The Estill County Tribune, November 22, 2017, Page 3 … of pulling up the entire carpet for a pack...

America’sHeartland

Roger AlfordRogerAlford1@GMail.Com Afterinstallingacarpet,the carpet layer steppedoutside for a smoke butquickly realized he’d losthiscigarettes. He walked back insideto look for them and no-ticed a bump under thecarpetinthemiddleoftheroom. Insteadofpullinguptheentirecarpetforapackofcigarettes,hestompedthebumpdownflat. Aboutthattime,theladyofthehousewalkedinandhanded him the missingpackofcigarettes. “I found these on thecoffee table,” she said.“Now, if only I could find

myhamster.” Researchers suggestthat the average personspendsroughly10minutesadaylookingforlostkeys,sevenminuteslookingforsocksandshoes,fivemin-uteslookingfortheremotecontrol, and fourminutessearchingforsunglasses. Jesususedourfamiliar-ity with losing things toteach an important truthduringhisearthlyministry. “Whatwomanwhohasten silver coins and losesoneofthemdoesnotlighta lamp, sweepherhouse,and search carefully untilshefindsit?Andwhenshefinds it, shecalls togetherherfriendsandneighborstosay,‘Rejoicewithme,forIhavefoundmylostcoin”(Luke15:8-9). Jesus, of course, toldthat in a spiritual con-text, painting a picture oftheway thatHe searchesdiligently for lost souls inneedofsalvation.Hewenton to say “there is joy inthe presence ofGod’s an-gels over one sinnerwhorepents”(Luke15:10). A reader in Minnesotasharedrecentlythat,some40yearsago,hewas lost,involvedindrugsandofallsorts of other bad things.

But the Lord saved himand transformed his life.Hiswifehadalsobeenintodrugs and spent time inprison for smuggling co-cainebeforeshewasbornagain. They are now servingJesuswith a passion, tell-ingothersabouthowtheywerespirituallylostwhenJesus found them. Theirpassionnowistellingoth-ersaboutthelife-changingpowerofthegospel. They’re passionate be-causethey’veexperiencedGod’s mercy and forgive-ness. “WhatGodcandowithusuglysinners,” thismansaid. “We are new cre-ations.Oldthingsaregone.Allthingsarenew.” The carpet layer in theopening tale may havebeenwillingtoleavesome-thing behind, but Jesusisn’t.Hecamethisworldtosave lost people. If you’reoneof them,Hewants todoforyouwhathedidforthe Minnesota husbandandwife. Roger Alford offerswordsofencouragementtoresidentsofAmerica’sheartland. Reach himat rogeralford1@gmail.com.

The Estill County Tribune, November 22, 2017, Page 3

Could that bump under the carpet be a hamster?

TimesRememberedBetty A. Young

BYoung505@Outlook.com Thanksgiving to me isa day set aside for givingthanks . . . usually aroundharvest time. A commonquestion during these holi-daysis,“Whatareyouthank-ful for?” Typical answersusuallyincludefamily,home,job,foodandclothing. But for believers, thank-fulness should go deeper.TheApostlePaulwrote,“Be joyful always; pray continu-ally; give thanks in all cir-cumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.”(1Thesssalonians5:16-18NIV). In all circumstances

. . .evendifficultones?Evenwhen we grieve or suffer?TheBibleisfullofreasonstogivethanks. EverymorningI’mthank-ful for the gift of anotherday. And I’m thankful alsoforthegoodthingsGodcon-tinues to give me . . . fam-ilyandfriends, forexample,and even the simple thingsinlifethatIusedtotakeforgranted.IthinkInoticethemmore now, and I’m gratefulforthat. ButmostofallI’mthank-ful for Jesus Christ, and forthehopewehaveinHeaven.Because of His death andresurrection. As I get olderI tend to spend more timethinkingaboutthepast,andthat’snotnecessarilywrong.ButIalsothinkaboutheavenand think of his wonderfulpromise that if we accept,believe,andconfessoursinsand place our faith in him;thatwhenwediewewillbewithhimforeverinHeaven. WeallhaveproblemsandI’mnoexception.Butit’strue. . . Godhas away of bring-ing goodout of the darkesttimesandwhenHedoes,we

shouldgivehimthanks. PeopleoftenhaveahardtimetrustingGodwhendif-ficult timescome theirway,eveniftheyknowtheprom-isesHehasmadetousintheBible.Manystrugglewithit. It’seasytobecomeover-whelmed by whatever ishappeningtousthatwefor-getGod’spromises;promis-eswe’veknownandtrustedmostofourlives.That’swhyweneedtoturntotheBibleeveryday,sowewon’tforgetthem.Butitisalsoimportantto maintain an attitude ofthanksgiving in our hearts,for itwillkeepus fromfor-getting God’s goodness andfaithfulness. Aswegetolder,andexpe-riencesicknessandage,wecan’tdoeverythingweoncecould, but we can do whatwecan.Wecanstillpray,andencourageothers to live forChrist. We can also makeit our goal to be more likeChrist.Happy Thanksgiving!

God Bless!

Happy Thanksgiving

“Mommie & Me” and Storytime Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. & Fridays, 10:30 a.m.

ESTILL LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE246 Main Street Irvine, KY – Call 723-3030

NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 1, 2017MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

No BookmobileService

WinstonTrotting Ridge

SandhillRice Station

Nursing HomeHorizon Daycare

RavennaWagersvilleDrip Rock

Spout SpringsHudson Mill Rd.

Old/New FoxHargett

South IrvineEarly Learning

Center

Chocolate or Cinn.Muffins, Apple Cinn. Cheerios, Pop TartsMandarin Oranges

Gravy & BiscuitCereal, Pop TartYogurt, Banana, Orange or Apple

FRIDAYDec. 31

Asst. MuffinsFrosted FlakesPeachesAsst. JuiceMilk

ESTILL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL BREAKFASTDutch Waffle Apple Jacks, Pop Tart, ApplesJuice, Milk

Scrambled Eggs & Toast, Cocoa PuffsPop Tart, PineapplesJuice, Milk

Biscuit & GravyTrix, Pop TartPeachesJuice, Milk

Pancakes, Choco-late Bites or Mini Wheats, Pop TartBanana

ESTILL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL LUNCH

ESTILL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BREAKFASTCereal, Pop TartsYogurtOranges/ApplesJuices/Milk

MuffinsCerealPop Tarts, YogurtOranges/Apples

Bacon/Egg/Cheese Biscuit, CerealPop Tart, YogurtBan. , Apple, Orange

Sausage BiscuitCereal, Pop TartYogurt, Banana,Apple or Orange

ESTILL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL LUNCHChicken TendersRoll, Spicy Chicken on Bun, GrapesScalloped PotatoesSteamed BroccoliGrapes, Trop. Fruit

Tacos w/ShellChicken FajitaLet.Tom./CheeseRefried Beans, CornSide KicksApplesauce

Chili Dog orMr. Rib on BunTater TotsGarden SaladPeachesPineapples

Meatball Sub orChicken Patty on Bun, Green BeansLet./Tom./PeppersGlazed Carrots, ChipMandarin Oranges

Pop Corn ChickenRoll, Glazed CarrotsMashed PotatoesApplesMandarin OrangesMilk/Juice

Spicy Chicken orFish on BunBaby BakersLet./Tom./PicklesStrawberry CupsApplesauce

Pizza Hut PizzaChili CrispitoesBroccoli BitesCornPineapplesTropical Fruit

Chili w/CrackersGrilled CheeseCarrot SticksOrange SlicesSide KicksMilk/Juice

WEDNESDAYNov. 29

TUESDAYNov. 28

MONDAYNov. 27

THURSDAYNov. 30

ESTILL COUNTY SCHOOLS MENUSMilk is included with every meal; plus assorted juices included with breakfast

ESTILL SPRINGS LUNCHESChicken Pattie/BunPotato SmilesBaked BeansPearsMilk

Cheese BreadsticksMarinara SauceNormandy VeggiesBroccoli/DipSide Kick

Chicken NuggetsRoll, Green BeansMashed PotatoesAppleMilk

Pizza Hut PizzaCornGrape Tomatoes/DipOrangesPush-up, Milk

ESTILL SPRINGS BREAKFASTSBreakfast Pizza or Cocoa Puffs/ToastPineapple TidbitsAsst. JuiceMilk

Mini Maple Pan-cakes/Syrup or Cinn. Toast Crunch/Gra-ham Crackers, Ap-ple, Juice, Milk

Donuts or PoptartTrix CerealPearsAsst. JuiceMilk

Scrambled Eggs orLucky CharmsToast, BananaAsst. JuiceMilk

WEST IRVINE LUNCHESChicken Nuggets/Roll, Baked BeansMashed PotatoesAppleMilk

Cheese Bread SticksMarinara SauceCucumber Slices/Dip, BroccoliPears, Milk

Chicken Noodle Soup, Grill CheeseCauliflower/DipDill Pickle SpearsOrange, Milk

Pizza MunchableMarinara SauceCarrots/DipRaisinsMilk

Offered Daily: Pizza LineSandwich Box, Salad Box

Assorted Muffins or Lucky Charms/Gra-ham Snacks, Apple

WEST IRVINE BREAKFASTSToast & Cinn. Crunch, ApplesauceJuice, Milk

Pancake Porky or Cocoa PuffsPeaches

Yogurt, Cheese, Crack- ers or Maple Waffle or Trix, Oranges

Biscuit & Gravy orCocoa Krispies/Gra-ham Snacks, Ban.

OatmealJuiceMilk

SOUTH IRVINE EARLY LEARNING CENTER LUNCHESChicken NuggetsRollsGreen BeansApplesMilk

Turkey SandwichPotato SmilesStrawberry CupsMilk

Salibury Steak w/Gravy, RollMashed PotatoesMandarin OrangesMilk

Pizza Hut PizzaCornOranges Milk

SOUTH IRVINE EARLY LEARNING CENTER BREAKFASTSBreakfast PizzaPineapplesMilk

YogurtAnimal CrackersApples

Cinnamon Toast Crunch, BananaMilk

Scrambled EggsToastMandarin Oranges

Jackson Energy

Working for You

This farm is growing

renewable energy

FOR SALE(final copies)

20th ANNIVERSARY of“Under The Cowboy Hat: A Journey

Through the Years” (rel. 1997) by: Johnetta Kirby DunA

$12.00 each (includes postage) send to: J. DunA

233 Main StIrvine, KY 40336

Your Name (autograph to) _____________________________Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________