Keys to the Kingdom

Although I’ve not had the benefit of blood sisters, I’ve been blessed through the years with several fun-loving gals to make my life a rip-roaring joy. Two of them stood up with me at my wedding and I can refer to them as “partners in crime.” During the 55-mph speed-limit law in the 1970s, Jennifer and I were playing our kazoos on the way home from Tulsa and having a grand old time. She happened to glance at her speedometer and discovered she was running 80 mph. Oops! And ever since third grade, when Mrs. Oldham gave Jonita and I our well-deserved nicknames as “Giggle Boxes,“ we‘ve been laughing together for over 50 years.

Here’s the definition of partner: (1) either of two persons dancing together, (2) one who joins in an activity with another, (3) a player on the same team, (4) an ally. The Bible clearly states that believers have an unseen but very-real partner. “But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative — that is, the Holy Spirit — He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26 NLT). It’s comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is our helper, teacher, and reminder. We’re never alone or without direction.

He’s an around-the-clock continuous partner in the lives of all Christ followers. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV). The Holy Spirit comes from God as the wonderful gift promised to every believer.

Jesus said, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19 NLT). It’s good to have a flesh-and-blood partner to agree with you in prayer, but if your request is so deeply personal that you can’t share it, rest assured that the Holy Spirit will serve as your “two.” He is the third person of the Godhead and He intercedes for you.

When we are a partner with someone, both parties have specific responsibilities. Agreeing and working together is of utmost importance for success. “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (Amos 3:3 NLT). If you’re part of a band, you have to play the same song as the other musicians. If your dance partner is doing the Twist while you’re Square Dancing, your team is absolutely not going to win the competition! The Word of God instructs us on how to live godly lives; we agree with God and then the Holy Spirit helps us stay on track. This is a sure-fire partnership any way you slice it.

However, should we mess up, we don’t give up! We can repent, ask for forgiveness, and start dancing with our Partner again. You’re never too old, too young, or too dumb to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. And don’t live in the past, stewing about what happened or didn’t happen. God’s a big-enough Partner to obliterate your baggage — but you have to be willing to hit the delete button. You can be restored to the authentic person God created you to be. Believers get a fresh new start every morning according to Lamentations 3:23. And that’s a splendid way to begin the new year.

The Key: You can happily promenade through life with the Holy Spirit as your Partner.

I mentioned in last week’s column that the list of local men and women who have made a heroic commitment of time, talent and treasure in Fort Scott could go on, and this week it will. This list, combined with the first, will certainly not be exhaustive, but here are some more recent investments by Bourbon County residents that have made us a better place to live and work:

State Farm Insurance/law firm. This significant investment at the intersection of South National and South Main dramatically improved a building that is highly visible by people traveling through Bourbon County on 69 Highway.

Bourbon County Cars. Another building at that same intersection was recently repurposed by local families, and has become a thriving business that creates significant tax revenue for Bourbon County.

Crooners/Liberty Theatre. An important Fort Scott historical district building was renovated and put to great use. Great restaurant and nice event venue.

Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. This family purchased a building on North Main near the National Historic Site and created a great place for locals and tourists to shop. Additionally, as was intended by these structures when built, they live above their store.

Edward Jones/Armstrong. This strip center on South National houses some popular tenants, and represents a significant financial risk to the local residents who took it on a few years ago.

Sunshine Boutique. This family business at Wall Street and Main Street has been popular for a long time, and they recently expanded their investment at that location, adding to their store, along with space for another tenant.

Smallville. This couple bought the lumber yard on 19^th Street and expanded the fitness options for locals, assuming a significant financial and construction risk. They put in much sweat equity (pun intended) as well.

What kind of investments in Bourbon County are good opportunities going forward? Besides pursuing your own business passion, rental housing represents a high need with relatively low risk. We have a dearth of good quality rental homes in Bourbon County, and demand is strong. Rent usually covers all monthly costs with a reasonable return on investment. We need local heroines and heroes to step up on housing; not as slumlords, but as men and women who understand that they have a responsibility to our community as well. Investors must turn a profit, but we have to think beyond ourselves as well if rural communities are to survive and thrive.

I am so glad I live and work in a community where so many people think beyond raw profit and want to make local investments that will create a legacy. Bourbon County REDI is committed to uncovering and supporting future local heroines and heroes.

So, like I vowed last week, I’m going to think only lovely thoughts, as Philippians 4:8 recommends. Easy peasy. I will make myself focus on how our hotel room is clean and no one has broken into our car. And how I now have a full day in which to write this article. And how our family bailed “us” out of a travel nightmare when, in reality, Dave and I could be adding 28 hours of travel time to our trip to Mexico. Much about which to be thankful. Indeed. I will refuse to dwell on how a friend in Mazatlán asked if we could pick up a car part in Oklahoma City on our way to Mexico. Only a few hours out of our way, we could spend the night there and continue to the border the next morning at 6:00. Oops! None of the three buildings to which we were sent held the “part” we needed. It was a few miles away in a warehouse, but, oh no, that building closed an hour ago. We would spend the night and pick up the part at 8:00 when the office opened. Lovely thoughts. Lovely thoughts. Lovely thoughts. Dave entered the warehouse at 8:00 sharp. He exited at 8:40, empty-handed. The part could not be found. It was in the inventory guide, but had disappeared. “Must have been sold and not recorded or it was misplaced. So sorry.” That’s how our day started. The next night, we stayed two hours from the Mexican border. Rising early, we wanted to get to the crossing before the crowd. Mind you, we have made this trip multiple times. Entering the immigration office, we knew the protocol. Dave was in charge of making sure we had all the documents required to cross. I grabbed the envelope from our glove compartment. The first stop was the passport check office. We weren’t felons. Good to know. Second stop? Perhaps we were felons. I handed the lady behind the glass all of our paperwork, a copy of our car title, drivers’ licenses, proof of Mexico insurance, passports, etc. “Where is the legal title to your car?” I pointed to the COPY of our title. I turned to Dave. “Honey, where is the actual title?” He exited the building while I begged. “We live in Kansas. That’s 14 hours from here and then 14 hours back.” Senora’s “sorry” seemed insincere. When I met up with Dave at the car, he was going through his “special” briefcase, the one that carries every important document, every end-of-the-world-life-saving-item imaginable. “Maybe I put it in here.” I sat in the driver’s seat, thinking NOT lovely thoughts. Fifteen minutes later, we were on our way back to Kansas. Dave broke the silence. “Well, we sure messed this up, didn’t we?” I gasped. “We? WE? WE? How did ‘WE’ get blamed for this?” “Well, think about it. You could have double-checked the envelope.” And this is where my unlovely thoughts probably went too far. “Yes, and I could smack you upside your head with your briefcase too, couldn’t I?” Dave found that funny. I owed him an apology. No Christian speaks to her husband like that, especially after, just the week before, she has vowed to follow Paul’s words in Phil. 4:8: “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Then again, Paul wasn’t married. What would he know?