NEWS

Follow Your Heart

By

B.J. Knefley

Follow your heart, is that good advice? I’m sure that you’ve heard it said and perhaps even given it as counsel yourself, but is it sound? Many have followed their heart with disastrous consequences, so why do we still give the advice?

Jesus said that what we value will reflect the heart. If our heart is only interested in our own happiness and the fulfillment of our desires than following our hearts will only be about what makes us happy. How does that work for the other people in your life?

I have met too many people in my life that have followed their hearts only to have them hurt and manipulated. One left their life to follow someone new. Within three weeks they were miserable and wondering how they were going to heal and move on from such a disastrous life choice. Not only did they bring hurt and pain to their own life, but to the life of man others in the process.

In Proverbs 4:23 we’re told to guard our hearts because everything flows from it. The Psalmist prayed that God would give him a pure heart. Why? Can’t we develop a pure heart through our own choices? Interestingly Jeremiah 17:9 states “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jesus, speaking about the heart said, ^“For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” (Matthew 15:19) Seems very clear, doesn’t it? Following our hearts will greatly be influenced by the condition of our hearts from the start.

Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Perhaps our clue is if it seems right, then it probably isn’t.”

In the end, if you’re chasing after fulfilling your heart then you just might be contributing to our own unhappiness and pain. Think about it.    

The last two performances of “Elephant’s Graveyard” are at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 29 and this Saturday, Sept. 30 in the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Free, in-person programs are being held this Saturday, Sept. 30 at Cherry Springs State Park and one at Lyman Run State Park This Sunday, Oct. 1.

Liberty Township 

Attention Liberty Township Residents: the Lower Portage Richard “Dick” Kallenborn Bridge will be closed on Friday, September 29th, from 9:30AM until 11:00AM for the ribbon cutting ceremony. There will be a tent in case of inclement weather. The public is invited.

​Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a crack sealing project continues next week on multiple routes in Lycoming and Tioga counties.

Week of October 1, 2023

The Potter County Artisan Co-op in Coudersport is planning several classes over the next few weeks.

Pete Wyatt with be teaching a Professional Santa Claus Workshop on Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, and 17 from 7pm – 9pm.  Cost is $20.00 for each class or $60 for all 3. 

Basket-weaver, Catherine Snyder, will guide students to make a Cancer Awareness Basket on Saturday, October 7, from 9 am- 2pm.  Price is $50.00.  Traditional pink will be available, in addition to different colored reeds per student request upon registering.  Bring a beverage and lunch or snacks.

The Potter County Education Council, Tri-Co Connections, the Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging, and our local school districts are continuing to team up to implement a county-wide program called Seniors 2 Seniors.

This program teaches basic computer skills, digital literacy, and cybersecurity to senior citizens so that they have the skills and knowledge to utilize the many benefits of high-speed Internet. As a part of this program, local high school students volunteer to provide on-site support to each of the adults who participate in the course.

​Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway project continues on Interstate 180 eastbound and westbound in Montoursville Borough, and Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy townships in Lycoming County.

Week of October 1, 2023

On Monday, October 2, 2023, through Friday, October 6, 2023, the contractor will continue applying final line paint, installing new raised pavement markings at the on and off ramps of Route 87 and Fairfield Road and begin general cleanup of the entire project.

​Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of a lane restriction next week on Route 15 in Bloss Township, Tioga County, for a soil remediation project due to a previous crash.

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, and Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the contractor will be working on Route 15 between Route 2016 (Arnot Road) and Route 2005 (Bloss Mountain Road).  Motorists can expect the right (driving) lane and shoulder to be restricted.  Work will be performed between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, weather permitting.

Motorists should expect minor delays, watch for slow or stopped vehicles, and watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.