Common Ground Coffee Co. presents the students of Saint Martin’s Academy, 1950 Indian Road, this Friday. The concert will be a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day featuring vocal solos, duets, and ensemble numbers. The music department is under the direction of Dave Agee and Daniel Kerr.
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at 12 E. Wall Street. The show is free and open to the public. Bring a friend and join us for an enjoyable evening of young and lively music!
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
When I watch a movie or hear a sermon, I listen for those great one-liners. Here’s a few favorites that quickly come to mind: “Yo, Adrian, I did it!” “Houston, we have a problem.” “Right turn, Clyde.” “You can’t ride two horses with one butt” (refer to Matthew 6:24). The John Wayne movie, “Chisum,” has a scene where his herd of horses has been stolen by a band of marauders. Chisum (Wayne) catches up with the horse thieves, approaches the ring leader and boldly says, “Those animals are mine.” The red-handed bandit replies, “Oh, there must be some mistake here.” Chisum responds, “You made it.” Oh yah, that’s my favorite one-liner in the whole movie, bar none.
A beloved one-sentence verse in the Bible is: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). This scripture is the gospel in a nutshell. Here‘s another good one, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8 NLT). God is the source of all real love, so everyone who is like Him will have a spirit of love. We maintenance our vehicles, so we should understand the importance of checking our love. Is there even any showing on the dipstick?
Everyone likes the cheery one-liners in God’s Word, and rightly so. Believers are encouraged and strengthened by reading the Bible. But we need to read the whole truth and not just the parts we like. There are sobering scriptures we must not neglect to study and reflect on. Jesus is teaching His followers what true disciples are and explains, “Not everyone who calls out to Me, ’Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ’Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.’ But I will reply, ’I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws’” (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT).
In the words of Piglet, “Oh dddear!” I sure never want to hear that one-liner spoken to me — nor to anyone, especially my family and friends. I’ve heard it said that God is too loving to send people to hell. That’s true. Because of pride, people send themselves to hell by rejecting God’s love and not believing on Jesus. I’d say that would be the biggest mistake anyone could make. Our job, as disciples and harvest workers, is to love people into heaven by practicing God’s Word. Everybody gets a one-shot lifetime on planet earth followed by an unchangeable eternity in heaven or hell. So we better get it right. The good news is that, while there’s breath, the Holy Spirit is working diligently to convince everyone to repent, change, and accept and follow Jesus.
Let’s keep our relationship with God healthy and strong so we can offer life-giving encouragement and love to others. Believers are called to help people grasp the truth that Jesus came to forgive, restore, and give abundant life to all who choose to accept Him. Make no mistake, choosing and genuinely following Jesus is the only way not to hear, “Sorry, I never knew you” at the Judgment.
The Key: Possibly the best one-liner for true disciples is, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God“ (Matthew 5:8 NLT).
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By Clara Wicoff
Southwind Extension District
Did you know that herbs offer numerous health benefits in addition to increasing flavor in foods and beverages? In contrast, eating too much sodium (which is a mineral that’s found in salt) can raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, our bodies do require a small amount of sodium each day for vital functions like contracting and relaxing muscles. However, most Americans consume far more than is needed. According to the American Heart Association, over 70% of the sodium we eat is from packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods. This means that it isn’t just coming from our salt shakers (although an estimated 11% of the sodium we eat does come from the salt we add in while cooking or while food is on our plates).
So, what can you do to reduce your sodium intake? Try buying low-sodium food options at the grocery store, tasting your food before deciding to add salt, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables (which are naturally salt-free), and using herbs and spices to flavor foods instead of salt.
In addition to reducing sodium intake, the last option in that list also has the added benefit of providing other health benefits! What exactly are the health benefits of consuming herbs and spices? To start, many herbs and spices contain antioxidants which help our bodies fight off chronic diseases. Some (such as turmeric) contain anti-inflammatory compounds which combat inflammation. Furthermore, some herbs and spices (such as cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano, and thyme) contain antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Finally, there are some (like ginger) which can be used as an antiemetic agent to prevent vomiting. Chamomile and peppermint also have anti-nausea properties. To learn more, visit bit.ly/EatMoreHerbs.
Interested in learning even more about the health benefits of cooking with herbs and how you can grow your own herbs at home? The Southwind Extension District is hosting an educational program which will cover all of this and more this spring! The program, entitled “Herbs – From Plant to Plate,” will be offered at the 4-H Community Building in Yates Center on April 5th at 6 PM and at Buck Run Community Center in Fort Scott on April 6th at 12 PM.
For more information, please contact Clara Wicoff at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and emp
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting
March 1, 2023
Jerry Wayne Allen, age 68, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away early Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott. He was born November 28, 1954, in Ft. Scott, the son of Harold Allen and Esther Gibson Allen.
Jerry first married Caroline Frances “Fran” Morrow on April 20, 1981, in Ft. Scott. They enjoyed sixteen years of marriage until her death on May 29, 1997. Jerry later married Deborah Morrow on December 28, 1998, at Miami, Oklahoma.
Jerry had a knack for working on small engines and had repaired many motor bikes and lawn mowers. He also used his mechanical abilities to rebuild lawn tractors that he used in area lawn tractor pulls. Fishing was also a favorite pastime.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah, of the home and three step-children, Sara Schnichels, Casey Keirsey and Christopher Keith. Also surviving are two brothers, Pete Allen and Charles Allen and a sister, Barbara Wheeler.
In addition to his first wife, Fran, Jerry was also preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Esther Allen, a brother, Tom Allen, a sister, Bonnie Hill and his beloved dog, Susie.
There was cremation. Private burial will take place at a later date in the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Ft. Scott.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Sometimes the theme song behind my prayer time sounds more like “Is That All There Is?” rather than “I Surrender All.” Not only do I fail to enter the throne room, I’m not even knock, knock knockin’ on Heaven’s door.
That’s what my prayers are sometimes like. Actually, more than sometimes. Oh, I start out fine, all right, thanking God that I’m awake/breathing, that I’m in a warm, comfortable bed, and yes, even that my husband is snoring beside me. And for just a few moments I’m doing fine. Just my Heavenly Father and me. Sharing the love. AAAAHHHHHH.
But then the inevitable happens. My mind sinks from the eternal heights and wanders off to la-la-land. From wondering what will happen if I get tongue-tied in my upcoming talk to organizing appetizers for tonight’s dinner party to reliving the time in 8th grade when I didn’t make cheerleader, I hip-hop through a gamut of nonproductive brain-traps. Once I realize what I’ve done, I spend the next few minutes apologizing to God and attempting to get my mind on a more spiritual track…until I remember the trash bill I forgot to pay and the article I need to write.
Can you imagine going out to lunch with your best friend and spending the entire time spewing every random, helter-skelter thought that popped into your head? “Hi, Sue. Saw a red bird on my drive here—so pretty. How about those Chiefs? I hear we’re getting a new barbecue restaurant. I love barbecue. Hope we get some rain. Wish I could get rid of these wrinkles. Do you like horses like I do? Oh yea, here are some things I need you to do for me.”
Chances are, that would be a short-lived friendship. So why do I do that with God?
Why is it I give Him second-best (if even that)? The One who loves me unconditionally, the One who yearns for a relationship with me, and I can’t find time for Him? My Father “surrendered all” in His son; what keeps me from understanding “that IS all there is” when it comes to establishing my daily/weekly/monthly/yearly/life priorities?
On Instagram this week, I read this: “You can’t be 98% for God and 2% with the world. Jesus didn’t die for 98% of you. He died for 100% of you. That 2% will eat away at you. It’s a cold world. 100% with God is better. Trust me. He won’t fail you.” Can you imagine what surrendering all would look like? (Can you imagine what surrendering 98% would look like?) But 100%?
To have every thought, word and deed honor God? How I dress. What I eat. Whom I hang with. Where I go. How I spend my time. How I love. Absolutely everything that makes me who I am.
Someone once asked, “Would you be willing to die for Christ?” “Of course,” was the answer. But the real question is this: “Would you be willing to live for him?”
Because that’s what surrender is all about.
Michael Louis Pool, age 70, a resident of Lake Fort Scott, passed Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his home. He was born July 27, 1952, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of William Louis “Louie” Pool and Norma Elaine Johnson Pool
Mike grew up in the Bronson area and graduated from the Uniontown High School. He married Patricia A. Floyd on November 11, 1970, at Nevada, Missouri.
Mike was a brick and stone mason as well as a tuck pointer. He used his skills on construction sites throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Weekends were spent racing at the Mo-Kan track or fishing on the lake.
Survivors include his two sons, Brian Pool and Brent Pool (Tawny) both of Ft. Scott; six grandchildren, Laura, Ashleigh, Logan, Nash, Kellen and Evan and a brother, Steve Pool of Penokee, Kansas.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Patty, on May 21, 2019. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Elaine Pool.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 15th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
William Stanley “Buddy” Pruitt, 82, resident of Garland, Texas, passed away March 1, 2023.
He was born July 26, 1940, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Thomas William Pruitt and Lazetta Fae (Ridenour) Pruitt.
Buddy is survived by his sons, Troy William Pruitt, and Richard Thomas Pruitt, both of Garland, Texas; a sister Fay Farley, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and seven grandchildren.
Ronnie Pruitt will conduct graveside services 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 13, 2023, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fulton, Kansas.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
