Patty LaRoche. 2023. Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection www.alittlefaithlift.com AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)
Our son Andy is a coach with a minor league baseball team in Arkansas. The ballpark has a rule that I find bizarre: the fans may carry in only clear bags. Not acceptable are purses or back backs or diaper bags. This mandate has caught on at numerous ballparks, so fans bring clear bags, ranging in size from a submarine sandwich to a microwave. Think Ziploc bags with glitter. I question how safe the stuffed, larger, see-through bags are, since it would be easy to stick a small pistol down inside the blanket that fills the cavity. The gatekeepers do not check what’s inside the bag.
“Since your parcel is clear, enter through the turnstile, please.”
It’s sort of how God sees us, isn’t it? Only He sees through our baggage of hidden sins as we try to disguise who we really are but fail miserably at the attempt. Do you find it as freaky as I do? There isn’t a thought we have that He doesn’t see. Selfish motives can’t be hidden from Him. Judgmental opinions do not escape His notice. A smiley face will not mask a complaining attitude. We are incapable of stuffing anything so that it is not seen by our Heavenly Father.
Luke 12:2,3 pulls no punches. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. The thought terrifies me. Someone once described the judgment seat of Christ as a drive-in movie. We all will be gathered to watch a big movie screen where God will show the world all our sins and failures. Talk about a horror movie! Should that be the case, I will be hidden in the car’s trunk, not unlike the times I did that as a teenager. And yes, another sin that would be exposed.
The scripture is a little confusing. In 2 Corinthians 5:10 we read that we all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an answer for the things done in the body, whether good or evil. Would a loving God put us on the hotseat and reveal our sins to the world? I mean, who of us would invite others over to watch a home video of every way our child disobeyed or messed up? “And here’s Johnny being taken away in handcuffs for the third time.” “Oh, look at Susie, sneaking out of her bedroom window at midnight.” Absolutely not.
Instead, we would show the highlight reel, right? The winning field goal, the ACT certificate presentation, the proposal. Good parents don’t shame, and neither does God. There is nothing in scripture to indicate that our behavior’s discussion is done publicly. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says nothing about our ugly nature being shared with others. (Thank you, Jesus.)
But let’s say it is. Maybe, instead of our terrible deeds inviting shame and sorrow, they miraculously will inspire wonder and worship at the grace and forgiveness of God. Instead of looking at each other disdainfully (“You’re really a sicko, you know it?”), our attitude might be, “How amazing is our Father who sent His son, Jesus, to cover our sins!”
There is another option, the one I prefer. What if there is no bad report? Instead, there will just be a grand announcement that those ugly scenes from our lives have been washed away because Jesus was made sin for us on the cross. The same cross where Shame died.
When the day comes that we Christians enter through the pearly gate, unlike the ballpark, there will be nothing we have to hide. We will enter through the Jesus gate, and that will be enough. Yes, I will go with that option.
Star Wars fans, come to the Fort Scott Public Library on May 3 from 10 to 5:30 or May 4 from 10 to 1:30 to celebrate Star Wars Day.
Dress up as any Star Wars character or wear your favorite fan t-shirt to show your love for the franchise.
Play games, put together a puzzle, watch a movie, take photos in front of our selfie station, try your hand at trivia, create a craft, color pages, check out a book or movie, or enjoy themed refreshments while discussing all things Star Wars with your fellow fans.
This will be a casual, drop-in program, available in the Event Room downstairs. May the Fourth be with you!
Join Miss Val at the library’s first-ever Storytime in the Park events on May 15, with an event at Nelson Park at 9 am and 3rd Street Park at 10 am.
This event is ideal for families who live nearby and do not have transportation to travel to the library.
The program will include stories, snacks, a craft, and a nature walk (weather permitting). Parents must supervise their children at all times.
These events are free and open to the public.
In case of rain, stories, snacks, and crafts will take place under the shelter house and the nature walk scavenger hunt will be sent home with participating families.
Katherine Elizabeth Guss, age 84, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Monday, April 23, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born, March 29, 1940 in Bronson, Kansas, the daughter of Roy Stewart and Mary W. Wolf Stewart. Katherine graduated from Bronson High School. She married Vernon Lee Guss, on November 3, 1957 in Fort Scott. She worked for Key’s for 31 years as a seamstress. She was also employed by Wendy’s, Mercy Hospital, and many other jobs. Her favorite thing to do was watch her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, play sports, where she could be found in the stands cheering them on and talking to everyone around her. Katherine was a good athlete in her younger days as well, playing basketball at Memorial Hall and softball into her 60’s.
She is survived by her children, Stewart (Carla), Bruce Guss, Roy Guss, and Elaine Guss; a brother, Alan Stewart (Charlotte), sisters, Bonnie Stewart, Darlene Stewart, and Serena McAnulty; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, a daughter Mary Ann Martin, infant son Ronald Eugene Guss; a brother Clinton Stewart and a sister Debbie Stewart.
Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorial are suggested to Care to Share or Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Governor Kelly Signs Balanced Budget Strengthening Workforce and Economic Development Opportunities;
Addressing Water Issues
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed the state’s budget, Senate Bill 28, which allocates funding for Fiscal Years 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. The budget makes expenditures to continue the Kelly administration’s progress to make Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
“Thanks to the work we have done to get our state’s economy where it is, we can use our record surplus to make a positive impact on communities across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The investments we make now in our infrastructure, our workforce, and our economic development put Kansas on a path of continued growth.”
The budget:
Makes critical investments in water projects and programs: The budget continues the state’s historic $35 million yearly investment in water infrastructure, conservation, and quality programs across Kansas. It also pledges an additional $10 million specifically for drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects in communities of less than 1,000. This funding will be essential to ensuring our small, rural communities have access to a clean and reliable water supply for years to come.
Strengthening economic development opportunities: The budget includes economic development projects that invest in communities in every region of the state. It also makes investment in industrial park projects, the infrastructure that is needed to get product to market, and moderate-income housing. These are key to attracting the jobs and workforce needed for communities looking to grow.
Ensures Kansas has a robust workforce and increases funding for post-secondary education: Provides historic funding to workforce training programs and post-secondary education to prepare students to enter the workforce for good-paying, in-demand jobs. When looking to put down roots or expand operations, businesses are looking for states that have a high-skilled, well-prepared workforce.
Invests in state employees: Provides pay raises to state employees to make state employment wages more competitive to the equivalent private sector work. Competitive wages are a step toward shrinking the number of unfilled state jobs and retaining employees.
Governor Kelly also line-item vetoed aspects of the budget. Find more information and her veto messages here.
Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month!
Encore from
Jill Williams: Watercolorist!
Thursday, May 9th, 2024 Two exciting Classes!
Watercolor Landscape
Watercolor Landscape Clinic
For experienced beginners and intermediate watercolorists, Jill will lead you step by step into the anatomy of a landscape, establishing a strong composition, and using value & visual textures to create depth, space, and emotive impact. You’ll also learn to capitalize on the characteristics of your pigments and to serve your painting by maintaining loose, fresh brushwork. Join Jill for this half day workshop to develop new techniques and skills while creating 2 beautiful landscapes. Supplies are included!
Whether you’re new to watercolor. or painting in general, you’ll love this fun and engaging exploration that will jumpstart your affinity for watercolor! Join Jill for this half day workshop to quickly hone your painting skills with step by step instruction to create a beautiful series of tiny paintings, perfect for gift giving, or adding a personalized touch to your own decor.
Simply arrive with your expectation and enjoy the wonderful nature themed creations you’ll produce with Jill’s expert guidance. All skill levels welcome and supplies are included!
The Crane home was a pocket garden winner of the Bourbon County Garden Club in 2023. Submitted photo.
Plant Sale and Pocket Garden Contest
The Bourbon County Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale on the opening day of the Downtown Farmers’ Market, Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. until noon. Proceeds from the sale support beautification efforts throughout the community. The garden club partners with Tri Valley Developmental Services to sell a wide variety of plants, all of which are geared to our area’s weather challenges. Club members offer plants freshly dug from their own gardens, plus unique plant-filled pots. Tri Valley provides annuals, herbs, and both blooming and foliage hanging baskets. Among the variety of annuals this year are geraniums, calibrachoa, and begonias which are in bloom and ideal for Mothers’ Day gifts. Knowledgeable members and Master Gardeners will be available to offer advice and answer questions about plants during the sale.
A new feature this year is a children’s free activity area. There will be garden-related coloring sheets and crayons, plus rocks that children can decorate with acrylic paint markers. They may take the rocks with them or leave them around town for other children to find. The garden club will also be selling decorative rocks that Fort Scott Middle School students have painted.
In addition, Bourbon County residents will have the opportunity at the plant sale to register for a free pocket garden. A club committee will collaborate with the winner to create a small garden with drought tolerant plants. Look for Garden Club Pocket Garden signs throughout Fort Scott to see what can flourish in small areas with challenging conditions. County residents can also enter to win on the Bourbon County Garden Club Facebook page now and until Tuesday, May 7.
Corner gardens designed by plant enthusiasts have existed in Fort Scott for years, Instead of trying to grow grass in adverse conditions where sidewalks intersect, gardeners have improved these areas by adding colorful, drought-tolerant plants. Bourbon County Garden Club members voted last year to extend the club’s beautification efforts beyond downtown, the city pool islands, and Riverfront Park to provide two pocket gardens in the county. Club members Sheryl Bloomfield, Maggie Davenport, Martha Jane Gentry, Janet Irvin, and Leah Lewis worked with the winning homeowners to develop the gardens. Two different gardening situations were addressed. A new garden by the front door was created at the Martin residence on Main Street. Perennials were planted last fall after the site was prepared. Cool season annuals were added this spring. At the Crane residence on Crawford, the committee added to an existing garden space at the corner by adding colorful annuals and perennials last summer. Spring-blooming bulbs were planted last fall, and annuals were added recently. With time, perennials will fill in at both pocket gardens, and some will reseed.
Support community beautification by shopping at the Bourbon County Garden Club Plant Sale at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 4. Register to win a pocket garden at the plant sale or on
There are (2) open positions for the Fort Scott Public Library beginning in May. The function of the Library Board is to review requests about the library. These are (4) year terms and the board meets the second Tuesday of each month. These are voluntary positions and board are not compensated. Please send your Letter of Interest to the City Clerk at [email protected] (or City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701) by May 13th, 2024 at 4:00PM, and PLEASE be sure to include your contact information.
All submitted letters will be presented to the Library Board for consideration. The board will then make a recommendation to the City Commission for approval. All letters will be posted on www.fscity.org, as they are included in the City Commission Agenda Packet and are a matter of public record (contact information will be redacted).
For further information or questions about the position, please contact Jennifer Gum-Fowler, Fort Scott Public Library Director at (620) 223-2882.
