Chicago’s most powerful alderman is out on bond. A yearslong federal investigation brought forth one count of attempted extortion for Ald. Ed Burke in January.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
Pastor Rick Warren: God Is Always Present, Regardless of How You Feel
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
God Is Always Present, Regardless of How You Feel
by Rick Warren
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).
When you are a baby Christian, God gives you a lot of confirming emotions and often answers the most immature, self-centered prayers so you’ll know he exists. But as you grow in faith, he will wean you of these dependencies.
God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two different things. One is a fact; the other is often a feeling. God is always present, even when you are unaware of him, and his presence is too profound to be measured by mere emotion.
Yes, he wants you to sense his presence, but he’s more concerned that you trust him than that you feel him. We live by faith, not by sight or by our feelings.
The situations that will stretch your faith most will be those times when life falls apart and God is nowhere to be found. This happened to Job. On a single day he lost everything—his family, his business, his health, and all his possessions. And then, for 37 chapters, God said nothing!
How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent? How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication? How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they’re full of tears? You do what Job did: “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised’” (Job 1:20-21 NIV).
Tell God exactly how you feel. Pour out your heart to him. Unload every emotion that you’re feeling. Job did this when he said, “I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak” (Job 7:11 GNT).
He cried out when God seemed distant: “Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house” (Job 29:4 NIV).
God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
What person do you go to when life gets tough? What do you say to them that you also need to say to God?
How is your faith in God on display when you go through a crisis?
Why is God more concerned about your faith than your feelings?
Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.
MLB considering Cubs vs. Cardinals for a 2020 series in London: report
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Two people familiar with the discussions tell The Associated Press that Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Loyola rallies past Valparaiso to tighten grip on 1st place in Missouri Valley
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
When freshman guard Javon Freeman scored to open a nine-point lead with less than eight minutes left in Sunday’s Missouri Valley Conference game, it appeared Valparaiso might be on its way to upending Loyola.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Confident and healthy Yu Darvish eager ‘to do something for Chicago and the Cubs’
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
The mound that Yu Darvish stood atop Sunday felt like a cozy home.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Op-Ed: Poor fiscal policies in Illinois beget poor fiscal outcomes
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Among an elected official’s top priorities should be to promote an environment where the economy can thrive so businesses can grow jobs and families can flourish.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
Illinois lawmakers again look to add LGBT curriculum
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Illinois lawmakers are once again want to require the state’s public schools to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of the nation and the state of Illinois.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Pritzker blames Rauner for state’s fiscal woes as he plans to increase state spending
February 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Gov. J.B. Pritzker released a report Friday that blames predecessor Bruce Rauner for the state’s sorry financial condition and promises more state spending on schools, infrastructure and higher education.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
David Hilty Jr.-Christopher, IL
February 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
David Hilty Jr., 76, of Marion, formerly of Christopher, passed away on Friday February 8, 2019.
He was born on May 31, 1942 to David Ellsworth and Stella (Burns) Hilty. He married Reba Mae (Edmonds) Hilty and she survives of Marion. He is survived by his children Denise Slater and David Hilty; three grandchildren.
Graveside services will be on Tuesday February 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Zeigler City Cemetery with Brother Ivan Ryan officiating. Burial will be at Zeigler City Cemetery. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.
Marilynn Kaye Phillips – Benton, IL
February 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Marilynn Kaye Phillips, 83, passed away February 8th at Helia Healthcare, in Benton, Illinois. She was born on Christmas Day, 1935 in Centralia, Illinois to Ross and Lois Wimberly, of Dix, Illinois.
She graduated from Centralia High School, in 1953. Marilynn married Bennie Campbell in 1954, and they had three children, Randy, Ricky and Christy Campbell. They divorced in 1968. Marilynn married Bob Garren in 1969, and they had one child, Joni Garren. After the death of her husband Bob, in 1999, Marilynn traveled around the country visiting her children and grandchildren. While visiting one of her sons in Texas, she received a phone call from her cousin, B. J. Thompson, about a widower from her church that she wanted her to meet. At that meeting, Marilynn met the love of her life, Richard Phillips, of Benton, Illinois. After dating a few months, Marilynn and Richard married in September, 2001. They both enjoyed spending the winters at their condominium in Mary Ester, Florida, walking the beaches, golfing and dancing. Their main residence was in Benton, Illinois, where they continued their passion for Immanuel Baptist Church, and for their dancing, which they enjoyed three to four times a week, until Marilynn could no longer dance.
Surviving, in addition to her husband Richard Phillips, are sons, Randy Campbell and wife Nita of Amarillo, TX, Rick Campbell and wife Denise of Midland, TX, daughters, Christy Myers and partner Dee Branscomb, of St. Louis, MO and Joni Garren of Mary Ester, FL. Marilynn also is survived by three bonus children, Ward Phillips and wife Kristine of Elkhorn, WI, Vickie Dean of Los Angeles, CA, and Brenda Phillips-Davies and husband Matthew of Buckingham, IL, 8 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, sister Peggy Bode and husband Dale, of Edwardsville, IL, brother Charles Wimberly and wife Brenda, of Mt. Vernon, Il.
A memorial service will be conducted by Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, at 516 N. Main Street, in Benton, IL, with the service following at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Jordan Chapel Cemetery in Dix, Il. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Il.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
