Stories from Thursday, December 4, 2014

God loves surprises. Look at David who began his career as a silly, singing cowboy of sorts, a rock throwing, shepherding whippersnapper; shockingly, he became a kingly giant slayer. There is Moses, a foreign-born, stuttering, impatient murderer of a man; wonder of wonders, he was God's chosen deliverer. Rahab is the biblical version of Calamity Jane, running a brothel in Jericho; miraculously, she saved an entire nation...

Jude, the brother of James, and the half-brother of Jesus, begins his short epistle to some Jewish Christians that he wanted to write "about the salvation we all share" (v.3). He was speaking about the Spirit led life, our sanctification, a process in which the believer is conformed to the moral image of Jesus. ...

NORTH LILBOURN -- Law enforcement officers are continuing to search for answers in connection with an incident early Saturday which left six persons injured. At approximately 1:30 a.m., the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department was notified of a shooting at Da Hole, a business in North Lilbourn. According to Sheriff Terry Stevens several individuals sustained gunshot wounds. Others were reportedly injured while trying to flee...

New Madrid is decking the halls, preparing for the upcoming holiday season. December 12 and 13 will be the annual Christmas Candlelight Tours and Open House. During the hours of 6 pm to 8:30 pm free tours of the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, New Madrid Historical Museum, Higgerson School, Hart-Stepp House Gallery, and the Immaculate Conception Church will be offered. ...

VAN BUREN -- The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be conducting a managed archery deer hunt December 12-14 at Big Spring. This managed hunt was made available to 80 applicants who will be using compound bows. The Big Spring campground and hiking trails will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety, from 12 p.m. on December 11 until the morning of December 15. Big Spring, the boat ramp, and the roads through the Big Spring area will remain open throughout the weekend...

A month ago, 29-year-old terminal cancer patient Brittany Maynard ended her life in Oregon and in doing so revived the debate over physician-assisted suicide. Though only five states offer a legal path to ending one's life, Maynard's situation made headlines nationwide, opening a division between supporters and opponents...

First State Community Bank in Portageville invites you to join us in sharing the spirit of Christmas with those in need. We have contacted local charitable organizations who have prepared a Christmas list for children and nursing home residents who are in need. You can help by becoming a Christmas Angel...