Have you ever considered yourself God’s instrument, or asked Him to use you as one? This morning after going on a substantial rant about some issues that irritate me, I realized that as a believer and a supposed example, I probably sounded like a sour violin note to those around me. Benny Goodman I was not, more like an 8 year on their first lesson, (God bless children’s music teachers!). That’s because I was trying to use the instrument on my own merits instead of letting God play through me. I was MY instrument, (or perhaps even Satan’s…ouch) instead of God’s. Fortunately, for those who believe, this can be reversed (and forgiven!) quite quickly. Using prayer, repentance, worship and/or God’s word to connect with His Holy Spirit can make us a clean and fine-tuned instrument ready for His use. God tells us that the results of this Holy Spirit connection include, “…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal.5). When we let Him play these notes through us, we do sound like Benny Goodman and others might just ask us where we take our lessons…and if we all played like this together, what an orchestra we could be! Something to think about…
Do you like the sound of a well-played clarinet? It can be soulful, romantic or up-beat. In my mind, it was kind of the rock guitar of the big band era. Now, how about the sound that the clarinet makes when it is not well-played? Does it make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you think of the squeak produced when it goes wrong? Sorry for the mental anguish, but I needed to bring it up to make a point. So…what is it? I thought you’d never ask.
Have you ever considered yourself God’s instrument, or asked Him to use you as one? This morning after going on a substantial rant about some issues that irritate me, I realized that as a believer and a supposed example, I probably sounded like a sour violin note to those around me. Benny Goodman I was not, more like an 8 year on their first lesson, (God bless children’s music teachers!). That’s because I was trying to use the instrument on my own merits instead of letting God play through me. I was MY instrument, (or perhaps even Satan’s…ouch) instead of God’s. Fortunately, for those who believe, this can be reversed (and forgiven!) quite quickly. Using prayer, repentance, worship and/or God’s word to connect with His Holy Spirit can make us a clean and fine-tuned instrument ready for His use. God tells us that the results of this Holy Spirit connection include, “…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal.5). When we let Him play these notes through us, we do sound like Benny Goodman and others might just ask us where we take our lessons…and if we all played like this together, what an orchestra we could be! Something to think about… ![]() “We are proud of our success in distance learning this spring and we are reopening the school this fall with a classroom setup as close as possible to the previous norm,” says New Covenant Academy headmaster Kjell Fenn. “Our inherently small school allows for proper safety measures to be easily incorporated into our system.” NCA plans to begin school on Aug. 20th, 2020. The students will be enrolled in a full 5 day a week schedule as before but with the new health and safety plan in place. The school appointed Mrs. Cathy Dunlap as the Health and Safety Coordinator to oversee that the everyday procedures are in place. The state Senate approved bipartisan legislation today, 40-9, that could help create thousands of family-sustaining jobs, particularly in northeastern Pennsylvania, and provide a boost to Pennsylvania’s energy economy, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
House Bill 732 would create the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Program to add an incentive for manufacturers to invest in Pennsylvania communities. The program would be available to facilities that use dry natural gas to produce fertilizer and other petrochemical products. “Pennsylvania is the second largest producer of natural gas in the United States,” Sen. Yaw said. “That fact alone makes Pennsylvania one of the largest producers in the world. While previous administrations have failed to promote our position as a world leader in the natural gas market, this bipartisan bill acknowledges that fact. House Bill 732 will create hundreds, if not thousands, of upstream and downstream jobs, and I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for approving this bill.” Under the program, a business would be required to invest more than $400 million in a Pennsylvania facility and create at least 800 jobs in order to qualify for a tax credit. The bill would require companies to make a good faith effort to recruit and employ local workers in Pennsylvania. A company would not be eligible for the tax credit until the jobs have already been created. Applications are now being accepted for a tax credit program intended to support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry by helping new farmers get established, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), who supported the legislation that created the initiative.
The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program created by Senate Bill 478 (Act 65 of 2019) provides an incentive to landowners who lease or sell their land, buildings and equipment to beginning farmers. Landowners will receive a one-time personal income tax credit for the sale or a multi-year lease of property. The legislation requires all leases be enforced through written agreements and that the sale of property be for fair market value in order to qualify for the tax credit. “I have heard many times that the top challenge facing new farmers is finding affordable farmland,” Senator Yaw said, who grew up on his family’s farm in Cascade Township, Lycoming County. “The tax credits provided under this new program will reward landowners who help new farmers get started. None of our neighboring states offer a similar tax credit program, so this is a great way to show the agriculture community that Pennsylvania is open for business.” “My fellow Americans, I am today ordering that Monday, August 3, shall be a national day of mourning. All of us should take time on that day to honor the memories of more than 134,000 souls taken by COVID-19. Flags will be lowered to half staff.” – Donald J. Trump, President
“When our leagues resume play for their shortened seasons, all players will wear black uniform patches to acknowledge the tragic coronavirus deaths.” – Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner; Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner “I am asking all New Yorkers to observe a moment of silence at noon each day until further notice, as we remember the lives lost to COVID-19. I urge people in cities and towns across the nation to join the citizens of New York in expressing our collective grief.” – Bill de Blasio, Mayor None of these statements has been made, and a reasonable question is, why? by John Shaffer
There is no shortage of bad reactions to the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody, beginning with its magnification into a symbol for grievances to which it has no direct connection. Thanks to the internet, his death has been used to justify everything from removing statues to changing corporate logos to arson, looting, and rioting to the establishment of “autonomous zones” in a few of America’s most progressive cities. And that’s just for starters. Public property has been destroyed or vandalized, our very history re-written, movies have been proscribed, TV shows cancelled, people have been fired from their jobs, and many of the basic freedoms that we enjoyed just a few months ago have been revoked. We suppose that one’s opinion of all this depends on one’s point of view, but to us much of this is a massive overreaction that has punished innocent people and weakened the ideals and institutions that were supposed to have united us. It takes a special kind of logic to pretend, as the activists do, that Americans can somehow be united by ripping apart those very symbols that have united us since the Declaration of Independence. All the progressive activists in America, it seems, have been, are or will be repudiating their history, and they have the freedom to make that choice. What they do not have is the freedom to force all of the rest of us to make the same choice, to repudiate our history. Liberty Community Day will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, (Rain date, Aug. 9) at the Ballpark in Liberty. Games - Food - Fellowship! 3 on 3 Basketball at 9:30 a.m.; Corn Hole 1 p.m.; Volleyball 4 p.m. Pre-register with Kyle 570-220-4585 or on game day 1/2 hr. prior to the event. No registration fee! Cash prizes will be awarded.
Wedding: Saturday, July 18, Dianna Weaver and Tyler Zeafla were united in marriage by Pastor Bob Sank, (ret.) at Salem Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. Dianna Weaver is the daughter of Jim and Christie Weaver of Morris. Tyler is the son of Ron and Lezli Zeafla, Liberty. Interestingly, Pastor Sank also had officiated the wedding of Dianna’s parents, Jim & Christie. A reception was held at the Weaver’s home. Tyler is engaged in dairy farming. Tyler and Dianna are both graduates of North Penn/Liberty High School. Recycling is Saturday, July 25 from 9-noon. Volunteers are needed to help with recycling. Please call Carolyn Moyer if you are able/willing. 570-324-2482 The Book Club is reading “All Adults Here” by Emma Straub for August. The meeting place to be announced. Betty Holcomb is spearheading an outreach project for people in the Liberty area who are in need of help, including home projects, lawn mowing, weeding, etc. If you are willing to help or in need of help, please call Betty at 570-324-3901. The family band “The Williamson Branch” is coming to perform at a Concert on the Green in East Smithfield on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m. This gospel bluegrass band will share their ministry at a concert on the green, weather permitting, in downtown East Smithfield. Bring a lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the Federated Church sanctuary. A love offering will be received to benefit the group.
Williamson Branch is a family band and, like most families, they are rich in tradition, ripe with potential, and diverse in taste. This family has a love for each other and music. That love makes each performance special. Williamson Branch plays music that is mostly bluegrass, gospel, and sometimes country but always fresh and exciting. Their vocals soar with a closeness that can only be found in blood relatives. Their instrumentation is impressive. Their laughter is contagious. Their clog dancing is exhilarating and their personalities are sparkling! The members of the Williamson Branch include: Kevin Williamson, his wife Debbie and daughters: Melody, Kadence, and Caroline. Please check out their website www.williamsonbranch.com. If you need further information, please contact Bernie Petry at 570-596-3202. |
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