Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer for Moving On

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

A Prayer for Moving On – Your Daily Prayer

A Prayer for Moving On
By: Gwen Smith

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” – Philippians 3:13b

It spoke to me as I strolled down the check out aisle of Marshalls that day. The wall art that was featured on an impulse-buy rack.

Amen! I thought.

The message? Simple: “Don’t Stumble On Things That Are Behind You.”

My mind reeled, and I thought hard about this seemingly simple directive that points to a habit that trips so many of us up: looking back. Allowing the past to deter and diminish our future.

The Apostle Paul had a difficult past to contend with. His early years were spent tormenting Chris followers. Then he met Jesus and everything changed for him. He chose to move forward as the new man he’d become.

Instead of wallowing in the muck of condemnation, he stepped into the grace of Christ with determination.

Are you struggling with this? Let me ask you a few direct questions {in love}. Do you really think that living in the past and letting it loom large in your now is helping you? Is it empowering you to grow in strength, dignity and joy? Is it fueling you toward the prize that awaits you in Christ? No? Then be done with it in Jesus’ name. Spend a few moments in prayer and write about this in your journal.

Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: Remind Yourself What God Thinks of You

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Remind Yourself What God Thinks of You

By Rick Warren

1.4K

“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end” (Isaiah 54:10 GNT).

If you don’t feel loved by God, you’re certainly not going to offer love to anybody else. It is impossible to be loving unless you understand and remember the way God loves you.You need to remind yourself every day what God thinks about you—not what the world thinks or what you think about yourself. Remembering God’s love is what removes your fears.

Let me share four things God thinks about you that will help you remember why and how to love.

You’re completely accepted.

We spend much of our lives trying to earn acceptance from our parents, peers, those we respect, those we envy, and even total strangers. But you need to realize God has already settled this issue of acceptance: “Jesus . . . made us acceptable to God” (Titus 3:7 CEV). What Jesus did on the cross made you completely acceptable to God—no matter what you’ve done or will do.

You’re unconditionally loved.

God doesn’t say, “I love you if . . .” or “ I love you because . . .” He says, “I love you—period!” You can’t make God stop loving you, because his love is not based on what you do but on who he is. Isaiah 54:10 says, “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end” (GNT).

You’re totally forgiven.

Because Jesus died on the cross and gave his life as a payment for your sins, you are totally forgiven when you accept the gift of forgiveness from God. Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). God doesn’t rehearse your sins. He releases them.

You’re considered extremely valuable.

There are two things that create value: who the owner is and what somebody’s willing to pay for it.

You are a child of God and “have been bought and paid for by Christ” (1 Corinthians 7:23 TLB). Jesus Christ paid for you with his life. That’s how valuable you are.

When you remember that you are accepted, loved, forgiven, and valuable to the Creator of the universe, you will be better equipped to show that love to others and build deeper relationships.

Talk It Over

  • How does the way God thinks of you change the way you think about yourself?
  • What keeps you from completely loving, accepting, and forgiving the people with whom you have a relationship?
  • How do you show others that they are valuable to you?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Benton police make arrests

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

On January 5, 2019 at approximately 5 p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Maple and Fourth Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Kathryn F. Wilkerson, age 33, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

Wilkerson was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On January 7, 2019 at approximately 10:15 p.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of Huddelson Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Timothy D Schultz, age 26, of West Frankfort for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of cannabis.

Schultz was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On January 11, 2019 at approximately 12:15 p.m., Benton Police arrested James L. Weir, age 21, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

Weir was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On January 13, 2019 at approximately 1:15 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Buchanan and Washington Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Jory A. Dial, age 31, of West Frankfort for driving under the influence.  Dial was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On January 13, 2019 at approximately 1:55 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at Route 37 and Bowling Alley Lane.

Upon investigation, police arrested Gary M. Hobbie, age 56, of Benton for driving under the influence.

Hobbie was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Ewing man arrested on grooming charges

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

A 26-year-old Ewing man was arrested Monday evening by Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies and is facing four charges, including two charges of grooming.

Nicholas A. Price was taken into custody at his rural Ewing home after deputies executed a search warrant at the residence. Price is facing two Class 4 felony charges of grooming and two Class A misdemeanor charges of distributing harmful material to a minor.

According to Illinois Compiled Statutes, a person commits grooming when they knowingly use a computer, the Internet or any device capable of storing and distributing electronic data “to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child, a child’s guardian, or another person believed by the person to be a child or a child’s guardian, to commit any sex offense as defined in Section 2 of the Sex Offender Registration Act.” A child is considered to be any person under the age of 17 years old.

Bond was set at $50,000 for Price. He posted $5,000 bail (10 percent) and was released.

Franklin County Sheriff Dave Bartoni said the investigation involving Price is ongoing and emphasized that other arrests are possible.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured

Southern Illinois lawmakers on Pritzker inauguration: ‘We all owe him an open mind’

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE — Midway through his inaugural address, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker repeated a sentiment that Southern Illinois lawmakers have long expressed.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Filed Under: Featured

Woman found near death in Franklin County Saturday identified as 30-year-old from Zeigler

January 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

ZEIGLER — Brandy Hughes, 30, of Zeigler, has been identified as the woman who died Saturday after being discovered near death at Desel’s Mud Ranch west of Zeigler.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Filed Under: Featured

Ronald Boman Rhine – Benton, IL

January 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Ronald Boman Rhine, 69, of Benton, IL, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

He was born in Christopher, IL on June 15, 1949, the son of Boman Freeman & Eva (Jones) Rhine.

Mr. Rhine served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked in the Coal Mines, in construction and was a Pipefitter.

He enjoyed going to sporting events and car races with his son. They loved spending time together.

Mr. Rhine is survived by his son, Casey Rhine, Benton; sister Glenda Drew, and husband Paul, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rhine was preceded in death by his parents, by two sisters, Lodean Lemons and Marilyn Neal and by his brother, Donald Rhine.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15th at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad. There will be no visitation, those attending the funeral are requested to meet at the cemetery.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Pritzker’s move to match state salary for top staff with his own money raises eyebrows, ethical questions

January 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Illinois’ next governor plans to match the state salaries of his top employees with his own money, a practice that one Republican lawmaker said raises enough ethical questions that he’s considering filing legislation to prohibit it.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Rauner makes a another plea for reform as Democrats take over Illinois

January 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment

On his way out, the Republican governor made another push for reducing property taxes and other reforms.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Franklin County authorities seek help in investigation into death of woman found near Zeigler

January 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Franklin County authorities have identified the body of a white female discovered Saturday in a rural area near Zeigler.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s office is investigating the death and said the name of the deceased woman will be released pending the notification of family members. Unconfirmed reports are that the woman is in her early 20s and is a local resident. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is heading up the investigation and said the woman’s name will be released as soon as family members are notified.

Authorities also emphasized that the woman is not Lauren Pree, a missing West Frankfort woman who has been missing since September 2018.

The body of the unknown white female was discovered in a rural area west of Zeigler IL. She was reportedly alive by unresponsive when authorities arrived on the scene. The female was located by individuals operating an all-terrain vehicle. Authorities were notified and the female was transported to the Herrin Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

If anyone has any additional information please contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s office at 618-438-4841.

Filed Under: Breaking News
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