Opinion

Bible and lily

Focus on Faith – The Power of the Resurrection

The mark of a true disciple of Christ is a changed life. If we truly are committed to following Christ and patterning our lives after Him, we will be changed. 

A week ago was Good Friday, and then comes Easter. Good Friday is a difficult day for those who love the Lord. It is a day of remembering the great and awful sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross on our behalf. The bible teaches that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sin and that if we put our faith and trust in Him, we will have eternal life. That is the message of John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – Having a boy changes the game

April is here and we’re all anticipating lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures. But first there must be rain. Even though I’m writing this on Monday, rain is in the forecast for the next couple of days. 

April 1 is usually a day of fun and April Fool’s Day shenanigans, tricks, and pranks. However, historians just aren’t sure how April Fool’s Day originally started. But what they do know is the custom goes back centuries. I’m sure many remember playing the best April Fool’s joke on someone or being the target of one such joke.

bible and cross

Focus on Faith – I give up my life freely

I met a friend in college who was ahead of the curve, he already had two sons. Two-year-old twin boys, who were a handful to say the least. Unfortunately, shortly after meeting this friend, he was divorced. His wife maintained custody, but he had the boys every other weekend.

Nea and Sally at the Nelson Ice Center

Bits & Pieces – The frozen Grandma and unfair word play

The “Soundtrack of Spotlight” was a huge success last weekend at the Nelson Ice Center in Springfield. 

It was everything and more! The costumes were beautiful, the music was fantastic and the ice skaters were awesome. And they were right; you couldn’t help but tap your feet and wiggling with the rythmn. There’s just something about “Jailhouse Rock,” “Yellow Submarine,” and of course, “Dancing Queen” that stirs up a lot of happy memories of days gone by. It definitely was a fun show.

Nea as Timon

Bits & Pieces – ‘Timon’ on ice this weekend

It’s that time of year again and I am excited!

It’s the annual ice skating show at the Nelson Center in Springfield---and my granddaughter, Nea, is in several numbers.

Nea started ice skating when she was 4.5. She is on the autustic spectrum, so her parents wanted to find something that she would be comfortable in, yet would excel in at her own pace. 

Through a lot of therapy and trying different activities, Nea has made amazing strides in her life. She will be 14 March 29.

Hands on the bible

Focus on Faith – Are We Limiting God in Our Lives?

Psalm 78:41-42-41; “Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy.”

In the above scriptures we see the nation of Israel turning away from serving God. They were determined to return to Egypt, even after God had brought them out with many signs and wonders. They tempted him again and again and by doing so they limited the Holy One of Israel. In other words, they were setting a limit to the power of God.

Virginia bluebells produce attractive foliage and flowers and are a great addition to shade gardens.

Good Growing – A plant of many colors: Virginia bluebell

Extension With the arrival of warmer weather in the spring, we start to see signs of new life in our landscapes. Birds begin singing, our landscapes start turning green again, and spring ephemeral plants start to emerge. Among the spring ephemerals in Illinois, one of the most captivating and commonly encountered are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica).

Letters to Editor

Reader worries about country

In reading articles in various newspapers, it appears that more and more marxists and socialists are rearing their ugly heads. I pray that enough ostriches in this country will pull their heads out of the sand to try and stop the movement to destroy our democratic republic.

Bits and pieces

Bits & Pieces – Don’t put the snow shovel away!

Let’s face it! We are having beautiful, but freaky weather for  this time of year. Yes, we love the sunshine and 70+ degrees outside. Add to that the time change (something I dislike, but many prefer it) which gives us more daylight hours in the evening. 

February and March have many times in the past been our worse winter months. Warm days, cold nights, thunderstorms, ice storms, tornadoes, blizzards, you name it. The weather is pretty unstable during these two momths. Then in April, it tries to balance itself out.

Bible and lily

Focus on Faith – “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

One of the most compelling episodes leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion is His moment of struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. At the core of each telling (Matthew 26:36ff, Mark 14:32ff, Luke 39ff) is the petition from the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus very clearly applies this simple request to the difficulty of the cross that stands before Him. So we learn to pray this prayer when God places crosses before us.