solomonswords

Messy Christianity

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Christianity is messy. Not sure about that? Look at the people in the New Testament, the people who Jesus called to be his disciples and those that hung out with. In fact, if you looked at many people in both the Old and New Testaments you will find that God consistently choose messy people. Remember Moses? He was a murder and lived in self-exile. When God called him to lead the Israelites, he complained that he wasn’t qualified. When he did lead, he showed anger and great frustration with the people.

In the New Testament there’s Matthew the tax collector, Paul who persecuted the early Christians and witnessed the stoning of Stephen. Women with questionable reputations and even Jesus himself hung out with the most detestable of society. In other words, the people of God are messy. They don’t make good storylines. Even King David who was said to be a man after God’s heart committed adultery, murdered the husband of the woman who he had the affair. God doesn’t look for perfect people, but rather broken ones, and I guess that’s the point isn’t it. God is interested in messy people.

Jesus did have his critics. The Sadducees and Pharisees had their rules and expectations as to how the people of God should look and behave. Messy people weren’t apart of that group. In those days, some of those messy people were stoned to death. I wonder if we’d like to do that with some even today.

Being messy isn’t the problem. If it was, we’d all be in trouble. The Good News is that God loves messy people and He uses them every day no matter who they are or where they are. That should make us all hopeful. No matter what we’ve done, or how far we’ve fallen He’s there to pick us back up. It doesn’t matter how many times or why, His love is constant and never failing. I know that there will be some who will say that God has His limits and that He is the righteous Judge. But the story of the Prodigal Son tells me that he’s still looking for the messy son to come home because he’s still a son. Think about it.

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors on the square across from the county jail, every Friday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, July 7th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

[NOTICE: If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-544-7313 netrabaker@hughes.net]

ALPACA CREATIONS will be a vender at the Potter Co. Farmers Market, Fri. July 7.   We will have a nice variety of natural and dyed yarns, large selection of sizes and designs of alpaca socks, and hand knit hats, mitts, mittens, neck warmers, scarves along with felt inserts, and Dryer balls.   Special orders are accepted.   Credit cards accepted.  Pa preferred status, 814-601-0049 or alpacas@zitomedia.net for comments or questions

BLUE MARBLE FARM will be at the market rain or shine with assorted herb and vegetable plants. It’s never too late to start a garden!  Limited amount of produce.   We accept cash, credit cards, and SNAP. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com 

CARD CREEK BAKERY will be at the market July 7th. I haven’t been there for a couple of weeks d/t family time. Message me if you want something special, otherwise stop at my table for artisan breads, sweet breads, sweet treats, and fresh brown eggs. Each week there is something different for a surprise.

CARING CRAFTS will be attending the Market. We have a variety of patterns for our Homemade Travel Pillows.  A variety of plastic canvas ornament/magnet pieces thank include; NFL logos, character theme, military signs, animals, etc.. Stop by and see us and don’t forget to like/ message us your special order on Facebook @ Caring Crafts. We accept cash payments. Hope to see everyone there

JOANIE’S APIARY plans on being at market with our own local raw honey, honey candy, beeswax products, corn heating pads. (Joanie’s Apiary will not be at market on July 14th. You can purchase my products at the Artisan Center.)

HOPPE RL FARMS will have their creamed honey  with JOANIE’S APIARY 

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Friday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products that include soap bars, shampoo bars, lotions, lotion bars and bath bombs. We accept cash or card payments. For more information contact us at meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page. 

Urgent Food Recall of Van’s Gluten Free Original Waffles Due to Potential Presence of Undeclared Wheat Allergen

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. – July 3, 2023 – Van’s International Foods (“Van’s” or “the Company”) is voluntarily recalling certain packages of Van’s Gluten Free Original Waffles, because they may contain undeclared wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The affected products are labeled with Lot Code #UW40193L and have an expiration date of 1/19/2024. To identify the Lot Code and expiration date, please refer to the side of the carton. Consumers who believe they have purchased recalled lot code product are urged to confirm the lot code with place of purchase.

Feedback collected will support Pennsylvania’s broadband expansion planning efforts

Ridgway, PA (July 6, 2023) – The North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission today announced a meeting to engage the community in discussions about broadband use and experiences. The meeting will also provide information about the Commonwealth’s work to develop an action plan to ensure equitable, affordable broadband access for all residents, businesses, and communities.

Those interested in participating are invited to join the meeting scheduled for July 20^th, 2023, from 10am – 11:30am at the Port Allegany Veteran’s Memorial Inc. at 4743 PA-155, Port Allegany, PA.

Executive Director, Jim Chorney states “Access to broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for every individual and community in the region. It goes beyond connectivity; it is the key that creates opportunities and paves the way for knowledge and economic growth throughout the Commonwealth.”

The North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission’s meeting is part of a larger strategic effort led by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA). Through a robust meeting series, the PBDA will connect with a diverse array of Pennsylvanians and use the public input to help develop plans to address broadband service needs in unserved and underserved communities. The plans will help ensure everyone has the skills, technology, and capacity needed to benefit from our digital economy.

“Far too many Pennsylvanians lack access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet access or face barriers to accessing the technology necessary to participate in our society and economy fully,” said PBDA Executive Director Brandon Carson. “We are seeking to close the digital divide, and the feedback we receive through community meetings is essential as the Commonwealth develops its Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment and Digital Equity plans.”

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, authorized a $65 billion investment into broadband to close the digital divide. Pennsylvania is guaranteed a minimum of $100 million and is expected to receive hundreds of millions in additional funding through formula or competitive funding opportunities. The community meetings are critical to the planning process and will help inform Pennsylvania’s path forward when the Commonwealth secures funding and implements the plans.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) and the upcoming community engagement activities, visit the PBDA’s website. 

About the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA)

The PBDA is responsible for creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing federal and state monies for broadband expansion projects in unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania. PBDA efforts focus on closing Pennsylvania’s digital divide so all Pennsylvanians can get connected to affordable and reliable high-speed broadband internet at home, at work, or on the road.

About North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is a premier regional development organization that serves the public and private sector through a wide range of economic, community, infrastructure, human services, and technology programs for Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter Counties.