As Christians, we are told throughout the Bible that we will suffer trials and tribulations. But do we fully understand what that means? Matt McConnell led that discussion with us on Sunday. It is a discussion that some are not always comfortable talking about. After all, who wants trouble in their life?

'OH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!' No, I certainly don't mean it as a cursing, angry, or impatient response to some irritating behavior of another. Rather, I mean it as a longing desire to know more of God's love for a sinner like me! Sadly, many people reject both God and the fact that part of His very nature is love. Many reject the Bible, as well as even the existence of God, asking, 'How could a loving God send anyone to hell?' Or they might phrase it, 'How could a loving God allow all the suffering in the world?' While these are legitimate concerns, let's look at this from a biblical mindset. The Apostle John clearly stated, 'God is love' (1 John 4:8,16). Therefore, everything God does, He does from a spirit of agape love. Does that include when 'He destroyed all living things' as stated in Genesis 7:23? That doesn't seem very loving. Well, what actually happened? Genesis 6:5 says, 'Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.' The sin nature within mankind led everyone to rebel against God - except for Noah and his family. Even the very intentions of their hearts, before actually sinning outwardly, were evil. How did God respond to such blatant rebellion? He loved them. Therefore, God made Noah 'a preacher of righteousness' (2 Peter 2:5) and gave everyone 100 years to hear the truth, repent, and become true worshippers of Jehovah God. Despite such love and grace, not one person repented or turned from their paganness and put their faith in the promised Messiah (Jesus). IOW, their death was on them, not God. The Bible's best known verse is John 3:16, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.' God offers forgiveness and eternal life through the death of His own Son. Now that's love! Oh, for the love of God!

Three students from Rooks County are among the more than 4,200 Kansas State University students earning semester honors for their academic performance in the fall 2022 semester. Students earning a grade point average for the semester of 3.75 or above on at least 12 graded credit hours receive semester honors along with commendations from their deans.

(Continued From February 16th issue of the Sentinel) The following headline appeared in the April 26th, 1923, Rooks County Record: HOW IT CAME TO BE - Plans were laid six years ago, in 1917, for the construction of a building that would stand for a long time as a monument to the enterprise of our people. We had occupied the old building for 35 years, good for its day, and serving admirably its purpose until it outgrew it and it began to decay.

Let’s Play Catch!.

January 20, 2023 Eric and Anna Biggs of Stockton are happy to announce the birth of their third child, Wyatt McCoy Biggs. Wyatt was born at 3:21 p.m.

The Stockton Fire Department was called at approximately 6:00 p.m. to Plainville on Wednesday, February 15th, for mutual aid to battle a house fire at the Ryan and Kaiden Van Schuyver residence. When Stockton arrived, the flames were coming out of the roof. Nine volunteers brought over a tanker, the pumper, and a City pickup. The volunteers drove the pickup back and forth to Stockton to fill the air bottles for the firefighters' air packs of firefighters. They were on the scene for over five hours. Fire and water damage were extensive. The possible cause of the fire was an outlet.

Lana Odle (Thursday): “Am I missing part of my paper? I can’t find the snippets or the conservation pictures.” Nadine Dugan, Plainville: “God bless your boys’ basketball team. It takes a lot of courage and stamina to go out on the court with only seven team members, when you are playing teams with at least twice that many.

Phone: 785-994-6370 (home) or 785-476-5206 On January 30, the Sunflower Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is improving the health of Kansans, hosted a Trail Appreciation Day on the second floor of the Capitol Rotunda in Topeka. Approximately twenty-five recreational trail organizations set up exhibits highlighting their trails, sharing ideas with their elected officials. It was an impressive and beautiful setting.

The Stockton FCCLA represented Stockton High School well at KS District B STAR Events in Osborne on February 8. Attending from Stockton included Lillie Ferguson, Missy Ard, Ryleigh Gardner, Cheyene Carlson and Jozie Ludy.