TheShepherd’sCall

by Dr. H. Wade Paris

Who’s On First

More than once, a parishioner spoke with me about his alcoholic son. The boy had great promise but started drinking at an early age. By the time I knew him, he was an adult and an alcoholic.

In response to his father’s pleading, “Why do you drink? Why don’t you quit?,” the son replied, “I just like to drink. From my very first drink, I enjoyed it; and I don’t want to quit. All my friends drink.” Eventually and prematurely, it cost him his life. Knowingly, consciously, this man chose to be an alcoholic. He chose a bad life over a good one.

There is a similar story in the Bible. A rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked how he could receive the good life---eternal life. (Mark 10:17-27). Jesus told him to obey the commandments; the young man said he had kept those from childhood.

“Very good,” Jesus replied, “but you have

Crowd Turns Out to Support Museum

another problem. Your wealth is your God. Sell all you have and give it to the poor; and put God first in your life.”

“No, thank you,” the wealthy man said, for he was rich. One does not have to be rich or an alcoholic to be separated from God; but you do have to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. To be a believer, God must have first place in your life.

One of the Renaissance poets wanted to take a wife, but there was a problem. He already had a wife. “Nothing doing,” his present wife said, “it’s me only or goodbye.”

Jesus put it this way, “You cannot serve God and something else, for you will love one and hate the other.” (Matthew 6:24-34) In other words, two things cannot be first.

To use our baseball lingo, you cannot have two runners on first. Who is on first in your life?

Birthdays

Thursday, April 27

Kenny Ingersoll, Deena Lindberg, George Ross, Edith Ruggles, Tracie Johnson, Bradley Penfield, Kaidyn Wood, Joyce Cullum

Friday, April 28

Elizabeth Henderson

Saturday, April 29

Terry Spence, Brylie

Adams

Sunday, April 30

Chris Lowe, Bridgetta

Sage, Judy Smith, DeAnna Weaver, Pam Doty

Monday, May 1

Jenny Ryals, Paige Turpin, Cara Ross, Joni Staggs, Ben Brundage

Tuesday, May 2

Ben Crawford, Cindy Minear, Charlie Worley, Amanda Klinginsmith

Wednesday, May 3

Darlene Casady, Beth Robbins, Brenda Rowland, Inez Croxdale, Louie Girgentl, Molly Parker, Ayden Otto, Emily Dover

Omaha Baptist Church

Sunday Morning Bible Study for ALL Ages at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Please come to hear Pastor Kevin Collins bring you a reassuring word from God.

Over 50 persons attended the Hillbilly Hoedown fundraiser sponsored by the Putnam County Historical Society. After the meal, a program filled with music, jokes and laughter followed. Music was provided by Patricia Sharman, Steve Head, Carolyn Vincent and Randy Kimple. Pictured are (L to R) Stan Alexander, Vincent and Kimple.

MySideOf The Desk

Karen Bradshaw

In museum news, a big thank you to everyone that helped with museum’s Hillbilly Hoedown fundraiser and all those who showed up for the entertainment. I think a good time was had by all and money was raised to help with museum expenses. The hours for the museum to be open will change in May to Wednesday, 9:30 -2:00 and Saturday mornings, from 9:00 -11:00. As always, there are members’ numbers posted on the door to contact for access to the museum at other times. The next meeting will be held on May 11, at 5:30 PM. If you would like to join the Historical Society or to volunteer,

Railroads

Last month I read a book about the building of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860’s. We forget how critical railroads were in those days and up until the

Kevin Collins 1950’s. They are still important today. Of course the railroad went through Unionville and, if you know where to look, you can still see some signs. I remember when the tracks ran through Cozy Corner, even though the trains had stopped long before.

Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home

please contact myself or Judy McDonald.

The past few weeks it seems as if Mother Nature is taking a cue from The Karate Kid’s Mr. Miyagi. Instead of “wax on, wax off,” it’s been more a case of “coat on, coat off.” This past Saturday there were both snowflakes and bright sunshine in the space of only minutes. Maybe, just maybe, the weather will settle down in the next couple of weeks to more normal spring temperatures, if there is such a thing as “normal Missouri weather” that is.

No matter what we think of the weather, evidently the morel mushrooms have thought it was just right. Personally, I haven’t ventured out to look, but a grandson and some friends camping have found quite a few. It might have helped that they were camping near a couple of my favorite mushroom hot spots! I’m glad they had some luck. I may give it a day or two and do a little hunting myself, but for some reason I’m not as excited about the whole hunt as I used to be when I was trying to find enough to feed the family members that were no longer able to get out and trek through the woods.

One thing that is causing me to hesitate is the overabundance of ticks. It seems no matter how much insect repellent clothes are sprayed with, the ticks still want to come home with one. To be fair though, I have probably gotten as many ticks on me running the weed eater to reclaim some grassy areas as I ever have walking through the woods. It’s not so much the ticks themselves, as the diseases they carry that make me think twice about diving into a brushy area. Consequently, I may do a few “drive bys” of likely spots and should there happen to be some morels in residence, then I will probably do some “deep dives” into the brush because it’s all about the hunt at that point.

Have a great week and stay warm or cool as the case may be!

709 S. 27th St., Unionville 660-947-2200

Thursday, April 27

Ham w/Pineapple, Apple Yam Bake, Cole Slaw, Fruit, Pie

Friday, April 28

BUFFET, Hot Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Peas/ Carrots, Assorted Fruit and Desserts

Monday, May 1

Ham w/Pineapple,

Creamed Peas & Potatoes, Spiced Apples

Tuesday, May 2

Aloha Chicken, Cheesy Potatoes, Broccoli, Fruit Cup

Wednesday, May 3

SALAD BAR, Hot Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Winter Mix Vegetables, Fruit

Ron