Several years ago, Nicole Contos was scheduled to be married in a Manhattan church.

She showed up, 250 invited guests showed up, but the groom didn’t. He took off for Tahiti, the intended honeymoon location. So, there she was with a $100,000 reception and no wedding. What did she do?

She did the same thing the king in Matthew 22 did when his son’s reception didn’t turn out as planned. She said, “The food is ready, the drink is ready. We’re gonna have a party. And she did.” Last week, we looked at Jesus’ parable of a wedding ceremony in which a king’s invited guests opted not to come to his son’s marriage feast and killed the servants who came looking for the no-shows. Not a smart plan, since the king had an army at his disposal and sent it to annihilate the killers. (Not exactly a memorable marriage moment.) The parable doesn’t end there, however. The king then sent word for anyone and everyone to come and fill the seats for the banquet, and come they did.

Every down-and-out, every castle cast-off, came running.

But this is where the story turns wacky. The king, checking on his guests, noticed a man “who did not have on a wedding garment.” When asked why, the guest remained mute. “Then the king said to the servants, ’Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14). A little over-kill, perhaps?

Tell me your heart doesn’t ache for the poor man. I mean, perhaps he had no fine clothes. Did his last-minute invitation come with a “formal attire” heads-up? Did everyone else have time to run home, sponge off in the Jordan River and don sequined togas?

I’m guessing not.

So, why is this guy singled out? Commentators write that none of these eleventh-hour invitees would have had appropriate clothing. The king would have supplied the guests’ apparel; all they had to do was to put it on. But this guy wouldn’t even do that much. He decided to come on his own terms instead of submitting to the king’s wishes.

Jesus’ point is well taken. The Jews—listening to Jesus as he spoke– had plenty of opportunities to R.S.V.P. favorably to God’s invitation to follow His commandments. God even sent His son, Jesus, but most of the Jews refused to believe that he was the Messiah. They said they would obey. They didn’t.

We’ve all met them. God has invited our neighbors, friends and relatives to be a part of His kingdom feast, yet they choose to remain spiritually sloppy. Most can’t find the time to participate, and many who come fail to completely submit. But are we just as guilty? Do we daily respond to God’s prodding, to serve Him before ourselves, to maintain the same enthusiasm we had when we first answered His call, to live up to kingdom standards? “Many are called but few are chosen.”

The choice is ours to make.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

I live in the country and I’ll be the first to admit that my yard is not perfect. The Better Homes and Gardens team will not be doing an article on my place! Nonetheless, I mow the three-acre property and it looks good from a distance. But for about three weeks in the spring you can see those puffy dandelions. I always thought these weeds were worthless, but after some research, I changed my attitude toward them. I discovered that dandelions serve a purpose in nature because they’re valuable to birds, bees, and little wild animals.

If you ever feel like a bump on a log, worthless, insecure, or unimportant, you need to understand that Jesus says you have great value. “What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT). Believers are not to place their confidence in education, wealth, social privilege, or good looks. God alone, not things, should be our true source of confidence. “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort (Philippians 3:3 NLT). It’s comforting to know that there’s nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less.

You can’t be worthless because Jesus believed you were worth dying for. You’re important enough for God to want to be your partner…like two peas in a pod. God wouldn’t trade you for a farm in Texas! If you need to change your old negative attitude toward yourself, then do it. Choose to believe what God says about you and reject the lies Satan whispers to your soul. “But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]” (1 Corinthians 8:3 AMP). To be known by God is to be accepted as His redeemed child and to have fellowship with Him.

The devil wants you to feel insecure and doubt God’s love so you’ll be afraid to reach out for His help. But your heavenly Father wants you to come boldly to Him: “Let us have confidence then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16 GNT). When believers stand on the promises of God, we will have confidence that He will do what He says.

If you’re continually down on yourself, do some research in God’s Word and discover you’re not just a bump on a log. God thinks you’re very special and He‘s adamant about His love for you. “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands“ (Isaiah 49:15,16 NLT). “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence“ (2 Corinthians 5:17 GW).

The Key: Live and think like the valuable person you are in Christ, not the bump on a log you thought you were.

Good News!

I am not on social media, but I understand the buzz is not good; not just in Bourbon County, but across the country. It is so easy to go negative. I was the banker for many newspapers in the Kansas City metro area, and it was interesting that the lowest paid reporters on staff were the critics: movies, restaurants, the arts, etc. It is just way too easy. Even I have made a few negative remarks in my columns.

Want some positive news? Bourbon County is number one in per person income in the eight counties in SEK. Here are the numbers:

2009 2018 2009 2018

Allen $33,302 $40,218 Crawford $30,834 $37,921

Anderson $31,955 $38,539 Labette $32,530 $42,127

Bourbon $32,661 $42,697 Linn $29,438 $37,267

Cherokee $28,170 $39,645 Neosho $28,926 $39,485

What this means is that the total income earned by Bourbon County residents divided by every man, woman and child exceeds that of all of our neighbors. Good news!

This is important for economic development in that it takes cash flow to make households, businesses, and government go, and we have it. What else is required for economic development? Capital to invest. Here are dollars on deposit with county bank branches, and the per person calculation, in 2019:

Millions in Millions in

Deposits Per Person Deposits Per Person

Allen $292 $23,600 Crawford $669 $17,200

Anderson $200 $25,500 Labette $484 $24,700

Bourbon $254 $17,500 Linn $178 $18,300

Cherokee $271 $13,600 Neosho $394 $24,600

What this means is that there is $17,500 on deposit in a county bank branch for every man, woman, and child in BB. We are closer to the bottom on the list. Either we have deposited a lot of money with local investment advisors/out of area banks, or we are bad savers. Money in savings is what people use to start new businesses.

Another statistic that plays into the future of economic activity in our county is the “pull factor” which measures the number of dollars spent in BB when compared to the earnings of its citizens; we are at 70%. Using the per person income chart above, what this means is that the average BB person spends about $30,000 in BB (It is actually lower than that, as the statistic does not measure dollars spent here by non-residents). This is a low number; for example, Allen County has pull factor of 103%, meaning more money is spent in Allen County than the total earnings of its residents. Alas, poor Cherokee County is just at 38% and declining; Joplin, Pittsburg, and Miami are just too close with better shopping options.

What can we do? Buy local. Save. Invest in BB. Deposit your money in local bank branches or with local investment advisors. Donate your money to local charities. Invest in a local business. Decide to pay as much of your sales tax as possible in BB. We have the earnings; let’s use it!

Répondez s’il vous plait. Simplified, we use “R.S.V.P.” instead of the French words meaning “Please reply.” The courtesy extended when one sends such a response can make an event go smoothly. The discourtesy extended when one fails to respond or disregards the invitation’s intention can cause chaos.

This past weekend Jeff, our oldest son, was married on a mountain top in Colorado. Because of Covid, only 30 people were permitted at the wedding site, but 120 were allowed at the reception. Part of the invitation included other activities that week such as an Olympic-style competition and a golf tournament. R.S.V.P.’s were critical for teams to be organized ahead of time. Colored headbands and wristbands had been ordered to indicate team membership for the eight Olympic events, and foursomes were designed around fair competition for golf. Most invitees took their responses seriously. Others, not so much. “Sorry, Bro, but I can’t make it today” (sent 30 minutes before the games began). “I’ll be an hour late. Hope that’s not a problem.” (Of course it was a problem.) “I’m bringing along a buddy. Please put him in my golf foursome.” “I know I said I couldn’t come, but things changed, so I’ll be there.” These were just a few of the replies that caused inconveniences. Some failed to respond but showed up, and others responded as coming but failed to show up. One team ended up with one person instead of the eight required to compete. Jeff’s brothers had to redesign teams because of last-minute cancellations, causing the entire Olympic events to start an hour later than scheduled. Sooooo unfair to the teammates who were there on time! If you’ve ever been in charge of organizing an activity that depended on people showing up, you know how frustrating it can be when they fail to take their R.S.V.P. seriously. You spend hours and hours getting everything ready. You work hard and are excited about what you’ve got planned. But then eight arrive instead of the 25 you counted on. Jesus had plenty to say about invited guests who fail to show up. In Mt. 22, he compared Heaven to a wedding banquet a king prepared for his son. Invitations had gone out ahead of time, but when the ceremony started, there were no-shows. Twice the king sent out his servants to find the guests, reminding them that the food was ready, but they had other plans. Some “seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.” The enraged king dispatched his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city. Fortunately, nothing so dramatic happened at Jeff’s weekend of activities, but Jesus took this snub very seriously. Let’s pick up in verse eight where his parable points to the Jews who, denying Jesus, were replaced with the Gentiles: Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. And everyone lived happily ever after. Ummm…maybe not. Next week we will look at one man who chose to come, but on his terms. It was an R.S.V.P. with eternal consequences.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Single Dove, but not Alone

One day shortly after my husband Jimmy died, I looked out the kitchen window and saw one dove. I waited for its mate to fly in, but it never did. And I thought, “I’m that dove.” Every once in awhile I see her. There’s a difference between lone and lonesome. The definition of lone: solitary or single. Lonesome: lonely, or unhappy at being alone. I believe the awesome Creator God uses all sorts of things, especially nature, to speak to us if we‘ll sit still and be quiet. This gentle bird was healthy, beautiful, and going about her daily routine. For whatever reason, her mate was gone and she was simply carrying on.

One evening the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “You’re not the only single woman in the world.” That was a true fact and a vital revelation for me. I needed that God-moment of understanding which was a double-decker packed with courage and resolve.

God’s Word is the believer’s instruction manual for everyday living. Knowing and embracing the truth found in these pages can change your life if you’ll jump on the bandwagon with God. The following four scriptures are powerful promises and reminders of what to believe and act on if you’re flying solo:

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God“ (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV). As David pulled himself up by his bootstraps, he asked God to encourage him. God will not fly the coop when you’re in the middle of a challenging situation. He‘s always available to provide you with support, confidence, and hope…just ask Him in faith.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples and says, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever…for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you” (John 14:16,17b AMP). Believers may have to get in front of the mirror, look themselves in the eyes and say, “I am never alone because the Holy Spirit lives in me and that‘s as close as it gets.”

“…God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear‘” (Hebrews 13:5,6 NLT). No matter what the situation looks like or how you feel, you are never alone. You can depend on God to keep His Word. When the winds of adversity have come and gone, you can keep gliding because Jesus remains with you.

“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for His people in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:11 GNT). Believe God has made you strong through His mighty power, then you can act on your faith and joyfully fly through life’s storms with thanksgiving.

The Key: There are no solo flights in God’s Kingdom.

 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security Trust Fund runs out of reserves in 2030. In 2031, unless the law changes, the government can only pay out the Social Security tax collected during that budget year.

Unfunded state pensions for public employees are a problem nationwide, totaling 1.28 trillion dollars. The three states in the worst position? Illinois, New Jersey, and Kentucky, all of which have less than 40% of their future pension liabilities funded. Kansas ranks 29^th, at 67% funded.

Who knows what the deferred maintenance totals in our nation’s roads, bridges, sewers, water lines, storm sewers, airports, parks, etc.? We know that in Bourbon County and our incorporated towns alone, the number is well over $100 million.

About 25 years ago, I served on the Johnson County Infrastructure Advisory Committee. We heard testimony after testimony from public works directors from around the region as to the necessity of maintaining systems. It costs five times as much to repair as to maintain, was the common theme. After much analysis, we recommended to the commission a fully-funded maintenance plan with the allocated tax revenue, which was promptly ignored. The county commission voted to spend 100% of the prescribed tax receipts on a new pet project that was important to the public. Budgeted for maintenance? Zero.

Why is this happening? Why did we not have the foresight to set up a self-funded system for Social Security and state pensions that would need no future contributions at some point in time? Why have we not budgeted for infrastructure maintenance, preferring to pay five times more for repairs?

My view? These investments are invisible. There is no political capital in having reserves in the bank, or underground improvements maintained. It is easier to get elected when politicians “rob Peter, to pay Paul.” There is no political penalty for ignoring the problem, especially at the national level.

Do I blame the politicians? No. They are acting at the impulse of the voters. We want free things. We want beautiful amenities. We want it all now! After all, this is how many of us run our home finances.

The economic development of an area is significantly impacted by these invisible factors. Site selectors and outsiders examine these factors when determining where to locate. Residents get tired of paying higher taxes and receiving less in services, and they move away.

We have to start playing the long game in our Bourbon County communities by repairing, then maintaining, all that is broken with our streets, sewers, etc. I am too old to sell my truck and buy a horse in order to get around.

Let’s work together to formulate a plan to make these invisible investments at home, and in our local governments. As voters, let’s quit rewarding politicians whose focus is instant gratification at all levels of government. Our future economic viability depends on it.

After years of watching Francis Chan’s sermons on line and following his transformation from leading a mega-church to evangelizing in China to starting living room churches, I recently had a chance to meet him. Between speaking engagements in the Kansas City area, he, a few missionaries, and their families were at my son Adam’s ranch, enjoying the peace and quiet of Midwest country life. Since my Zoom Bible study for the past 22 weeks had dealt with his book Crazy Love, I couldn’t wait to share how much he impacted our group. Our conversation was light and fun, centering around his wife and children, some details of his ministry and the experience he and his team were having in K.C. Somehow the conversation turned to my trials in raising three sons, and the group of adults seemed amazed that a teenager as challenging as Adam could turn out to be so kind and gracious. (Only by the grace of God.)

That’s when Adam told Francis that I had been in the Bible study based on his book. He questioned who led it. I told him. He brought out his phone and asked how to spell the leader’s name. Strange, I thought, but I spelled “Frank Guidara” and added, “He’s the one who organized the Zoom call.” Francis checked his phone and said that he didn’t have that name in his accounts. “Is there another name the study could have registered under?” I was becoming alarmed. “Dale somebody led it. I don’t know his last name.” Alarm was morphing to panic. “Most are Vietnam vets and their wives,” I added, trying to give some credibility to our little group. Surely he wouldn’t charge a fee to a group of retired, military heroes!

No one in my group had mentioned paying a registration fee to use Crazy Love for a Bible study. I was throwing a whole group of Christians under the bus, the longer I talked. “I’m just kidding. We never had a Bible study,” I said, trying to add some humor to this ridiculously awkward situation. Everyone laughed, but then Francis continued. “That’s just so strange that there doesn’t seem to be any registration for your group.” All eyes were on me, and although I usually appreciate it when that happens, this was different. It was then that Lisa, his wife, turned to her husband. “Since when do people have to register to use your book?”

Francis started cracking up. “I’m just messing with Patty. Of course, no one has to register to do a Bible study!”

He had me. Everyone—even Francis’ close friends—started laughing. And so did I. The evangelist said that if I could raise Adam and find delight in his antics, I must have a good sense of humor. Somehow, he understood me, and I loved it. And I loved his realness. The same man who once confronted his congregation, expressing his fear that the majority of them were lukewarm Christians who would never make it to Heaven, could have turned this time into a stern sermon, or at least could have asked for my take on his thought-provoking book. Instead, he brought levity into the conversation.

I need to learn from Francis. Everything doesn’t have to be a “Heaven or Hell” lecture or have a spiritual message. Sometimes we just need to bring joy into our exchanges so that others will want to hang with us which, in turn, will reveal the reality of who Christ is in us. No doubt, that is a huge part of Francis Chan’s ministerial success.

 

Keys to the Kingdom by Carolyn Tucker

 

My family loves to tell a good story which usually erupts in rip-roaring laughter, rufous faces, and tears. I recall a humorous incident my brother Randy told on his mother-in-law (whom he loved dearly). When Randy and Corda were first married, they would come back home on weekends and alternate staying with their parents. On this particular visit, they were at the Rosenbaum farm. Preparing to eat breakfast, my brother was sitting at the kitchen table as his mother-in-law began to pour him a glass of milk. She couldn’t actually see the pour spout as the milk came tumbling out in chunks. As she continued to pour, she sweetly asked, “Is this milk OK?“ I believe his answer was in the negative.

Has it ever occurred to you that there’s no expiration date on your prayers? The other night I was asleep when I distinctly heard, “Mommy!“ I awoke abruptly with a pounding heart as I listened and thought about what had just happened. I was prompted to pray for the protection of my two children, and then I drifted back to sleep. “I have courage in God’s presence, because I am sure that He hears me if I ask Him for anything that is according to His will” (1 John 5:14 GNT). In the morning, I sent both of them brief texts about what I’d experienced and both confirmed that they were just fine.

Exactly two weeks later while my son was driving to work in the early morning, a deer ran out in front of him which caused serious damage to the vehicle, but no harm to Aaron. I believe God prevented him from choosing to ride his motorcycle that day, as the outcome would have been quite different. Exactly six weeks following my prayer, my daughter Mariam and two of her girls were innocently involved in a three-vehicle accident (all were totaled), but no one was injured. No, not one!

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7 NKJV). Fear of the Lord is simply a proper awe of His greatness and holiness. Believers can trust and depend on God’s faithfulness. I’m thankful my prayer for protection had not expired but was still in effect.

When my kids were little, I taught them a song entitled, “I Thank My God I’m in His Care.“ The lyrics, written by Ry Cooder, depict a simple faith in a loving heavenly Father: “Oh Daniel he was a good man; he prayed night and day. The angels opened up the windows just to hear what Daniel had to say. He prayed, ‘I thank my God I’m in His care.’ I am in His care, in my Savior’s care. I am in His care, in my Savior’s care. King Jesus got His arms wrapped all around me; no evil thought can ever harm me ‘cause I thank my God I’m in His care.“ The scriptural truth of this song still remains in my children’s hearts today.

A song is more than just a happy tune when it’s backed by God’s Word: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP). If you can truly cast all your care in prayer, you can experience resting in God. I’m glad I heard God’s voice, thankful I prayed, and so grateful my prayer was answered.

The Key: I thank my God there’s no expiration date on my prayers.

 

It is difficult to run a small business in southeast Kansas, and for that matter, anywhere in rural America and be successful long term. The idea of a business is to create value; a net worth that can be handed down to the next generation or sold at a tidy profit. If your goal is earnings, get a job and work for a business owner, as it is not worth risking the capital and the long hours just to make a wage.

Additionally, it becomes increasingly difficult to create value whenever a population base around a small business is shrinking. I have seen Bourbon County business owners who have been successful over a long period of time try to sell their profitable business, only to learn it has little worth other than the liquidation value of the assets accumulated. Heartbreaking!

Consider these numbers from 2018 of small business loans outstanding (listed by original amount of loan) in some selected SEK counties:

County # of Loans Total $ Ave. Size

Allen 122 $6,571k $53,861

Bourbon 125 $4,193k $33,544

Cherokee 144 $8,887k $61,715

Linn 82 $2,847k $34,720

Neosho 125 $3,090k $26,870

We rank in the middle of the pack, holding our own. Obviously, there are successful small businesses in SEK that do not have loans outstanding, but typically financing goes hand in hand with investment to help an entrepreneur leverage their efforts. $4.2 million is not very much in total loans to small businesses in the county. If small farm loans were added in, the amount would grow exponentially.

A huge problem for rural small businesses, including SEK, is that government lending programs, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA), are harder to access for us. Upfront costs and fees, and cumbersome regulations and requirements make smaller SBA applications cost prohibitive. For example, there are almost no SBA 504 loans (a popular real estate construction financing program) outstanding in SEK, because of the increased cost of professional oversight required, and the fact that contractors must pay Davis-Bacon wages (union scale), which is vastly more than the market currently commands. All these requirements leave this valuable tool, and others, out of reach for us.

The solution? Besides lobbying Congress for lending support programs geared toward rural America, look to start businesses that sell products to growing markets. For example, the traffic count on Highway 69 continues to rise, bringing more consumers through our county every day. Several new businesses have opened up on South Main in recent years to take advantage of this.

Support youth mentoring programs that develop entrepreneurial thinking. The e-Community Program, run by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, holds a Youth Entrepreneurship contest every year which encourages our students to think through business concepts and come up with a business idea for our communities. The prize money is big, and the participation is good.

Bourbon County REDI is ready (pun intended) to support your business idea and give assistance with business planning. Call Rob Harrington at 620-215-0144 with questions.

 

1. Thoroughly clean the toilet.
2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water and have both lids lifted.
3. Obtain the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. (You may need to stand on the lid so he cannot escape.) CAUTION: Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge, as his paws will be reaching out for any purchase he can find. The cat will self-agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from your toilet; the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a “power-wash and rinse” which I have found to be quite effective.
6. Have someone open the door to the outside and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The now clean cat will rocket out of the toilet and run outside where he will dry himself.

Sincerely,

The Dog

My cat-owner friends might not find humor in these instructions. That’s because a kitty lover’s idea of cat-care can be radically different from a dog’s idea. It’s all about perspective.

Perspective has a Latin root meaning “look through” or “perceive.” Our perspective is the way we see something, and if based on our biases, can really mess with how God wants us to view His creation. We all know that different perspectives have been known to destroy nations, ruin marriages, cause financial ruin, lead to addictions and incite volatile political arguments.

One Bible story calls attention to perspective. The Israelite soldiers viewed Goliath with fear and trepidation, thinking he was so big he could not be killed, but the young shepherd boy, David, trusting in God alone, saw the giant as a threatless pest who was so big, he couldn’t be missed.

I fear that most of us view some of our perspectives as “giant” differences without taking time to see how God views them. All people are made in God’s image. Should I see others only from my biased (white, Christian, female, conservative) perspective, I will have a narrow comprehension of who God is, and that is the problem. In all candor, it’s my problem.

Recently, for example, I was visiting with a manager of a large company in California. He recently had undergone “sensitivity training” where he learned that there are 53 identifiable genders he needs to understand. (“Healthline” has identified 64. I looked them up.) My first reaction was NOT “I need to understand how God views these distinctions.” It was more like “That’s soooo out of whack!” And since Jesus’ greatest commandment is that we are to love, as a Christian, my perspective cannot permit me not to love those who view things differently than I, no matter how out of whack I think they are.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

“This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.“ Blessed Assurance is one of Fanny Crosby’s 8,000 songs she penned during her 95 years as a blind hymnist. While reading Psalm 71 recently, I realized that this chapter is the epitome of my story. God’s Word is alive and powerful; sharper than any two-edged sword and my heart was pierced with His loving truth.

Although there are 24 verses to this Psalm, the following seven are the ones that specifically spoke to me that Sunday morning: “(3) Be to me a great protecting Rock, where I am always welcome, safe from all attacks. (5) O Lord, You alone are my hope; I’ve trusted You from childhood. (6) Yes, You have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly — no wonder I am always praising You! (15) I cannot count the times when You have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good You are, and of Your constant, daily care. (16) I walk in the strength of the Lord God. (17) O God, You have helped me from my earliest childhood — and I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things You do. (22) I will praise You with music, telling of Your faithfulness to all Your promises“ (Psalm 71 TLB).

As I worshipped God a few hours later in church, we sang “Goodness of God.” My heart was overflowing with the anointed lyrics because it was a perfect parallel to Psalm 71. I experienced a “God moment” with my loving heavenly Father. This revelation was my personal confirmation from Him concerning something I had been leaning toward, but now I knew I had my definite answer.

“Goodness of God” was written by Jenn and Brian Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, and Ben Fielding. I have lived this song — this is my story: “I love you Lord, oh Your mercy never fails me. All my days I’ve been held in Your hands. From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, oh I will sing of the goodness of God. ‘Cause all my life You have been faithful. And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able oh I will sing of the goodness of God. I love Your voice, You have led me through the fire. And in the darkest night You are close like no other. I’ve known You as a Father, I’ve known You as a Friend. And I have lived in the goodness of God.”

What do God’s promises in His Word say to you? Perhaps your past is one you’d rather forget. If so, then that’s exactly what you’re supposed to do — forgive, forget, and move on. Lay those hurtful experiences and memories down at the foot of the cross and leave them there. Never ever carry that heavy baggage again. Today is a new day chocked full of God’s loving mercy, kindness, and faithfulness. Reach out and take what God offers and freely run on the path of blessings He has for you. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).

Accept what God offers through Christ Jesus and let His mighty power work in you. Then you, too, will have your own story and song.

The Key: Sing about the goodness of God at the top of your lungs until your last breath.

 

When healthy, government entities focus primarily on serving their constituents, and private entities focus on their investors. This is called incentive; if an elected official does NOT focus on the public good, they should be voted out of office. Likewise, a private entity, which ineffectively represents the shareholders, goes broke. The incentive in both cases is for effective behavior.

In some cases, both incentives are needed. A government entity needs a specialized building, so they hire a qualified contractor, and negotiate a fair price to serve the public, while allowing the contractor a reasonable profit. Win/win.

In more complicated situations, sometimes it is necessary for a public entity to invest in a project owned privately, to promote the public good, and allow for the private corporation to have the control they need, within reasonable boundaries. One of the common examples of this is a Land Bank, created by a government entity to act as a connector between owners, who no longer have a viable plan for a property, and investors, who have a profit incentive, to take on the property development. The public is saved the spectacle of a dilapidated building deteriorating before its eyes, and the investors make a reasonable profit.

Bourbon County is in need of expanding these types of opportunities. We have dozens of situations in which it does not make sense for a private entity to buy a property, absorb all the costs to reverse the years of deterioration, and make all the necessary investments to turn the project into a viable income producing property. This is where government has the opportunity to step in.

Additionally, local charities have an opportunity to enhance these partnerships. Donation money invested in these permanent improvements to our community may make as much sense as routine handouts. Government, businesses, and charities need to think outside the box, get creative, and look for ways to make our communities better.

Grant money and advantaged loan programs can help. Some of these opportunities are geared to the private sector, some to government, and some to not-for-profit entities. These possibilities need to be sought out, and structures put in place to effectively deploy the resources.

The key in all these opportunities is to keep the incentives where they belong. Asking a business to only serve the public good, or for a government to produce a profitable real estate venture, is a losing strategy long-term.

Let’s all get creative, and look for ways to work together to improve our communities, while keeping everyone operating in their lane. Bourbon County REDI (formerly BEDCO) will be looking for ways to build together county-wide.