MY CONVERSION STORY

In this column two weeks ago I talked about conversion—the beginning of the Christian life. I said that I would soon share the story of my conversion. Everyone who has been saved has their own story. Here is mine.In 1969 I was working at a small church camp in Utah.

TURNING AROUND: REPENTANCE

In the Bible the word forgiveness is often paired with another important word: repentance.The word “repent” has a bad reputation— but it is undeserved.

Cordell 4H Report

On November 4, 2025, we had our bean supper. There were carnival games at the back of the activity center. There were beans of course and baked potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread, cake, and drinks. The people at the bean supper also voted for a new 4-H t-shirt for this year.

FORGIVENESS STORIES

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). This biblical instruction has resulted in many amazing stories of people forgiving.Do you recognize the name of Corrie Ten Boom?

HOW TO FORGIVE OTHERS

Forgiveness may be the hardest thing we will ever have to do. If someone has hurt us, whether physically, verbally, financially, or emotionally, our natural response is to store that pain in our memory. We may hold onto it forever as a grudge against the person who hurt us.

SCARY VERSES AND THE TERRIBLE PARABLE

Don’t worry: this column is not about Halloween.What are the scariest verses in the Bible? Here is one verse you will recognize because it is from the Lord’s Prayer: And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Cordell 4H Report

On September 30, 2025, the Cordell 4-H group had their first meeting of the year. They elected officers and talked about the bean supper. The 4-H President this year is Korben Gossen. The 4-H Vice President is Bailey Gossen. The 4-H Secretary is Kendallyn Gossen.

THE TWO SIDES OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

There are two uses of the word “forgiveness” in the Bible. First and foremost is God’s forgiveness of human sin. Our sins offend God and therefore only he can forgive them. The second usage is our need to forgive one another. Today’s column will consider God forgiving us.

THE GREAT SWAP

When Jean and I lived in China, we attended a church which allowed both foreigners and Chinese nationals to attend. Each week the church service included a Bible message followed by small group discussions about the message.

Letters to the Editor

Editor: Please share this information.Dear Farmers Co-op Farmers and Families, We have been continuing to work on the co-op’s history project, compiling all the families throughout the community over the past 100+ years.