THE PLOW BOY. It seems that in the 1400s, God, in His mercy, created sparks that slowly brought the world out of the Dark Ages. However, those sparks turned into an inferno in the 1500s. But what was it that God used as "gas" to bring about the inferno of the Reformation? It seems clear that the "gas" God used was His Word! It was Erasmus who in 1516 published a combined Latin / Greek New Testament. One historian said concerning Erasmus' work, "It is no exaggeration to say that it set fire to Europe. Luther translated it into his famous German version of 1522. In a few years there appeared translations from the Greek into most European vernaculars. They were the true basis of the popular reformation." I agree. The only thing that can dispel spiritual darkness and reform the heart is the Word of God! When Luther was on trial, Johann Eck stated that "the Church" was the rightful authority in spiritual matters. To this, Luther responded, “I have an authority that is older than yours.” An astounded Eck demanded, “Name them.” Luther said, “Paul and Peter and John.” Touché! God is our spiritual authority and His Word is His mind in print. It was William Tyndale who longed for England to have God's Word. And his well-known comment to an opponent was, "If God spare my life, ere many years, I will cause a boy who drives a plow to know more of the scriptures than you do." It was King Henry VIII of England who declared Tyndale a heretic. Nonetheless, in exile, Tyndale published the first New Testament in English in 1526. When finally caught and burned at the stake, his last words were, "Lord! Open the King of England's eyes!" To be sure, the only thing that can open the eyes of sinners, whether King or plow boy, is the Word of God. The night before his death, Jesus prayed to His Father, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). May our prayer be, "Lord, cause your Truth to open eyes!"

Sometimes you just have to ask the question, what exactly can we agree upon? It seems today that everyone has an opinion, but finding common ground can be elusive. So, what CAN we agree on? First, as Christians, we can agree that the Bible is true.

The menus for the week beginning Monday, November 2, are as follows: Monday—Ham and potato casserole, green beans, bread, peaches. Tuesday—Closed for election. Wednesday—Hamburger patty with lettuce, tomato and onion, potato salad, bun, tropical fruit. Thursday—Taco salad, rice, chips, pineapple. Friday—Harvest turkey soup, mandarin oranges, crackers, brownie.

Week of November 2 Breakfast Monday—Frudel, fruit, juice, milk. Tuesday—Pop-Tart, fruit, juice, milk.

Dylan Dibble and Callie are the parents of twin boys born this past week. Mother and sons are in Wichita hospital.

Sentinel: Living in New Mexico, I have driven from Santa Fe to Las Cruces, and Truth or Consequences was always a stopping place for lunch and gas. I enjoyed reading Nancy’s take on the town in your paper.

A person’s speech can be an indicator of potential health issues which may be proactively addressed, according to Rooks County Health Center’s (RCH) Speech Pathologist, Tara Staab. Speech Therapy is provid ed as part of RCH’s new Rehabilitation Center completed last fall, located at 1210 N.Washing ton Street in Plainville.

The Stockton PRIDE held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 20th during the noon hour at City Hall. President Amber Muir called the meeting to order and after giving the Treasurer’s Report stating that the PRIDE balance is $1,108.61, those present discussed items under New Business. The Nova Board has asked the PRIDE committee to help decorate the theatre for Christmas prior to Olde Tyme Christmas. The committee has decided to do this and will contact Janice Miller to secure a date to help decorate. It was also discussed that PRIDE will decorate the four Main Street planters for the holidays. A date to do this will be scheduled soon.

It’s time to do your fall cleaning! A city-wide cleanup (city limits only) will be held during the week of November 2nd through 6th. Regular trash routes will be picked up as normally scheduled with additional city trucks following to pick up furniture, tree branches, appliances (Freon must be drained from refrigerators), yard waste, and tires (limit 5, anything over the five-tire limit will be charged landfill prices). Items the City CANNOT pick up are household hazardous waste (paint, insecticides, herbicides, etc), batteries, oil and oil containers, fuel and fuel containers, liquid waste and computers.

The October PRIDE winners have been announced and are Gina Muir (15 Hillcrest Drive) for Residence of the Month, and Hometown Plumbing Solutions, William Hughes, (109 South Foster) for Business of the Month. This is the last month for this contest until next spring, but PRIDE wanted to give props to the other residences that had received votes throughout the summer months. The Honorable Mention list includes: Bruce and Gina Deutscher, Dustin and Dayna Kriley, Dave and Cheryl Calvin, Tracy and Kelly Buss, Jez and Breanne Rush, Rusty and Trisha Morgan, Alan and Vicki Green, Rich and Brenna Bouchey, Kathy Creighton and Dennis Hackett, and Bill and Joyce Schmitz.