Forgivemefor getting“churchy” thisweekbutwe hadanexcellent sermonlastSundayI’dloveto share.
Wereviewed Psalms62.Ifyou haven’treadthat oneinawhileitis abeautifulreminderofGod’sglory, protectionandlove forusnomatter whatstressisin ourlives. “Heonlyismyrockand mysalvation,my fortress;Ishallnot beshaken.On Godrestsmysalvationandmyglory;myrefugeis God.TrustinHim atalltimes,Opeople;pouroutyour heartbeforeHim; Godisarefugefor us.”
Tohearthesermon checkoutCommunityBibleFellowshiponFacebookinthevideo posts.
SchoolBondElectionInformation Ashley Husbands
May3rdofthisyear, thereisanelectionfor aschoolbondcoming up.Whyisitimportant tovoteonthisparticularmatterandwhat doestheschoolhaveto sayaboutthis?The followinginformation wasfoundonthe HoweISDwebsite.
“Why did Howe ISD call a bond?
TheHoweISDBoard ofTrusteesrecently votedunanimouslyto placea$32million bondontheballotfor theupcomingMay election.Ifapproved, thebondwillfundkey improvements,includingthesecondphaseof constructionatSummit HillElementary School,whichwill provideadditional classroomspaceanda gymtoaccommodate thearea’sgrowing population.Thebond willalsosupportland acquisitionforfuture schoolsitesandthe replacementofthe HighSchoolroof.”
Checkoutthepicture belowregardingtheprojectedgrowthaffecting theschoolsinHowe.
HerearesomeFrequentlyAskedQuestionsfrom theHoweISDwebsite:
What is a bond?
Abondissimilartoa homemortgage.Itisa contracttorepayborrowedmoneywithan interestrateovertime. Bondsaresoldbya schooldistricttocompetinglenderstoraisefunds topayforthecostsof construction,renovations,andequipment.
What is a bond election?
It'slikeaskingforpermissiontotakeouta loan.Schooldistricts,as perstatelaw,needtoget approvalfromvotersto sellbondstoinvestors. Thismoneyisthenused torenovateexisting buildingsorbuildnew schools.Justlikeafamily takesoutamortgageloan fortheirhome,aschool boardcallsabondelectionforvoterstodecideif theywanttopayforproposedfacilityprojects.
Why do school districts need to sell bonds?
Mostschooldistrictsin Texasusebondstofinancerenovationsand newfacilities.Thisbond wouldallowtheDistrict torenovateandbuild Districtinfrastructure, includingschoolbuildings,withoutimpacting theDistrict’sMaintenanceandOperations funds,whichcover thingssuchasschool programs,teachers,and staff.
How can bond funds be used?
Bondfundscanbeused topayfornewbuildings, additions,andrenovationstoexistingfacilities,landacquisition, technologyinfrastructure,equipment,newor existingbuildings,and large-ticketitemssuchas schoolbuses.Bonds cannotbeusedforsalariesoroperatingcosts suchasutilitybills,supplies,buildingmaintenance,fuel,andinsurance.
How is the District tax rate configured?
Aschooldistrict'stax rateiscomprisedoftwo components:the Maintenance&Operationstax(M&O)and theInterest&Sinking tax(I&S).TheM&O rateisusedtooperate theschooldistrict,includingsalaries,utilities,furniture,supplies, food,gas,etc.TheI&S rateisusedtopayoff schoolconstruction bonds.Bondsalesonly affecttheI&Srate.
If the bond election is passed, does the school district immediately incur the debt?
Thebondsdonotcost theDistrictanything untiltheyaresold. Eventhoughthevoters approvethebondissue, nocostsareincurred untilthebondsaresold. Thisensuresthatthe Districtonlyincursdebt onceitapprovesthe saleofthebondsafter theelection.
My property tax bill is higher than ever; why can't the District use the district taxes I already pay to cover new construction and renovations?
Whenyourpropertyvaluesincrease,theDistrict receiveslessfunding. Thestatelegislaturehas establishedabasicperstudentallotmentfor generaloperatingexpenses.Anytaxrevenue collectedabovethisallotmentgoestothe state'sgeneralbudget.If thebondisapproved,the increasedtaxfunds wouldbeallocatedtothe Districtspecificallyfor capitalimprovements outlinedinthebondproposals.Noadditional fundingisprovidedto theschoolsunlesstax ratesareraisedoraveragedailyattendanceincreases.
Ifyouwouldlikemore informationregarding theschoolbondvisit howeisdbond.comor emailwilson.kevin@howeisd.net
UpcomingEvents MARCH21:VarsitySoftballGamevs.Pottsboro
MARCH22-24:AustinFFA
MARCH24:DistrictGolfTournamentFirstRound
MARCH25-27:HS&MSUILConcert/SightReadingContest
MARCH25:VarsitySoftballGamevs.S&S
MARCH26:FFAGlenRoseCDE
MARCH27:FFATSUinvitational
MARCH28:VarsitySoftballGameatGunter
MARCH29:HHSProm
MARCH31:DistrictGolfTournament–2ndRound
APRIL1:VarsitySoftballGamevs.Bells
APRIL7:HoweISDBondTownHallMeeting
APRIL8-10:FFATSUAreaCDEStephenville
APRIL8:HMSSTAARTesting(allgrades)
APRIL8:VarsitySoftballGamevs.BlueRidge
APRIL11:VarsitySoftballGamevs.Leonard
HoweSports Softball LastweektheLadyBulldogsplayed theBlueRidgeLadyTigersonFriday resultingina1-2loss.OnTuesday,in agameagainsttheLeonardVarsity Tigers,theLadyBulldogswon19-13. HereisarecapfortheLeonardgame:
MyaBurtdroveinfiverunsonthree hitstoleadHoweLadyBulldogspast LeonardVarsityTigers19-13onTuesdayatLeonardHighSchoolSoftball Field.Burthitahomeruntocenter fieldinthesecondscoringthree,singledinthethirdscoringone,andsingledintheseventhscoringone.
TheLadyBulldogscollected18hits andLeonardhad12inthehighscoringaffair.LadyBulldogsgotonthe boardinthetopofthefirstinningafter Leonardcommittedanerror,Riley McCollumdoubledtocenterfield, andLeonardcommittedanerror,each scoringonerun.
Howeextendedtheirearlyleadwith fiverunsinthetopofthesecond thankstohomerunsbyBurtand McCollum.Howeaddedtotheirearly leadinthetopofthethirdinningafter Burtsingled,KamrySnappwas struckbyapitch,andMcCollumsingleddowntheleftfieldline,eachscoringonerun.
Leonardscoredfiverunsonthreehits inthebottomofthefifthinning.MadisonPratherdoubled,scoringonerun, HaileyCaldwellsingled,scoringthree runs,andBrookeHancocksingled, scoringonerun.Leornardscoredsix runsonfivehitsinthebottomofthe sixthinning.Flowerssingled,scoring onerun,anerrorscoredtworuns, Caldwelldoubled,scoringonerun, KenleeCassdoubled,scoringonerun, andCambreeFrommeesingled,scor-
Photo Credit: Michelle Carney ingonerun.
Howescoredsixrunsonsecenhitsin thetopoftheseventhinning. McCollumsingled,scoringonerun, ChloeSelfsingled,scoringonerun, Montgomerydoubled,scoringone run,SamanthaFuhrsingled,scoring onerun,KyilleeSimmssingled,scoringonerun,andBurtsingled,scoring
onerun.McCollumstartedinthecircleforHowe.Thepitchergaveupsix hitsandnineruns(threeearned)over fiveandone-thirdinnings,striking out12andwalkingtow.AvaFlowers openedthegameforLeonard.The startingpitchergaveup18hitsand19 runs(15earned)overseveninnings, strikingoutsixandwalkingeight. SnappappearedinreliefforHowe. Howepiledup18hitsinthegame.
McCollumledHowewithfive hitsinfiveatbat.Fuhr,Simms, andMontgomeryeachcollected multiplehitsforHowe.Fuhrled Howewithfourwalks.Overall theteamhadastrongeyeatthe plate,pilingupeightwalksfor thegame.
HoweLadyBulldogswelcome PottsboroVarsityCardinalsnext Friday.
HoweSports Baseball HoweBulldogBaseballisinfull swing,herearetheresultsfromlast week:
SaturdaytheHoweBulldogsfacedthe BowieVarsityJackrabbitswhichresultedinaloss3-4.
TuesdaytheBulldogsplayedBells anditresultedina2-13loss.
ThenextgameisFridaythe21st againstBellsagainat7:00p.m.followedbyagamenextTuesdaythe 25thvs.Pottsboro.
Photo Credit: Michelle Carney
CampInventionComingUp! Thissummer,CampInvention®,anationallyrecognizedhands-onSTEM,innovation,andcreativitycamp,iscomingtoHoweMiddleSchoolforstudents ingradesK-6!
UpcomingCityEvents April5th–KeepHoweBeautifulTrashPickUpfrom9a.m.-12p.m.–meetatSummitGardens
HowePoliceDepartmentacceptingapplicationsfortheCitizen’sPoliceAcademy
MARCH22:GraysonCountyPrecinct1SpringCleanUp
MAY3:Founder’sDayFestival,4p.m.-8p.m.
EmployeeSpotlight–HowePoliceDepartment Chief Jake Sullivan
Theprocessofbuildingastronger agencyandonethatistrustedbythe communitybeginswith ourvisionstatement:Leadership ThroughDedicationofService.
ToaccomplishthevisionoftheHowe PoliceDepartmentwehavehired anotherofficer,Samuel Wallingford.OfficerWallingford joinedtheHowePoliceDepartment inFebruary2025,with previousexperience,hasanassociate’sdegreeandiscurrentlycompletinghisbachelor’sdegree.
OfficerWallingfordisanadventmotorcycleriderinhisofftime,please welcomeSamuel WallingfordtotheHowePoliceDepartment.
XYZMeeting XYZ(eXtraYearsofZest)isFirst BaptistChurch'sSeniorCitizen groupthatmeetsmonthlyonthe 2ndThursdayat10:30inFellowship Hallofthechurch. TheCommunity ofHoweisalwaysinvited. Aftera shortbusinessmeeting,wehavea programofvariousinterestsandthen weeat-potluck,whateverdelicious foodattendeeshavebrought.
ThispastThursday,ourownDonna Pelkeypresentedtheprogram"Wild andNativeTexasLandscapes." We considerDonnaourveryownexpert on"WhatwillgrowinTexas?" She isaplantlover,especiallynative plantsandsheappreciatesconservationofnaturalresources. Shehasa beautifullocalhomewithwildflowersandnativeplantsandgrassesall aroundit. Sheisnotonlyknowledgeablebutalsoexperiencedbecausesheworkedformanyyearsin hercareerasacountyextension agentalloverTexasandOklahoma. Sheprovidedabeautifulvideoofher
areaandHowetakenfromdroneby JakeRoberts. Shebelievesnative plantsbelonginourlandscapesbecausetheyaredrought,buganddiseaseresistant. They'rebeautifuland theeasywaytohaveabeautiful landscape. Sheprovidedbluebonnet seedsforattendees.Shegavemany tipsandtricksandideasandsuggestionsforallthewayfromaTexas landscapeortoevenjustapotted plant.
Godplantedourfirstplants,ournativeplants,andHeknewwhatHe wasdoing,soitmakessensethatwe shouldfollowsuitanddowhatHe did
Joanne Dickey
Donna Pelkey
Photo Credit: Joanne Dickey
• NoSmallBusinessSpotlightforthisweek
Lifestyle/ColumnsOverview General:
-Farmer’sAlmanacForecasts
-Recipes Columns:
-TexasHistoryMinute
-BillyHollandColumn
ColumnsContinued:
-Tips,Tricks,and Remedies
Farmers’Almanac Forecast Thisarticleinthepaperwillbeincludedweeklymovingforwardandwillgive theforecastspredictedinthe2025Farmers’Almanac.
03/20: Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,ColdRockies,plains. HeavyrainsTX,pointseastthenfair Gardening:Barrendays,donoplanting
03/21:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,ColdRockies,plains. HeavyrainsTX,pointseastthenfair Gardening:Barrendays,donoplanting
03/22: Fishing/Weather:fairfishinginthemorning,ColdRockies,plains. HeavyrainsTX,pointseastthenfair Gardening:Anyrootcropsthatcanbeplantednowwilldowell
03/23:Fishing/Weather:fairfishinginthemorning,ColdRockies,plains. HeavyrainsTX,pointseastthenfair Gardening:Anyrootcropsthatcanbeplantednowwilldowell
03/24:Fishing/Weather:goodfishinginthemorning,fairthenunsettled;showersRockies,pointseast
Gardening:Abarrenperiod,bestsuitedforkillingplantpests.Doplowingand cultivating.Goodharvestdays
03/25:Fishing/Weather:goodfishinginthemorning,fairthenunsettled;showersRockies,pointseast
Gardening:Abarrenperiod,bestsuitedforkillingplantpests.Doplowingand cultivating.Goodharvestdays
03/26:Fishing/Weather:bestfishinginthemorning,fairthenunsettled;showersRockies,pointseast
Gardening:Goodforplantingcucumbers,melons,pumpkins,andothervine crops.Setstrawberryplants.Gooddaysfortransplanting.Favorabledaysfor plantingbeets,carrots,radishes,salsify,turnips,peanutsandotherrootcrops.
Recipes Theserecipesarefromtheyellowed,well-wornValleyViewUnitedMethodistWomen’sCookbook.
Submityourownrecipesforsharingtoashley@howeenterprise.com
Neiman-MarcusStew
2lbs.beef,cubed
1lg.onion,sliced Garlic
1½tbsp.brownsugar
½Bayleaf
½tsp.thyme
1tbsp.salt
1canbeefbroth
1cupbeer
Brownbeefwellinsmallamountofoilinskillet.Addonions.Stirinotheringredients.Mixwellandheatthrough.PourintolargeshallowPyrexdish.Cover withheavydutyaluminumfoil.Bakeat350degreesfor2½hours.Uncoverand addonetablespoonredwinevinegar.Stirandbakeuncovereduntilbubbly. Serveonlargeplattersurroundedwithcookednoodles.Serves6.
Glenda McCormick
KingRanchMexicanChickenCasserole
8Corntortillas(enoughtolinepan)
2canscreamchickensoup
2cansRo-Teltomatoesandgreenchiles
1greenpepper,chopped
1onion,chopped
1½tsp.chilipowder
1tsp.garlicpowder
1cupcheddarcheese,grated
Boilchicken(approx.20-30mins).Removefromwater.Letcool.Diptortillasin chickenstock.Line13”x9”panwiththem,lettingthemgoupthesides.Tear chickenintobitesizepiecesandputontopoftortillas.Mixsoup(s),RoTeltomatoes,chilipowderandgarlicpowdertogetheruntilsmooth.Pouroverchicken. Sprinklechoppedgreenpepperandonionontopofsoupmixture.Sprinkle cheddarcheeseontoptocover.Bakeat350degreesforabout30minutesuntil cheesemeltsandlooksbubbly.
Note:Suziesubstitutes1cancreamofmushroomsoupfor1canofthecream chickensoupandputslayerofdippedtortillasbetweenchickenandsoupmixture
JanAnderson and Suzie Pickrel
5minuteFudge
2tbsp.butter
1smallcanevaporatedmilk
½tsp.salt
12/3cupssugar
Add:
½cuppecans
½tsp.vanilla
1½cupschocolatechips
16marshmallows,chopped
Combinebutter,milk,saltandsugar.Bringtoboilandcontinuefor5minutes. Addpecans,vanillaandchocolatechipsandchoppedmarshmallows.Beatwith spoonuntilitthickens.Pourintogreasedpanordishandsetinrefrigeratorto cool.
Leta
Hobbs
EarthquakeCake
1cupcoconut
1cuppecans,chopped
1boxGermanchocolatecakemix
8oz.pkg.creamcheese
1(1lb.)boxpowderedsugar
1stickbutter,melted
Greaseandflour8x14inchpan.Spreadcoconutandpecansonbottom.Mix cakeaccordingtopackage.Pouroverpecansandcoconut.Meltbutter,add creamcheeseandpowderedsugar.Mixwell.Spreadovercake.Bake350degreesfor45-50minutesoruntildone.
Tishia Mae Kile
Tips,Tricksand Remedies Ashley Husbands
Thisweek’stipcomesfrom“Tips, Tools&Techniques”byGeorgiaCaraway(availableforpurchaseatThe HoweMercantile)
Thefollowingwasfoundonpage79 aboutlabelremovalfromvarioussurfaces:
• Productssuchasrubbercement solvent,Bestinesolvent,andGoo Gonewillremovestickylabels, maskingtape,andstickyresidue leftfromlabelsonglass,pottery andchina
• Beverycautiouswhenusingany productofpaper.Testasmallarea beforeapplyingtheproducttoa labeltobesurethatitwillnot leaveagreasyspot.Youcaneasilyruinapapercollectiblebyusingtheseproducts.Ihavehad greatluckwithGooGone,butI stilltesteachtimeIuseitonpaper.
• Forglassorchina,peelawayas
muchpaperasyoucan.Next, softentheresiduebyapplying vinegar,hairspray,nailpolish remover,mayonnaise,orpeanut butter.
• Onpainedsurfaces,applyahot ragorheatwithahairdryer.Be carefulnottopulloffthepainted surfacebyworkingtooquickly. Youcanreducethevalueofa collectibleitembyremovingthe originalpaint.
• Onplastic,applyahotrag,rub gentlywithadabofpeanutbutter,orheatwithahairdryerset onwarm.
• Onmetalrubgentlywithadab ofpeanutbutter.Carefully scrapeoffthesoftenedresidue withadulltableknife,acoin,a plasticletteropener,oryourfingernail.
• Onwood,cloth,potteryorpaper useahairdryersetonwarmto softenthelabel.
• Selfadhesivemounts:Toremoveadhesivetape,dripvinegarbehindthetape.
TexasHistoryMinute Hospitalswatch aschildrenfillthe wards. Thediagnosis,numbering inthehundreds, wouldbethesame: thedreadedmeasles. Inwhat couldbeascene fromacenturypastisnowthegrim realityofcommunitiesacrossportions ofWestTexasandNewMexicowitha newmeaslesoutbreak. Measles,a diseasethatoncekilledmillions,is nowroaringbackwithanewoutbreak. Measlesisanairbornevirus,andone ofthemosteasilyspreaddiseases known. Upto90%ofpeoplewhoare notimmunewillbecomeinfectedif exposed. Measlessymptomsappear 10-14daysafterinfection. Itcausesa highfever,sorethroat,drycough,and thecharacteristicred,splotchyrashall overthebody. Seriouscomplications canincludepneumoniaandencephalitis. Symptomsusuallylast7-10days. Measlescanalsobefatal. Antibiotics onlytreatbacterialinfectionsandcan dolittleifanythingforaviralinfection likemeasles.
Thevirusoverpowerstheimmune system,inmanycasesdamagingit beyondrepairinsurvivors. Manypeoplewhohavehadmeasleshavelifelonghealthissuesafterward. Most peoplewhohavehadmeaslesareimmunetoitafterward,butalargenumbercanhavesuppressedimmunesystemsafterward. Theviruscancause blindness. Measleshasalsoleftpatientsdeaforwithserioushearing problems. Inmoreseverecases,brain damageispossible.
ThediseasefirstemergedinEuropearoundthefifthcenturyAD. The firstdescriptionofmeaslescomes fromtheMiddleEastabout400years later. Seriousmeaslesepidemicswere recordedintheeleventhandtwelfth centuries. Becausemanychildrenencounteredit,measleswasoftendescribedasa“childhooddisease,”but theeffectswerehardlychild’splay. A measlesoutbreakin1531leftmillions ofNativeAmericansdeadinHonduras andMexico,atleasthalfthepopulation. AHawaiioutbreakleftone-fifth oftheislanddeadinthe1850s. From 1850to2000,thediseaseleftanestimated200milliondeadworldwide, includingmillionsofchildrendead eachyear.
In1963,Dr.MauriceHilleman developedthefirstsuccessfulmeasles vaccine. Nolongerdidpeoplehaveto worryaboutthedeadlypathogen. The vaccinewasmorethan95%effective. Preventativemedicinethrough thevaccinewouldsavelives. Vaccinationmeantthatparentsnolongerhad tospendsleeplessnightswonderingif theirchildrenwouldsurviveanother nightwithmeasles. Vaccinationmeant thatlocalcemeterieswouldnolonger befilledwithyoungchildren. Childrenwouldlivelongerandhealthier livesthankstothevaccine.
Therapidspreadofmeaslesandthe miseryitcausedbecameastaplein cartoonsthroughthe1940sand 1950s. Vaccinationmeantthatthe darkgallowshumorofmeasleson aTomandJerrycartoonwouldbelost
onlatergenerationsofchildreninthe 1970sand1980sforwhomthedanger ofthediseasewouldneverbe known. Schoolsandcommunity healthclinicsorganizedmassvaccinations. Bythebeginningofthetwentyfirstcentury,measleshadbeenallbut eliminatedintheUnitedStates. Indistantcornersoftheworld,farremovedfromtheUnitedStates,measlescontinuedtobeaseriousproblem. Inthemeantime,doctorsand nurseswererapidlyvaccinatingchildrenglobally,whichledtodisease ratesandmortalityratesplummeting. By1999,measlesstillkilled roughly873,000peoplearoundthe worldwithinfectionratesfallingto nearzerointheUnitedStates. By 2005,annualdeathratesdroppedto 345,000. By2017,theseglobaldeath rateshaddroppedanothertwo-thirds tonear120,000thankstovaccines. TheWorldHealthOrganization, forexample,reportsthatMexicohada 97%measlesvaccinationratein2021, aratecomparabletotheUS. Theriseofsocialmediainrecentyears meantanincreasingnumberofpeople tookcomfortindeceptivememesoftenmeantasperversejokesinsteadof theexperienceoftraineddoctors. Quacksandfraudstookadvantageoflimitedscientific knowledgeofindividualsandled morepeopletoquestionthesafetyof vaccines. However,noseriousstudy hasevershownanyquestionofthe safetyoreffectivenessofthemeasles vaccine. Onedeeplyflawedstudy brieflyraisedthequestioninthelate 1990s,butthestudywasimmediately foundtobealie;andsubsequentstudiesandreportsconfirmedthesafetyof themeaslesvaccinewitheachsucceedingyear. Nevertheless,vaccinationratesbegantodropasaresult. Outbreakseruptedperiodically acrossthecountryasvaccinationrates fell. Intheend,parentswhoignored theadviceofdoctorstovaccinatetheir childrenincreasinglyhadtotaketheir infected,sickly,anddyingchildrento thesesamedoctorsfortreatment. Andnow,WestTexas. Measleshadbecomeaforgotten scourge. Vaccinessavedmillionsof lives. AndnowAmericanfamilies withinfectedlovedones,inspiteofall theadvantagesmodernscienceand preventativemedicineoffered,arereducedtothesamedespairthathaunted familiesincenturiespast,wondering whathorrorswillvisittheirailingchildrenaseachhourticksby.
God’scommandmentis God’senablement EveryChristian hasbeengiven amissionand sometypeof ministry.Gifts, talents,andspecialabilitiesare distributed fromGodwithinthepersonal blueprintofour calling.Yes,all ofGod’speople havetheresponsibilitytoprayand obey,butlikeourfingerprints,each missionisunique.HelenKelleris quotedassaying,“Theonlything worsethan beingphysicallyblindisnothaving spiritualvision.”
It’simperativethatweexamineour heartsandbecomefamiliarwithour destiny.Whenwespeakofministry, weoften thinkofwhattypeofspecialabilitywe have,however,thelevelofourskillis notourhighestformofservice. DemonstratingthecharacterofChrist provesourloveforHimandismore valuablethanourtalents.Manytimes peoplewilluseandabusetheirheavenlygiftstobringglorytothemselves andthiswasnotGod’sintention.Paul writesinColossians3:17,“Whatever youdo,inwordordeed,doeverything inthenameoftheLordJesus,giving thankstoGodtheFatherthrough Him.”
Ibelievehumilityisessentialsince mostofwhatwedoinpublicministry isseenbyothers.Prideisasnaretrap that lovestotemptandshifttheattention fromGod’somnisciencetohowsmart andanointedweare.Theawarenessof ourCreatorwholeadsandempowers ustodoHiswilliswhatallowsusto remaininanattitudeofreverencetoward Him.Someonesaid,“Whenselfison thethrone,Christisonthecross,but whenChristisonthethroneselfison the cross.”It’sclearthatwhatwedoisnot asimportantaswhywedoit.Let’s lookintothisalittlefurther. ThepassageinMatthew7:21-23that talksaboutGodrejectingcertainreligiousindividualsonjudgmentday causes ustoscratchourheadsbecauseit seemsthatGodisnotappreciating theirservice.So,whathappened?I’ve had peopletellmetheyareperplexedand evenworriedaboutthis,butIbelieve JesusiswarningHischildrenthat simply claimingtobeafollowerordoingnice deedscannotearneternalsalvation. Wemustbespirituallytransformed throughthebloodofChristandbecomeHisdisciplethatgivesusthe passiontoonlydoHiswill–notours. Heisn’t endingarelationshipwiththem,but ratherisstatingtheyneverhadagenuinerelationshipwithHim.Itseemswe desireHispowerandpraisebutdonot wantHimtocontrolus. Whenwearelearninghowtouseour giftfromtheLord,werealizethatspir-
itualvisionswillmostlikelyrequire naturalresourcesandmoresupport thanjustapatontheback.Indeed,His Kingdomisnotdependentonmoney, but somewhere,somehow,financesare usuallyinvolved.Personally,I’mcautiousaboutfocusingtoomuchon moneyand moreonextendingmyfaiththatGod isincharge.Ihaveanotepostedon mydeskthatsays,“WhereGodguides He provides.”WeknowthatHecanopen thewindowsofmiracleblessingsto makeHisplansareality,soourjobis to keepprayingandpreparingtomovein Histiming.AfterweknowHisplans, wemusttrustHim.Ifourdreamsnever cometopass,itwaseitherbecausewe misunderstood,disobeyed,oritwas notHiswill.
Thebeautyofourredemptionisnot earnedbyourachievements,butrather iswoventogetherwithourcovenant bond ofaccountabilitytomanifesttheimage ofJesusatalltimes.Theintentionalact oftheSonofGodsufferingonthe crossforusisnotonlytopayforour sinbutshouldbethecenterofourlove anddedicationtoreflectHisglory. When weunderstandwearenolongerfollowingouremotionaldesiresandunderstandwhatGodwantsustobeand doin thislife,wecanthenconcentrateon intercedingforHisdivinewisdomand direction.
MayweacknowledgethatGoddeservesalltheglory,andaswebecome morematurewetoowillbecomemore and moreaboutHisgloryinsteadofour own.LetusheedthewordsofJohnthe BaptistinJohn3:30,“Hemustincrease, butImustdecrease.”Themessageof JesusstronglyemphasizestheimportanceofpersonallyknowingGod and lovingHimwithone’swholeheart, notjustgoingthroughthemotionsof performingreligiousendeavors.
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
KenBridges
Dr.BillyHolland
“ I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” CommunityBibleFellowship JeremyMoore,pastor
415SCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459
Wednesday
6:30pm-FoodandFellowship
7:00pm-CommunityKids(ages36thgrade,nurseryavailable)
7:00pm-YouthandAdultBible Study
Sunday
10:30am-WorshipService
FirstBaptistChurchHowe RogerTidwell,pastor
100E.DavisSt.,Howe,TX903-5325504
Wednesday
5:15pm-FreeMeal
6:15pm-AblazePrayerMeeting
6:15pm- Children'sMid-Week
6:30pm-WednesdayNightYouth
Sunday
9:15am-SundaySchool
10:30am-WorshipServiceBible Study
Psalms 18:1-2 NIV HoweMethodistChurchofHowe JBBryant,minister
810NDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6718
Tuesday:
8:30am-1:00pmWeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
9:30am-Women'sBibleStudy
6:30pm-BoyScouts
Wednesday:
9:00am-WednesdayWorkers
6:00pm-1stand3rdWednesdays
FamilyNight
Thursday:
8:30am-1:00pm-WeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
Saturday:
9:00am-12:00pm-FeedMySheep (1st&3rdSat.ofeachmonth)
Sunday:
8:30am-CoffeeandDonuts
9:00am-SundaySchool
10:00am-WorshipService
3:00pmCubScouts
FirstBaptistChurchDorchester ZachPoling,pastor
11831FM902,Dorchester,TX 75459903-476-5525
Wednesday
6:30pm-Worshipservice
Sunday
9:00am-Men'sPrayerTime
9:45am-SundaySchool
10:45am-WorshipService
5:00pm-EveningService
SummitViewChurch BrettandDebHetrick,pastors
910SDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6828
Wednesday
7:00pm-RadiateYouth
7:00pm-Sanctuaryofforprayer
Sunday
9:30am-SundaySchool (kids,youth,women,men)
10:30am-WorshipService
10:30am-KidsChurch
HoweChurchofChrist AaronAlsbrook,minister
1205NCollinsFwy,Howe,TX 75459903-532-6441
Wednesday
7:00pm-BibleClasses (allages)
Sunday
9:00am-BibleClasses (allages)
10:00am-WorshipService 5:00pm-WorshipService
Posting
Posting
Description
ence.
JobTitle BAKER workintexas.com
PostingID 16806398
CityofHowe SECONDS
COUNTINANEMER-
GENCY!That's whytheCityofHowehas institutedthe CodeREDEmergency NotificationSystem -anultrahigh-speedtelephonecommunica- tionserviceforemergency notifications.This systemallowsustotelephoneallortargeted areasincaseofanemergencysituationthat requiresimmediateaction (suchasaboil-waternotice,missingchildorevacuationnotices).The systemiscapableofdialing60,000phonenumbersperhour.Itthen deliversapre-recordedmessagedescribingthesituationstoalivepersonoranansweringmachineintheaffectedareapossiblyincluding instructionsrequiringactiononthepartoftherecipient.Oncethesituationisremedied,anothercallwillbeplacedtotheareasignalingthat theissuehasbeenaddressedandthatnormalactivitiescanberesumed.
Thefollowinginformationisrequiredtoaddatelephonenumberinto the"CodeRED"database:firstandlastname;address(physicaladdress,noP.O.boxes);city;state;ZipCode;andprimaryphonenumber.Thesystemworkswithcellularphonesbutrequiresavalidstreet address.Whenenteringinformation,pleasefilloutallofthescreens becausethenewestdataenteredwillreplacetheolddata.Signupby visitinghttp://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/oem.cred
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City Hall
116 E. Haning St., 903-532-5571
Mayor: Karla McDonald
City Council: Michael Hill, Billie Ingram, Sarah Myrick, Shawn Tyler, Ricky Price
City Administrator : Monte Walker
City Secretary: Michelle Hewitt
Utility Billing and Municipal Court
116 E. Haning St. 903-532-5571
Utility Clerk: Beccy Roberts
Court Clerk: Amy Bond (After hours night drop available)
Public Works
317 S. Hughes St.
Public Works Director: Justin Johnson
Code Enforcement
317 S. Hughes St. Code Enforcement Officer:
Howe Volunteer Fire Department
118 E. Haning 903-532-6888 (nonemergency)
Fire Chief: Robert Maniet
Howe Police Department
700 W. Haning St. 903-532-9971 (non-emergency) Dispatch 903813-4411
Police Chief: Jake Sullivan
Economic Development
100 E. O’Connell St. 903-532-6080
EDC Director: Monte Walker
City
The Patriot Pony IsraelRenewsGazaStrikes Over400Palestinianswerekilledand morethan500woundedearlyTuesday followingIsraeliairstrikesacrossthe GazaStrip,oneofthedeadliestbombardmentsofthe17-monthwar.The attackcameamidstallednegotiations withHamastoextendthewar'stwomonthceasefireintoasecondphase.
SincetheceasefirebeganJan.19, morethan1,800Palestinianshave beenexchangedfor33IsraelisabductedOct.7,includingeightwhowere deceased.Israeliforcesexitedmuchof Gazaasidefromsomebufferzones, allowinghundredsofthousandsof displacedpeopletoreturntotheir homes.PrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahuresumedthefightingamid pressurefromhiscoalitionnottoproceedtoasecondphase,pointingto Hamas'unwillingnesstoreleasethe remaininghostagesasjustification.He haslonginsistedthewarwouldnot enduntilHamasisdestroyed.
TheIsraelimilitarycalledforevacuationsacrossGaza'seasternborderwith Israel,promptinganalyststospeculate thatanewcombatoperationwasimminent.Netanyahualsodescribedthe attacksasonlythebeginning.
AstronautsReturnHome NASAastronautsSunita“Suni”WilliamsandButchWilmoresplashed downofftheFloridacoastyesterday, concludinganunexpectednine-month stayaboardtheInternationalSpace Station.TheyreturnedonaSpaceX CrewDragoncapsulealongwith NASAastronautNickHagueandRussiancosmonautAleksandrGorbunov.
Originallyscheduledfora10-daymissionaboardBoeing’sStarlinerinJune 2024,WilliamsandWilmoreremained ontheISSduetotechnicalissueswith thespacecraft,includingheliumleaks andpropulsionproblems.Whileawaitingtheirreturn,theyintegratedintothe regularISScrewrotation,contributing toscientificresearchanddailyoperations.
Duringtheirextendedstay,thepair completed4,576orbitsofEarth,travelingmorethan121millionmiles.The missionbringsWilliams’careercumulativetotaltimeinspaceto608days thesecondmostamongUSastronauts
(Some)FederalWorkers Reinstated TheTrumpadministrationmovedto reinstatearound24,500probationary workersyesterday,whowerepreviouslyterminatedunderbroadreduction-in -forceeffortsinrecentweeks.Thedecisionspans18agenciesandfollows courtdecisionsthatfoundtheadministrationviolatedprocedurallawin carryingoutthefirings.Thelong-term statusofthegroupisunclear thedecisionshavebeenappealed,andjudges notedterminationsareallowedifcarriedoutaccordingtolaw.
Inrelatednews,afederaljudgeruled yesterdaythatthegovernment'sdismantlingoftheUSAgencyforInternationalDevelopment attributedto theElonMusk-ledDepartmentof GovernmentEfficiency waslikely unconstitutional.Therulingstopped shortoffullyrestartingtheagency's operations.
Separately,individualdepartmentscontinuetoformulate longer-termplanstoreduce staff,includingreportstheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencywilllargelyeliminateits 1,500-personresearchanddevelopmentoffice.Amongother efforts,thewinghelpeddeterminehowthe2014Flintwater crisisunfolded.
sJohnsonSpaceCenterin Houstontoassesstheeffectsoftheir prolongedspaceflight.
AlienEnemiesAct PresidentDonaldTrumpinvokeda 1798lawtoexpeditedeportationof VenezuelangangmembersSaturday,thoughafederaljudgeblocked theplanfortwoweekstohearargumentsinthecase.
The227-year-oldAlienEnemies Actistheonlyremaininglawof fourpassedaspartoftheAlienand SeditionActsamidtensionswith France.Thelawgivesthepresident powertodeportnon-UScitizens withoutdueprocessiftheyarenativesofacountrywithwhichthe USisatformalwarorduringan “invasionorpredatoryincursion.” Thestatutehasbeeninvokedthree times duringtheWarof1812and bothWorldWars andwasthe basisforthe1940sinternmentof morethan100,000JapaneseAmericans.
Initsinvocation,theTrumpadministrationdescribedtherecentmigrationofthousandsofmembersof Venezuela’sTrendeAragua
gang designatedaforeignterrorist organizationinJanuary asaninvasion.Thegroupisknownforhuman anddrugtrafficking,anditsalleged membersarethetargetofatleast100 criminalinvestigationsacrosstheUS.
behindPeggyWhitson.Theastronauts willundergomedicalevaluationsat NASA’
