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102 S. National Ave
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102 S. National Ave
Keys to the Kingdom
The clerk at the grocery store was cute, sweet, and petite and after she totaled my items, she said something I didn’t catch. I responded, “Pardon?” (Possibly she could have put 2 and 2 together and figured it out on her own when I didn’t hear the question.) Nevertheless, she asked again, “Do you qualify for the senior discount?“ I grinned and said, “Yes, I do! Thank you for asking.” So I saved 64 cents and walked out a happy 64-year-old shopper. Honestly, I don’t think of myself as a senior, even though the evidence is in my mirror every day. I’ve heard that no matter how old you are, you mentally feel about 35 years old.
Do those of us who profess Jesus as Lord qualify to be called Christ followers? If we were hauled into court, would the jury find enough evidence to convict us as Christians? When Jesus was teaching His disciples, He said the world would know us by our love for one another. According to Jesus, the most important qualifier is love. “All people will know you are My followers if you love one another” (John 13:35 NCV). Love is not abstract; it’s a verb. You can see it in action with your eyes and feel it in your heart. Love is a lifestyle devoted to demonstrating acts of kindness at every opportunity.
A life of love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.“ Love is uncommonly patient under the stress of difficult relationships and challenging situations. It always thinks the best, encourages, and builds up. Love overlooks offenses, doesn’t keep score, and refuses to hold any resentment. It is not overly sensitive, easily offended, or insulted. Love doesn’t focus on what’s wrong with others and overlooks their shortcomings. Love goes the extra mile and extends grace and mercy without expecting anything in return.
When Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, he painted a very sobering illustration. “…I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ERV). Love is the greatest virtue of all and, if we don‘t have it, we won‘t amount to a hill of beans.
Even though my parents, husband, and brother are gone from planet earth, I still experience their love everyday. Even death can’t destroy the power of love. Love is an eternal energy that comes from the depths of a heart that’s been transformed by God‘s love. Since Jesus has given believers such a high calling, we must love out loud in obedience to Him. As long as we stay focused on Christ as our example, He will enable us to love others like He does.
The Key: Love never gives up, so keep demonstrating the qualifications of a sold-out Christ follower.
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 Call Meeting to Order
Danny Brown, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Long-Term & Capital Improvement Needs (Information/Discussion)
4.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
4.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
4.2 Exit Executive Session
4.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
5.0 Adjourn Meeting Danny Brown, President
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Continue reading Books to Read: Southeast Kansas Library System
#HeartMonth feature: Kristy Tippie, RN, Heart Center at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg

Kristy Tippie, RN, who began her nursing career 21 years ago at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, has spent the past 10 years serving in its Heart Center.
“I picked a career in healthcare for the flexibility,” says Tippie. “If you get ‘burnt out’ in one area, there are so many others that you can go into.”
The Heart Center, located inside the main hospital building, provides minimally and non-invasive diagnostic testing services like angiograms, pacemaker implantations, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests and more.
Tippie’s typical day includes setting up for the day’s procedures, performing pre-op with the patient and following through with their care until they are transferred to another department.
She says her favorite part of the job is one-on-one time with patients. Following the patient from when they arrive to when they’re transferred out of the Heart Center gives her the chance to establish a rapport with them and their family.
“I enjoy working for Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg because the size of the facility allows us to provide our patients with a personal experience,” says Tippie.
As a reminder during Heart Month, Tippie suggests trying your best to eat healthy and stay active, even if it’s just a short walk. She also suggests listening to your body and not being afraid to ask questions when you have concerns.
To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org
The monthly Bourbon County Coalition meeting will be Wednesday, March 1, 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
March 1, 2023
FORT SCOTT LAND BANK will meet on Monday, February 27th at 4:00 PM at City Hall in the Commission Room.
This is an open meeting which will also be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $4.1 million in tax credits will once again be made available under the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).
CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:
Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Organizations are chosen through a competitive selection process. The application window is open from March 1 through April 30, 2023, at kansascommerce.gov/csp. Applicants may request up to $200,000 in tax credits.
Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc. As was the case in 2022, CSP has earmarked up to $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of 5.
Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.
If your organization is interested in applying for the CSP program, the Department of Commerce invites you to an introductory webinar at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
For questions regarding CSP Tax Credits, contact Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom at [email protected] or (785) 506-9278.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine
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The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Spring Open House, Find the Golden Egg shopping event which will take place on Friday and Saturday March 24th and 25th. Most stores in the Downtown Historic District and several additional locations will be participating in the hunt.
Customers are invited to shop local retailers to search for the hidden gold eggs. The golden eggs will contain coupons, promotions, Chamber Bucks, and more. Participating retailers include 110 South Main, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hare & Crow Art Gallery, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore & More, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co., Mayco Ace Hardware Store, Museum of Creativity Gift Shop, Ruddick’s Furniture & Flooring, Sekan’s Occasion Shop, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and Varia Quality Resale Clothing.
In addition to the shopping fun that weekend, there will be plastic multi-colored eggs hidden around Downtown on Saturday the 25th after 10 a.m. suitable for young children to find.
The Chamber encourages the community to join the hunt on March 24th-25th. Get ‘egg-cited’ to shop local. Contact the Chamber for more information at 620-223-3566.

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