Tenth Grade: Sophia Barajas. Alex Briones, Hallie Bures, Noah Cortes, Roverto Duran, Maxx Hernandez, Brandon Moreno, Sawyer Percle, Presley Perry, Jacie Rodriguez, Karleigh Sprague, Brinley Strauss.

Eleventh Grade: Caleb Borel, Logan Bures, Saylor Bures, Briley Clark, Michaela Estrada, Emma Garza, Rhylee Green, Paisley Hajovsky, Laci Holt, Lindsey Madden, Gracie Moore, Olivia Morales, Cade Nixon, Cody Novak, Raelynn Pena, Gabriel Ramos, Braelynn Reeves, Gwen Reid, Jocelynn Reid, Jayce Rosalez, Brianna Silva-Lara, Bailey Taylor, Makinzie Tovar.

Twelfth Grade: Alina Ayala, Cali Berd, Marely Briones, Mariela Brito, Edwin Calderon, Alannah Contreras, Chandler Gabrysch, Amyiah Lee, Austen Pena, Izaiah Perez, Josselyn Sanchez, Kyla Stancik, Avery Torres, Ayden Tudyk, Aileen Zavala.

A Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Makenzie Alvarez, Reese Bures, Kirsten Freeman, Addison Hoskins, Avery Mamerow, Maria Montes De Oca Santana.

Tenth Grade: Ricardo Aguilar, Brandon Calderon, Destiny Gonzalez, Tyler Gonzalez, Savanna Lazo, Andrew Ledwig, Lanya Puente.

Eleventh Grade:

Adilynn Aldridge, Ricky Almeda, Kalyn Benavides, Jordyn Bundick, Emily Contreras, Caterin Guerrero, Kadin Higdon, Bryan Martinez, Lindsay Pittman, Haleigh Robinson, Ella Todish.

Twelfth Grade:

Brenda Govea, Mireya Solorzano.

AB Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Elizabeth Briones, Abby Cox, Zachary Escobar, Yatziri Guerrero Brito, Ariana Hernandez Balderas, Liliana Lazo, Coen Ott, Delaney Reynolds, Ty Szymanski.

Tenth Grade: Cielo Baez Corpus, Mason Dodds, Kooper Green, Carla Guerrero, Sonny Hicks, Jack Hurt, Robin Janica, Eduardo Narvaez Mata, Alessandro Quinones, Drake Rivera, Kylea Strickland, Noah Ybarra.

Eleventh Grade:

Yaslin Almeda, Courtney Alvarez, Erika De La Torre, Brenna Guerrero, Lesly Guerrero, Emely Narvaez Mata, Makayla Perez, William Ramsey, Kaylyne Tristan Sedillo, Jonathan Zavala Arellano.

Twelfth Grade: Carlos Avalos, Bryan Calderon, Sergio Corona, Tiffany Garcia, Isaac Hernandez, Tanya Hernandez, Javen Marroquin, Jayrel Ortiz Ramos, Austin Parrott, Elaina Perez, Olivia Perez, Lance Summers.

108 S. Sixth St., Ganado

361-771-3425 BAPTIST TEMPLE

1001 N. Wells, Edna

361-782-2990 BAYSIDE - GANADO FELLOWSHIP

501 N. 3rd St. Pastor Ruben

361-781-4178 CARANCAHUA CHAPEL

408 Peggy St., Schicke Point Texas

601-299-0692 CHURCH OF CHRIST

77 CR 449 Francitas, TX 77961 CHURCH OF CHRIST Garcitas Street, Vanderbilt

361-284-3546 CHRISTIAN LIVING CHURCH

123 S. Third, Ganado DELIVERANCE & RESTORATION CHURCH

607 N. Carver St.

361-655-9000 EDNA PRESBYTERIAN

502 Apollo Drive, Edna

361-782-3108 EMMANUEL LUTHERAN Church & Kolle Streets, Inez

361-782-3646 FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD Cypress & Ed Linn, Edna

361-782-3394 FIRST BAPTIST

309 S. Cottonwood, Edna

361-782-2470 FIRST BAPTIST

400 Buechman Road, Ganado

361-771-2403 FIRST BAPTIST

230 FM 444 South, Inez

361-782-6093 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Lolita

361-874-4151 FIRST BAPTIST MISSION

411 N. Pumphrey, Edna

361-782-3040 FIRST PENTECOSTAL Apollo Drive (FM 1822), Edna

361-782-2052 FIRST UNITED METHODIST

216 W. Main, Edna

361-782-3561 FIRST METHODIST Twin Oaks Drive, Ganado

361-771-3750 GANADO CHURCH OF CHRIST Corner Gayle & Sutherland, Ganado

361-771-2984 GRACE FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST

128 CR 119, Edna

361-236-2727 placeofgracetx@gmail.com GRACE TABERNACLE

102 Brown St., Edna

361-782-9041 IGLESIA DEL ALTISIMO UPCI

111 S. Bryan, Edna

361-782-5315 IGLESIA NUEVA JERUSALEM

1201 Chase St., Edna

832-877-4195 JACKSON COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE

361-235-7117 LA WARD BAPTIST West Hwy. 172 South, La Ward LA WARD UNITED PENTECOSTAL

52 La Ward Street, La Ward

361-872-2254 LIFE WAY BAPTIST CHURCH

107 Brazos, Edna

361-781-0598 LOLITA METHODIST College Street, Lolita

361-987-2812 MORALES BAPTIST

239 County Road 2831 Edna, Texas 77957 MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST

7 mi. Hwy. 111 N. on CR 287, Edna

361-781-0855 NEW HARVEST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

1016 S. East Street, Edna NEW LIFE CATHEDRAL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD

301 W. Church, Edna PROSPERITY BAPTIST Oberg Street, Ganado

361-771-3620 PURE LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH

6342 FM 616 Vanderbilt

361-235-1529 REDEEMER LUTHERAN

504 Dugger Street, Edna

361-782-3793 ROBISON ST CHURCH OF CHRIST

301 Robison St., Edna

361-782-5506 SCRUGGS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST

313 N. Carver, Edna

361-782-2135 SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST

604 Martin Luther King St., Edna

361-782-3137 SOUL’S HARBOR BAPTIST Hwy. 172 South, Ganado

361-771-2271 ST. AGNES CATHOLIC

506 N. Allen, Edna

361-782-3588 ST. JAMES LUTHERAN

900 S. Third (Hwy. 172) Ganado

361-771-2461 ST. JOHN BOSCO CATHOLIC Vanderbilt

361-284-3361;

361-284-3737 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN

108 E. Gayle, Edna

361-782-3037 ST. THERESA MISSION LaSalle, Texas

361-284-3361;

361-284-3737 TEXANA FELLOWSHIP GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH

104 E. Main Street, Edna texanafellowship.org THE OPEN TABLE CHURCH

924 FM 822, Edna

361-774-9130 pastor@opentablechurchstx.org THE RANCH COWBOY COUNTRY CHURCH

514 Dugger St., Edna

361-235-7117 TRINITY EPISCOPAL

102 W. Church, Edna www.pimeast.org www.dwtx.org VANDERBILT BAPTIST

304 S. Victoria, Vanderbilt

361-284-3659 WORLD OUTREACH BIBLE CHURCH

1014 S. Wells (Hwy 111 S), Edna,

361-782-6976

That quote recently made headlines. Spoken by then-Texas State Representative and now candidate for the United States Senate, James Talarico, the statement has caused not a little controversy among Christians in Texas.

Is God non-binary? That is a complicated question. God is spirit. Although Jesus, God the Son, became a human being like us, God by nature is not physical and is not part of his physical, created universe. God is neither male nor female.

In that limited sense, you could say God is non-binary.

But to say that he is “both masculine and feminine and everything in between” is not accurate. God is not everything.

God is over everything. God is everywhere. God is distinct from everything he has made.

A mistake that human beings have made since the beginning is to make gods in our own image. Ancient civilizations invented gods with strikingly human features and foibles. Even as Christians, we are tempted to ascribe to God imperfect human thoughts and attitudes.

God is not a man. Yet God became a man to save us. And he also reveals himself to us in his Word in masculine terms. Though God is not male in a physical sense, he has chosen to reveal himself with masculine names and titles: Father, Lord, King, Shepherd. The Bible consistently uses masculine language for God. Scripture may use many images to describe God’s love and care, but God teaches us to address him as Father, not Mother.

God is God. We don’t decide what to call him or how to refer to him. In his love, he tells us who he is and what he has done for us. His identity is who he says he is.

And so is yours. I’ve heard some say that if God is not physically male but reveals himself with masculine language, why can’t we decide our own identity?

Because we aren’t God. Just as we depend on God to tell us who he is, so we also depend on him to tell us who we are. Though God gives us freedom to make many choices in this life, we don’t choose our own identity.

God created us as embodied creatures. Our bodies are not meaningless accidents. Our biological sex is part of his created design, even though sin has touched and disordered every part of creation.

But our physical identity is not the deepest part of who we are. Our true identity is found in Christ. It is found in our baptism. We are baptized – washed, forgiven – sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. We are heirs of eternal life with him.

That is our identity as Christians. That is who God says we are.

We don’t decide who God is or who we are. God tells us in his Word.

And we respectfully and thankfully respond, “Yes, sir.”

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

Seventh Grade:

Charles Bures, Madisyn Bures, Jackson Chambless, Jennifer De La Torre, Abigail Estrada, Emma Gabrysch, Nolan Gonzales, Lexi Pape.

Eighth Grade: Mariah Alvarado, Yarely Alvarez, Natalie Barajas, Isabella Briones, Lesley Briones, Adelaide Bures, Beau Bures, Vianney Contreras, Abigail Duran, Leonardo Espino, Guadalupe Espino, Sydney Hart, Teagan Kelly, Kyler Kuhlman, Jocelyn Lazo, Lily Mendez, Sophie Moore,Sebastian Orozco, Evelyn Palomares, Brody Skoruppa,

Kyle Stancik, Jael Susil, Raegan Veselka.

A Honor Roll Sixth Grade: Cassandra Almeda, Addison Andel, Alexander Guerrero Brito, McKarti Hajovsky, Hunter Hurt, Abigail Lazo, Jose Moreno, Evelyn Rangel Sanchez, Kayleighann Rathjen, Elise Soto, Nolan Tudyk.

Seventh Grade: Genesis Brito-Lopez, Maverick Bures, Lilah Carbajal, Sophie Gonzalez, Aubree Hutchison, Falynn Marroquin, Ava Novak, Myleigh Sanchez, Jonah Serna, Evan Zavala.

Eighth Grade: Jullia Aguilar, Layloni Ansmendez, Zoey Conde, Witten Cortez, Fynlee Green, Christopher Guerrero Contreras, Blake Pape, Carter Turnipseed, Addisyn Utley.

AB Honor Roll Sixth Grade: Israel Almeda, Brayan Avalos, Sebastian Briones, Abby Copeland, Bodie Estrada, Lily Garcia, Santiago Guerrero Contreras, Elainna Hernandez, Keegan Pieprzyca.

Seventh Grade: Karina Ayala, Rylee Bures, Lylianna Enriquez, Caiton Ferguson, Brooklyn Flanagan, Aleyna Garcia, Willow Hayden, Morgan Hurt, Harley Larson, Easton McCain, Lorena Ramos, Jon Reid, Owen Skoruppa.

Eighth Grade: Jonathan Carlass, Leya Hadley, Ty Jimenez, Kevin Palomares, Ethan Puente, Madelyn Ramirez, Ethan Soto.

Tenth Grade: Myla Barrientos, Michael Barjenbruch, Molly Bowers, Nate Chaney, Allie Farley, Yorkaris Flores Quiroz, Ryder Harper, Isabella Hinojosa, Clancy Kolle, Gabrielle Lange, Trevor Ledbetter, Julianna Lewis, Kinley Mauldin, Mia Miori, Kayleigh Parker, Abigail Phillips, Connor Stutesman, Layla Vazquez-Martinez, Brianna Ybarra.

Eleventh Grade:

Mackenzie Alaniz, Miley Alaniz, Braeleigh Benavides, Kyler Caskey, Cohen Cooper, Amry Feuerbacher, Levi Feuerbacher, Donovan Guinn, Sadie Herman, Addison Hunt, Mason Hunt, Lyla Kallus, Bailey Kozak, Myles Nuells, Briley Smith, Austin Stutesman.

Twelfth Grade: Aerlin Bethany, Olivia Bowers, Adison Cutler, Blake Darilek, Levi Finley, Avery Harper, Allison Hunt, William Joines, Cooper Kolle, Ashey Kruppa, Madison Kubecka, Kathleen Kurtz, Whitney Kurtz, Camerona Medrano, Emma Moulden, Jose O’Brain, Kayla Osburn, Olivia Pilat, Shelby Pletcher, Ryan Riddle, Rylen Rivas, Lindsay Rodriguez, Camryn Rountree, Logan Thomas.

A/B Honor Roll Ninth Grade: Miranda Alaniz, Riker Bain, Eternity Delasantos, Jacob Denbleyker, Summer Denbleyker, Fisher Eller, Lyla Ellison, Emily Franz, Destinee Garza, Clara Goss, Ely Herman, Lauren Kraatz, Weston Kucera, Baylee Leal, Cohen Love, Cace Malone, Jillian Martin, Noah Mendez, Maggie Morland, Jack Osburn, Rogen Pawlik, Michael Sadler, Parker Sappington, Kendall Shugart, Nancy Speight, Kynleigh Taylor, Kate Weitz, Adilyn Ybarbo.

Tenth Grade: Everlea Alvarez, Bree Arredondo, Cort Bullock, Gatlin Dunkelberger, Mia Garcia, Ember Glassic, Claire Karl, Zain Koenig, Wyatt Kurtz, Caleb Leita, Reagan Little, Khloe Lumpkins, Myles Malek, Allie Munoz, Aleisa Popp, Kassandra Ramirez, Katelyn Remlinger, Reagan Rivera, Jonathan Sills, Landyn Snyder, Brigid Spears, Abilynn Turner, Daniela Urrutia, Karson Weinheimer, Brydon Wilbur, John Wright.

Eleventh Grade: Aiden Blackwell, William Bruce, Desiree Charron, Kaylie Corey, Kassandra Crawford, Madison Creamer, Lyniah Evans, John Franz, Kylah Fulkerson, Elian Gallegos, Chris Hernandez, Mackinley Krog, Myles Nuells, Kyleigh Pawlik, Allen Pineda, Karter Powell, Bailee Prewitt, Ivy Sanchez, Kasidee Scarlett, Presleigh Sertuche, Hayley Sharp, John Spears, Annie Srp, Bryce Sykes, Isabella Vargas, Majorie Ventura, Brayden Warren, Hunter Watson, Jade Woods, Jade X

Twelfth Grade:

Zachary Alvarez, Tanner Amsler, Kathleen Arias, Allen Baker, Kylie Benavides, Alejandro Cardenas, Raylei Carlson, Colt Charbula, Skylar Crisp, Kendall Cunningham, Avery Genzer, Cierra Haines, Roger Hernandez, Kaylee Honc, Jayden Kemp, Trevan Koenig, Sayler Lane, Mackenzie Langton-Jones, Cameron Medrano, Brett Payne, Isaiah Reyes, Fred Smith, Kylee Swoboda, Carson Ullmann, Cullen Woodring, Yarieda Zertuche.

A bee was buzzing around her head.

“Help me, daddy!

Help me!” she cried.

“It’s going to sting me!”

The father calmly pulled the car to the side of the road, reached out, and caught the bee in his hand. Immediately, his daughter stopped crying. But then the father grimaced, let out a quiet, “Ouch,” and opened his hand.

The bee once again buzzed free in the car.

The little girl once again began to scream.

But then the father opened his hand and showed it to his daughter. There, stuck in the palm of his hand, was the tiny stinger.

“The bee can buzz all it wants,” he told her.

“But it can’t hurt you.

It’s lost its sting.”

Death is always buzzing menacingly around our heads.

And death stings. Pain pierces our hearts as we attend the funerals of those we love. The fear of death is common to us all. Not only the fear of pain or suffering.

Not only the fear of the unknown. But also the pangs of a guilty conscience and the fear of facing a holy God.

Nobody wants to talk about death. Nobody wants to think about death. And yet it is always there, like a bee threatening to sting.

But that’s why Jesus came. He came to take death’s sting in our place. Jesus suffered death in all its horror. He suffered the physical torment of the cross, but he also suffered the wrath of a holy God for our sins and failures.

Look at Jesus’ hands.

He took the sting for us.

He suffered death. And then he conquered death forever by rising from the dead on the third day.

Death may still buzz around our heads. One day, we all will have to face it.

But death can do us no lasting harm. It has lost its sting. Jesus took the stinger for us.

And because he did, we will live even though we die. Death is just a door we pass through on our way to heaven.

We don’t have to fear facing God, the Judge, because he has already justified us – declared us innocent – through faith in Jesus.

And one day – on the Last Day – even our buried bodies will live.

Look at Jesus’ hands.

Death has lost its sting.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas.

You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

18 boxes were prepared and distributed by Lois and Jeff Woodring, Don Orsak , Doris Andel, Georgie Templin, Gladys Orsak, and Barbara James.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will enjoy a luncheon and brief informative meeting, followed with games and prizes for all ages. This is a free community-wide event.

This year, the SPJST District 6 focuses on renovations to a historical lodge in Moravia. Built in 1897 as one of the original 25 charter lodges, SPJST Lodge 23, Moravia humbly sits near the iconic Moravia Store.

In its nearly 130 years of existence, the lodge hall has served as a focal point for community and entertainment. Renovations are required to maintain this proud piece of Texas history.

SPJST invites the community in raising support for the building – ensuring it stands to serve the community for another century.

Monetary donations will be collected during the District 6 Rally but are not required to join in the fun.

The rally will feature a goody grab for children of all youth ages one to 17. As well, there will be games for everyone to enjoy, including SPJST Bingo.

The lodge will also host a silent auction featuring homemade desserts. All proceeds from the auction support the Lodge 23, Moravia’s renovations.

The community is welcome to participate by bringing any homemade dessert with an attached recipe to feature in the auction. Attendees to not need to feature baked goods to participate in the silent auction.

Spearheading the statewide SPJST District Rallies is Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny. “We want everyone from our Southeastern Texas counties to join us,” Zavodny said. “Come have a little something to eat, play a few games, and win some prizes.”

SPJST’s mission is to insure and enrich lives. While the organization provides life insurance and annuities, the profits from the fraternal are redirected back into Texas communities.

“Our goal at SPJST is to give back to our communities,” Zavodny said. “One way we like to do that is to have a little event bringing an afternoon of entertainment for local families.”

For more information about SPJST and its mission, visit the District 6 Rally, go to spjst.org, or email info@spjst.com.

Additionally, SPJST proudly offers a personal touch in a digital world. Call 254-773-2575 and speak with a real person for assistance – no robots.

“SPJST proudly meets people face-to-face in all we do,” Zavodny said. “Call anytime Monday through Friday or come out to our SPJST Rally. We’d love to meet you.”

Admission is free, and there are no surprise charges. RSVP is strongly encouraged so staff can adequately prepare. RSVP at spjst.org/districtrallies.

There will be a presentation from the Texas Commission on jail standards regarding the current condition of the Jackson County Detention Center.

There will also be a presentation from Burns Architecture regarding the preliminary plans on new Emergency Operations Center.

The allure of debt is that it allows you to have right now what you can’t afford right now. The problem with debt is that eventually you have to pay... with interest.

Have you ever personally felt the burden of debt? Your credit cards are maxed out. You’ve gotten yourself mixed up in payday loans, and they keep calling your house to collect. Maybe you’re teetering on the edge of losing your home. Maybe you’ve had to consider declaring bankruptcy.

If you have, you know the stress and worry and embarrassment of drowning in debt.

I recently found a website called USdebtclock. org. It’s a running, up-to-the-minute tally of the US National Debt, and it’s constantly growing, every second of the day.

What if there was a website where you could watch an up-to-the-minute tally of the sins in your life?

Where would you be right now? One hundred? A thousand? A million? More?

Every single day, our debt with God grows. Every moral failure, rebellious choice, every little sin added to the tally - a constantly growing debt.

The debt we have before God is unfathomable. You have gotten yourself into a debt you can never repay. And unlike the bank, God cannot simply overlook it. The payment for our ever-growing, insurmountable debt before God is an eternal debtor’s prison.

Jesus once told a parable about a king who had a servant who owed him a debt of ten thousand talents. A talent was roughly 70 pounds of gold. Ten thousand talents would be the value of 700,000 pounds of gold. In today’s world, that would be $57 billion.

In the story, the king represented God. Do you know who the servant that owed the debt represents?

You. Me.

But do you know what the king in Jesus’ story did with the servant’s $57 billion debt? When he looked down on his servant, trembling on his knees, drowning in a sea of debt he could never repay, the king had compassion on him and forgave him the entire debt.

This week, Christians around the world will go to church and hear the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. We will see him suffer. We will hear his cries of agony. We are going to hear him say the words, “It is finished.”

Paid in full. The King paid your debt. The King died your death. The King suffered your hell.

Trust in him. You can stop checking the clock.

Your debt is paid.

Pastor Andrew Schwer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving ” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon, com.

Second Grade: Braxton Budd, Colby Emery, Wyatt Franz, Grace Heard, Katie Janssen, Gruenley Kruppa, Alani Luna, Brayden Payton, Camilla Powell, Bentley Ramirez, Noah Robinson, Arisol Romero, Daniel Santillan, Wyatt Smid, Klayton Smith, Hannah Spaeth, McCoy Taylor, Leah Vincik.

Third Grade: Aleah Barrera, Conner Fikes, Amelia Luna, Kenzie Mutchler, Slade Neill, Tyson Spaeth, Mason Venglar, Reid Vincik.

Fourth Grade: Lacye Etheridge, Athyna Smith.

Fifth Grade: Karter Barrera, McKenzie Bracknell, Nathan Creamer, Leah Ellison, Everett Fuller, Tanner Grantland, Eden Kemp, Kyler Mutchler, Paige Price, Clara Venglar, Hunter Wolter.

A/B Honor Roll First Grade: Jaycee Carter, Joella Fuller, David Gloor, Layne Gonzales, Orrin Player, Jimmy Rivera, Tyler Woodring.

Second Grade: Evelyn Goslin, Milby Grantham, Grayson Griffith, Karson Harvey, Jasmyn Hernandez, Michael Huff, Juliet Jones, Abe Laurant, Roberto Palma, Camden Player, Peyton Rodriguez, Audrey Salinas, Hannah Sanchez, Zachary Smith, Kohen Yarborough, Paityn Yendrey.

Third Grade: Mohamad Al Dulaimi, Kyrie Kelley, Harmony Martinez, Kamila Osornia, Waylon Powell, Cooper Rozner, Sophia Solano-Garduno, Gage Wolfskill, Ashlynn Zapata.

Fourth Grade: Torin Bain, Emma Baker, Ryker Bauer, Graham Bundick, Sarah Espinoza, Bowen Fikes, Anna Franz, Paisley Garrison, Ivan Gilliam, Danna Gutierrez, Joslyn Hernandez, Maverick Huber, Andy Ramirez, Tessa Salinas, Clara Stuhrenberg, Bobbie Jo Swire, Elizabeth Tillman, Wyatt Utz, Lane Villarreal.

Fifth Grade: Nicte-Ha Birmingham, Annabelle Cuevas, Leah Ellison, Ace Laurant, Mason Martinez, Kenzlee Rivera, Rhett Ryan, Morgan Swanner.

That’s what a member of my church recently asked me. She was reading Psalms and kept seeing that title at the beginning of certain Psalms.

Interestingly, whenever the Bible mentions that somebody went to the city of Jerusalem, it always says that they “went up to Jerusalem.” Today, when we say that we “went up” to a place, it is because the location was north of us.

But regardless of their starting point, everyone always went up to Jerusalem – because Jerusalem was up. Located on Mt. Zion in the hill country of Judea, visitors to the city had to go up in elevation.

The Songs of Ascent in Psalms are the songs pilgrims sang as they traveled to Jerusalem for major festivals and to visit the temple.

And that helps us understand one of the most famous of all the Songs of Ascent, Psalm 121.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

As the pilgrims approached Mt. Zion, they could look up and see the Temple Mount – a visible reminder of where their help came from.

Because, as human beings, we so easily forget. We look down at ourselves. We stare at our bellybuttons, and we think, “I can’t do this.” We look around at all the problems that surround us, and we think, “I can’t handle this.”

And we’re right. On our own, we can’t.

Peter and the other apostles were fishing at night on the Sea of Galilee. A terrible storm came up. The boat was about to capsize. They thought they were going to die.

Then, in the deep darkness, they saw a figure walking toward them on the water. They were terrified. They cried out, “It’s a ghost.”

“It’s me,” Jesus told them.

“If it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to walk to you on the water.”

“Come on.” Peter started well, walking on water as he looked at Jesus. But then he looked around at the wind and the waves. He looked down at his feet, and he thought, “I can’t walk on water.”

And splash – he was right. On his own, he couldn’t.

Stop looking at your bellybutton. Stop looking at your feet. Stop looking around at all your problems.

Look up. Remember where your help comes from. Your help comes from the Lord, Jehovah, the “Great I Am.” He is the never-changing God who always keeps his promises, the God of full and free forgiveness. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe. He is the God who watches over you every moment of every day.

He is the God who loves you so much that he gave his one and only Son – the God who died so that you might live.

If the all-powerful, all-knowing, neverchanging God loves you that much, what do you really have to fear? As the Apostle Paul asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

But we quickly and easily lose sight of that. We look down and around at all our troubles, and we forget. Remember the Songs of Ascent.

Look up. Your help is already there.

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

We hope that you enjoyed challenging yourselves, connecting with other puzzle enthusiasts and creating memorable moments.

A special thanks to our librarians, Ms. Jennifer and team who without their dedication to the patrons of Jackson County Memorial Library, none of this would be possible.

A special shout out goes to our sponsors: Sea World, HEB, Outlaw Pass, Houston Museum Thank you for your

support!

We look forward to you joining us for our annual book sale and family carnival on April 11, 2026. Have you heard the buzzzzzzzz, we are bringing back our adult spelling bee July 24, 2026.

Relive the fun, check out highlights from the event on our Facebook page.

Warmly, FOL

In it, Adams spoke of his search for meaning and the things he accomplished in his life. At one point, he said:

“Next, many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I’m not a believer, but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks attractive. So, here I go: I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior, and I look forward to spending an eternity with him... And I hope I am still qualified for entry.”

Philosophers call that Pascal’s Wager.

The 17th-century philosopher Blaise Pascal argued that any rational person should accept the existence of God. Such belief in God, he argued, is a life-defining gamble. If God doesn’t exist, the believer loses little and only in this life. If God does exist, he gains immeasurably more in the

next.

In the same way, an unbeliever may gain some pleasure in this world. But if God is real, he faces an eternity of pain and regret.

Adams called it a “risk-reward calculation.” He seemed to view the act of publicly accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior as a way to hedge his bets. If God is real, he would end up in heaven and avoid the horrors of hell. If God isn’t real, what would it hurt him?

He would be dead. Over the centuries, theologians have argued the usefulness of Pascal’s Wager and the validity of such “faith.” As Christians, we can see some benefit in helping people see the eternal importance of their choices here on earth – even when their starting point is fear rather than faith.

“What if you’re wrong?” is a valid question to ask an unbelieving friend.

But we have to be careful. Faith is not a gamble. A gamble is rooted in uncertainty; faith rests on promises.

Faith is trust – specifically, trust in God’s promises. Faith is trust that “God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Faith is the peace and certainty that the Holy Spirit works in our hearts: sins forgiven and a home in heaven.

That doesn’t mean that we won’t have our doubts. As Christians, we all wonder at times if this is true. And when we do, we can return to the promises of God’s Word and Sacraments, which give us a sure and certain hope of heaven.

Over the last few weeks, I have heard several pastors and theologians openly debate whether Scott Adams had true, saving faith. That’s beyond my pay grade.

Only God knows what was in his heart.

If you are one of the many who don’t believe in God, I encourage you to ask yourself, “What if I’m wrong?”

But don’t stop there. Open the Bible. See if God doesn’t speak to you. See if he doesn’t open your eyes. And then trust.

Trust in his promises. Trust in his love. Trust in Jesus alone.

That is saving faith.

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

The mistake I found is actually located in the Declaration’s most iconic passage: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Did you catch the mistake?

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise human beings the inalienable right to pursue happiness. God never guarantees you the right to seek your own happiness.

He doesn’t. Look it up. Search your Bible.

Nowhere does God promise anyone that right.

Yet, we as Americans cling to that right with fervor. We passionately pursue happiness.

For a large portion of our population, happiness is their life’s primary pursuit.

Did you know that the word “happy” comes from the same root as our English word “happen”? For many people in our world today, happiness is the result of what happens to you.

Simply put, when good things happen to you, it makes you happy.

Our pursuit of happiness, therefore, is a pursuit of the things we think will make us happy. “If only I win the lottery or get this new job or find the woman of my dreams, then I will be truly happy.”

The truth, however, is that none of those things can make you happy. Actually, nothing can make you happy.

Nobody can make you happy. For that matter, nobody can make you sad or angry either. You are the one who controls what you feel and how you respond to what happens to you.

When the Bible speaks about the joy of a Christian, it does so with disregard to a person’s outward circumstances.

The Apostle Paul wrote that he had learned “the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).

The secret to true happiness isn’t getting what you want. It’s recognizing what you have in Jesus. Because Jesus lived and died for you, you are forgiven for every lousy thing you’ve ever done. Because God forgives you, you are going to live one day in heaven, where you will be happier than you could ever imagine here on earth.

In heaven, the only problem you will have is your cheeks hurting from smiling so much.

And even now, God also promises to be by your side every moment of every day. He promises to provide everything you need for your body and soul. He promises to make everything, even the pains and problems of this world, work out for your good.

Knowing that, we can smile even as the tears of pain roll down our cheeks. Knowing that, we can choose happiness even when tragedy surrounds us.

I know it’s not easy. God doesn’t expect you to jump up and down for joy when you are in the middle of pain or loss.

But, knowing and trusting in God’s promises, you can be at peace. You can be content regardless of what happens to you or around you.

In the end, the pursuit of happiness is a fool’s errand. Pursuing the things that you think will make you happy can never bring lasting happiness.

So don’t pursue happiness. Pursue godliness. Trust God’s promises.

And in Christ, receive the joy he gives.

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas.

You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.

A Honor Roll First Grade:

Emma Altstatt, Grady Bundick, Jaycee Carter, Aleison Cook, Kinch Franke, Buck Franz, Jude Fuller, Lily Garcia, Rosealee Harrison, Emmett Orozco, Joseph Plummer, Paityn Sheets, Jolene Swire, Kendall Venglar, Mason Wolfskill, Aurora Yarborough .

Second Grade:

Braxton Budd, Colby Emery, Wyatt Franz, Alani Luna, Arisol Romero, Audrey Salinas, Daniel Santillan, McCoy Taylor, Leah Vincik.

Third Grade:

Aleah Barrera, Conner Fikes, Kenzie Mutchler, Slade Neill, Tyson Spaeth, Reid Vincik.

Fourth Grade:

Torin Bain, Graham Bundick, Bowen Fikes, Maverick Huber, Andy Ramirez, Athyna Smith, Bobbie Jo Swire.

Fifth Grade:

McKenzie Bracknell, Paige Price.

A/B Honor Roll First Grade:

Joella Fuller, David Gloor, Layne Gonzales, Luke Nguyen, Orrin Player, Jimmy Rivera, Garrison Sharp, Kasen Trevino, Tyler Woodring.

Second Grade:

Kacen Escamilla, Evelyn Goslin, Milby Grantham, Grayson Griffith, Karson Harvey, Grace Heard, Jasmyn Hernandez, Michael Huff, Katie Janssen, Juliet Jones, Gruenley Kruppa, Abe Laurant, Roberto Palma, Brayden Payton, Camden Player, Camilla Powell, Bentley Ramirez, Peyton Rodriguez, Hannah Sanchez, Noah Sandoval Robinson, Wyatt Smid, Klayton Smith, Zachary Smith, Hannah Spaeth, Kohen Yarborough, Paityn Yendrey.

Third Grade: Mohamad Al Dulaimi, Hunter Boop, Matthew Garcia, Kyrie Kelley, Amelia Luna, Harmony Martinez, Kamila Osornia, Waylon Powell, Cooper Rozner, Sophia Solano-Garduno, Zayden Tillman, Mason Venglar, Kash Wilson, Gage Wolfskill, Ashlynn Zapata.

Fourth Grade:

Emma Baker, Ryker Bauer, Ryan Blackwell, Juno Davis, Hazelyn Dunkelberger, Sarah Espinoza, Lacye Etheridge, Anna Franz, Paisley Garrison, Ivan Gilliam, Danna Gutierrez, Bristol Harper, Joslyn Hernandez, Dillon Hunt, Bralynn Laza, Tessa Salinas, Owen Smid, Clara Stuhrenberg, Elizabeth Tillman, Wyatt Utz, Lane Villarreal, Lilly Woodring.

Fifth Grade: Karter Barrera, Nicte-Ha Birmingham, Nathan Creamer, Annabelle Cuevas, Leah Ellison, Everett Fuller, Tanner Grantland, Eden Kemp, Ace Laurant, Mason Martinez, Kyler Mutchler, Kenzlee Rivera, Rhett Ryan, Morgan Swanner, Clara Venglar, Hunter Wolter.

Jayla Barnes, Sophie Deleon, Abbie Green, Katherine Henderson, Danica Mathews, Ryland Montalvo, Ayla Nessel, Arilyn Revis, Hannah Ritter, Ty Taylor, Rudra Thakor, Riya Upadhyay.

Seventh Grade: Jace Arnold, Baylor Bradley, Brynn Bradley, Asa Brezina, Case Coots, Weston Cruz, Colton Demmer, Logon Dunbar, Cort Fojtik, Lilly Garcia, Myka Hicks, Dane Kana, Kenna Koop, Jaden Lewis, Sophia Lopez, Kinsey Martin, Ashton Martinez, Paislea Matocha, Bennatt Mercer, Bowen Rose, Connor Russell, Riley Scarborough, Rhett Slusher, Julianne Taylor, Hayden Trujillo, Brody Williams, Jack Wittnebert, Layla Wittnebert.

Eighth Grade:

Justin Cervenka, Kaitlyn Clark, Henry Crenshaw, Braxton Duarte, Kaylin Floyd, Wyatt Green, Holden Hasdorff, Eamon Heald, Kora Koop, Jordan Nelson, Kinley Nessel, Coy Powell, Kerrigan Rodas, Shereece Thompson, Levi Tillman.

A/B Honor Roll Sixth Grade:

Adan Almeda, Juan Arevalo, Hallie Barbosa, Nevaeh Barrera, Andie Beabout, Rylee Boone, Ava Chandler, Alan Cortez Lopez, Katherine Crenshaw, Anyeli Cruz, Jaelynn Dilworth, Blaine Duarte, Paisley Ellinger, Chloe Glass, Kamilla Gonzales, Andi Gutierrez, Freya Hendrickson, Milo Johnson, Clayton Kubala, Cooper Larkin, Reed Lemke, Isaiah Longoria, Marsela Ramirez, Alaina Reynolds, Wyatt Rozner, Caleb Tillman, Hannah Tipton, Ruby Tobola, Kei’lynn Trevino, Barret Turner, Harrison Ulbricht, Ava Wilkins, Cannon Williams, Isabella Yendrey.

Seventh Grade: Alan Aguilar, Damian Arvizu, Jaydis Barrios, Caleb Bearden, Mia Bermea, Haley Brown, Adrian Carrizales, Isabella Castro, Juan Cortes, Elena Flores, Jaxon Fojtik, Gavin Garcia, Jacen Gomes, Hannah Hadley, Connor Huddleston, Myles Jenkins, Aria Jones, Joe Michael Macias, David Maldonado, Joe Moo, Jayden Muniz, Jase Naylor, Lorenzo Palacios, Tayler Pate, Anthony Quinonez, Morghan Randle, Lilliana Rocha, Brenna St Aubin, Jasmine Thornton, Mercedes Tovar, Phoenix Tramel, Jordan Turner, Miller Watkins, Kendric Weber, Adryan Zambrano.

Eighth Grade:

Yasuri Aguilar, Perla Avalos Martinez, Brittan Belicek, Dekaelyn Callis, Torren Cancino, Khamarii Dilworth, Suri Espinosa, Luna Estrello, Korbyn Gaines, Brian Gamble, Cara Garcia, Angel Gaytan, Arleth Gomez, Azalea Gonzales, Alejandra Gonzalez, Jaydis Guzman, Myra Hardaway, Teraji Hardaway, Izaiah Harris, Adolph Hernandez, Camila Hernandez, Laiya Hernandez, Brylee Holmes, John Longoria, Paisley Longoria, Eduardo Mandujano, Calleigh Mann, Simon Miller, Kinley Nessel, Riley Olsen, Brycen Orozco, Yareli Pablo, Jonatan Pinon Martinez, Kelsi Rheinhardt, Rosemary Rojas, Jesus Sanchez, Baylee Stroman, Riley Thilman, Kara Thompson, Weston Zack.

Second Grade:

Romeo Martinez, Vera Thedford, Taylor Vasquez, Karoline Cihal, Duval Larson, Violet Sulak, Blayke Voldan, Rylan Junek, Sadie Larosn, Tadeo Mendoza, Joaquin Moreno, Reeson Rathjen, Miles Spann.

Third Grade: Lane Andel, Vanessa Garcia, Kenzi Guerrero, Makenna McDonald, Lake Hicks, Emma Novak, Aaron Almeda, Caroline Chambless, Zane Cihal, Cora Gonzales, Violet Hankey, Demi McCain, Emma Novak, Annleigh Perez, Cole Bourg, Connor Erhard, Luke Girndt, Mateo Ramos, Alaena Rosalez, Sayra Saunders, Jordyn Taylor.

Fourth Grade:

Khloey Almaraz, Cotton Bures, Callaway Hutchison, Gunner Spann, Ayden Alvarez, Alexa Avalos, Bearen Bures, Nathan Mathews, Joey Michele Henderson, Presley Labay, Raeanne Pahmiyer, Kytonn Smith, Truett Thedford.

Fifth Grade: Sebastian Aguilar, Natalie Brito, Tilly Bures, Cruz Gonzales, Eliana Narvaez, Maddox Green, Colin Hadley, Hunter Kuhlman, Kinsley Arriaga, Savannah Avalos, Beckett Bures, Hayden Kuhlman, Dorie Moore, Jason Ramos.

A/B Honor Roll First Grade: Alianna Almeda, Nolan Marroquin, Mahi Patel, Mia Reid, Lucy Vazquez, Kyle Alvarez, Joseph Rodriguez, Alex Alvarez, Jeremiah Baker, Kynlee Behrens, Melissa Garcia, Rachel Hernandez, Tinley Morton.

Second Grade:

Vivian DePaz, Jose Lazo, Jase Marin, Ella Orsak, Conner Schroedter, Layklyn Summers, Jaxon Ardner, Jonah Baker, Stephanie Contreras, Tenely Gresham, Marcos Lazo, Emma Pittman, Ivy Verver, Santiago Aguilar, Alejandro Almeda, Arianna Almeda, Isla Madrid, Chesney Ramsey, Madalynn Tudyk.

Third Grade:

Xavien Avalos, Benjamin Mendez, Isaiah Briones, James Ledwig, Jocelyn Rivera, Samantha Lazo, Charlotte Poulton, Kanaan Twardowski, Cashton Arriaga, Saylor Epley, Addie Green, Madison Tovar, Maribel Briones, Ian Brito, Lily Castner, Isaiah Conde, Celeste Cruz, Isabella Guerrero- Contreras.

Fourth Grade:

Byrnlee Reeves, Jack Carbajal, Annabella Contreras, Syla Engelmohr, Ayden Gonzalez, River Hayden, Toby Kelly, Kyndell Lee, Christopher Mendoza, Jordyn Peters, Juana Rangel, Levi Castner, Allison Espejo, Mason Graham, Pippa Hurt, Everett Keen, Melissa Rangel,Evan Reynolds, Merci Tapia, Eleynah Torres,Nathan Tudyk, Iliana Almeda, Bradley Bures, Carly Delossantos, Benjamin Hernandez, Cali Lindsey, Ava Luera, Monica Mendoza, Camila Silva, Ky Tristan, Koen Stancik.

Fifth Grade: Sophia Share,Lexi Parker, Ailin Lazo, Eleanna Barajas,Jace Green, Robert Lazo, Zoey Olivarez, Adalyne Pena, Hailey Rosales, Elizabeth Rosas, Ryland Ruiz, William Cox, Dayana Guerrero, Elijah Junek, Jefferson Mathews, Kinley Neumann.

Eleventh Grade:

Isaac Brezina, Savannah Coleman, Emersyn Duarte, Avery Garcia, Connor Johnson, Karson Learn, Tag Loggans, Alyssa Lopez, John Lundstrom, Michael Martin, Constance McKee, Madelyn Rogers, Landon Salazar.

Tenth Grade: Arianna Emmons, Fernanda Flores Martinez, Cindy Gaytan, Alena Hover, Diyana Htoo, Leighton Hunt, Violet Khan, Bradley Marek, Kaylie Medina, Jayshon Miller, Sally Nyar, David Oyler, Blaykeslee Pieprzyca, Ethan Polk, Ailani Ramirez, Kyler Runnels, Jasmin Salazar, Margaret Sklar, Landon Smith, Michael Spree, Jake Stansberry, Rylan Tupa, Taylor Zarate.

Ninth Grade: Lily Brown, Angel Cortes Gonzalez, Chloe Harper, Collin Kubala, Clara Lemke, Piper Loggans, Rylee Mahaffey, Piper Mendoza, John Sklar.

Honor Roll Twelfth Grade:

Marianna Ackley, Alyson Andres, Lizeth Avalos Martinez, Thornton Barton, Abigale Blevins, Hunter Buehring, Valeria Calva, DKayden Diggs, Kenzie Dirst, Tania Dodson, Leigha Flores, Trevor Floyd, Emmalee Garcia, Mason Garcia, Piper Granberry, Keelan Hamilton, Haegen Hampton, Tecara Hardaway, Kalaina Jimenez, Abigael Jordan, Bethany Larison, Jacklynn Marek, Zaevion Norman, Sophia Noyola, Chloe Palacios, Giselle Paul, Brant Peters, Jabarree Robinson, Jokobee Robinson, Raylon Robinson, Jade Sanchez, Austin Sanders, Celeste Sanders, Mariana Sauceda, Ryland Slusher, Weston Strelczyk, Tessa Tobola, Kelis Turner, Trevon Turner, Zane Yendrey .

Eleventh Grade: Khatija Baig, Isaac Barrientes, Melaney Barton, Camry Brown, Emily Calva, Martha Campos, Mauro Carcamo Murillo, Moses Castaneda, Zyron Ceasar, Ian Chandler, Benito De Gaona, Cy Ferguson, Ilianna Flores, Carlos Guevara, Sean Harris, Callie Harvey, Aiden Jones, Aiden Lugo, Kavan Mam, Olivia Martinez, Zoe Mauer, Kobyn Molina, Riley Palacios, Kevin Peralez, Luna Ramirez, Maverick Robertson, Janiyah Robinson, Camila Rodriguez, Nicholas Rodriguez, Anthony Rojas, Emma Shoemate- Rosalez, Amiya Sosa, Leonard Tello.

Tenth Grade:

Akeelah Abbott, Ariann Alford, Jimena Almeda, Ethan Anderson, Hayden Balizan, Brody Boone, Adrian Boston, Robert Brand, Bryleygh Brown, Yoselin Calzada Alba, Devin Cruz, Paisley Curlee, Jose Deleon, Allison Dixon, Scarlett Garcia, Alina Gonzales, Cooper Harryman, Layla Hernandez, Kannon Koop, Jacoby Martinez, Kinley Maxwell, Azariah Medrano, Brandon Patrick, Asa Powell, McLean Raybon, Kirk Rheinhardt, Phyllip Richard, Bronze Robertson, Mercedes Robinson, Rayli Robinson, Valeria Saucedo Galvan, Jaylen Stafford, Heidi Tipton, Braelyn Tristan, Stephanie Verduzco, Bella Villarreal, Braden Watkins.

I was shaking everybody’s hands after church. As eighty-yearold Helen shook my hand, she leaned in and whispered, “Pastor, I’m ready to go.”

At first, I didn’t know what she meant.

Church was over. I thought maybe I had been a bit too longwinded in the sermon. A few handshakes later, however, it hit me.

Helen was ready to go to heaven.

For the next several months, every Sunday after church, Helen would lean in and say, “Pastor, I’m ready to go.” Initially, I struggled with how to respond.

Helen was in the early stages of dementia. I was concerned.

Was she confused?

Was she depressed?

Should I tell her son?

I asked her on several occasions what she meant when she whispered those words to me, but the dementia had already made simple conversations difficult.

She would laugh and respond randomly.

Every Sunday, Helen continued to lean in and whisper, “Pastor, I’m ready to go.”

Most people don’t like to talk about death or even think about it.

Most people fight against death. The Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, famously urged his dying father, “Do not go gentle into that good night… Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Our world rages against death. TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are full of videos promising longer life. “Do these exercises. Eat these foods. Take these supplements and you will add years to your life,” they confidently claim. One of the main goals of modern medicine is to extend human life as long as possible.

So, when someone doesn’t rage against death, it concerns us. We wonder if they are depressed. We worry that they may harm themselves. And those are legitimate concerns.

When someone says they’re ready to die, it is important to listen carefully and look deeper. They may be struggling. They may be depressed. They may need help.

But they also may simply be ready. A few weeks after that first Sunday, we learned about a man named Simeon in church. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah – the promised Savior – before he died.

When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to Jerusalem to be presented at the temple, Simeon took the child into his arms and said with calm certainty, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace” (Luke 2:29).

In other words, “Lord, I’m ready to go.” Simeon wasn’t depressed. He was ready.

He had seen with his own eyes the Savior of the world, through whom God would win for him forgiveness and heaven. Simeon held in his arms salvation, peace – certainty.

We don’t have to be afraid of death or rage against it. Because of that baby born in Bethlehem, we know where we will be when we die.

It’s okay to look forward to that. It’s okay to yearn for the happiness and peace waiting for us. It’s okay even to ask God for that day to come – so long as we accept his will if he decides to keep us here a while longer.

In the end, Simeon gave me my answer.

From that day on, whenever Helen whispered to me, “Pastor, I’m ready to go,” I would lean in and whisper back with a knowing smile.

“Me too.”

Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas.

You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.