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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
Preview Changes (opens in a new tab)USD 234 School District is seeking family resource providers and community partners for its’ 2023 Early Childhood Spring Fling, according to info provided by Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal Nick Johnson.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, April 6th from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. All children ages birth-six years old and their families are invited to attend. A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is helping support this year’s Early Childhood Spring Fling.
“For this event, we are asking family resource providers and community partners to bring an interactive activity for students and families,” he said. “We will provide space and a table for your activity. During the event, you will also have an opportunity to visit with families and distribute flyers, handouts, giveaways, etc.”
” We had 255 children and their families attend our Trunk-or-Treat event, and we are expecting 250-300 children at this event,” he said. “Our goal is for children and families to interact, be active, and learn about the resources available in our community. If you are a preschool or childcare provider, please share the attached flyer with your families. We also welcome you to set up an activity and table for your program.”
To attend the event, please complete the short form below by Friday, March 24 to have a table reserved for your organization.
For more info:
(620) 223-8965

This evening is the first of six Lenten Fish Dinners that the Knights of Columbus prepare for the community as a fund raiser.
From Feb. 24 until March 31 the community is invited to join the people of Mary Queen of Angels Church for a fish dinner each Friday evening. The event is located in the Kennedy Gym at 7th and Eddy Street.
“Everyone is welcome, there is a free will offering,” Joe (Calvin) Barr, a Knight, said. “We do ask for a minimum of $8 for a to-go dinner. We generally do 75 to-go dinners each week.”
“We’ve had as high as 514 at one time in attendance,” Barr said. “400 is the average. During the COVID Pandemic there was a drive-through meal.”
The Menu
“It’s the same great fish: Southern-fried catfish, baked white fish, baked potato or french fries, coleslaw, drinks and all the wonderful desserts from the women of the church,” Mark McCoy one of the Knights, said. “For those who don’t like fish, we have spaghetti.”

The event starts at 5 p.m. and goes to 7 p.m. and is each Friday until March 31. Good Friday is April 7 in 2023.
This year all funds go to rebuilding of the church, which was destroyed by fire in August 2022.
