Page Four THE OMAHA STAR
PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION
Living on Purpose What Does The Cross Mean To You? By Dr. William Holland We used to sing a vineyard worship song whose chorus said, “Refining fire– our one hearts desire – is to be holy – set apart for you Lord – I choose to be holy– Set apart for you, my Master – ready to do your will.” When a person accepts Christ, they make a holy vow of commitment to Jesus that promises they will never flirt, tease, or engage in any type of romantic activity with sin. It’s easy to sing a song, but are we really serious about our commitment and dedication? What are we thinking when we sing songs like this? “Set a fire down in my soul – that I can’t contain – that I can’t control – I want more of you God – I want more of you God.” Do we really want to be filled with Him, or just enough to make it to heaven? Maybe we do not realize what salvation actually is. Matthew 16:24 is such a profound statement from Jesus and worthy of our highest consideration. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The reality of us being lost and then being found is the greatest gift we could ever receive. To believe with faith and be saved by His grace is a miracle from heaven. However, in case no one ever mentioned it, being bornagain is not without conditions or accountability. There is more to being saved than just raising your hand and receiving a golden ticket. Redemption is entering into a marriage covenant with Christ and taking a holy vow to give ourselves entirely to Him and to allow Him to reign within us as Lord and King. We are not just dating the Lord; we are to be completely sold out to Him100 percent. Not 50 or 60 percent committed – we are to be walking in His presence every moment– we are to be “living” in the Holy of Holies with Him. How many have a passion for this type of relationship? Probably not that many which is why they call His followers a remnant. The truth is that very few really want to be committed to this extent. What makes you say that? Well, we can see that hardly anyone is this radical and we can also examine our own life and determine if we are living in this extreme spiritual level. We are able to do whatever we want and this means we can be as close to God as we desire. However, if we are not as close to Him as we can be, something must be stopping us. What is it? It’s simply a rebellious refusal to surrender our will to Jesus? Do we actually have a passion to become sanctified and holy to the point where sin makes us nauseated? Are we in control of our life, or is our life in control of us? The cross is a symbol of death and hope all at the same time. Jesus died and rose from the dead and likewise our old nature must die so that we can live as a brand new creation in Christ. (Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com)
William Victor ‘Boogie’ Anders William Victor “Boogie” Anders made his last trip around the sun on May 28. “Boogie” was the nickname given by his grandmother, Estelle Anders. The name was given not for his great dancing ability but because he would have a fit like a Boogie. Boogie, a 1958 graduate of Omaha Tech was voted Most Talented & Most Musical. After graduating from Southern University in 1971, he embarked on a very successful corporate management. After graduating from Southern University in 1971, he embarked career with Gallo Wine Co. and was later promoted as a District Manager working in Los Angeles, CA. In 1974, he became the Market Manager with Olympia Brewing Co. in Southern CA. In 1982, Boogie relocated to Atlanta and joined Ferrellgas Propane as a Major Market Manager. He later retired in 2002 from Glogas Propane as General Manager. After retiring he was a substitute teacher for DeKalb County Middle Schools. Then in full retirement, he spent time honing in on his golf game and hunting for golf balls. He was a huge Cornhusker fan and often wore Husker gear and looked forward to another winning season. He is preceded in death by his parents; Glenn Anders and June Lawson, his beloved Grandmother, Estelle Anders; Foster siblings, Fred Clough and Eleanor Sterns. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Dr. Marion Anders, Brothers Terry of San Francisco, CA and Michal (Alice) St. Louis, MO; Foster siblings Dorothy Taylor and Carl Clough; Children: Danette Hogan (the late Steven), Kelly (Council Bluffs, IA), Damon Bridges-Anders (Barbara) Stockton, CA, Dr. Tiffany Brown (Michael) Marietta, GA, and Damon Marietta, GA. Grandchildren: Steven, II Omaha, NE, Sierra Charlotte, NC, and Jordan, Jalen, and Madison Marietta, GA. Very close cousins; Carole WoodsHarris, James Anders, Dale Anders and Rodney Stewart. Private family services will be held in Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes - TFTO at 12020 Shamrock Plaza 200, Omaha, NE 68154.
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June 12, 2020
Women’s Rights Champion Julia D. Anderson Dies at 95 By Amanda Paris Public Relations Chair, OS-NCNW Julia D. Anderson, a lifelong champion for women’s rights, passed away on Sunday, May 31. The women’s rights icon was 95. She will be missed by her daughter, Dianne Rutledge; grandson, Clarence Rutledge; and a host of friends and colleagues. Julia D. Anderson founded Anderson the Omaha Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., in 1979, and served as the Omaha Section-NCNW President from 1979-1983. She led, developed, and advocated for women of African descent as they supported their families. Her legacy is service to the community as she furthered the rights of women. “Julia was passionate, self-motivated, and served as mentor for many,” Deb Shaw recalls. “She took me under her wing and taught me about NCNW locally and nationally.” Julia believed that NCNW provided the tools women needed to become effective leaders in the community. One of those tools was parliamentary procedures which show how to effectively run meetings. Julia treated Robert’s Rules as it were the Bible because she knew that organizing, bringing people together and communicating in meetings were essential. She totally influenced many women to understand the importance of conducting any type of meeting with the techniques of Robert’s Rules. She conducted workshops for NCNW as well as other organizations on how to use parliamentary procedures. There would always be a test at the end. It was imperative that everyone knew the importance of parliamentary procedures and how to use them effectively. Julia was a member of the local and state unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) for 20 years.
“She served as chapter president and various other positions in the local chapter, as long as her health would allow,” said Jesse Statham, Parliamentarian & Member – NAP. Julia would always ask why and how questions in order to improve Omaha Section-NCNW. Julia was truly a trailblazer in the Omaha community. “She taught me that no matter how old you are, you can still accomplish great things with help from your friends. She was a valued leader who led by example and left an impression on my life and I want to help other young women like she helped me, through the OS-NCNW,” says Deb Shaw. In the early years, Julia married Lloyd Killgo and moved to Ripley, TN, where they lived for 4 years. While in TN, Julia worked in the cotton gin, processing bales of cotton for shipment. Uncomplacent, Julia enrolled at A & I State University in TN, and later served as a substitute teacher in the segregated TN school system. These experiences helped her to conclude that her mission was service to others. The Killgo’s moved to Omaha and they had one child, Dianne. In the early 60’s the opportunity arose for Julia to take the Civil Service exam for the U.S. Postal Service. Julia passed the exam with flying colors and worked for the Post Office for 26 years. Julia worked many positions while at the Post Office and retired as an EEO Counselor. Her additional involvement in Civic organizations includes Worthy Matron of the Omaha Eastern Star; National Federation of Business and Professional Women, Inc., serving as Chairman of Committees, and as 1st and 2nd Vice-President. Julia was honored to be the first to receive the Shirley Wasley Award from UNO for Women in Advanced Years. She attended the First class of the “Blue Print,” a class sponsored by the United Way on leadership and being involved with organization boards. Julia has passed on to a better place, but her legacy remains. May she rest in peace. Our love, prayers, and condolences go out to her family.
Fathers, One of a Kind By Velma J. Sanders Singular in his reflection and distinctive in form, fathers are one of a kind. Although human fathers are plenteous in number, the position of father is unique because the role of father reaches into the eternal and everlasting realm. It is a projection, on earth, of God who is in heaven. One of God’s many names that He has revealed to us is Father and then, Everlasting Father. Consider this: The role and office of father did not begin with the creation of the first man, Adam; nor did it begin with the birth of the first children, Cain and Abel. The honorable position of father was established ages before man was created or before time itself existed. That is how it was, before time and in the beginning, behind and before everything, is God the Father. Let us ponder, for a moment, the creation of man. God stooped and formed man of the dust of the ground; and then God stoops yet lower, as it were, and breathes into man’s nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. With the opening of Adam’s eyes, the first that he sees – is God! God first presents Himself to man. Then, He gives to that man, made in His image and after His likeness: provision; dominion; responsibility; wife; children. Father and fatherhood are an office, a duty and a privilege. It has spiritual obligations and responsibilities as a prophet,
a priest and a king. The earthly father was made by God to provide structure and dignity, and as a vehicle to bring about opportunities for growth and glory. So, we honor and esteem highly fathers. This is both our Christian and civic duty. We commemorate you even more so because your position as father, reflecting the glory of God the Father, is like no other position known. To be a father is one of the highest positions, if not the highest position that can be granted to a man. First and foremost, and common to us all is one biological father. But allow me to also recognize others that come under the category of father. There are: grandfathers and great-grandfathers; single fathers; step-fathers; fathers through adoption; foster fathers; spiritual fathers, and also fathers-in-law. We recognize that earthly fathers are not all-knowing or all-powerful. We know that you are not perfect and like the rest of us, have made your share of mistakes. But we also know that you have, as we have, matured through the years. We appreciate your sacrifices and hard work to provide for your children. We thank you for going through your days of struggle and disappointment. We also know that you have possessed immeasurable seasons of contentment. Thank you for being there to nourish, protect and uphold; for providing food, clothing and shelter; encouragement, discipline and instruction. Fathers, you are one of a kind! And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became … father.
Charlene Helen Robinson Charlene Helen Robinson passed away on May 30 from COVID-19. Charlene was born on December 26, 1931 to Charles and Mazie Womack. Charlene was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Robinson, daughter Kathleen Robinson, her parents, sister Betty (Wilmoth) Hayes and brother Stephen Womack. She is survived by her daughter Julie Robinson and sonin-law Neil Eisenhart, son Thomas Robinson, grandson Jordan Thurman, granddaughter Brooke Thurman and her fiancé Mark Godfrey, sister Edith (Melvin) Swillie, sistersin-law Florence Combs and Thelma Gandy Robinson, brothers-in-law Lawrence (Shirley) Robinson and Bill Robinson, and a host of nieces and nephews. Charlene graduated from Creighton University in 1954 with a BSN and was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She later earned a master’s degree from Kansas State University, was one of the first nurse practitioners in Kansas and was an adjunct
faculty member at Wichita State University. Her early career included nursing positions with the Department of Defense and the Panama Canal Zone Authority during her husband’s military career. She retired from the Veteran’s Administration, where she specialized in geriatrics, inspected nursing homes housing veterans, and ran the VA Hospital’s hypertension clinic. She now lives in eternity. The family thanks the amazing team of doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center COVID Unit, who fought for her life, and then comforted her as she departed. Funeral Services Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be lived streamed on the Amos Family Funeral Home Facebook page at 1 p.m. Friday, June 5. Memorial Contributions The family suggests donations in her memory to: Creighton University School of Nursing, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178 or Healing House of Kansas City Inc., 4505 St. John Ave., Kansas City, MO 64123
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