Manynew columnsare comingsoon,one ofwhichincludes asmallbusiness spotlight.Ifyou ownasmall businessand wouldliketoget thewordoutabout whatyoudo,
SongoftheWeek:
WeWon’tGet
Whenwritingthe articleabout Trump,Igotthe abovesongstuck inmyhead.“New boss,sameasthe oldboss..”or somethinglike that.
Ashley Husbands
ThisJanuary20th,DonaldJ.Trumpwillbe sworninasthe47th presidentoftheUnited StatesofAmerica.
TheinaugurationceremonyoccursinWashingtonDCattheU.S. CapitolBuilding.
Accordingtothe 20thAmendment,the termsofPresidentJoe BidenandVicePresidentKamalaHarriswill officiallyendatnoon EasternStandardTime onJanuary20th.Trump andVicePresident-elect J.D.Vancewillofficially takeofficeatnoon, whetherornotthey’ve completedtheiroathsof office.
MembersofCongress andtheVicePresident oathsare thesame,but theoathofaUnited StatesPresidentisdifferentandisasfollows: “"Idosolemnlyswear (oraffirm)thatIwill faithfullyexecutethe OfficeofPresidentof theUnitedStates,and willtothebestofmy ability,preserve,protect anddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnited States."
Duringtheinauguration ceremonyboththePresidentandVicePresident areswornin.Afterword, thePresidentgivesa speechwhichisknown as“TheInauguralAddress”. Historically,duringtheInauguralAddressthePresidentwill speakregardingtheir
plansforwhattheyintendtoaccomplishduringtheirterm.
Generallyattendeesincludethousandsof membersofthepublic whotravelcountry-wide fortheevent.Theevent alsousuallyincludes seniorpoliticians,SupremeCourtjustices, highrankingmilitary officersandformerpresidents
Celebrationstocommemoratetheswearing inofthenewpresident includebutarenotlimitedtoanInauguralparade,elegantdancesand otherevents.
HoweHumpDayisgenerallyheldonthefirstWednesdayofeachmonthat8a.m.atSummitGardensinHowe.Themeetingisfornetworkingwithlocalbusinesses.Manylocalbusinessownersandrepresentativesattendthemeetingmonthly.
ThefollowingishowtheChamberofCommercedescribestheevent: Weareinvitingallchambermembersandlocalbusinessestoparticipateinournewmonthlyeventtonetworkwithotherbusinesses.You’ll haveachancetopromoteyourbusiness.Bringafriend!Bringyourbusinesscards!
ThismonththeeventwasmovedtothesecondWednesdayofJanuaryduetothefirstfallingonNewYearsDay. ThesponsorforthemeetingthismonthwasTheLlamaRealtyGroup,KWRealty.
JANUARY9:HoweMiddleSchoolBasketballgames,Boysathome,Girlsawayvs.Bells
JANUARY10-11:All-RegionClinic/ConcertatCelinaHSfor7thand8thgraderswhoqualify
JANUARY10:HoweHighSchoolBasketballgamesatBells
JANUARY11:ATSSBAreaAuditionsat8401ValleyRanchPkwyE,Irving,TX75063,USA
JANUARY13:SummitHill–“HouseDay”,wearyourhousecolors
JANUARY14:SummitHill“College,Career,Military”ShirtDay
JANUARY14:HoweHighSchoolBasketballgamesatBlueRidge
JANUARY14:FFADist.3SDEAnna
JANUARY15-18:UILSpiritStateChampionship
JANUARY16:HoweMiddleSchoolBasketball,Boysathome,Girlsawayvs.BlueRidge
JANUARY17-18: HighSchoolandMiddleSchoolAll-RegionClinic/Concert
ThefollowingwasprovidedbyHead CoachJayForsythe:
Howe63
S&S21
HowewasledbyAnthonyLowder with41pointsvsS&SandstrongreboundingfromBradenUlmerand DeaconBender.
Howeis7-7ontheyearand1-2in Districtplay.AbigDistrictgamethis FridayvsBellswillhavehugeplayoff implications.
ThefollowingwasprovidedbyJayceeFourkiller,TheHeadGirls ketballCoach:
Tuesdaywelostindoubleovertime againstS&S,62 Shockeyhadledtheteamwith30 points.
Williamshad11points.
FridayweplayedGunter. Welost86
WearelookingforwardtoFriday evening'sgamevsBellsandclosing outthefirstroundofdistrict.Wehave agoaltomaketheplayoffsandinordertodothatweneedtotakecareof someunfinishedbusinessnextround ofdistrict.Thegirlsareyoungand eagertowin.
ThisweekMayorMcDonaldcontributedaHowespecificseekandfindpuzzle.Theonlineversioncanbefoundhere.
ThefollowingarespotlightsofCity EmployeeswrittenbyChiefRobert Maniet,attheHoweFireDepartment
Paramedic
KaytlynHensleyhasbeenanemployeewiththeHoweEMSsince April2024. Kaytlynstartedheradventurewithapreviousambulance serviceyearpriortoherfulltime employmentwiththenew EMS. Kaytlynhasbeenawonderfuladditiontotheteamwiththis knowledgeandabilities. Kaytlyn hasbeeneagerandwillingtolearn andfurtherthedeptasawholeinto thefuture.
Natehasbeenanemployeewith HoweEMSsinceApril2024. Nate hasbeenawonderfuladditionand veryeagertolearnsincestartingwith theteam. Natesknowledgeandabilitiesmakehimagreatasset. Natehas beeneagerandwillingtolearnand furtherthedeptasawholeintothe future.
Thankyousomuchtoeachofour CityEmployeesforallofyourhard work!
January11,1955–January3,2025
WilliamDavisFinney,abrilliant,kindhearted,andunforgettableman,passed awaypeacefullyonJanuary3,2025, surroundedbythosehelovedandwho lovedhimdeeply.
DaviswasadevotedChristian,anda belovedfather,partner,son,andbrother.
BornonJanuary11,1955,toLouise& JD-Davislivedalifefullofwarmth, humor,andgenerosity,leavingalastingmarkoneveryonefortunate enoughtoknowhim.
Daviswasalifelonglandsurveyor,the youngesttoeverpasstheexam,whose intelligenceandprecisionwereunmatched.
Everthefamilyman,hecouldoftenbe foundspendingtimewithhisdaughterslisteningtothemplayinstruments andsingingtogether.
Forhistruepassionlayinartandmusic;hewasanincredibleartistwho couldtransformevenanEtchASketch intoamasterpiece.
Alwaysdoodlingwhenheshould’ve beenpayingattention,hiscreativity andtalentshoneineverythinghe touched.
Hehadamathematicalmindthatcould docomplextrigonometryproblemsin hissleepandaheartfullofmusic,oftenserenadingotherswithhisharmonicaorhisgorgeoussingingvoice H lovedridinghismotorcycles,fixing clocksandwatches,andspendingtime withhisgranddaughterLyrik.
Daviswasamanwhogaveendlessly toothers.Whetheritwassharingthe spoilsofhisthriftstoreandgaragesale finds,feedinghisdogsBluebellice cream,orsimplyofferingthecoatoff hisback...hiskindnessandgenerosity ofspiritknewnobounds.
Hedotedonhis94-year-oldmother, Louise,hislovingpartnerMaryand madethelivesofhisdaughters,sons, andgranddaughterrichandfullof laughter,love,andmagic.
KnownforhisresemblancetoSanta Claus,Davisdelightedcountlesschildrenduringtheholidayseasonwitha wink,a"HoHoHo,"andhissparkling blueeyes.
Davischerishedclassicrockandcountrywesternmusic&movies,thunderstorms,sunsets,andanykindofastrologicalevent.
(Continued on page 10)
Healsolovedtotravel,especially anywherethathecouldswiminthe oceanorhavethewindinhishair. Someofhisbesttimeswerespent inaplanewithhisbelovedbrother.
Hespenthisdaystellinghilarious jokes,sharingbellylaughs,and makingeverygatheringbrighter withhishumorandwarmth. Whetherhittinggolfballsinhis sparetime,goingtoconcerts,or cookingameansteak,hefilledlife withjoyandadventure.
Thosewhoknewhimwillforever rememberhisloudsneezesand snores,hisloveofgaragesalesand dumpsterdiving,hisgorgeous voice,hismischievoussenseof humor,andhissteadfastgenerosity.
Davis’sspiritwillliveoninthe family,music,art,andcountless memoriesheleftbehind. Heissurvivedbyhisdevoted mother,LouiseFinney;hisloving partner,MaryChildress;histwo daughters,AdrianaFinneyand SheilaFinney;hisson-in-law,StephenBattles;hisonlygrandchildLyrikBattles;andhisfivesiblings: Vickie,Alma,Jimmy,Harold,and
JanaalongwiththeirspousesJerry, Scott,Janie,andMichael,andbyhis stepsonBlakePitchford.Heisalso rememberedfondlybycountlessnieces,nephews,cousins,andfriends.Daviswasprecededindeathbyhisfather,JamesDavis"JD"Finney,his nieceJenniferFinney,andhissister-in -lawJudyFinney.AlongwithhisbelovedgermanshepherdLoki. ServicestocelebrateDavis’sextraordinarylifewillbeheldatWaldoFuneralHomeinSherman,Texas.He willbeburiedwiththerestofhisfamilyinHallCemeteryinHowe FamilynightisMonJan,6that6-8 PM&thefuneralwillbeheldTues Jan7that10AMatWaldoFuneral Home.
Inlieuofflowers,thefamilyasksthat youhonorhismemorybysharinga joke,creatingsomethingbeautiful,or showingkindnesstoastranger.
XYZMEETINGISCANCELLEDTHISMONTHDUETOINCLEMENT WEATHER!
TEXOMAPATRIOTSMEETING
Date: January13th(Monday)at7p.m.
Location: GraysonCountyCourthouse ActivitiesRoom
100WHoustonSt,ShermanTX
Wearestartingouryearwithalookatoursouthernborder.
Date: January13th(Monday)at7p.m.
Location: GraysonCountyCourthouse ActivitiesRoom
100WHoustonSt,ShermanTX
OurpresenterisBrigadierGeneralMikeWallace(retired). HeistheformerAssistantDivisionCommanderoftheTexasArmyNationalGuard,36thInfantryDivision akathe"PantherDivision."
Oneofhisresponsibilitieswiththe36thwasoverseeingthousandsofsoldiersdeployedtooursouthernborder. BGWallaceandhisformerLegalCounselEricBaleswilldiscusswithuswhattheyencountered.
TheGeneralhasadistinguishedmilitaryrecord. After graduatingfromtheWestPointclassof1994,hewascommissionedandservedintheinfantrybranch. Heis bothRangerandParachutistqualifiedandhasreceivedtheAirAssaultBadge. HehadmultipledeploymentstobothIraqandAfghanistan. Inhisciviliancareer,heis ownerandNationalSalesDirectorfor401Plans. A401(k)isanemployer-sponsoredretirementsavingsplan.
Plantoattend!
AlookbackatTexomaPatriotsin2024
Wespentalotoftimethisyeargettingtoknowthecandidatesrunningforthevariousoffices. WestartedJanuarywithAGKenPaxtonandShelleyLutherandfollowedthatwithaCandidateMeet&Greet. These wereyouropportunitiestogettoknowthecandidatesrunningintheprimaries Ourgoalwasandisforyouto meetthemandyouselectthecandidateyouwanttorepresentyou.
Februarywasreallybusy! OurTXAgCommissionerSidMilercametoendorseShelleyLuther. WeinvitedDeonStarnes,ourformerSREC,totalkaboutthevariousGOPconventionsandhowyoucanbecomeadelegateandhelpsteerthepartytobemoreconservative. ThenElisabethSabaditsch-WolfffromAustriatoldus abouthowthelossof'freedomtospeak'inEuropechangedherlife.
InMarch,wehadattorneyandformerprofessorDavidClementstalkandshowhisfilmLetMyPeopleGo. Ituncoverstheproblemswithriggedelectionmachines andsoftware.
WestartedAprilwithatalkbyAmmonBlair,formerborderguardandTPPFemployee,whotalkedabouttheproblemswithourfoodsupply. "...controlfoodand youcontrolthepeople." ThenwebroughtbackthecandidatesintheRunoffElection. Againyouhadtheopportunitytomeetandtalkwiththembeforeyouvoted. InMaywebroughtinTXSenatorBobHalltotalkabouttheTexaselectricgridandhowitcanbeprotectedandhardened. Healsoexplainedhisbillstomakeour electionsmoresecurethatdidn'tpassinthelastlegislativesession. ManyofustraveledtoSanAntoniototakepartinthe2024TexasGOPConvention. OurJuneeventwasasuperbpresentationofBringingBacktheBlackRobedRegimentwithpastorandformerOklahomalegislatorDanFisher. Itwasanhistorical livepresentationofhowthechurcheswereinvolvedinthefoundingofAmericaandtheneedforthechurchestogetinvolvedinteachingbiblicalvaluestoday. Julyincludedatalkfollowedbyatrainingsessionon"understandingthethreat"ofthehostileforcesthatwanttointentionallydestroyourfreedominourlocalcommunities. Hegaveusthetoolswecanuselocallytomakeourcommunitiessafer.
InAugustweintroducedyoutoD'rindaRandall,thenewViceChairoftheTXGOP,andtoSaraBuskirk,thenewViceChairoftheGraysonCountyGOP. They spokeabouttheirrolesinelectingconservativecandidatestorepresentusandkeepingTexas'red'. SeptemberwasbackagaintoMeetingandGreeting-thistimethejudicialcandidatesrunningforthevariouscourts.Thiswasanimportantoneandonewehopeyou attended. WehadcandidatesrunningfortheTexasCourtofCriminalAppealsandtheFifthDistrictCourtofAppeals. ThenweintroducedyoutoourTexasNational CommitteemanRobinArmstrongandourTexasNationalCommittee-womanDebbieGeorgatos.
InOctoberweparticipatedinonemoreMeettheCandidatesForumtogetherwiththeGraysonCountyGOPandtheGraysonCountyRepublicanWomen's PAC. Wefollowedthatwithafunevent-oursecondTRUMPTRACTORPARADEwhichtookusfromTomBeantoWhitewrightandback. WehadTroyJacksonasourMCtostartusoff. Ifyoumissedthis,youmissedsomefun.
November5thwastheelectionandwegottoseeourhardworkduringtheyearbeingrewarded. Trumpwonandwillbeour47thPresidentandourlocalcandidateswell,somewon,somedidn't. WefollowedthiswithaTrumpVictoryFlagWaveontheTaylorStbridgeinSherman. Whatfun!
Duringtheyearweworkedinsmallergroupsonresolutions,pollwatchertraining,testifyingandattendingmeetingsontakingthesmutoutofourschoollibrariesand protectingourchildrenaswellasimprovingeducationstandards. Wealsoworkedonelectionintegrityandeliminatingpropertytaxes. Someblockwalkedand phonebankedforcandidatesandraisedmoneytohelpintheircampaigns. Itwasabusyyearbutveryrewarding! WesloweddowninDecember. SomeofusgottogetherandagainthisyearwroteChristmascardsandletterstotheJ6ersintheWashingtongulagandsomeofthe Texasprisons. WekeepworkingtogettheseAmericansfreedandcollectfundstohelpsomeofthemwiththeirlegalexpenses. Weacceptdonationsanytime. We alsocollectedandsentmoneytotheMercyChefswhoprovidedhotmealstothepeopleofNorthCarolinawholosttheirhomesandeverythingintherecentnatural disasters.
Itwasquiteayear,butwecannotstopnow. Itistimewediginandworkharderin2025toseethatourlegislationgetspassedandexistingbadbillsareeliminated. Weneedyoutojumpinandhelp.
TeaPartyeventsarefun,friendly,andfree. Rememberthateveryoneiswelcometoourmeetings. Thereisnochargetoattendandtherearenomembershipdues,but donationsareappreciated. Hereyoucanmeetlike-mindedfreedomlovingTexans.
It’stimetoSpeakUp! Beloudandproud! Wecannolongerbethesilentmajority!
Checkoutourwebsite! www.texomapatriots.org
Everyonewillhavetorejoin,soplease"login"asanewcomer. Youcanreadmyblogsinthe"news"section.
WealsohaveaYouTubechannelTexomaPatriotsOFFICIAL
Wehaveseveralvideosofrecentmeetingsonit.
WewantYOU,asgrassrootsactivists,toparticipateandbeinvolved. WearetheTeaParty!
JobTitle MACHINE OPERATOR(3RD SHIFT)
workintexas.com
PostingID 16804105
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate 2/28/25
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4adm3w2
Description Alocal companyislookingfor aMACHINEOPERATOR(3RDSHIFT)who willoperateblow-mold/ PET/injectionmolding machines(including wheels,reciprocatingor shuttlemachines)to ensureproductionof qualitybottles.ThispositionprefersaHigh SchoolDiplomaor Equivalent.
JobTitle COUNSELOR-LPC,LMFT,
PostingID 16788010
Location Sherman PostingCloseDate 2/13/25
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4gOxf4K
Description Alocal companyislookingfora COUNSELOR-LPC, LMFT,LCSW,PHD.We offer
position requiresaMaster'sDegree/currentlicense.
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
StateSalesTax
GeneralRevenueSalesTax
EconomicDevelopment(TypeB)
SalesTax
Total
CityofHoweTaxRate
HoweI.S.DTaxRate
GraysonCountyTaxRate
GraysonCollegeTaxRate
Total(per$100valuation)
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.
EDC Director: Monte Walker City
Manymeninhistoryarebrought highbytheirambitions,onlytofall fromtheirvices. LouisWigfall, anattorney,legislator,andlaterU. S.SenatorfromTexas,hadmanyadvantagesinhislife. However,hisshort fuseandalcoholismeventually wreckedhisownlifeandbroughtdisasterforTexasduringtheCivilWar. LouisTrezevantWigfallwasbornwas bornonhisfather’slargeestatein westernSouthCarolinain 1816. Despitebeingbornintoalifeof privilege,hisyouthwasmarredby death. Hisfatherdiedwhenhewas two. Hismotherdiedwhenhewas barely13,followedbythedeathofhis olderbrotherinaduel. Hewasambitiousbutsharptempered. In1835,heenrolledat theUniversityofVirginia,andafteran argumentwithanotherstudent,he challengedhimtoaduel. Thechallengewasdropped,buthe leftVirginiaforSouthCarolinaCollege(whatisnow theUniversityofSouthCarolina). He wasknownasafiercedebaterbut spentmostofhisoff-hoursawayfrom campusdrinkingandgambling. Itwas inhiscollegeyearsthatheservedasa lieutenantintheSeminoleWars againsttheNativeAmericantribesin theFloridaTerritory.
Aftergraduation,hereturnedhometo practicelaw. However,hisgambling andlavishlivingsoonputhimdeepin debt. Hebecameactiveinpolitics,and nearlylosthislifeinthe1840governor’srace. Thoughnotacandidate, Wigfallcampaignedfeverishlyforthe moreconciliatorycandidateJohnPeter Richardsonovertheradicalcandidate JamesHenryHammond. Thedivisive campaignledtoWigfallgettinginto numerousfistfightsandatleasttwo duels. Hefoundhimselfin agunfightwherehekilledapoliticallyconnectedmanbutwasnotindicted. Theman’scousin,anenraged PrestonBrooks,amanknownmost notoriouslyasalatermemberofCongresswhobeatSen.CharlesSumner nearlytodeathontheflooroftheSenatein1856forhiscriticismsofslavery, challengedWigfalltoaduel. Thetwo slippedacrossthestatelineintoGeorgiawhereBrooksshothimin theleg.
Theincidentcrippledhispoliticalprospects. By1848,Wigfallhadlosta sontoillness,hislandandlivelihood todebts,andhisreputation. Leftwith nothing,heandhiswifepackedup whattheyhadandleftSouthCarolina.
TheyarrivedinNacogdochesin 1848,wherehebecameapartnerina locallawfirm. Hethenmoved toMarshallandrebuilthispolitical career. HewaselectedtotheTexas HouseofRepresentativesin1849and thentothestatesenatein1856. His fightingtemperamentreturned,and WigfallbecameanoutspokenopponentofSamHoustonandhisconciliatoryapproachtodivisionsbetween NorthandSouth. Inthe1857racefor governor,Wigfall trailedHoustonacrossthestate,beratinghimatevery stop. Houstonnarrowlylosttherace,
whilesecessionistslikeWigfallwere ontherise.
Wigfallsteadilygainedinfluenceinthestate. Afterthedeathof Sen.JamesPinckneyHenderson,the statelegislatureelectedWigfalltofill theremainderofhis term. Increasingly,Wigfalladvocated secessionfortheSouth,railingagainst thethreatstoslaveryandanysuggestionofequalityoftheraces. Withthe electionofAbrahamLincolnin1860, heco-wrotetheSouthernManifesto, whicharguedthatLincoln’selection markedtheendofanyhopeforthe SouthremainingintheUnion. He spentthenextseveralmonthsblocking anypossiblecompromisesbetween NorthandSouthandquietlysending weaponstotheSouth.
HelefttheSenateinMarch 1861,justafterTexasseceded. He traveledtoSouthCarolinawhere southernforcesattemptedtoexpelthe UnionarmyfromFortSumter. Inone well-publicizedincident,Wigfall rowedtothefortanddemandedtheir surrenderthoughhehadnoauthorizationtodoso. Afterthefall ofFortSumterinApril,hewasnamed coloneloftheFirstTexasInfantry RegimentandrosetogeneralinNovember. Thatwinter,hecampedwith hismeninVirginia,buthisbehavior becameincreasinglyerratic. Hewas oftenseendrunkinfrontofhismen.
InFebruary1862,heresigned hiscommissionandjoinedtheConfederateSenate. Hequarreledwith bothConfederateandTexasofficials overmilitaryissuesandorganization oftheConfederacy. Appeals fromTexasformoremilitaryaidwent unheeded. In1865,aftertheConfederacysurrendered,andratherthansurrenderhimself,hesnuckawayfrom theConfederatecapitalwithagroup ofTexastroops,carryingaletterof parolethatheforged. WithhisvisionoftheConfederacy shattered,helefttheUnitedStatesin 1866. HelivedHespentthenextseveralyearsdriftingfromoneplaceto thenext,almostasifinadaze. Neither localenorplancouldsatisfyhimfor long. Forafewyears,helived inEngland. HewentsofarastoactuallytrytosparkawarbetweenBritainandtheUS,buthewas ignored. HereturnedtotheUnited Statesandboughtamine inColoradoin1870,onlytoabandon theproject. HereturnedtoTexasby early1874. Hediedofamassive strokeamonthlateratage57.
AreyouconfidentthatGod iswatching you,listening toyourwords, andsearching yourheart duringtimes of difficultyor makingarequest?It’snot thatuncommontohear peoplesaythatsometimestheyfeel theirprayers arebouncingofftheceilingandcannot explainwhyorhowthiscouldbehappening.Thesetimesofspiritual discouragementarefairlycommon, butitdoesnotmeanthatourmessages aregoingtovoicemail.Heis OmnipresentwhichmeansHesees andhearseverythinginstantaneously. Otherswilltestifyattimestheysense God’stangiblepresenceandbelieve Heisactivelyintervening.Sowhat makesthedifference?
Thisisapopularquestion,butIcan assureyouifthereisacommunication problem,it’snotonGod’send.He sentHisonlySonJesustorestorethe relationshipthatAdamandEvelost, andofalltheblessingsHehasforus, Hewantseveryonetoknowandtrust Himmorethananything.Godwould neverdeleteorblockourmessages becauseHeisangryordisappointed withus.Hejustwantsustohumbly andsincerelyaskHimtoforgiveour sinswhichhelpscleanseourheartand re-establishtheintimacyofourrelationship.OnereasonwhyHemight seemdistantisbecauseofourdisingenuousattitude.Healreadyknowsif wearesincerelybrokenaboutoursins, butifwearejustwantingHishelp withoutanyintentionofbecoming morelikeHim,Heisnotimpressed. Earthlyachievements,security,and relationshipsareapartoflife,butaccordingtoHislistofprioritiesforus, obeyingHisvoiceandabidinginHis presenceareatthetop.Ifachieving thisgoalisnotwhatwearepassionate about,thennowonderwedonothave Hispeace,joy,ortheanswersweseek. Havingapersonalcovenantwitha Saviorwecannotseecanchallenge ourfaith,butthisdoesnotmeanHe does notloveyouanddesirestohelpyou. AllHehaseverwantedfromanyofus isourheart.Hewaitsforusto surrenderourplansandfollowHis.He wantstocontrolourthoughtsandfor ustoconsultwithHiminevery decision.TobefilledwithHisSpirit meansthatHelongstopossessus,and sadlywedonothearalotaboutthis extremewayofthinkinganymore. InsteadofdoingwhatHesays,we havedevelopedourownwayofliving for HimwhichincludesusdoingwhateverwewantandHimblessingit.We believewehavenegotiatedasweet deal,butinreality,wearebetraying ourselves.Whenthisisthecase,we becomevictimsofself-inflicted deception.
WearebeginninganewyearandI cannotthinkofabettertimetomake
somechanges.AsacommunicatorI lovesharingmythoughtsaboutlife andmanyofthemareincludedinthis columneachweek.I’minvolvedina ministryatthedetentioncenterinmy hometown,andIwastellingtheinmatesthisweekaboutwhatawonderful opportunityitistoallowChristto guideyouintoHisplans.Irealizewe rarelythinkaboutourspiritual development,butifwedonotmake seriouschangeswewillprobablystay thesame.Sincewehavefreewillto decide,changecomesfromthedesires withinthemindandhavingfaithand couragetoseethemthrough. Changethemind,changeourdestiny. Ourminddecideshowdeterminedwe aretoloveandserveGod.The greatestgoalandaspirationwouldbe toknowGod’swillandtodoeverythingwecantoaccomplishit. I’vebeenintheministrysincetheearly eightiesandIfeelcomfortableinthe churchenvironmentandbeingwith God’speople.I’vehelddifferentpositionswithinthechurchsuchasassociatepastor,musicminister,elder, counselor,teacher,andevangelist,and I’mprayingtodiscoverwhatand wheremynewassignmentwillbe.I’m currentlyinvolvedwithseverallocal outreachministryopportunitiesandI lovehelpingothersdiscoverthelove ofJesus.IbelievewhenweseekGod’s kingdomfirst,wewillfindHisperfect willforourlives.Heworks behindthescenesarrangingplacesfor allofustoaccomplishHisdesires,and I’mexcitedtoenterthenextopen doorHeispreparingforme.I’mconvincedthatHeinfluencesandpersuadeswhilecreatingdivineappointments thatserveHispurposeforHisglory.
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, certified chaplain, and Christian author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
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
5:30pm FreeMeal
6:30pm-TeamKid
6:30pm-YouthMinistry
6:30pm-AdultBibleFellowship
Sunday
9:15am-BibleFellowship
10:30am-WorshipService
6:00pm PotluckFellowshipand BibleStudy
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
TheUSgovernmentyesterdayofficiallyaccusedaSudaneseparamilitary groupanditsproxiesofcommitting genocideina20-month-longbrutal civilwaragainsttheNorthAfrican country'smilitary.
ThedeclarationmarksthemostdecisivestancetheUShastakeninthewar betweentheforcesoftwoformerly alliedgenerals RapidSupportForces leaderMohamedHamdanDagaloand SudanesearmychiefAbdelFattahalBurhan.Theconflict(seebackground) haskilledanestimated150,000people anddisplacedmorethan11million people aboutone-fifthofthecountry’spopulation.TheUShasdeclared genocideonlysixothertimessincethe endoftheColdWarin1989.
USSecretaryofStateAntonyBlinken saidyesterdaytheRSF agroupwith rootsintheinfamousJanjaweedmilitias committedsystematicexecutionsofmenandboysandsexualviolenceagainstwomenandgirlsbased onethnicity.Inresponse,theUSTreasuryDepartmenthasimposedsanctions onDagaloandsevenUnitedArab Emiratescompaniessupportingthe militia.
A7.1-magnitudeearthquakestruckthe ShigatseregionofTibetyesterdayat 9:05amlocaltime,causingwidespreaddamageandclaimingatleast 126lives.Theepicenterwaslocatedin thehigh-altitudeChinesecountyof Dingri,about47milesnortheastof MountEverest,atadepthof6.2miles. ThetremorswerefeltacrossNepal, India,andBhutan.
Morethan1,000homesweredamaged,andrescueteamshavebeendeployedtosearchforsurvivors;however,effortsarebeinghamperedby freezingconditions,withtemperatures droppingaslowasminus5degrees Fahrenheit.
Shigatseisthesecond-largest cityinTibetandthetraditional seatofthePanchenLama,the second-mostsignificantfigure aftertheDalaiLamainTibetan Buddhism.Theregion'slocation alongtheIndianEurasiantectonic plateboundarymakesitprone toseismicactivity a2015 earthquakenearKathmandu, Nepal,resultedinnearly9,000 deaths.
MetaCEOMarkZuckerbergannouncedbroadchangestothesocial mediacompany'scontentmoderation policiesyesterday,includingendingits USfact-checkingprogramandremovingrestrictionsonsensitivepolitical contentonitsplatforms,includingFacebookandInstagram.
TheCEOclaimedMeta’sadoptionof morestringentcontentmoderation afterthe2016electionledtothemistakencensorshipofmillionsofusers (watchvideo).Inplaceoffactcheckers,thecompanywilldeploy CommunityNotesintheUS similar tothoseonX whereusersprovide contexttoposts.Itwillstilluseitsviolationscannertoaddresshigh-severity issuesliketerrorismandchildexploitation.Thecompanywillalsomoveits safetyandtrustteamsfromCalifornia toTexas.
Zuckerbergalsosignaledhewould supporttheincomingTrumpadministration’seffortstocombatforeign censorship.ThechangesfollowMeta's appointmentlastweekofRepublican JoelKaplanasitsforeignpolicychief andits$1MdonationtoTrump’sinauguralfundinDecember.
CanadianPrimeMinisterJustin Trudeauannouncedyesterdayhe wouldresignfromoffice,paving thewayforhisLiberalPartyto chooseareplacementaheadofgeneralelectionsexpectedtotakeplace byOctober.Themovemayhelp avoidano-confidencevotebythe legislature,whichappearedlikely aftertheNewDemocraticParty withdrewitssupportfromTrudeau’scoalitiongovernment.
Assumingpowerin2015,Trudeau enteredofficewithsignificantpopularsupportwhilechampioninga progressiveagenda.Hisapprovalratingshavesincesunkfrom around65%tocloseto20%,driven inpartbyinflation,ahousing crunch,andconcernsoverhighlevelsofimmigration.Hewasalso criticizedbymembersofhisadministration includingFinanceMinisterChrystiaFreeland,whoresigned lastmonth overhowtorespondto tariffthreatsfromPresident-elect DonaldTrump.
