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Coming Events
Community events for week of Aug. 26-Sept. 2
Jim Talbert
Book signing
Don't miss New York Times bestselling author Emilee Hackney as she gives a book reading and signing at the Tazewell Library on Saturday, August 29th from 2-3 p.m. "All that's Unseen" can be purchased on site the day of the event. Refreshments are provided by the Friends of Tazewell County Public Library.
Felt crafting
Aug. 31 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ages 10-18. Fun and creative crafts using felt. Materials provided.
Gospel singing
The town of Honaker is sponsoring a gospel singing Oct. 3 from noon until 3 p.m. at the Honaker Town Park. Performances by Jason Crabb, Eddie Street, Taylor Brothers and Servants Heart. Admission is free.
Fall soccer
The Tazewell Recreation Department is now taking registrations for its fall soccer program. The league is open to youngsters pre-k thru eighth grade. Late registration cut off is Sept. 1 and the cost is $40 per player. Family discounts are available. The season will run from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22. To register a player or for more information call 276-979-5909.
SBA disaster assistance available for SWVA businesses and private nonprofits (copy) (copy)
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal
disaster loans for eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by drought beginning March 15.
Among the eligible localities in this region are Bland, Bristol, Carroll, Floyd, Galax, Grayson, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe.
Who Can Apply
The assistance is available to small businesses, private nonprofits and faith-based organizations, small agricultural cooperatives and nurseries, and small aquaculture enterprises.
Loan Assistance Available
Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Working capital assistance for operational
expenses caused by the disaster.
Key Loan Details
∙ Up to $2 million in loan funding;
∙ Interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations;
∙ Loan terms of up to 30 years;
∙ No interest or required payments during the first 12 months following disbursement.
The application deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is Feb. 26, 2027.
Applicants may call the SBA Customer Service Center with questions regarding their application at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Words to the Wise
Romans 16 (copy) (copy)
Pastor Cliff Bowman
Bastian Church of God
Romans 16 reminds us that the work of God is never carried by one person alone. As Paul closes this powerful letter, he pauses to name men and women who served, helped, labored, sacrificed, and stood with him in the ministry. Paul was greatly used by God, but he also knew that God was working through many faithful servants around him.
That is an encouraging word for the church today. Not everyone is called to stand in the same place, speak with the same voice, or carry the same responsibility. But every believer can serve the Lord faithfully. Some serve publicly. Others serve quietly. Some encourage, some give, some teach, some pray, and some simply remain steady when others need strength. God sees every faithful act done for His glory.
Paul also gives a sober warning: mark those who cause division and avoid them. The church must be careful not to follow those who serve themselves rather than Christ. A faithful church values unity, guards truth, and keeps its eyes on the Lord Jesus.
The chapter ends where every sermon, every ministry, and every life should end—with glory to God. He is the One who establishes His people through the gospel of Jesus Christ. What was once hidden has now been revealed: Jesus saves, Jesus keeps, and Jesus deserves all praise.
Serve faithfully where God has placed you. Encourage those who labor beside you. Guard the unity of the church. And give all glory to the Savior who establishes us by His gospel.
If you are not a Christian here are the ABCs to becoming one:
Admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again from the dead.
Confess you sins to God, ask Him to forgive you, and commit your life to following Him.
Light One Candle
Kicking the habit (copy) (copy)
Tony Rossi
Columnist
The Christophers have been publishing our News Notes for most of our 81 years of existence. If you’re not familiar with Christopher News Notes, they are pamphlets on a variety of spiritual topics that highlight how gospel values can be lived out in today’s world, how we can better love both God and our neighbors, and how we can deal with the various challenges and hardships that life brings our way. Individual copies are free to anyone who asks for them, and those on our mailing list receive them 10 times a year.
Occasionally, we hear from supporters who still cherish a Christopher News Note that we published 30 or more years ago. That’s what happened recently when we received a request from a woman at a Catholic parish who is running a program that helps individuals dealing with addictions or those living with family addictions. She asked for permission to use an old News Note, titled “Kicking the Habit: Twelve Steps to Recovery,” as part of the curriculum. Naturally, we approved her request because we are always happy to hear that our work is helping people to improve their lives. We also decided that “Kicking the Habit” would be a perfect fit to republish as one of our “Classic News Notes,” since the information it contains is timeless—and addiction remains a problem in our society today.
The News Note begins with a quote from Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Regarding his own journey to recovery, he recalled, “I had reached the end of the line. I was powerless to save myself from an evil force that was stronger than I was. One night I cried out to God. I begged Him to let the great healing wind of His Spirit blow through me and make me clean once more. And He heard my cry. I never touched alcohol again.” The News Note goes on to present the 12 Steps that guide AA (as well as other addiction recovery programs), along with brief commentary added by The Christophers to illustrate their spiritual basis.
For instance, Step One is: “We admitted we were powerless over (problem), that our lives had become unmanageable.” We then feature a quote from a cocaine addict in Arkansas, who said, “I was so lost, I knew I was dying. One rainy day in March, I knelt in the mud on a bluff overlooking the Chattahoochee River. I just prayed to [God to] let me die or get better.” The News Note then points out the myth that addicts are “hopeless cases.” Instead, it promotes the fact, “You are a child of God. There is no such thing as a hopeless case.”
That leads to Step two: “We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” A member of Overeaters Anonymous reflects that realization, noting, “My compulsive eating overwhelmed me. To me, trusting God to solve my problem wasn’t logical. Strong people take control of their lives and solve their own problems. I wasn’t sure I even believed in God. One day, everything changed. I suddenly understood that relying on God for strength was not a sign of weakness…that His power was really there. I could feel Him.”
This is just a brief overview of “Kicking the Habit,” so if you would like to read the whole thing, you can request a free copy by calling 212-759-4050, ext. 241—or by emailing mail@christophers.org.
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