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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
When I was pregnant with our first child, my brother and his wife came for a nice visit. As they prepared to leave, Randy looked me straight in the eyes and said, “A baby will change your life.” I vaguely agreed with him, not truly understanding what he meant but certainly not disagreeing with him since he was the father of three. Like Mary, I pondered his statement in my heart and soon realized exactly what he meant. The birth of a baby rocks everything in your world.
When Jesus hit the stable on planet earth, His boy story rocked the world and turned it upside-down. The arrival of this Holy Boy of Joy was prophesied in the Old Testament. “All right then, the Lord Himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means God is with us)” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT). Jesus forever bridged the chasm between God and man.
As Joseph secretly considered breaking his engagement to Mary, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21 NLT). Because the people couldn’t save themselves, God provided the perfect Redeemer through His only Son Jesus. And the King of kings still rocks everyone’s world who personally receives Him as Savior.
As the shepherds guarded their sheep at night, an angel appeared and the Lord’s glory surrounded them. Think of it — the actual glory of God is what suddenly illuminated the countryside. “The angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people‘” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Reverential fear was an appropriate reaction to witnessing the glory of God, but shouts of joy would have also been appropriate because this was the best news man had ever heard!
The angel further announced, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NKJV). Born in most-humble circumstances, the Good Shepherd was found by lowly shepherds. What a strange beginning for the Holy Infant who was sent to save the world. But, we find that the Mighty God colored outside the lines. The Bread of Life taught truths and performed miracles that were outside the religious box. The Prince of Peace came to rock the world, set up the kingdom of God, and make a way for those in darkness to have great joy.
Jesus taught His disciples, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11 NLT). Joy is an important trademark for believers. The following scripture is one of many ways Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ child at Christmas: “And Nehemiah continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!’” (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT).
The Key: ’Tis the season to be full of the glory and unspeakable joy of the Lord.



Volunteers at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg handmade Christmas outfits for the newest arrivals on the Labor and Delivery Unit.
One of the unit’s nurses, Rachel Johnson, photographed the bundles of joy as a gift to parents.
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The SEKnFind Newsletter
December 2022
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Please don’t be like my friend’s ungrateful staff who failed to recognize the intent of their gift’s giver. Take the time to be grateful, especially to the One after whom this holiday is named. Happy birthday, Jesus!
CHC/SEK CLINICS ADAPTING TO WINTER STORM/ OPEN FRIDAY WITH MODIFIED HOURS
As extreme winter temperatures continue to drop over the next 12 to 24 hours, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will be open on Friday with modified hours from 9 AM to 3 PM at all clinic locations. Wind chills reaching below -40 degrees are expected in some areas before warming begins.
CHC/SEK CEO Krista Posta says, “as an essential services provider, the communities we serve count on us to be there. We’re seeing many flu cases, and some patients need access to our walk-in care clinics. Others need to keep important scheduled appointments. We are contacting our patients through our texting system and their patient portals, to let them know of the hours changes, and asking what they need from us during these emergency conditions.”
At the Pittsburg location, the CHC/SEK’S Apothecare Pharmacy staff have taken to 4-wheel drive vehicles to deliver needed medications to area patients. “Blood pressure, diabetes meds, you do not want to stop those,” says pharmacist Chris Reynolds. “You want to take those continuously, and we’re here to take care of our patients.”
All CHC/SEK clinics will close Saturday at noon, (Christmas Eve) remain closed Christmas day and reopen Monday.
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced Kansas has received nearly $5.7 million to expand broadband access, adoption, and affordability, from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Office.
“Communities across the Kansas have enormous potential for a new chapter of innovation and success,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will propel the state forward, accelerating our efforts to ensure all Kansans can fully participate in the digital world.”
The funds are part of the designated $65 billion as outlined in the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, dubbed the “Internet for All Initiative.”
“The Internet for All initiative will bridge the digital divide in Kansas and ensure rural areas have the service they need to access telehealth, education and jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “I appreciate Governor Kelly’s commitment to connecting all Kansas homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.”
“Kansans use the internet to work, learn, keep in touch with family, grow a business, get health care, and more. While access to high-speed internet is a gateway to opportunity, that opportunity is not distributed equally in our state,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). “I’m proud to have voted for this new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law that will help every Kansan thrive in the digital age.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) will use these funds in a variety of ways. Almost $5 million will be used to deploy the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program that is part of the Internet for All Initiative. The remaining $692,000 will be used to deploy the first phase of NTIA’s Digital Equity Act.
“Broadband equity starts with access, but also includes adoption and application,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The state is committed to providing capacity and resources to ensure everyone has the access and skills needed to benefit from digital technologies in their lives.”
OBD will engage with stakeholders across Kansas to develop both a five-year action plan and a Statewide Digital Equity Plan, which will provide direction and measures to assist in deployment of high-speed affordable and reliable internet to all Kansans. Both plans will be submitted to NTIA by August 2023.
The office will hold events at 25 to 30 locations around the state beginning in January. Special attention will be paid to groups and communities that are disproportionately impacted by digital inequity. These groups include low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities or language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, rural inhabitants, incarcerated individuals, and veterans.
“These planning dollars will allow our office the opportunity to connect and engage with all Kansans,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Office of Broadband Development. “We will launch our planning efforts at our inaugural Kansas Broadband Summit on January 19 at Wichita State University. This event will be the first opportunity to connect with communities across Kansas and ask for partnership and support as we coordinate efforts to connect Kansans with high-speed, reliable internet access.”
All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding from the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
Please visit the Kansas Office of Broadband Development website here. More information about the federal efforts is available at AffordableConnectivity.gov and InternetforAll.gov.
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There will be no Bourbon County Commission meeting on Dec. 27.