Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Springfield-Greene County Health Department reports no COVID-19 deaths during past week
(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Departmen)The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is overjoyed to announce zero new COVID-19 fatalities among Greene County residents between April 14-20, 2021.
This is the second time in 39 weeks that the Health Department has reported no new COVID-19 deaths in Greene County.
“This encouraging news is further evidence that our community’s efforts to save the lives of our family, friends and neighbors are working,” said Acting Director of Health Katie Towns.
“We want to thank everybody who has done their part to get vaccinated. We encourage all adults to get vaccinated if they are able, so we can continue this trend of zero deaths and slowly return to our everyday lives. Although we are heading in the right direction, we cannot let our guard down. We need to continue to wear masks, watch our distance and wash our hands. Our community will remain vulnerable until enough people receive vaccine.”
A total of 427 Greene County residents have died from COVID-19.
A total of 427 Greene County residents have died from COVID-19.
Woman in her 80s is Jasper County's 155th COVID-19 victim
The Jasper County Health Department reported the county's 155th death due to COVID-19.
The victim was a woman in her 80s.
The department confirmed seven coronavirus cases Tuesday, bringing the total to 9,249, including 19 active cases.
The statistics do not include the portion of Jasper County that is located in the Joplin city limits.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Newton County Health Department schedules COVID-19 vaccination clinic
(From the Newton County Health Department)The Newton County Health Department is offering a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on April 29th from 12:00pm-8:00pm.
The clinic will be a walk-in clinic but appointments can be made as well. The location of the clinic will be the Hillcrest Church of Christ located at 1037 W. South St. in Neosho.
The vaccine being offered is Moderna which is a two dose series. The second dose will be scheduled 28 days from the date of the first dose.
Again, walk-ins are welcome but should you choose to make an appointment, or if you have questions, please call (417) 451-3743 ext. 1007.
Jasper County confirms seven COVID-19 cases.
The county has recorded 9,249 cases, including 19 that are currently active and four people who have been hospitalized.
Hartwell, Hird sworn in Joplin R-8 board members
Earlier in the meeting, the two board members they are replacing, Debbie Fort and Lori Musser, both of whom previously served as building principals in the district, were recognized for their service.
(Joplin Schools photo)
Nancy Hughes: Everywhere you walk
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
I John 2:6 (NIV)
As we walked into the gym, I whispered to my husband “There’s Brian,” and pointed to the tall dark haired young man on the basketball court. “He is terrific,”
I continued as we sat down to watch the game. “His Christian faith is very important to him and he is such a great role model to talk to younger kids about making good choices. He lives what he believes and everybody knows it.”
My husband responded “That’s a big responsibility for a boy in high school.”
Not five seconds later Brian and an opponent began jockeying for position during a play but the intensity quickly escalated to bumping and shoving – hard – and then a whistle from the referee and a double foul call.
My husband glanced at me with eyebrows raised but before I could say one word, Brian reached over, patted his opponent on the rear and said “Sorry about that.”
He could have huffed and puffed and stomped around but he didn’t. He could have scowled at the referee as many ball players do when they don’t agree with a call. But to Brian, it was not a question of whether or not he had fouled; it was a matter of respecting the referee who made the call because to him, it was vital that he be a Christian example no matter where he was or what he was doing.
I cannot help but think of him when I read I John 2:6. Not only did Brian claim Jesus as his Lord but he desired to walk with Him every day in every part of his life. Not just when he “walked” into church on Sunday or into the school on Tuesday or when he “walked” to Wednesday night youth group but every single day and – yes – even during basketball games.
I have always said that more than anything I want Jesus in control of my life and for others to know Him because I am trying to live as He did. But in all honesty, I don’t always “walk the walk” everywhere I go. I’ve been to movies where I would be embarrassed if the Lord was sitting next to me. And I have had conversations that Jesus would not want to be a part of because they did not resemble the attitude Christians should have at all.
If I am going to claim Him as my Lord, it has to be a full-time, 100% relationship. He has to be welcome everywhere I go as I look to Him as my example. Period. I thank the Lord for Brian’s willingness to walk as Jesus did no matter where he was. Even in a basketball game.
Father, I long to walk as you did so that others see you through me. May you be a part of my life every day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
· Do you have any places that you do not “take” Jesus with you during the day or week?
· If so, why are you not including Him in every minute of your day?
Apply
· Journal your schedule for a week and see if there are times that you do not “walk as Jesus did.”
· Write today’s Power Scriptures on note cards, put them in your purse and pull them out wherever needed to remind you to follow the example of Jesus.
Power
· I John 2:6 (NIV) “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
· I Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
· Matthew 5:16 (NIV) “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog, Encouragement from the War Room.)
Paul Richardson: The rummy queen
Growing up in a home that was situated in buckle of the “Bible Belt” meant that by tradition there were certain things absent in our home. One of the items on the banned list were the standard deck of playing cards.
It is not that I have become enlightened, but times do change and certain dark and foreboding beliefs that were based on tradition have dissolved in the waters of truth.
At a time before I fully escaped the rules of tradition, I departed from the sanctity of the house of parental oversight and ventured off into the world of higher education at the university.
It was there that free time was often occupied with the occasional card game. In the beginning it was a game of “Spades,” which I quickly mastered due to my past experience in the game of “Rook”. “Rook” along with “Uno” were card games that were permitted and played often by my parents and other couples that would join them on a Friday or Saturday evening.
My induction began at an age when I could only stand and peer over the edge of the table, soaking up the nuances of each individual’s style of play. Then it happened, at some point in my early teenage years I was permitted to play. The years of observation paid off and it wasn’t long before I became proficient at the game.
The similarities between “Rook” and “Spades” were so parallel that when the time came for me to sit down at the table and join in on a game of “Spades” I was able to appear as an old hand at the game immediately.
Seeking more complex challenges, I soon advanced to “Hearts”, “Bridge”, and several varieties of “Pitch”. It turns out that there are as many different varieties of “Pitch” as there are Baptist.
As I am writing this, it occurs to me that my first exposure to standard playing cards actually occurred during my senior year in high school. While on a field trip that lasted for a full day, we occupied a portion of the time traveling by playing “Crazy Eights”. We managed to arrange some items in the back of the school bus into a configuration where four players could assemble for a competitive encounter.
Prior to our marriage and shortly after we began dating, the good wife and her sisters would occasionally lure me into a game of “Rummy”. The good wife had been mentored on the game by her Granny Palmer, and while she will never admit it, fancies herself as somewhat of a Rummy Queen.
We have continued to engage in regular “Rummy” encounters. Since we are both extremely competitive, this game brings out the worst emotions in each of us.
I have even attempted to purchase a win by offering payment in kisses. The Rummy Queen insists that every loss in her camp is simply, “Letting me win in order to keep me playing in the future.”
I just came off of a win. Despite that, a pestering rub is me saying, “All hail the Rummy Queen.”
Health Department director resigns, Parson appoints Knodell acting director
(From Gov. Mike Parson)Today, Governor Mike Parson named Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Knodell as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) effective immediately.
Mr. Knodell has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson since 2017.
Over the past year, he has played an integral part in the state’s COVID-19 response efforts and taken a leading role in vaccine rollout and distribution in Missouri.
“As Deputy Chief of Staff, Robert brings valuable knowledge and leadership experience to our team and the entire state of Missouri,” Governor Parson said. “For more than a year, he has also played a leading role in Missouri’s COVID-19 response efforts, and I am more than confident in him to take over as Acting Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.”
Governor Parson accepted a letter of resignation from Dr. Randall Williams earlier today.
“Dr. Williams has been a huge asset to Missouri, especially this past year in dealing with COVID-19,” Governor Parson said. “We greatly appreciate all the work he has done for the people of our state and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)