory of what God has prepared for those who love Him. I hope you can join us this Sunday. And I would encourage you to read up a little in Matthew 13 and Revelation 21.

I sincerely thank Phillip for filling in for me while we have been gone. I’ve been away so long, I’m not even sure what all is going on. But I do know this is Dinner Sunday, so let this serve as a reminder to bring a side dish, an appetite, and a friend as we enjoy food and fellowship following the Worship Service.
I look forward to seeing everyone this Sunday. Bible Study begins at 10:00 am. After being gone for three weeks, I’m beginning to wonder if we may have already finished the Book of Luke. Worship Service will follow at 11:00 am.

Please continue to pray for and look out for one another. The Texas Panhandle is once again suffering through drought, high winds, and wildfires. As always, let me know of any concerns.

IMPORTANT EDIT. Dinner Sunday is not this Sunday. It is the 31st. My apologies.

Lord Bless,
Scott

YouTube Link:

What Is Heaven LikeRevelation 21: 1-4