An Arkie’s Faith Conductor Tom

company, and the engineer. He must know the train schedules for the railroad to coordinate the loading and unloading of freight. Communicating these things with the engineer is also crucial since the engineer moves the train from one stop to the next.

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NLT) liked watching a freight train go by and waiting for the little red car to appear at the end. I knew that the conductor was in that little red caboose.

But today’s trains don’t have a caboose, so I didn’t realize they still had conductors. Tom explained to me that the conductor reviews schedules and shipping records. They ensure that cargo is distributed evenly along the train and maintain communication with the train’s engineer and traffic control personnel. The conductor monitors any equipment issues or mechanical problems, arranges for repairs, and stops when necessary. Tom said forcefully, “The engineer only drives the train, but the conductor controls the train. He is the boss.”

Tom’s words made me think about the Christian life. The old song, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad,” came to me. “Life is like a mountain railroad. With an engineer so brave. We must make this run successful. From the cradle to the grave.”

Sometimes Christians teach us to let

God be the engineer in our lives. But I don’t think that is a good analogy. The song’s metaphor is a better one. We are the engineer in our lives. We are the drivers. God has set us free to drive our own lives. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

If God has given us the freedom to drive our lives, what part does He play? If we are in charge, does that leave God out?

Tom’s explanation of the conductor’s job is also a good explanation of God’s role in our lives. “The engineer only drives the train, but the conductor controls the train. He is the boss.” God wants us to drive, but we must remember He is in charge.

On a train, the conductor ensures cargo is loaded, unloaded, and accounted for properly. He is responsible for the train, the freight, and the crew. The conductor coordinates relationships among the railroad, the shipping

God has given you the freedom to drive your train. Sometimes we look at someone who has made bad decisions and say, “Their life is a train wreck.” God has given you the freedom to be the engineer of your life’s train, but we need to remember that God is the conductor.

In Psalms 119:44,45 (NCV), David wrote, “I will obey your teachings forever and ever. So I will live in freedom, because I want to follow your orders.” Living in freedom and then wrecking the train because we won’t listen to the conductor isn’t much freedom.

Gentle Reader, everyone craves freedom, but what is freedom? I once heard a preacher say, “Freedom is being able to do what you please without considering anyone except your spouse and your kids, the company and the boss, neighbors and friends, the police and the government, the doctor and the church.”

In human society, chaos results if we consider just our interests. We are the engineers of our life, but we need a conductor. Don’t kick the conductor off your train. “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 (NCV)

Oden kindergarten GT class exploration project

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

The last week of school at Oden K-12 Schools involved a special exploration project with the Gifted and Talented (GT) kindergarten class.

Oden GT Teacher Allison Still described the project involving using skills such as exploration, innovative thinking, forecasting and predictions. Students created and utilized a “treasure map” with riddles and clues that connected the past with the future. The students were excited to find a treasure chest that included letters from the past.

By Ethan Nahté

It’s time for the Mena Boots & Badges Community Challenge Blood Drive.

It is predicted that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. When summertime hits and people go on vacation, water levels aren’t the only thing that tends to go down. Blood reserves tend to go dry with people going on vacation.

Many times, law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics and firefighters are often the first to find people in need of blood before they arrive at an emergency room. Mena’s local law and emergency personnel are challenging to schedule an appointment with Our Blood Institute using either of the QR codes for blood drives to be held at the fellowship hall in the First Baptist Church across from Janssen Park. The event will take place Thurs- day, June 22, and Friday, June 23, from noon – 6 p.m. each day. Potential donors can also call 877340-8777 or visit obi. org to schedule an appointment. Donors receive a Boots & Badges T-shirt and one free entry to Magic Springs Theme & Water Park.

The Blood Institute is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 16 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. OBI is the nonprofit blood provider for patients at more than 240 hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulances across all three states.

OBI has five donor centers in Arkansas and provides blood products for patients in more than 40 Arkansas hospitals, medical facilities, and air ambulances. OBI’s donor centers are located in Ft. Smith, Hot Springs, Little Rock, North Little Rock and Russellville.