We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
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Dateline: Whitlash, Montana. In my first "South of the Border" column I wrote generally about the location of the Sweet Grass Hills (visible most days looking north from US Highway 2 from the Joplin/Chester area). More specifically the Hills are set in a line extending for about 50 miles east to west in a 10-15 mile wide band from north to south and adjacent to the national border. The various buttes/mountains/hills that make up the Sweet Grass Hills stand 3,000 feet above the surrounding...
A few weeks ago, my 5-year old son was playing with a girl from his class. I gave them snacks, a plate of chips each. My boy eyed up the plates and went to grab the one that appeared to be larger. I stopped him and asked if he was forgetting something. He smiled sheepishly and replied: “Oh yeah, ladies first.” When I asked him why he was going to let his lady friend pick first he replied with a line we say every day: “Because that’s what gentlemen do.” We repeat that line several times a day as a part of him learning to hold doors for ladie...
Whitlash, Montana. Ministers new to a church typically make an early effort to identify and contact all the church and/or family members who are living in assisted living or nursing homes. The reason is to connect with these folks who were involved with the church through the years and minister to them. These seniors may want to have Bible study, take communion, share information about what is going on in the church or simply enjoy an occasional visit with the minister. My wife has now been at...
Columnist's note: Alert readers will recall that mid-December my wife Sherry and I moved to Whitlash. For the next year Sherry will be the "pastor in residence" for the Whitlash Community Presbyterian Church. During the move our 23-year old granddaughter, Kayla Bonar, died unexpectedly in Ellensburg, Washington where she was working as a reporter for the local newspaper. Sherry and I drove to the Seattle area to be a part of the celebration of Kayla's life. Kayla was known by many locals as she...
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham The human soul transcends earthly value Q: Someone on the radio spoke about God putting a value on the human soul. How can this be since no one can see or touch the soul? — S.S. A: It was reported several years ago that it would take a hundred billion dollars to get one man safely to Mars. That is a staggering amount of money. It is interesting how people place great value on things and even experiences. But God, in His outpouring of love for mankind, placed the value of one human soul at an i...
Citizens of Blaine County, It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve you! We have cried together over of the loss of loved ones and we have rejoiced together when our loved ones are found safely. During my short 9.5 years at your Sheriff’s Office I have formed friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my days. I have tried my best to address the concerns of all citizens of Blaine County and I am only sorry that we could not save the loved ones lost or prevent some of you from being victimized. For that, I am truly s...
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Jesus’ acts prove he wasn’t an ordinary human Q: Is there proof that Jesus, who came to earth in human form, is really God? — P.S. A: Jesus lived a perfect life. Those who schemed to bring him to trial had to obtain false witnesses to bring charges, because he was blameless. “In Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). There was also evidence of His power — power that only comes from God. He had power over sickness and disease. His miracles were a witness to the fact that He is Lord of all nature. “Ev...
Jesus is larger than life itself Q: I am not necessarily against Jesus but I think people throughout history have embellished his story and made him bigger than life. Show me where I might be wrong. — D.Q. A: Jesus Christ is bigger than life! He breathed life into the first man, Adam, and He gives life to every human being. He is so much bigger than life that He speaks it into existence. “He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). “You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven … the seas and all that is in them, and You prese...
Have you found the source of real love? Q: Can a person really find a soul mate to share the deepest things of life? — S.S. A: A: Matchmaking has become a booming business in our culture’s restless search for a “soul mate.” Online services promise to bring light into your life by matching you up with someone just right for you. “Relationship experts” teach clients to practice “self-love” in order to attract a potential partner. One such expert wrote, “We have the power to create our own personal movie-like narratives, love stories based on...
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Is it Wrong to Be Scared of Hurricanes? Q: I live in Florida and am terrified of even the threat of a hurricane. It seems the newscasters thrive on this kind of terror. Is it wrong to be fearful? A: People have faced ominous storms since the beginning of time. Many face them with defiance, refusing to pay attention to the warnings or prepare for catastrophe, only to be caught in the storm’s fury. There was a day when forecasters could not tell us with precision when storms would hit, but that d...
I read a story about CS Lewis years ago in which a friend asked him if attending church is a necessary part of following Jesus. In response, Lewis answered “No” and pulled a coal from the fire and placed it on the hearth. In response, he asked his friend to describe the coal on the hearth. The answer was the sort of thing you’d expect: hot, glowing, etc. The conversation continued before Lewis turned the conversation back to the burning coal and asked again for a description. This time, the answer was different: cold, dark, etc. As the coal...
God deserves our thanks during good times and bad Q: I have been blessed with wonderful parents who are now elderly and in declining health. They are in pain and distress daily yet they are constantly rejoicing that the Lord is with them and they pray for others who have no faith in Him. I cannot accept their faith when I see no sign of God’s mercy. Why doesn’t God relieve their misery? — C.C. A: For those who look not on their own sorrow but to the Savior’s sorrow for the weak and dying, they have learned comfort from the Bible verse that sa...
Q: I enjoy making money and doing things that please me. My mother tells me about the stories in the Bible about how riches can corrupt. Is her interpretation correct? A: Luke 16 is the famous passage about a rich man whose disobedience to God led him to reject the very thing he longed for—eternal life. God does not condemn people because they are rich, nor does He justify others because they are poor. Poverty is not a virtue, nor are riches themselves sin. But Jesus did say, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for...
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: Is misrepresentation to protect myself a lie if it doesn’t hurt anyone else? — T.T. A: The Bible teaches that proper conduct includes truthfulness. God’s Word teaches that we should be truthful in our representations of ourselves. Jesus denounced the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees! In the Sermon on the Mount, He rebuked all hypocritical giving, praying and fasting. We should be truthful in speaking of our past achievements in our particular vocation. God does not ask us to understate the fac...
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Set an example through prayer for your children Q:Is it important for children to pray and, if so, what should a parent do if a child refuses to pray? — P.C. A: Encourage your children to pray and teach them by example. When children see and hear their parents pray it can become a natural and important thing throughout their lives. But don’t force your children to pray. Perhaps a few minutes before bedtime you can read a story to them about Jesus and ask them if they understand what the story is abo...
Editor’s Note: This was submitted to the Big Sandy Mountaineer this week and we felt it was appropriate to publish in the Blaine County Journal as well. Author’s Note: This poem is republished here in honor of Robert Lucke, who loved poetry and kept it alive in the Mountaineer for so many years. He inspired this poem when he described his grandmother’s prairie garden to me with such admiration and nostalgia. Both of my grandmothers were Big Sandy homesteaders who also had gardens. My Clawiter grandparents were early Big Sandy homesteaders aroun...
One of my favorite quotes from the boxer Muhammad Ali is about training: “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” I have a good friend who says it a bit differently: “Training is better than trying hard.” The idea behind this is simple: the key to becoming good at anything is training. Exerting effort every day over the course of months and years accumulates into excellence that cannot be matched by putting effort forward in the moment. When I worked with kids in...
Q: My whole life I have heard that Christians are expected to be Christ-like. Is that really possible? — D.I A: It is God’s will for His followers to become more like Christ. He came to show us the way, but it can only happen as we submit every area of our lives to His authority. The key word is “submit.” It is an unpopular word particularly in today’s self-indulgent culture. The idea of handing control over to someone else (even God) goes against the grain of our natures. This is usually the first spiritual battle a new believer encounter...
Take time to appreciate the gifts given to you Q: I don’t mean to be ungrateful but when my family gives me gifts, they are things I can’t use or don’t want. Is it wrong to ask for something specific, like a gift card, so that I can buy what I want? — G.C. A: Have you ever thought about what a gift really is? The giver initiates the gift. Often the giver chooses the gift with a specific purpose in mind. Many grandparents will give stocks and bonds to build up college funds for their grandchildren. The young often do not appreciate such gifts a...
Q: My friend is the kindest and most thoughtful person I know, and yet she has no interest in God or religion. Frankly, she’s better than most of the Christians I know. How do you account for this? A: I’m sorry your friend has no interest in God—but I’m still thankful for her thoughtfulness and kindness. The world certainly would be a better place if there were more people like her! The Bible says, “A kindhearted woman gains honor” (Proverbs 11:16). Although she doesn’t realize it, her personality didn’t happen by accident or chance; instead...
About a year ago, I published an update in local papers about the plans by the Montana Department of Transportation to reconstruct the remaining 10 miles of US 2 between Chinook and Havre. This project, known as Lohman East & West, is still on schedule, with a bid letting date in the fall of 2019, and construction expected to begin in calendar year 2020. It remains the most expensive project in Transportation Commission District 3 in a five year period, and will have to be funded in two separate fiscal years. This project will replace the...
Q: Recently we moved into a new neighborhood, and I suppose we ought to get involved in a local church, but I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. After all, what difference does it make what church you join—or if you join one at all? Our previous ones didn’t do much for us. A: I’m sorry you haven’t had a positive church experience—but I hope this won’t keep you from seeking one in the future. Churches (like people) differ from each other, and I strongly encourage you to seek out the one that God has for you. Have you ever asked yourself what y...
Q: My grandchildren say I worry too much, even about things that don’t really matter. I suppose I am a bit of a worrywart, but I’ve always been like this, and I’ve told them I’m just too old to change. Am I right? A: It’s true that the older we get, the more we tend to become set in our ways. But it doesn’t have to be like this—and it shouldn’t be, especially with spiritual problems like worrying. Admittedly some people worry more than others; perhaps you’re one of them. But that doesn’t mean we can’t change, even as we grow older—with God’s...
Q: I know I ought to read the Bible, and I’ve tried, but I’ve always been a poor reader, and finally I just gave up. Does God think I’m a bad person?. A: God knows both what you can do and what you can’t do—and He doesn’t get angry with you or look down on you because of this. We aren’t all the same; God created us with different abilities. The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6). Don’t misunderstand me, however. The Bible is God’s Word, and if we ignore it, our lives will be morally a...
Q: I’ve never really understood Jesus’ prayer just before His arrest. It almost sounds like He was begging God to rescue Him so He wouldn’t have to die. Am I right? — Mrs. V.McF. A: One of the most moving events in the entire Bible took place when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, a secluded area just outside Jerusalem. In hours, He would be betrayed and arrested, and the conflict of the ages between good and evil — between God and Satan — would take place. Could it be avoided? In His prayer, Jesus looked deeply into the “cup” He wa...
