For all the empirical evidence of his precision and judiciousness, House Speaker Michael Madigan sure forgot a lot while being deposed last fall in a civil lawsuit.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
Groundhog Day disaster as media keep messing up Northam stories
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
This week was a lesson in priorities. When a prominent Democrat governor went on radio and appeared to support killing newly born babies, it made hardly a blip in the press. Then the media mob formed when news surfaced that the same governor had a racist photo on his college yearbook page.
Here’s a link to the op-ed at Fox News.
Daily Prayer: A prayer to help you forgive others
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
A Prayer to Help You Forgive Others
By Rick Warren
“We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us.” -Romans 6:6a, NCV
Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us” (NCV). What does “our sinful selves would have no power over us” mean? It means our natural inclination is to do the wrong thing.
My natural inclination when you hurt me is to hurt you back. My natural inclination when you say something bad against me is say something bad against you and hold on to it and never forgive you. All of the things that I’m naturally inclined to do actually make it worse.
But we can break that bondage to bitterness, that bondage to guilt, that bondage to resentment, that bondage to worry. We can keep from becoming slaves to the past and hurtful memories. We can choose to forgive.
The cross has the power to free you from grudges and grief and resentment. There is no other way to let go of these emotions that are weighing you down than the cross. Jesus on the cross broke the power of sin and death and bondage in your life.
I want you to think of the person you need to forgive, the person whose offense planted a seed of bitterness in you, and I want you to pray this prayer right now:
Father, only you understand how much I’ve been hurt by this person. I don’t want to carry the pain for another second. I don’t want to be a bitter person. But I need your grace and the power of the cross to release my hurt and to forgive those who’ve hurt me. This is the turning point. First, I need to experience your forgiveness. You know all the ways I’ve hurt others, and I’m so sorry for my sins. Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I accept your grace and forgiveness, and I need it daily. Today I’m turning to you, and I’m choosing to forgive the way you have forgiven me. Every time the memory comes back, I’ll forgive that person again until the pain is gone. Heal my heart with your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Rick Warren: Seven Ways to Be Merciful
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Seven Ways to Be Merciful
By Rick Warren
“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7 NLT).
In yesterday’s devotional, we talked about seven facets of mercy. Today, I want you to consider some personal application questions for each of the aspects. I challenge you to commit an act of premeditated mercy in each of these categories this week.
Wait. Isn’t there a tension between mercy and personal responsibility? Yes, there is. But I have personally decided that if I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of being too gracious, too merciful, and too forgiving. I’d rather go overboard on mercy—just look at what Jesus did on the cross.
So, how will you be merciful?
Be patient with people’s quirks. What person in your life has irritating quirks? How can you practice patience with that person this week?
Help anyone around you who is hurting. See who around you is obviously hurting—and then look for a way you can help this week. If you can’t find anybody, then you’re not paying attention. Look closer!
Give people a second chance. Who in your life needs a second chance? How can you show that person mercy and compassion this week?
Do good to those who hurt you. Maybe you’re suffering from an old wound that you have not been able to let go of. Choose to forgive and then turn it around for good. Who is that person in your life? Will you make a phone call or a visit this week?
Be kind to those who offend you. Who offends you? Maybe it’s a politician or a comedian that you can pray for. Maybe it’s a Facebook friend who has different views and says some pretty offensive things. How can you be intentional about showing kindness to that person this week?
Build bridges of love to the unpopular. What person first comes to mind when you think of an outcast? Who spends their lunch breaks eating alone or doesn’t seem to have any friends at soccer games? What specific thing will you do this week to bridge the gap between you and that person with love?
Value relationships over rules. What unbeliever could you invite over for dinner in the next few weeks? Will you then step up and invite that person to church? This is your ministry of mercy.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
Will you pray this prayer today? “Heavenly Father, your Word convicts me. I want your blessing on my life, and I want to be a merciful person. As I look at these seven things, I think of shortcomings and weaknesses in my own life. I pray that rather than just hearing the Word, I would do something about it. Give me the courage to be merciful. Give me the strength this week to step out in faith and do radical, premeditated acts of mercy that point others to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.
Op-Ed: Illinois Republicans need to recruit better candidates
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
“You can’t be for big government, big taxes and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy.” – Ronald Reagan
Here’s a link to the editorial.
Lawmakers in the Illinois House and Senate plan to reintroduce a bill to raise the age for buying tobacco products to 21.
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Lawmakers in the Illinois House and Senate plan to reintroduce a bill to raise the age for buying tobacco products to 21.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Mendoza reminds Pritzker to be realistic about budget request
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
In the weeks before freshman Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first budget address, his Democratic comptroller is reminding him about the fiscal reality of Illinois’ finances.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Estelee Kearney – Macedonia, IL
February 1, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Estelee Kearney, 89, of Macedonia, IL passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at her home.
She was born in Franklin County, IL on June 10, 1929, the daughter of Clarence & Mildred (Smith) Odom.
On April 5, 1947 she married James WIlliam Kearney and he preceded her in death on September 23, 2003.
Mrs. Kearney was a longtime member of the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. She loved the Lord. She loved Farming, was an excellent seamstress & cook and especially loved her grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy Neal and husband Keith, of Macedonia; a son, Gary Kearney and wife Marilyn, of Macedonia; four grandchildren, Bryce Kearney, Blake Kearney, Bryon Neal and wife April and Brady Neal; three great-grandchildren, Kylie, Barrett and Blane and two step-granddaughters, Amber Tieffel and husband Jason and Jennifer Brooke Holderfield and husband Lonnie; two step-great-grandchildren, Peyton and Mason.
Mrs. Kearney was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, by a Grandson-William Glen Neal and 1 Brother-Kenneth Odom.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 2nd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Keith Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery in Macedonia. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Liberty Baptist Church.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Obituaries don’t always reveal the real fabric of a person’s life
January 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment
I read the obituary and then I read it a second time more slowly. The name of the deceased was Eugene Thomas Moroni and as is always the case the obit told a brief chronological story about his life.
After reading the obit, paying particular attention about Moroni’s long history as senior vice president with Old Ben Coal Company, I laid the paper aside and thought about the countless times I’d heard his name mentioned. You see, as a kid growing up in a very middle-class, blue-collar family the name ‘Gene Moroni’ was revered and almost legendary around my house.
Let me explain.
As Southern Illinois residents are aware, coal mining has always been a cyclical industry, which means working as a coal miner has always been a feast-or-famine occupation.
My dad began his mining career in the late 1940s and in those ‘famine’ days tried to earn a living working two and three days a week at mines in Buckner, Coello and Valier. In 1956 Old Ben Coal Company started construction on Mine 21, located east of Sesser, and many miners believed a ‘feast’ era was about to begin.
The new multi-million dollar mine began hoisting coal in January 1960 and my dad was one of hundreds desperately trying to land a job there. I can recall many times sitting in the backseat of an old car at the Old Ben office on West Main Street where Benton City Hall was previously located, while my dad waited in the lobby to try and talk to somebody about getting a job.
After numerous failed attempts my dad came up with a plan that proves necessity truly is the mother of invention. Realizing that the Old Ben officials he was hoping to see were leaving the building at day’s end through another exit, my dad moved his job-seeking vigil to a parking lot at the rear of the building. I’ve heard him recall the story countless times.
The first person my dad encountered in the parking lot that day was Gene Moroni and he approached the vice president of Old Ben Coal and, point-blank, asked him for a job.
Moroni’s answer was probably the standard line he used on the throngs of men seeking his help.
“Do you have an application on file,” Moroni asked my dad.
My dad’s answer was one of quickest-thinking lines I’ve heard.
“Yes, I have an application on file … but I don’t need an application on file, I have a family to take care of … I need a job,” my dad told him.
As I write this, in my mind’s eye I can literally see the exchange that took place that spring day in 1960 between a successful mining executive and a man looking for a job to provide for his wife and four children.
I can let my mind wander and imagine that maybe Moroni looked my dad straight in the eye and tried to get a read on him or maybe he even considered my dad’s size – he was 42 years old and a big strapping man in those days. I’m more prone to believe that Moroni looked at my dad’s desire and his heart and realized that a man who would spend the afternoon standing in a parking lot trying to find somebody … anybody … to talk with about a job would surely make a good employee.
“Call my secretary in the morning and have her schedule you for a physical,” Moroni told him. “I’m going to give you a job.”
The significance of that meeting might not have been apparent to either man that afternoon, but it marked a turning point in my dad’s life and a turning point for his family. Mine 21 was called the ‘golden hole’ by miners and proved to be the best-ever Old Ben mine. My dad went from working two or three days a week to working six and seven days per week and everything he attained materially in life came after that meeting with Moroni.
Perhaps it was his attempt to pay Moroni back for giving him a job or maybe it was something in his make up – maybe it was a combination of both — but my dad would not miss a shift of work. He told Moroni he needed a job that day in 1960 and then for 25 years he went to work every day — regardless.
It’s my opinion that Old Ben Coal and my dad both benefited greatly because of Moroni’s decision that day.
Obituaries are adequate and purposeful when describing the highlights of a person’s life but they fail to reveal the real fabric of that person.
Today I would like to add a footnote to Gene Moroni’s obituary.
Along with the relevant facts that were listed Moroni should also be remembered as a man that helped shape and define the Southern Illinois coal industry, a good man that kept his word, a man of character and a person that undoubtedly possessed an uncanny knack for ‘sizing-up’ a man.
And most importantly it should be remembered that Moroni was admired by many working coal miners – particularly one he met by chance in a parking lot 45 years ago.
