Holy Yearning For More by Patty LaRoche

We celebrate Easter this Sunday because Jesus died and was resurrected so that you and I can spend eternity with him. In Matthew 18:2-4 he lays out the blueprint for what we need to do.

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them (his disciples). Then he said, “I tell you the truth unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (bolded lettering mine)

The somber words lack loopholes. If you and I want to get to Heaven, we must be like children: vulnerable; needy; dependent. Gary Haugen, author of Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian, writes that these aren’t adjectives most Christians use to describe themselves. The majority—and I include myself here—are cut out for a “more muscular” approach to the life of Christ.

Haugen’s book was recommended to me by my son, Adam. On page one, the author speaks of his college experience when he read John Stuart Mill’s 1859 essay “On Liberty.” In explaining why words lose their meaning, Mills used the example of Christians who have the ability to say the most wonderful things without believing them. I get it.

Take the words we say, for example. “It’s better to give than receive.” “Judge not, lest you be judged.” “Love your neighbor as yourself,” Haugen questioned how differently he would live his life if he actually believed those things. (I would add “If we lived like the Resurrection is real.”)

He ultimately would find out. Rejecting the safe, easy path, Haugen instead would yield himself to God’s calling and give up his job as a prosecutor at the Department of Justice to start a non-profit organization determined to rescue helpless individuals. As founder of the International Justice Mission (IJM), Haugen has spent the majority of his adult life rescuing young girls trapped in the sex trade industry, abused orphans and widows, and slaves (yes, actual slaves—more than 40,000,000!) tortured while laboring in work mills. Through some of those projects, Adam came to know this remarkable man.

Rarely do I recommend a book, but this is an exception. Page after page, I could insert my name in Haugen’s pre-conversion lifestyle description:

  • I prefer safety and security and too often will miss the adventure instead of gambling on the unknown.
  • I would rather be an adult than a child “where I can still pull things together if God doesn’t show up.”
  • I do not have set times for prayer. (Haugen models his organization’s dependence on prayer after Mother Theresa’s who couldn’t imagine doing her work for more than 30 minutes without prayer.) When Adam joined Haugen at his headquarters, he was amazed when an 11:00 A.M. bell rang, all work stopped and everyone prayed. Why? In Haugen’s words, “We don’t do this so much as a matter of discipline but out of desperation.”

Haugen’s book is a call to action for Christians who know there is more than words, who feel a sense of disappointment in the way their life is turning out, who want their life in Christ to be more significant, more vivid, more glorious. He calls it a “holy yearning for more.” I call it “making Jesus’ Resurrection real.”

If those words describe your heart’s cry to serve God more authentically, Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian is a great place to start.

 

 

Tri-Valley Serves People With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Ritchie Reed, working in Tri-Valley Developmental Services Greenhouse as part of the horticultural program.

Tri-Valley Developmental Services (TVDS) is a United Way of Bourbon County grant recipient.

Fort Scott.Biz is featuring each agency in a series.

The following is an interview with TVDS.

The contact person is Tim Cunningham, whose phone number is 620-223-3990 and whose email address is [email protected]

What service do you provide for our community?

We provide the following services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities:  case management, day rehabilitation, residential rehabilitation, employment services, and life enrichment.

TVDS is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

The local address is 4305 Campbell Drive, Fort Scott, KS  66701

What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?

Twenty-seven percent.

Board members are:

Bourbon County – Ken Anderson, Steve Sewell, Mark Ward; Allen County – John McRae, John Scovill, Susan Jones; Neosho  County – Karen Vallier, Margaret Bideau, Mali Ziglari; Woodson County – Leo Gensweider, Peggy Leis, Charles Sheedy.

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Job of the Day

JOB OF THE DAY- SEASONAL-APRIL – OCTOBER – GOLF COURSE LABORER
The City of Fort Scott is seeking applicants for a Golf Course Laborer to work under direct supervision of the Golf Course Superintendent.

The laborer will be trained in course management including equipment operation, rotary work, trimming, bunker work, sod work, mowing of greens, tees, collars and approaches, watering and clean-up.

Applicant must be able to follow directions, be a motivated self-starter and conduct oneself in a professional manner. Must have a valid drivers license, meet City’s driving history guidelines, pass drug/alcohol screening test and be at least 18 years old.

The season is April – October depending on the weather.

Apply here: http://ow.ly/HQW930j9C1E

Flags Half-Staff In Honor Of Brown

Governor Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Civil Rights Icon, Linda Brown

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from today until sundown, Friday, March 30, 2018, to honor the life of civil rights icon, Linda Brown, who as a young girl was the center of the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, in which the Supreme Court declared the segregationist doctrine of “separate but equal” to be unconstitutional.

“Linda Brown’s life reminds us that by standing up for our principles and serving our communities we can truly change the world. Linda’s legacy is a crucial part of the American story and continues to inspire the millions who have realized the American dream because of her.”

Grief Support Offered By Mercy Hospice

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one and need support, you may find comfort among Mercy’s Bereavement and Grief Support Group.

Mercy Hospice will offer an eight-week bereavement and grief support group at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott on Wednesday’s from 2-3 p.m. beginning April 4 through May 23.

The support group is open to anyone who has experienced loss of a loved one regardless of hospice care or affiliation. Each week, professionals will share topics to assist participants on their journey to dealing with the loss.

Although attendance is not mandatory at all sessions, it’s highly recommended. Enrollment will close on April 18.

For more information and meeting location, please contact Melissa George, Mercy Hospice Chaplain, at 620-223-8533.