September 2014 The Scoop Newsletter Volume 8 - Issue 9 THIS NEWSLETTER IS A WORK OF LOVE BY A COMMITTEE OF FOLKS IN ASHLAND. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH. IDEAS OR ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER? DROP OFF OR CALL PRINTERS INK AT 217-476-3764, OR GIVE THEM TO NANCE BRYANT, LINDA DEVLIN, CYNTHIA GUTMANN, BOB HEATHER, OR LIZ WALLBAUM. ITEMS CAN ALSO BE E-MAILED TO MATT HOBROCK, ASHLANDSCOOP@YAHOO.COM. DEADLINE WILL BE THE 25TH OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH’S NEWSLETTER. YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED. OUR WEBSITE: http://ashlandscoop.tripod.com
605 S. Hardin St., Ashland, IL - $89,999 605 S. Hardin St. Ashland, IL $89,999 Quiet small town living with 2BR 2BA on 5 lots with two parcel ID#'s. Several possible uses on the south 3 lots. Large 30x30 outbuilding with a 10x30 deck off of the back side for privacy. Many updates including: mostly new windows '07-'08. Roof was updated approx. 10yrs ago, Furnace `13., A/C approx. 7yrs ago, and new gutters w/ gutter guards `13. Gas fireplace in the cathedral ceiling living room. Mature trees and berries on the property. Extra lot included!
Block Party! Date: Saturday September 13, 2014 Time: 4:00-9:30 pm EVERYTHING in the park is completely free – no donations, free to everyone Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Walking Tacos Fun for all Ages – Face Painting Duck Pond
Dawn Stremsterfer Realtor®, Broker Associate
Hoola Hoop Contest Provided by: New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Direct: 217-7411865 2475 West Monroe Springfield, IL 62704 (cell) 217-741-1865
Entertainment on the Stage Christian Rock Groups Puppet Show
PROFESSIONALS
soldbydawns@gmail.com
Movie “Letters to God” & popcorn at dark (Approx 7:30)
Family Friendly, God Centered Fun!
Fastest baseball Pitch Contest Frog Jump Contest Greased Pig Contest 3-on-3 Basketball tournament BINGO Inflatable bounce house Inflatable Obstacle Course
BUYER NEEDS:
OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
Well-maintained & updated 3BR home in A-C district. Please call Dawn @ 741-1865 if you have a property that you would consider selling.
Ashland Scoop’s new email address is: AshlandScoop@yahoo.com
CHURCH DIRECTORY BEREA CHRISTIAN CHURCH ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH Minister Edward J.Moretto Father Carlos Martin Buhorquez 476.8856 bereacc@casscomm.com Ashland Sunday Mass - 8:00 am www.bereachristianchurch.com Beardstown Sunday Mass - 10:00 am Sunday Christian Education Hour - 9:30 pm Sunday (Spanish) - 11:30 am Sunday Worship - 10:30 am Virginia Saturday - 5:30 pm Wednesday Eve. Prayer Mtg. - 7:00 pm UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Pam Hoffman 476.8858 We’re Open On Sunday!! www.ashlandunitedmethodist.com CHURCH OF CHRIST Sunday Worship - 8:45 am Minister Jimmy Coyle Sunday School - 10:00 am Sunday School - 9:00 am NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH, s.b.c. Sunday Worship - 10:00 am Pastor Darin Peterson FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Ph. 815-355-2083 Pastor David L. McHenry 476.3678 www.newbeginningschristianfellowship.net Sunday School - 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages Sunday Worship - 10:30 am @ 9:15-10:15 am Worship Service @ 10:30 am YOUTH4TRUTH Monday evening @ 6:30 pm Saturday’s Men’s Prayer Breakfast @ 8:00 am
St. Augustine Card Party will be held on Wednesday, October 22. Please mark your calendars.
Prentice Farmers Elevator 2303 Elevator Avenue Ashland, IL 62612 217.476.3516 or 1.800.255.8659 prenticeev@casscomm.com prenticeelevator.com James R. Blakeman, Manager 4 locations to serve you: Prentice, Philadelphia, Strawns Crossing, and Tallula.
Dealers in Grain, Seed and Kent Feeds.
. Gardner Construction Co 2878 Panther Grove Road Ashland, IL 62612
Cell: 217-341-3415 Leave Message 217-476-8135
Remodel Kitchen & Baths Replace Roof & Room Additions Decks & Garages
Plumbing - Heating Air Conditioning Backhoe - Trenching We Do It All 115 W. Freemont St. Phone: PO Box 136 In Just 1 Call! (217)476-3595 Ashland, IL 62612 Jim - Todd - Travis
Time to get those feet into “flip-flop” shape!
Amity Nail Spa 116 N. Yates Ashland, IL 217-415-0558 Lana J. Pfaffe, Nail Technician
ADVENTURE CLUB Annual Cookout First Christian Church Cafeteria September 13, 2014
Call for a pedicure Appointment TODAY!!
Dinner will be at 5:30pm, with entertainment to follow. No charge for the cookout, but would appreciate everyone calling to make reservations.
A Full Service Bank 400 E. Buchanan St. P.O. Box 467 Ashland, IL 62612-0467
Illini
1-800-252-1799
Propane
PH. 217.476.3325 FX. 217.476.3342
LLC
220 N. Yates - Ashland Office: 1-866-225-8126 Garrett Savage - Bob Savage Ron Ahlers - Salesman cell: (217)691-9631
**GIVE US A CALL**
A SUBSIDIARY OF THE WEST CENTRAL BANK E-mail: wcins@casscomm.com
108 W. Editor Street Ashland, IL 62612 217.476.3354 Jeffrey A. Donnan - Kay Handy Ora Lee Campbell - Kristen Arthalony
Other Locations: 116 State Street Beardstown, IL 62618 217.323.3018 Debbie Jones 815 W. Clinton Rushville, IL 62681 217.322.6230 Kala Peacock
3600 West Wabash Springfield, IL 62704 217-726-9885 Stacey M. Hester
Harold D. Allen 1934 - 2014
Loretta A. Copley 1929 - 2014
ASHLAND, IL - Harold D. Allen, 80, passed away at 1:36 p.m., Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.
ASHLAND, IL - Loretta A. Copley, 84, of Ashland died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, at St. John's Hospice in Springfield.
Harold was born to George M. and Carrie Jackson Allen on April 26, 1934, in Waverly. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Farmer on Oct. 26, 1957, in Ashland. Evelyn preceded him in death in 2006. Harold is survived by his four sons, Tom and Steve (Jennifer) of Ashland, John (Jennifer) of Alexander, Ill., and Stan (Melissa) of Sherman; two daughters, Jeannine Westlake (Bill) of Riverton and Jennifer Flinn (Alan) of New Berlin; 17 grandchildren, Maggie, Quinn, and Julianna Allen, Caitlin Mahoney (Jeff), Natalie Allen (fiance, Alex Mahoney), Madalyn and Jackson Allen, Aimee Hale (Andy), Evan Westlake (Courtney), and Alayna Westlake, Rachel, Jacob, and Adam Flinn, Avery and Grant Allen, and Jeff Prince (fiance, Kaity Wright) and Carrie Allen; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Stewart (Paul) of Waverly, Ill., and one brother, George Allen (Phyllis) of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Phyllis Allen, and one brother, Wayne Allen. Harold considered his current and former employees part of his family.
She was born Oct. 23, 1929, in San Benito, Texas, the daughter of Henry Francis and Mary Louise Phillip Hibbs. She married Charles A. Copley on June 5, 1950, at St. Augustine Church in Ashland and he survives. She is also survived by four children: Patricia Mutchler (husband, Jack) of Springfield, Charles J. Copley (wife, Ramona) of Ashland, Joseph Copley (wife, Sandra) of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Robert Copley (wife, Christina) of Quincy; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-greatgrandchildren; two siblings, Sister Henrietta C.S.J. of La Grange Park and Edwin Paul Hibbs (wife, Judy) of Beggs, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Harold graduated from Waverly High School in 1952 and attended Bradley University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Harold served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings: Mary Frances Barnett, Jimmy Hibbs, Gertrude Salowetz and Robert George Hibbs.
Harold began his grocery career working for Leonard and Bernadine Points in Waverly as a young boy. Following his military service, Harold opened Allen's Market in January of 1960 in Ashland which he continued to operate until his death. He played an active role in Ashland community events and received the honor of Ashland's First Citizen award.
Mrs. Copley was a graduate of Ashland High School and a member of St. Augustine Parish. She was a devoted homemaker and mother. She was always willing to assist her friends and neighbors as well as to volunteer for worthy church and community events.
Harold enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States, as well as an annual trip to Table Rock Lake with his children and grandchildren, a trip to Turks & Cacos, Barbados, and a trip to Europe in 2011. Harold enriched many lives throughout his lifetime and has left a hole in the hearts of his family and the Ashland community. Memorial services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville with interment followed at Ashland Cemetery. The family met friends from 4-7 p.m., Friday at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.buchanancody.com Published in The State Journal-Register from Aug. 6 to Aug. 7, 2014
Ivan D. Monroe, Sr. 1933 - 2014
ASHLAND, IL - Ivan D. Monroe Sr., 81, died Sunday, August 10, 2014, at his home. He was born June 26, 1933 in Cass County, the son of Roy and Mabel Curry Monroe. He married Edna Tankersley on June 12, 1955 and she survives. He is also survived by three children, Ivan Dale Monroe Jr. of Springfield, Kathryn Monroe (Dwayne Rudolph) of Ashland, and Roy Monroe (Jessica) of Ashland; six grandchildren, Kyle Monroe (Lacie Nichols) of Murrayville, Brittany Monroe (Shaun McFadden) of Ashland, Olivia Nevitt (Patrick Eckhard) of Springfield, Bubba Nevitt of Springfield, Nikyla Monroe of Ashland, and Alyssa Monroe of Ashland; and two great grandchildren, Tigh Monroe of Murrayville and James Eckhard of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, David Monroe; and a sister, Barbara Watkins. Mr. Monroe was a 1951 graduate of Ashland High School and a life-long resident of Ashland. He farmed with his family prior to his employment with Ashland Farmers Elevator, Alexander Lumber Yard, Howden Fan Company in Springfield, and more recently at Allen’s Market in Ashland. He was a member of the New Beginnings Church and attended First Baptist Church, both in Ashland. He enjoyed bowling and wood crafts in his spare time. At his request, cremation were accorded by Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home and Crematory in Ashland. The family conducted memorial services at 1:00 pm, Friday, August 15, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Ashland. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631. Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 8, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland with burial at St. Augustine Cemetery, west of Ashland. The family met friends at the church from 10 a.m. on Friday until the time of services. Memorial gifts are suggested to: St. John's Hospice. Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home of Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.buchanancody.com. Published in The State Journal-Register on Aug. 5, 2014
Mary Margaret "Mickey" Anderson 1949 - 2014 ASHLAND, IL - Mary Margaret "Mickey" Anderson, 65, died Thursday, August 14, 2014, at her home. She was born Aug. 10, 1949, in Springfield, the daughter of Alvin D. and Dorothy E. Maddox Cave. She married Scott Anderson on March 29, 1969, in Ashland, and he survives. She is also survived by a daughter, Lori Roberts (husband, Brian), of Ashland; three grandchildren, Taylor Jacobs of Quincy, Cole Roberts of Ashland, and Marley Roberts of Ashland; three brothers, George Cave , Larry Cave (wife, Lisa), and Ron Cave (wife, Melodee), all of Ashland; two sisters, Judy Subu (husband, John) of Ashland and Helen Bernice Robinson of Springfield; her stepfather, Harold Ring of Ashland; a stepsister, Angie Ratliff (husband, Ron) of Ashland; her caregiver, Kandy Horrer of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Cave and Dorothy Cave Ring; a sister, Susie Alexander; and two brothers, Jerry Maddox and in infancy, Harry Cave. Mickey was a graduate of Ashland High School and attended Lincoln Land Community College. She was employed with the Illinois EPA for 35 years prior to her retirement. She enjoyed gardening and, in her younger years, was a stock car and drag race driver. She was a member of the International Ford Retractable Club and enjoyed participating in many car shows. Graveside funeral services were held 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Pleasant Plains Cemetery in Pleasant Plains. The family met friends from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Ashland. Memorial gifts are suggested to St. John's Hospice. Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com. Published in The State Journal-Register from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, 2014
The fire hydrants are scheduled to be flushed during the first week of September. There may be some discoloration to the water, however, this is not harmful. Please be aware that no unauthorized ATV’s can be driven on the streets of the Village. As a reminder to dog owners, please pick up the droppings, especially those in the parks. Not cleaning up after your pet is in violation of Village Ordinances and can result in a fine. Additionally, all residents will be receiving a letter explaining the Village Ordinance pertaining to dog registrations. All dogs must be registered with the village ($7.50) and renewed each year after ($5.00). The dogs are registered and the owners given a tag number. This allows the swift return of your dog if it should become lost. Please make sure your home has a house number that is visible from the road. If you are in possession of a stray dog, please call the county sheriff’s office (217/452-7718) and ask them to contact Jim Birdsell. If you see a street light out, call the Village office (217/476-3317) and we will contact Ameren CIPS for repair.
Water $27.50 $14.75 $ 1.05 $39.00
First 1,000 gallons Per 1,000 gallons after first 1,000 Maintenance Fee Minimum monthly charge
Sewer $10.45 $ 4.40
E-mail: Ashland@casscomm.com Facebook: Village of Ashland
Village of Ashland Board Members & Staff:
Terry Blakeman, Mayor Jim Birdsell, Chief of Police Ron Cave, Public Works Director Phyllis Sutphin, Village Treasurer Vanessa Doellman, Village Clerk Kitty Mau, Deputy Clerk
Kelly Sutphin-Gutmann, Trustee Fadra Birdsell, Trustee Stan Fulton, Trustee Greg Pettit, Trustee Frank Wallace, Trustee Nathan Grieme, Trustee
ASHLAND VFW POST 3546… Meets monthly at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Monday at the Firehouse. AMERICAN LEGION POST 498... Meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd Monday at the Firehouse. SENIOR SAINTS MEET… Senior Saints will meet at the Dairy Queen in Petersburg for their meeting on August 24th @ 5:00pm. Meet at Ashland Baptist Church @ 5:00pm if you need transportation. Call Linda Spradlin @ 475-3927 to make reservations. FALL CITY-WIDE YARD SALE… Ashland’s Fall City-Wide Yard sale will be September 20, 2014. LADIES PRAYER BREAKFAST… The Ladies Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, September 6th at 9-00 am. We will meet at St. Augustine Hall. Join the Ashland Woman’s Club Upcoming Programs for the 2014-2015 Year September 2 – The Vintage Pinney – new store in town October 7 – Governor Tanner – Jim Atwood
Piano Lessons & Private Tutoring Still Available Call Deb Gruen @ 741-1112 For Sale: Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. 22 inch. $150 2002 Weldbilt 16ft fishing boat, new fish finder. Boat has 25 horsepower Yamaha motor. - $3800 Call 217-341-6369 ASHLAND SENIOR SAINTS UPCOMING EVENTS/TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 9/21/2014 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m., Richland Creek Baptist Church Fried Chicken Dinner and potluck - Program on Australia, Hostess Frances Lange with Frances Nordsiek and Joan DeGroot, meet at the Ashland Baptist Church to carpool 10/19/2014 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m., wiener roast at Nancy Klein's,
November 4 – Harvest Noon Luncheon – reservations required Pleasant Plains, with Carroll and Imogene Cline, meet at the Ashland December 2 – A-C Central Band Students May 5 – Spring Noon Luncheon – reservations required
Baptist Church to carpool 11/22/2014 - Saturday - 5:00 p.m., dinner at VFW, Jacksonville, Hostess - Linda Spradlin with Betty Connor, Sue Pschirrer and June Foreman, meet at the Ashland Baptist Church to carpool
Other monthly programs for February, March, and April, 2015 to 12/21/2014 - Sunday - at 5:00 p.m., Dessert and coffee/drinks at Ashbe determined. land Baptist Church, Hostesses - Sandra Burch and Donna Wester
The club meets the first Tuesday of every month (September to January, February, March 2015 - no events planned due to possible May), 1:30 p.m., First Baptist Church hall. A cultural program is inclement weather followed by light refreshments. Membership is only $10 for the year. The club was organized in 1898 and supports many local 4/19/2015 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m. - dinner at Hollywood Café, Chandlerville, Hostesses - Glenda Schleyhahn and Frances Nordsiek, meet at organizations and charities. Please contact Judy Mills (476the Ashland Baptist Church to carpool 3469) or Eleanor Cosner (452-3409) regarding membership. The ladies play bridge and pinochle throughout the year. The bridge players meet on the 3rd Tuesday and the 4th Monday of each month, September to April, 10:30 a.m., Ashland United Methodist Church basement, contact Lucile Johnson 476-3503. The pinochle players meet at various times during the day and evenings, contact Cynthia Gutmann 476-8817. COME JOIN US – BRIDGE & PINOCHLE PLAYERS & SUBSTITUTES NEEDED
5/31/2015 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m. - Subway sandwiches, Ashland Baptist Church - Hostesses - Judy Mills and Rita Kofoed 6/21/2015 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m. - dinner at the Naples Boatel, Hostesses - Jeanne McDonald and Sandra Burch, meet at the Ashland Baptist Church to carpool 7/19/2015 - Sunday - 5:00 p.m. - pizza party at Ashland Baptist Church, Hostesses - Judy Mills and Rita Kofoed
Smith Chiropractic Clinic Dr. Kathie G. Smith
RCM Farmers Co-op www.rpafarmers.com
111 North Hardin Ashland, IL 62612 (217)476-3547
3090 Richland Elev. Rd. Pleasant Plains, IL 62677
Pleasant Plains
Ashland
300 N. Washington Pleasant Plains, IL 62677
220 North Niagara Ashland, IL 62612
217.626.1551
217.626.1331
Richland
Office Hours by Appointment Monday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
217.476.3318
New Construction Remodeling Gutters
Norm Bryant Enterprises Distributor of Fine Quality Vacuums Furniture
Carpet Cleaning
Cell (217) 741-3758 Phone: (217) 476-3508
Car Interior
608 W. Franklin Ashland, IL 62612
NOW SHOWING AT THE PRAIRIE SKIES PUBLIC LIBRARY, ASHLAND BRANCH "OILS ON CANVAS" BY LOCAL ARTIST ELAINE ENGLISH Elaine has painted several pictures that will be on display during the month of September at the library. Stop by and view her talent.
Cost of ads per issue. 1/8 page - $15 1/4 page - $30 1/2 page - $40 Would you like to advertise in our newsletter? Call 476.3764 or stop by Printers Ink at 112 N. Yates.
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE - MAILED TO YOU FOR ONLY $25 PER YEAR.
September Birthdays 1 - Fred Uhland 1 - Jan Williams 1 - Tom Veith 2 - Melodee Cave 4 - Natalie Allen 4 - Erica Shannon 6 - Kathy Greer 8 - Natane Butler 9 - Tammy Eskew 10 - Roger Clark 12 - Renee Jokisch 12 - Bernie Devlin 13 - Linda Lueck 13 - Ron Aggertt 15 - Judy Walters 16 - Egenia Koch 16 - Greg Pettit 16 - John Allen
19 - Liz Wallbaum 19 - Tim Kelly 20 - Bill Roth Jr. 21 - Larry Cave 21 - Ann Tapscott 22 - Addison Jones 22 - Ellen Blakeman 23 - Deb Gruen 23 - Brian Koch 24 - Jeff Cosner 24 - Declan Laraker 25 - Jim Wallbaum 25 - Pat Houser 25 - Lana Pfaffe 25 - Faith Wells 29- Linda Wallbaum 30 - Paul Williams 30 - David Clark
September Anniversaries
BLACK & WHITE COPIES - 10 CENTS EACH COLOR COPIES - 30 CENTS EACH
2 - Kenny & Judy Walters 4 - Ron & Maureen Plattner 6 - Karen & Mike Manswoki 10 - Louie & Tara Jokisch 14 - Lisa & Clint Thaxton 20 - Paul & Margie Harris 23 - Randy & Amy Christison 25 - Shawn & Tammy Eskew 30 - Bob & Marilyn Williams
Organization Statement
Blessings in a backpack is a results-orientated program, designed to feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program, and have little or no food on the weekends. Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program.
Large 5-Church Garage Sale.
$80 feeds an American school child in the program for an entire 38 week school year. A passionate volunteer elects to start the Blessings in a Backpack program in a local school. S/he fundraises to support the number of children in the program and partners with a near by grocery. Blessings in a Backpack donates the backpacks for the program, so 100% of the money raised by the program coordinator goes directly to food purchased for the backpacks. Every Friday, students receive their backpacks with staples that require little to no preparation. They return with their backpacks on Monday ready to learn.
Friday, September 19, 5-8 Saturday, September 20, 7-?
Blessings in a Backpack experienced explosive growth during 2012. As of September 1, 2012, we are feeding nearly 62,000 children throughout the United States and in three countries. The organization could not have achieved this milestone without our tireless volunteers, dedicated school personnel, or valued public, corporate, athletic, and celebrity sponsors. We hope that we can continue to grow into 2013 and beyond. Together, we are Feeding the Future of America, one school at a time.
In basement of Ashland Church of Christ.
ADOPT A CHILD IN THE AC CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR $80.00 A Year, $2.10 PER WEEK! ANY DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! ALL MONEY RAISED STAYS IN COMMUNITY. SUPPORTED BY AREA CHURCHES! NAME: / ADDRESS: / DONATION: MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK OR GO ON-LINE AT: blessingsinabackpack.org, charge card is acceptable. Be sure to check: AC Central Elementary. Send checks to Kendra Swain @ 2048 Wheeler road, Alexander, IL. 62601 or call 217-248-5665
LOTS OF MISC. ITEMS! Proceeds go to: BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
Lost? by Edward J. Moretto, Minister, Berea Christian Church A hot air balloonist discovers he’s hopelessly lost. He reduces altitude looking for any kind of landmark and spots a woman walking down a street. He descends a little more and yells, “Excuse me, ma’am. Can you help me? I promised a friend I’d meet him over an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.” The woman below responds, “You’re in a hot air balloon about thirty feet above the ground. You’re between thirty-nine and forty degrees North Latitude and just a little over ninety degrees West Longitude.” The balloonist says, “You must be an engineer!” To this the woman replies, “I am. How did you know?” The balloonist retorts, “Well, everything you’ve told me is probably technically correct. But I don’t know what to make of your information. In fact, I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help at all and if anything, you’ve delayed my trip!” The engineer smiles and says to the balloonist, “You must be a politician.” “I am,” says the balloonist, “but how did you know?” The lady replied, “Well you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is, you’re in exactly the same position in which you had put yourself before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.” Isn’t it interesting how in recent years many of us have adopted the victim syndrome? Every problem that we have is someone else’s fault. Pity the poor criminal, for example! He’s at the mercy of society, poverty, poor teachers, poor father figures, not enough government handouts, etc., but never sees that most of his problems are, like the balloonist’s, of his own making. Read the story of the serpent, Eve, and Adam in Genesis Chapter Three. They’re caught! Adam says to God, “It’s not my fault! It was that woman YOU gave me!” Eve says, “It’s not my fault. That snake YOU put in the garden lured me into this!” Before delivering His response to these two “victims,” God lands on the snake with both feet (pun intended). See Genesis 3:15. In Romans 3:23, the apostle Paul tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Someone may say, “I never sin!” Yes, you do! (See 1 John 1:8-10) So do I. So did the snake. So did Eve. So did Adam. The balloonist was lost. The snake (you know who he is) is lost forever. But you, I, Eve, Adam, the balloonist, and everybody else who’s ever lived (with the exception of Jesus Christ) has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but we don’t have to be “lost.” For more information on how not to be “lost,” visit Berea Christian Church. WE’RE OPEN ON SUNDAY! (Christian Education hour is at 9:30 a.m. Worship service is at 10:30 a.m.)