The reorganization of the Stockton City Commission was held at the first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, January 5th. Before the reorganization, the commissioners approved the Consent Agenda as presented, which included the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll in the amount of $79,965.33, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants in the amount of $49,619.44, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants for December 16th, 2020 in the amount of $27,678.32, the City of Stockton warrants in the amount of $79,199.32, the City of Stockton gross payroll in the amount of $90,239.92, and the December 15th regular meeting and December 22nd special meeting minutes.

Kansas’ December total tax collections continues the state’s trend of outperforming the estimate. Total tax collections were up $64.5 million, or 9.1%, for the month with $770.2 million collected. That is a $13.6 million, or 1.8%, increase from December of Fiscal Year 2020.

Happy 2021 New Year to everyone. The Woodston United Methodist Church had services on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS. I suppose we're all affected. Or should we say "infected"? We have this niggling proclivity to be right. "I'm right. You're wrong." Of course, those who have an unusually major infection of this "disease" tend to be rather contentious in their relationships. We don't know what the problem was between Euodia and Synteche, but the Apostle Paul singled them out by name. He wrote, "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). There apparently was a divisiveness problem in the Philippian church because Paul alludes to it in all 4 chapters (see 1:27, 2:2, 3:16). So, Dr. Paul, how do we get cured of this "I'm rightinitis" infection? He deals with the remedy in chapter 2. First of all, Paul tells them to consider God's blessings. He wrote, "Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement He has brought us, the comfort of His love, our sharing in His Spirit, and the mercy and kindness He has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings..." (2:1). Paul says, considering all of God's countless blessings on us as Christians, can we not suppress our niggles to be right? Secondly, it seems Paul appeals to the relationship he had with these dear people by saying, "fulfill my joy" (v. 2) IOW, if you really love me and treasure our friendship in the Lord, can you not "fill to the full my joy" by choosing to be of one mind? Thirdly, Paul flat out exhorts them by his Apostolic authority - "Let nothing be done in the spirit of strife but be humble and consider others more important than yourself and put their interests before your own" (vv. 3-4). Finally, Paul seems to say, "If God's blessings, our love to each other, and my exhortations to do right fail, there's only one other cure" (vv. 5ff). When all else fails, look to Jesus! Have the same mindset when, despite being God, "He humbled Himself" by dying for OUR sin. May every knee bow to Him and be cured!

Where is your focus? Sometimes we have trouble seeing because our focus is on ourselves. If we only see ourselves, and if it is all about “me”, we will surely miss opportunities to help others and will end up stressed and broken.

The menus for the week beginning Monday, January 11, are as follows: Monday—Swiss steak with tomatoes, rice, green beans, bread, pears. Tuesday—Harvest turkey soup, broccoli salad, crackers, peaches. Wednesday—Roast pork in gravy, mashed potatoes, seasoned carrots, bread, strawberries. Thursday—Beef stroganoff, brussel sprouts, bread, hot cinnamon apple slices. Friday—Sloppy joes, tator tots or triangles, California blend vegetables, bun, mixed fruit.

Week of January 11 Breakfast Monday—French toast sticks, fruit, juice, milk. Tuesday—Pop tarts, fruit, juice, milk.

IN THE WAKE of the bombing in Nashville on Christmas Day, for just a moment it was a little unnerving to some in the community to see a billboard truck illegally parked near the intersection of US Highways 183 and 24 last Wednesday afternoon. The LED advertising truck was broadcasting music while GoGetTested. com/Kansas was encouraging people to get a COVID test, wear and mask and keep your distance.

SEEKING FIRST. In the ramp up to Christmas, many have their eyes fixated on that one "toy" that would especially satisfy—a new game console, TV, cellphone, set of dishes, etc. They long for that which they think will particularly scratch their itch. Jesus was not nearly so earthbound and, in Matthew 6, we see Him attempting to focus the hearts of His disciples on what really matters—eternally. Jesus commands or exhorts His disciples, "Do not habitually, ongoingly treasure up for yourselves treasures on earth" (v. 19). The Lord here contrasts the temporal things of earth with the eternal things of heaven. His point is that true followers have changed hearts and different fixations. True disciples will naturally and habitually treasure up the things that God's heart treasures, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (v. 21). Getting more blunt, Jesus states unequivocally that, "No one can serve two masters" (v. 24). IOW, being consumedly earthly crowns the things of earth our king and master. GULP! I trust that's not me. If God is God, if He is the Sovereign of the universe, then He most certainly knows our every need! That's why Jesus exhorted His disciples to consider birds which are not farmers and can't make their own food, yet God meets their needs. He then asks the piercing question, "Are you not of more value (to God) than they?" Genuine Christians understand God's everlasting love. Even so, we at times get anxious about life. I trust it's not the case, but are you perhaps worrying or anxious about 2021? From a Biblical perspective, God DOES care more for us than birds. We ARE of more value to Him—far more. The ques-tion is, "How do we get victory over our worry?" The Lord gives the answer by exhorting His disciples saying, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (v. 26). May God find us seeking Him in 2021!