THE BEGGAR. It seems safe to say that none of us would ever want to be put in the place of having to literally beg others for their help. Of course, the idea of begging is pleading with others. Actual instances in the Bible of begging are rare. However, have you ever considered the fact that God humbles Himself to the point of begging and pleading? Yes, the Creator begs - "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1). TRUTH #1: God begs all who are spiritually poor to come to Him and enjoy His blessings in the coming Messiah! TRUTH #2: But the shocking truth coming out of God's mouth through Isaiah is that God's blessings can't be bought - they can only be had "without money and without price"! Paul picked up on this truth when he wrote that sinners are "justified FREELY by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). TRUTH #3: God's blessings are in contrast to worldly blessings. God asks, "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?" (55:2). How many people buy expensive gifts for their excited children only to find those items broken and taken to the dump within days? Worldly blessings are at best temporary and will never satisfy beyond this life. Only God's spiritual blessing of forgiveness in Jesus satisfies for both time and eternity! TRUTH #4: While God's blessings are free, their reception requires a human response. We see this in such exhortations as, "Incline your ear," "come to me," and "hear" (55:3). God also exhorts people to "Seek the Lord," to "call upon Him" (55:6) and to "forsake" their wicked ways (55:7). God still begs every sinner to respond, pleading, "Let him turn to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon" (55:7).

We are what we think. In Genesis 6:5, God was lamenting that he had even created man because, “every inclination of the thoughts of (man’s) heart was only evil all the time.” It was bad enough that God decided to flood the world, and “start over.”

The Stockton Public Library Board met on Monday November 9th and reported the following statistcs for the month of October: Patrons Using Library—1,144, Library Materials Checked Out—813, Adults Utilizing Library—510, Children Utilizing Library—303, Interlibrary Loans Sent—126, Interlibrary Loans Received—93, Story Time/Outreach Programs Served—56 Children and 24 Adults, Computer Users—104, Newspapers Received/Read—111, Reference Requests—61, Computer Training Of Patrons 9, New Cards —1, e-book Circulation—21, and Hoopla Circulation—27.

Week of November 23 Breakfast Monday—Frudel, fruit, juice, milk. Tuesday—Cereal bar, fruit, juice, milk.

COME IN AND CHECK US OUT!!!! NEW BOOKS FOR ADULTS ARE: • “The Sentinel” by Lee Child • “Fortune and Glory” by Janet Evanovich • “Shakeup” by Stuart Woods • “Elsewhere” by Dean Koontz • “The Brothers of Auschwitz” by Malka Adler • “The Orphan Collector” by Ellen Marie Wiseman • “Between Sisters” by Kirstin Hannah • “Children of the Stars” by Mario Escobar NEW BOOKS FOR CHILDREN ARE: • “All’s Happy That Ends Happy” by Rose Lagercrantz • “What About Worms” by Ryan T. Higgins • “Who Ate My Book” by Tina Kugler • “Doodlebug Elizabeth” by Rachel Vail • “After Squidnight” by Jonathan Fenske • “Motor Mouse Delivers” by Cynthia Rylant • “Fauja Singh Keeps Going” by Simran Jeet Singh • “Tad” by Benji Davies • “The Haunted Lake” by P.J.

The family of Robert “Bob” McCall requests a card shower in honor of his 98th birthday which is November 29, 2020. Cards may be sent to him at: Parkview Care Center, P.O. Box 247, Osborne, KS 67473.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, was recently awarded a $1000 grant from Midwest Energy, Inc. The grant will be used in DSNWK’s Kid-Link program to purchase books and evaluation items for families and children as they reach developmental milestones. The items help identify a need, as well as, help children to learn a new skill or maintain skills once learned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mailed ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the local FSA county office or postmarked by December 7.

The menus for the week beginning Monday, November 23, are as follows: Monday—Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes, Scandavavian blend vegetables, bread, emerald pears. Tuesday—Ground beef vegetable soup, cottage cheese, crackers, tropical fruit. Wednesday—Sausage patty, tater tots or triangles, strawberries and bananas, biscuit, chocolate chip cookie. Thursday and Friday—Closed for Thanksgiving.

The members and guests braved a windy Sunday morning, November 15, 2020, to worship together at the Methodist Church. Pastor Michelle Byerly gave her sermon entitled, “The Kingdom of Heaven is Like: Talents We Risk Sharing.” Scripture was Matthew 25: 14-30. Joan Balderston played, “His Sheep Am I” for the special. Closing Hymn was, “This Little Light of Mine.”