Speaking the Truth

By Clint Decker

St. Patrick: One Man Fully Committed

Clay Center, Kansas

– Have you ever really committed yourself to something? It seems to be a rare find in people. Most of us want what is easy. Some are comfortable the way life is. Others cannot stay focused on a goal, because the fun stuff keeps getting in the way.

Are you familiar with Patrick, otherwise known as St. Patrick? He is an inspiration to the committed, and a challenge to those who are not.

Patrick was born British and lived 385461 A.D. His parents were very religious, but he wanted nothing to do with their faith. As a teenager, his life dramatically changed when an Irish mob abducted and sold him into slave labor in Ireland. For six years he served as a shepherd watching over his master’s sheep. During that season of quiet suffering, he came to know the God of his parents. Eventually, he was led by the Lord to escape slavery in miraculous fashion, and made his way back home. There Patrick prepared for a career in ministry. In time, he was convicted by God that he must return to the land of his slavery and spread the good news of Christ. He boarded a boat that took him to the shores of Ireland; this time of his own choosing. The day he stepped onto Irish shores began 29 years of a legendary mission.

Ireland in Patrick’s day was an evil and dangerous place. Knowing this in advance, Patrick recounted in his writings, The Confession, saying “I am ready to be murdered, betrayed, enslaved -- whatever may come my way.” It was an epic battle of light versus darkness which made for mythical type stories that followed Patrick’s work. Upon his death in 461 A.D., light had won the battle setting a new course for the Irish. God used Patrick to see over 120,000 people baptized and 300 churches planted.

Patrick was one man, wholly dedicated to Christ. Through his full commitment, God changed a nation.

Is the life of Patrick normal for anyone who follows Jesus? Yes and no. No, in the sense that God in His wisdom, chooses certain people for certain missions. Not everyone will travel to another country. Not everyone will change a nation. Not everyone has the same gifts, talents and experiences. We are all different, which should be celebrated rather than

Vote C.L. Vestal for Putnam Co. RI School Board

If elected, candidate Vestal assures the community he will focus on the following:

1. SAFE learning environment for all students

2. Academic achievement

3. Emphasis on community engagement

4. The reinforcement of moral values in the school system

5. Being more conservative with finances

6. Support for teachers, aids and assistants

7. More support for the arts and athletics

Now it is your turn! I ask the community to carefully regard each candidate that has presented themselves. Weigh each with consideration they deserve, and if you agree with even one point on the focus list; vote C.L. Vestal on April 4, 2023

Faith based compared. But yes, in the sense of what the Bible lays out as a standard for all Christians.

Understanding.

Together we can make a difference!!!

Where did Patrick get his commitment from?

Read what Jesus explained to His disciples about what was going to happen to Him, “And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

(Matthew 20:18-19) Jesus undertook His mission fully knowing the cost. It sounds like Patrick was influenced by Christ.

But you say, “I am not Jesus, nor am I Patrick. How does Jesus want me to live?” Read these words He spoke to His disciples as Jesus lovingly looked each one of them in the eyes, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

(Matt. 10:37-39)

Jesus is clear. There is a cost to following Him. A person must be willing to humble themselves before Him as both Savior of their sins, and Lord of their life. This is the price of a Christian. Total devotion of his life under the Lordship of Jesus. This is the example He gave us through His cross. As Jesus lovingly yielded all for you, He calls you to yield all for Him. Will you, today? A prayer for you. “Lord God, thank you for the life of Patrick. Through his life of faithfulness, teach us be fully committed to you. Nothing less. Point out anything that is hindering an unswerving dedication to you, that we might confess and turn from it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Thousand Hills State Park Presents Several Stargazing Programs

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 10, 2023

– Join Thousand Hills State Park team members, Truman State University faculty and the Adair County Public Library for stargazing programs throughout the year. Telescopes will be set up, but the public is invited to bring their own telescopes, chairs and binoculars.

Weather permitting, event dates, times and locations are as follows:

Constellation Tales:

7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Point Shelter

Stars Up, Lights

Down: 8-10 p.m., Thursday, April 20, at Point Shelter

Night Sky Stories:

8-10 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Beach Parking Lot

Solar Viewing: 11 a.m.: 1 p.m., Saturday, July 8, at Point Shelter Nighttime Stargazing:

Missouri Farm Bureau

Members Return to D.C. This Week

Submitted by Garrett Hawkins, Missouri Farm Bureau President

There’s nothing quite like the hum of Capitol Hill during springtime. Members of Congress are debating, the iconic cherry blossom trees are beginning to bloom, and D.C. is alive with activity from school groups and engaged advocates from all across the country.

Many Missouri producers already utilize one or multiple conservation practices on their farms, highlighting the important work our farmers do to care for the environment.

9-11 p.m., Saturday, July 8, at Point Shelter

Eyes on the Sky: 7:309:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1, at Point Shelter

Constellation Stories:

7-9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Beach Parking Lot

Spooktacular Stargazing: 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, at Point Shelter Stargazing events will be held at Thousand Hills State Park, 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville. For more information, call 660-665-6995 or watch the Thousand Hills State Park Facebook page for cancellations, location changes and other park information.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Each spring, Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) members make an annual pilgrimage to our nation’s capital to advocate our policy priorities to our congressional delegation and agency leaders. This week, the MOFB fly-in returns after a brief pandemic-induced hiatus. Our members and team couldn’t be more excited to be back in the halls of Congress working on our policy agenda. This trip is a reward for many of our members who have helped shepherd our policy development process over the last year, which produces our annual legislative priorities.

Congress has an extensive agenda in 2023. For Farm Bureau members, crafting a strong safety net is at the top of the list. The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire, paving the way for a new 2023 Farm Bill to be crafted. At the heart of our policy priorities is protecting crop insurance and farm safety net programs, as farmers continue to weather a strained economic situation. In addition, MOFB continues to drive conversations surrounding common-sense conservation. As the Biden Administration continues its “all of government” approach toward climate change, MOFB stands positioned to ensure farmers and ranchers are strongly represented in conversations regarding conservation policy.

Aside from the farm bill, our members will be sharing the need for continued oversight of regulatory proposals from the Biden Administration. MOFB vigorously opposes the 2022 WOTUS Final Rule, which is set to take effect on March 20, 2023. In addition, we continue to see crop protection products further restricted by the Environmental Protection Agency, potentially impacting our access and farm productivity. Furthermore, proposals to require additional emissions reporting and more red tape for farmers and ranchers are proposed nearly every week.

Last, but certainly not least, our members will be asking our delegation to promote policies that increase domestic production of energy and agricultural inputs. Farmers and ranchers across the nation are feeling the impacts of inflation and continued supply chain issues as we enter the 2023 growing season. Congress must explore ways to promote domestic production of energy and agriculture inputs to alleviate some of the constraints agriculture and other industries are facing.

When we conclude our visits at the end of this week, and as I board the plane to go home, I always reflect on the trip with a sense of gratitude. I’m grateful for our members; I’m grateful for my farm and family at home, and I’m grateful for Missouri’s Congressional Delegation who are working to make our country a better place for all of us.

The Putnam County R-1 CTA is hosting a Meet and Greet forum on March 28th at 5:30 pm in the Middle School auditorium for candidates filing for a school board position. The public is welcome to attend.