Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
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A total of 25 children, ages 5 through 12, attended New Rockford's Evangelical Free Church Vacation Bible School June 18-22. This year's theme, "Camp Turned Around" was lead by volunteers from the church and the Child Evangelism Fellowship. The children enjoyed games, crafts and songs, and did daily lessons and bible verses. They also studied about missionaries serving abroad. On the evening of Friday, June 22, parents were invited to a s'mores night. Everyone had a great time making their own...
I’m sure that many of you remember the man who portrayed the friendly neighbor in the popular children’s program known all over the world as Mister Rogers. Who can forget the childlike song that asked the question, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” With the macho crowd, he was labeled a sissy and downright creepy but to children, he was always a nice, polite and comforting role model. There have been many false accusations about him through the years like the rumors about him having to wear long slee...
Rust out or wear out? The journey of life is amazing. As children we can’t wait to grow up. And teenagers can’t wait to finish school and become more independent. In our twenties, we try to discern what career will be best. In our thirties, we struggle to balance family, home and work. In our forties, some face the empty nest and find new activities with our free time. In our fifties, we make a final effort to prepare for retirement. After retirement there is the adjustment to personal freedom, and often health challenges. Every age is ful...
The caterpillar and the butterfly. Perhaps you know this saying; “The caterpillar thinks it’s the end of the world, but the butterfly knows it’s only the beginning.” I really like this saying because I can picture in my mind the fat caterpillar climbing up the stick and making a cocoon around itself. The caterpillar is convinced this is the end and is mourning how good life has been with the constant eating and the enjoyment the sunshine. The caterpillar is anxious to understand what will happen once the cocoon is completed, and worries...
A total of 39 children grades K-6 attended the St. John's Catholic Church Young Disciples Camp. The children spent the week as "archaeologists" on a fun-filled adventure in the Egyptian Desert. Young Disciple Leaders, Quinn, Emily, Faith and Peter. These four college-aged students from North Dakota and beyond led the camp to teach the children about the "Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary" through music and adventures. These Young Disciple Leaders completed a 10-week training course in the Catholic...
We never retire in faith. Jesus engaged in the world around him, and did not shy away from the society of his day. Jesus indicated that all who follow him will become like him. But what does it mean to “be like Jesus” in today’s complex world? Human life is a mixture of good and bad, successes and dilemmas. Faith seems to come easy in good times. But during tough times we need to “take heart” and face up to the trials of this life. God looks for faithfulness, so in our life of faith we do what we can to obey and honor God with whatever comes ou...
Memorial means to “remember” and every year on the last Monday in May, we honor those who sacrificed their lives in the line of active military service. On Memorial Day we stop and pay our respect to the ones who were willing to stand in the gap between freedom and tyranny. The First Amendment was not only signed into existence with ink but with the blood of over 1.1 million Americans that have died in U.S. wars, along with many more that have suffered from physical and mental difficulties. Over...
Whom do you listen to? In times of desperation people have said to me, “I have prayed to God, and asked for God’s help, but I don’t understand why God has not answered me.” It might be good to remember that Satan is the enemy of our souls. It is Satan’s voice that whispers messages to discourage and condemn us. It is Satan’s voice that tells us we are not good enough, and that God could never forgive or love us. And it is Satan’s voice that accuses us of lacking of faith. Satan is having a heyday in our lives whenever we feel that God is far aw...
As I reflect on Romans 8:12-17, the assigned second reading for Trinity Sunday, I find myself drawn to the first half of verse 15. Paul writes, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,” (Romans 8:15a). We are well aware of the fear of the unknown. I have known people who stayed in abusive relationships or dead-end jobs because of their fear of the unknown. I’m sure we all have, maybe we have experienced this ourselves. People can be enslaved in a hurtful life because fear is their master. Paul spoke of this as livin...
Reflecting on the assigned texts for this Sunday, The Day of Pentecost, it occurs to me that this is the day Jesus’ disciples had been waiting for their whole lives. They might not have known that this was the day they had been waiting for . . . until it happened. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability” (Acts 2:4). At Pentecost, with the power of the Holy Spirit, people who were scattered all over the world are gathered together. People from nations all over the w...
In the spring of 1971, I sat down to write my last will and testament— no, not that last will and testament. This was a silly little exercise that many graduating seniors did, in which they explained what they were leaving to their high school alma mater and the underclassmen left behind. These “wills” were mimeographed and stapled together and distributed through the school that last week of classes. It’s been so long that I don’t remember everything I left to everyone, but I do remember a few things. I left my long, consecutive string of tard...
To be honest, I probably spend too much time watching and reading the news. I feel the need to keep up with the latest developments so that I can at least be aware about current events. However, many times I find myself being absorbed in an ocean of information that is not only meaningless but is also negatively affecting my mental and emotional state of being. I’m reminded that I have no power or influence to change the decisions that are being made including the declining direction of the w...
As I was praying about, meditating and reflecting upon, asking questions about Sunday’s assigned second reading (1 John 5:1-6), a particular part of the text caught my attention. It was 1 John 5:6a: “This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood.” While these words may seem strange at first, they do have some relevance to our modern time. The early Christians were engaged in a theological battle with the gnostics. The gnostics thought that the material world was evil and t...
Success is a popular subject and an exciting attitude that fuels the imagination and drives our motivation. The fervent desire to succeed seems to be embedded within our DNA and I see nothing wrong with an honest inspiration to accomplish certain goals. Even the Bible talks about “pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” and refers to winning and being victorious as a spiritual blessing in accordance with God’s perfect will. Yes, success can be satis...
He is for you “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…. What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:28 & 31 This is probably one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It is so assuring to know that God will work all things out in our life for good. In addition, we know that God is not against us, but rather he is for us. All too often, when life happens, we tend to think that God is “pulling the rug right o...
Breakthrough When Our Walls Fall by Rev. Randy Hahne Bethel Assembly of God “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days’” (Joshua 6:1-3). In context, Joshua was called by God to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, and along the way there were cities to be conquered—Jericho was one of those cit...
We hear a lot about heroes in this day and age. Accomplished athletes are seen as idols for throwing around a ball along with blockbuster fantasies that portray individuals who can fly and use their incredible super-powers to save the universe. However, in the real world, it’s encouraging to know there are humble and hardly noticed heroes all around us. These selfless individuals have no desire to be praised or even recognized. They are a special group of human beings that are not only d...
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). A couple of weeks ago I was putting together a puzzle with one of my daughters. When we were finished, we noticed something— there was a piece missing. At our home this is a regular occurrence and very rarely to do we put together a puzzle that has all of the pieces. I am sure random puzzle pieces can be found in the toy box, or perhaps inside the vacuum. Regardless of where the piece is, something was missing and the puzzle will never...
“Probably the worst enemy of enthusiasm is time. Human beings have a remarkable and sad capacity for getting tired of wonderful things. Almost every one of you can think of something you were enthusiastic about recently, but now the joy is faded. Your first day of vacation on the coast the sunset was breathtaking and made you so happy you could sing. But by the end of your stay you hardly noticed it any more. Vacationers get tired of sunsets, millionaires get tired of money, kids gets [sic] tired of toys, and Christians get tired of doing g...
“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:17-18 BSB In context, this is a rather sad note because when Paul appeared for his hearing, no one stood up on his behalf. In fact, this was a dangerous time in Rome and standing up for Paul may have caused...
By Rev. Kevin Libby Bethel Assembly of God One of my favorite passages in scripture comes from the first several verses of the John 15. In chapter 12, we see the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He then begins to teach his followers several things, knowing that he is about face death on the cross. He has told them of his death and betrayal, and is about to tell them that because the world has hated him, they will also hate his followers. In chapter 15, Jesus wants to remind his followers of the importance of remaining c...
Recently, my wife Cheryl was talking about the need to increase her prayer time and I definitely agreed that praying is very important in our spiritual life. In the middle of our conversation, she said, “We should turn our cares into prayers.” That instantly caught my attention. I love catchy phrases and told her that I just might borrow that slogan! We all have worries and cares but for some strange reason, many times we do not consider praying as our highest priority. In fact, for most of us,...
I would dare say that most Christians who read the Bible have a favorite book or two. I am always intrigued to hear what a person’s favorite book of the Bible is and why. If you see me, I would love to hear yours. I find the book of Romans to be one of my favorites, as it is a book I have often gone to. I love how Paul writes so many deep theological thoughts and then shows in the latter part how to apply what he has stated. But here lately I am finding the Psalms to be of great worth to my faith, especially when it comes to times of prayer. I...
The first Friday in March is also know as the World Day of Prayer, which is celebrated annually in over 170 countries. The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service. It is celebrated annually in over 170 countries and regions on the first Friday in March and becomes the focus of prayer and understanding....
Philippians 4:10-13 In college I took a class that helped me to better understand the Bible and how to interpret the original meaning of a passage. One of the biggest takeaways from the class was learning to understand what a passage of scripture meant in the context of the surrounding verses. Having been involved in sports throughout high school and college and working with students, I have heard many athletes quote Philippians 4:13 when seeking to accomplish greater feats. “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Now I’m...
