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September Pruning: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do

By
Cary Sims
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Senior man pruning apple tree
Unrecognizable senior man pruning apple tree in his garden

September always feels like a season of transition. School has started back up, football games are back to being a weekly weekend ritual, and I am looking forward to cooler weather even though that  may be weeks away. In the landscape, it’s also the time when many homeowners look at their yards and get the itch to tidy things up. Shrubs may be shaggy, trees have low-hanging limbs, and spent blooms tempt you to reach for the pruners.

But before you start cutting, it’s worth knowing what pruning in September really means for your plants. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the timing of pruning can make a big difference in plant health and next year’s performance.

Heavy pruning even now carries some risk. September in East Texas often brings a mix of lingering heat and the occasional early cool front. When you make big pruning cuts late in the growing season, you stimulate tender new growth. The problem is that the large limbs are helping roots have enough stores for the winter. Conversely, pruning now could stimulate new shoot growth that may not have time to harden off before our first frosts arrive. This leaves plants vulnerable to cold damage and stress going into winter.

That’s why AgriLife experts and others across the country recommend saving most major pruning for the dormant season—late winter through very early spring. During dormancy, plants aren’t actively pushing out new growth, and wounds can heal quickly once spring growth begins.

But what about those dead limbs or that one limb that hits my car when I pull in the drive? Light, corrective pruning is always acceptable. This includes removing dead, broken, or diseased branches. Also cutting out limbs that are rubbing or crossing each other. And certainly, eliminating water sprouts or suckers at the base of trees.

For ornamental trees like crape myrtles, it’s fine to snip off old flower heads if you want to improve appearance. Just resist the urge to make large heading cuts – what some call “crape murder.” Save reshaping or thinning for winter.

Fruit trees should also be left mostly alone at this time. The fruit tree’s current leaf canopy is helping the roots store up for a productive spring emergence. While light thinning for air circulation is okay, the major pruning that shapes peaches, plums, and pears is best done while they’re dormant.

The most important pause should be on any of your spring blooming shrubs. Shrubs like azalea, camellia, spirea, and hydrangea set their flower buds the summer before their next spring’s bloom. If you prune them now, you’re not just removing ragged growth—you’re cutting off next year’s flowers. For those plants from which you want (and expect) the most blooms, even dormant season pruning would be a huge mistake. Hold off until right after they finish blooming in spring before doing any shaping.

Below are some helpful tips that research and seasoned gardening experts suggest. First, use clean, sharp tools to reduce injury and prevent disease spread. Next, make cuts just outside the branch collar (that swollen area at the base of a branch). This helps the plant seal off wounds naturally. Finally, as you are pruning, step back often to avoid over-pruning—it’s easy to take too much without realizing it. Your pruning decisions will shape your trees and shrubs for years to come and require careful evaluation. 

September is a month for restraint with your hand pruners and loppers. Go ahead and clean up diseased branches or low hanging hazards but hold off on the major shaping until winter. By pruning with the seasons in mind, you’ll set your trees and shrubs up for better health and stronger growth in the years ahead.

48th Annual Butterfly Festival (Jasper County)

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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October 4, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sandy Creek Park, Jasper, TX (off Marvin Hancock Drive) Sponsored by Harbor Hospice & Christus Health

Come celebrate one of Jasper’s most beloved traditions! The Butterfly Festival is back and bigger than ever—with something for everyone:

 Butterfly Releases – A magical moment for all ages 
Games & Activities – Fun for the whole family
Food Trucks – Delicious bites from local favorites
Live Entertainment – Music and performances all day
Vendor Market – Unique finds and handmade goods 
Weenie Dog Races – Hosted by S.N.I.P.S., always a crowd favorite
Pie Contest – Think your recipe is the best? Enter to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prizes!

Pie contest entries must be submitted in advance—don’t forget to sign up and bring your tastiest creation!

Let’s make this year’s festival unforgettable. Tag your friends, share the joy, and we’ll see you at Sandy Creek Park! 

Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce

(409) 384-2762

View Organizer Website

Sandy Creek Park

Jasper, TX United States

Related Events

New Grant Supports The Use of Trees and Forestry in Watershed Protection Plans

By
Diana De Leon Bon
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Texas communities can apply for grant funding to implement active watershed plans that increase strategic tree placement. (Photo Credit: Texas A&M Forest Service)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Watershed Protection Plan Implementation grant, aiding communities in implementing active watershed protection plans.

The grant will support up to 15 grants over five years to implement tree and forestry components of watershed protection plans previously approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

Applications for the grant will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2025.

Eligible entities include municipalities, public utility districts, state agencies, non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, tribal entities and community-based organizations.

A watershed protection plan is a framework for implementing integrated water quality protection and restoration strategies driven by environmental objectives.

“Watershed protection plans are critical for communities and ecosystems as they protect drinking water sources, manage flood risks and promote sustainable development,” said Karl Flocke, Texas A&M Forest Service Water Resources Program Leader. “Watershed protection planning is locally driven, and this grant will help fund the necessary steps for communities to enact their plans.”

Applicants must provide nature-based solutions that increase the strategically placed tree cover and protect water quality while increasing access to urban tree canopy and associated health, environmental and economic benefits.

Explore the eligibility map and apply for the Watershed Protection Plan Implementation grant: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/grants-financial-assistance/community-grants-and-programs/watershed-protection-plan-implementation-grants/.

The Leadership Reset: Eat Breakfast by the Sea!

By
Lee Allen Miller
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There’s something about the shoreline in the early morning that puts failure into perspective. The waves don’t stop rolling in because the tide was rough yesterday. The seagulls don’t skip breakfast because last night’s storm knocked them around. Nature keeps moving forward. And yet, as leaders, when we stumble, we often freeze—feeling like our failures disqualify us from continuing.

If you’ve ever sat at your desk with a pit in your stomach, wondering if you’ve let your team down, or if the setback in front of you proves you weren’t cut out for leadership, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

My Own Season of Setback

A few years ago, I launched what I believed would be my defining project. I had poured months of planning, late nights, and nearly every ounce of energy into it. The vision was bold, the strategy carefully mapped, and the team behind me was eager. Everything seemed aligned.

But as the months unfolded, so did the unraveling. The numbers didn’t add up. The timelines slipped. Stakeholders grew impatient. One day, after yet another meeting filled with questions I couldn’t answer, I walked out with a sinking realization: this wasn’t going to succeed.

I remember sitting in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel, feeling like the weight of disappointment was too heavy to carry. I questioned my abilities, my decisions, even my calling as a leader. Had I wasted everyone’s time? Was I finished?

A Lesson from the Shore

It was during that season that the story from John 21 came alive for me. After Jesus’ resurrection, His disciples – men who had spent years learning at His feet – were adrift. Peter, in particular, carried the sting of failure. He had denied even knowing Jesus three times. Imagine the shame. Imagine leading your team one day with bold confidence, only to collapse under pressure the next.

And what did Peter do? He went back to what he knew: fishing. But even there, he failed—casting nets all night and catching nothing.

Then, as the dawn broke, a voice called from the shore: “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” When they answered no, Jesus directed them to cast the net on the right side. The catch was overwhelming. And when Peter realized it was Jesus, he didn’t wait—he dove into the water and swam to Him.

Here’s the part that always stops me: Jesus didn’t meet Peter with a lecture, a list of mistakes, or a reminder of his failure. Instead, He met him with breakfast. John 21:12 says, “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’”

It was at that seaside breakfast that Jesus restored Peter, giving him a fresh mission: “Feed my sheep.”

Failure Isn’t Final

That story reminded me that failure doesn’t end your calling—it can actually prepare you for it. Just like Peter, I had to learn that leadership is not about flawless execution. It’s about resilience, humility, and being willing to meet Jesus on the shore after the nets have come up empty.

The truth is, failure forms us. It humbles us, strips away illusions of control, and brings us face-to-face with grace. In the same way the tide shapes the shoreline, setbacks shape our character.

For me, that failed project became one of the greatest teachers of my life. It taught me how to listen more deeply, how to plan with flexibility, and how to lead from a place of empathy rather than pride. In time, it opened doors to new opportunities I never would have seen if the first plan had succeeded.

Encouragement for Leaders Today

If you feel like you’ve failed, I want you to picture that scene in John 21. The risen Christ standing by a charcoal fire, inviting weary, defeated fishermen to sit down and eat. No condemnation. No rejection. Just an invitation to begin again.

That’s what leadership looks like after failure. Not the absence of mistakes, but the presence of grace. Not disqualification, but redirection.

So let me say this to you: your failure is not the end. It may, in fact, be the very thing God uses to reshape you for greater influence and deeper impact. Breakfast by the sea was not the end of Peter’s story—it was the beginning of his mission to lead the early church.

A New Day, A New Start

The sun rises, the waves keep rolling, and God’s mercies are new every morning. If the shoreline teaches us anything, it’s that no storm has the final word. Leadership, like the tide, comes in cycles of rising, receding, and returning.

So take a breath. Sit with the lesson. Accept the grace. And when the time comes, pick up your nets again—not because you are perfect, but because you are called.

Breakfast by the sea isn’t just a story from Scripture. It’s a reminder that every leader, no matter how deep the failure, can rise to a new day.

The Patience Factor in Marketing: Why Stopping Too Soon Can Cost You Everything

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Have you ever planted a garden, watered it faithfully for a few weeks, and then quit right before the harvest?

That’s what too many business owners do with their marketing. They get excited about the promise of growth, invest in a new campaign or a fresh agency, and then-just when the soil is beginning to sprout-they pull the plug. The result? Missed opportunities, wasted investment, and a frustrating cycle of starting over again and again.

Recently, one of my clients at MSGPR gave me a front-row seat to this struggle. They signed on with us for a social media, web, and consulting retainer after switching from another agency. We advised them-very clearly-that marketing is a six-to-twelve-month commitment before you see real return on investment (ROI). Within four months, they were already starting to feel momentum. Their business had grown to the point they admitted they were “too busy.” And then, they stopped.

We continued to support them for two months after they quit paying, because at MSGPR we value integrity and commitment. But instead of riding the wave they had built, they jumped ship again-this time to yet another agency. Months later, as far as we can tell, nothing has changed. No growth. No transformation. No harvest.

That story illustrates a larger truth: effective marketing takes patience, consistency, and trust. Let’s break down why stopping too soon can derail your growth-and what you can do to avoid making the same mistake.

Insight #1: Marketing is Not a Microwave-It’s a Crockpot

We live in a world of instant gratification. Click a button, get it delivered. Stream a movie in seconds. Post a video and watch the likes roll in. But real business growth doesn’t work that way.

Marketing-especially digital marketing-is more like a crockpot than a microwave. You put in the right ingredients: content, social media, website design, ads, email campaigns, SEO. You stir, season, and let it simmer. Slowly, almost invisibly at first, the flavors come together. And when the time is right, you open the lid to find something rich, satisfying, and worth the wait.

Most campaigns take at least six months to gain traction. Why? Because you’re not just reaching random people-you’re building trust, shaping perception, and nurturing relationships. That takes time. Pulling out too early is like unplugging the crockpot halfway through. You don’t just stop the meal-you ruin it.

Insight #2: Consistency Builds Momentum

In business, momentum is priceless. It’s what happens when your marketing starts working with you instead of against you. At MSGPR, we’ve seen it time and time again:

  • The blog that no one reads for months suddenly ranks on Google and drives traffic for years.
  • The social media post that seemed like background noise suddenly sparks a conversation that turns into a long-term customer.
  • The steady drip of consistent branding builds credibility until one day a client says, “I feel like I see you everywhere.”

That’s momentum. But here’s the catch-it doesn’t come in month one, two, or even three. It builds quietly in the background, like a snowball rolling downhill. By month six, the snowball is heavy enough to pick up speed. By month twelve, it’s an avalanche.

Quit in month four, and you’re pushing the snowball uphill all over again.

Insight #3: ROI Is More Than Numbers

Too many leaders measure marketing ROI by one metric: “Did I get more sales this month?” That’s short-sighted. True ROI in marketing comes in layers:

  • Visibility ROI: Are more people aware of your brand?
  • Credibility ROI: Do customers trust you more now than before?
  • Engagement ROI: Are conversations happening that lead to long-term relationships?
  • Conversion ROI: Are those relationships turning into sales?

The client I mentioned was already beginning to see ROI. They were busier than ever. That’s not a bad problem-it’s the fruit of consistent marketing. But they saw the busyness as a reason to stop instead of a reason to scale.

Insight #4: Faith, Patience, and Stewardship

As a faith-driven entrepreneur, I can’t separate my business from my beliefs. Scripture teaches us that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3). The same principle applies to marketing. Growth requires patience. Patience requires faith.

Stopping too soon is not just a business mistake-it’s a stewardship issue. God calls us to steward well the opportunities, resources, and relationships He entrusts to us. That means planting seeds, tending the soil, waiting for the harvest, and trusting His timing.

In Galatians 6:9, Paul reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The same holds true in business. Don’t grow weary in the good work of consistent marketing. The harvest is coming-if you don’t give up.

Practical Action Steps for Business Leaders

So how can you avoid falling into the trap of quitting too soon? Here are three practical steps:

1. Commit to at Least Nine Months

When you sign on with a marketing agency-or even when you do it yourself-make a nine-month minimum commitment. Put it in writing. That timeframe gives your campaigns the room they need to grow roots and bear fruit.

2. Measure the Right Things

Don’t just count sales. Track visibility, engagement, and credibility. Ask your team: Are people noticing us more? Are customers engaging more deeply? Are we building a reputation that will outlast this campaign?

3. Trust the Process

Hire the right partners, do your due diligence, and then trust the process. If you’re constantly uprooting your plants to check the roots, they’ll never grow. Trust that the seeds you’ve planted are working-even if you can’t see it yet.

The Conservative Business Leader’s Edge

Let me speak directly to leaders who share my values. Conservative business leaders-those who believe in faith, family, personal responsibility, and stewardship-are uniquely equipped for marketing success. Why? Because the very values that guide your life-patience, consistency, and integrity-are the same values that make marketing work.

Marketing is not about flash-in-the-pan gimmicks. It’s about steady storytelling, clear values, and relationships built on trust. When you align your marketing with your values, you don’t just attract customers-you build a community.

That’s a Wrap: Don’t Quit Too Soon

Looking back, I wish my client had stayed the course. They were on the edge of breakthrough. Instead, they traded patience for impatience and progress for stagnation.

But you don’t have to make the same mistake. Whether you’re in Texas or Tokyo, whether you’re a startup or an established brand, the principle is the same: marketing is a long game. Don’t dig up your seeds before the harvest.

In East Texas, we understand seasons. We know what it means to plant, to wait, and to reap. If you’re a business owner in the Pineywoods, take this to heart: don’t give up on your marketing too soon. Just like our forests don’t grow overnight, neither does a strong brand. Stay faithful, stay patient, and watch your business grow.

Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update

By
Gary Stallard
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Hey, sports fans,

Our soccer teams kicked off their regular seasons with back-to-back conference matchups this past weekend, and we had four baseball players earning a very big honor. We also brought back a coaching legend into the Roadrunner fold. 

In addition, baseball’s “Fall Ball” season starts this week. 

Finally, a fan sent in a photo of a rainbow at sunset during Saturday’s match, and all the oranges and blues in the sky are just more proof that even the heavens love Roadrunners. 

We are AC, and we’re ready to Run ‘Em.  

Here’s a quick rundown of the past week’s events, along with what’s coming up next: 

Lady Roadrunner Soccer Sweeps Weekend

AC’s ladies opened their 2025 regular season with convincing wins on Friday and Saturday to start the new year off just right. 

In Friday’s season-opening win over Northeast Texas Community College, the Lady Roadrunners got two goals each from Anne Vandaële and Paula Suarez, along with a smothering effort from the defense, to blank the Eagles 4-0. Vandaële’s first goal came off a rebound from a Suarez shot just eight minutes into the match. Suarez followed with a penalty kick at the ’30 mark, then ripped a long goal from the right side just two minutes later for a 3-0 AC lead at the half. 

Vandaële wrapped up the scoring with an easy goal: After a deflection left an empty net, Vandaële simply tapped the ball over the line for the final 4-0 score. 

On Saturday against Paris Junior College, the Lady ‘Runners exploded for nine goals in a 9-0 rout over the Lady Dragons. Olivia Sanchez drilled three goals, while Beatriz Almeida and Vandaële added two goals each. Juana Bulla and Esmeya Galeslool added a goal each.

The Lady Roadrunners (2-0) travel to Corsicana on Friday to face Navarro College, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.  

No. 15 Roadrunner Soccer Earns Win, Draw in Season Openers

A tight defensive battle in the opening minutes of Friday’s regular-season debut erupted into an AC scoring fest, as the No. 15 Roadrunners exploded for six unanswered goals on the way to a 6-0 win over Northeast Texas Community College at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex in Lufkin.

Kanta Maruyama’s hat trick led the way for the ‘Runners, with Jhosua Jory adding a pair of scores and Gabriel Moore another in the win.

Neither team gave ground defensively over the first 17 minutes of the match. Finally, in the 17th minute, Moore took an indirect kick from Christian Castaneda and banged it home to open the Roadrunner scoring. Jory would use some breakaway moves in the 42nd minute for his first goal and a 2-0 AC lead at the half.

Maruyama nailed his first goal in the 52nd minute, following just four minutes with a breakaway goal featuring a great run around defenders for a 4-0 margin. Barely a minute later, Jory maneuvered around the Eagle goalkeeper for an open netter, and Maruyama capped his hat trick two minutes afterward for the sixth and final goal. 

On Saturday against Paris, the ‘Runners fought a tough Dragon team before seeing the match end in a 2-2 draw. Maruyama and Eric Ortiz accounted for the AC goals.

The Roadrunners (1-0-1) won’t play again until Tuesday, Sept. 9, when AC travels to Dallas College-Richland to face Miami Dade College at 11 a.m.  

Roadrunner Baseball Players Named JUCO All-Stars

The annual Texas-New Mexico JUCO All-Star Baseball Showcase is a big honor for any player fortunate enough to make the list, and this year’s version will feature four Angelina College players on the roster. 

AC’s Connor Ficarra, Stefano Ramos, Cole Standley and David Wilson each earned a spot on the coveted roster. The event takes place in September at Dallas Baptist University. 

Click the provided link for the full story:

https://angelina.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2025-26/releases/20250830hyl31p

Coleman Rejoins Coaching Staff on Interim Basis

Byron Coleman retired as the Lady Roadrunners’ head basketball coach following the 2023-2024 season, leaving as the winningest coach in program history with 326 total wins. 

Now, he’s taking on a new role – this time on the men’s side.

With assistant coach Eric Colbert sidelined temporarily, Roadrunner head coach J.J. Montgomery needed an experience hand to help him guide men, currently ranked No. 4 in the national pre-season polls. 

He got his man in Coleman, who’ll serve as the interim assistant for this season.

Click the link for the full story:

https://angelina.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2025-26/releases/20250831ko2ovr

Coming Soon: Dinner at the Diamond 

AC’s Sixth annual “Dinner at the Diamond” event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 down on the baseball field at Poland Stadium on the AC campus.

Dinner at the Diamond is a major fund-raiser for Angelina College and its students – not to mention just a lot of fun for everyone involved. 

We’ll have a registration link and other information for the event to send out in the coming weeks. We just wanted to give you enough time to mark those calendars. 

All AC Teams Have Schedules Up and Running Online

Lady Roadrunner and Roadrunner fans can now find their favorite teams’ schedules on the Angelina College Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com). For now, only the fall schedules for baseball and softball are in place (with the potential to add more events later), but all other teams, including both women’s and men’s basketball, are ready for viewing and planning. 

We’ll update any changes as we receive them. 

We can’t wait to see you at the games. 

Live Streaming Reminder: 

All AC Athletics regular-season home games are live streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)

Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics web site, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link. 

TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)

Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free, as is the TSBN live streaming. Any other links offering streaming are scams.  

Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates (especially for potential weather issues) visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com). Fans can also receive updates on the AC Athletics Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram pages. 

Upcoming schedules: 

Friday, Sept. 5:

Lady Roadrunner Soccer at Navarro College, 4 p.m. at Corsicana, TX. 

Roadrunner Baseball at Alvin College, 1 p.m. at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. 

For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu. 

We’ll see you at the games.

Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Phone: (936) 465-4614

Four Roadrunners Named JUCO All-Stars

By
Gary Stallard
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Texas-New Mexico Baseball Showcase Takes Place in Dallas

The annual Texas-New Mexico All-Star Weekend is a showcase for junior college baseball players, and this year’s event will feature four Angelina College Roadrunners on the roster. 

AC’s Connor Ficarra, Cole Standley, Stefano Ramos and David Wilson each earned the honor of representing the Roadrunner program. 

Ficarra, a sophomore outfielder from Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, batted .339 with 30 RBI while scoring 41 runs and stealing 13 bases in 2025. Ficarra earned Region XIV 1st Team All-Region honors following the season. 

Ramos, a sophomore outfielder from Trujillo, Venezuela, attended Fulshear High School. Ramos batted .358 – compiling a slugging percentage of .519 – with three homers and 18 runs batted in while also scoring 23 runs. He earned Region XIV 2nd Team All-Region honors in 2025. 

Standley, a sophomore pitcher/outfielder from Woodville High School, battled through injuries in 2025 and still hit .330 with five homers and 23 RBI. Standley also scored 25 runs and stole six bases. 

Wilson, a sophomore pitcher from Bullard High School in Bullard, finished the 2025 season with a 3.24 ERA, striking out 23 hitters in his 25 innings pitched. The lefty reliever also finished with a solid 1.34 WHIP (Walks and Hits Per Innings Pitched).

The TX-NM JUCO All-Star Weekend is a showcase featuring players from Texas and New Mexico for two days of baseball action. The event features numerous coaches and scouts from both the Division 1and other four-year programs and professional ranks, and is recognized for increasing recruiting exposure for the players. 

The event takes place on Friday and Saturday, September 19-20, at Dallas Baptist University in Dallas. 

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu. 

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

By
Carey Kinsolving
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How Does Jesus Give Light To Everyone?

“Jesus gives light to everyone by letting you buy it from the grocery store,” says Omar, 5.

The Apostle John had a different kind of light in mind when he referred to Jesus as “the true light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:9).

“Jesus came into the world to tell people the truth,” says Shelby, 10. “He was the light that took away those dark beliefs.”

Dark beliefs? Yes, lies about God will keep you from knowing the truth that will set you free. The Bible presents a picture where most people live in bondage to lies and deception. They saunter through life totally unaware of the angelic battles being fought in spiritual realms over their very souls.

“Jesus gives light to the world because he is the light,” says Shoshanna, 6. “He is the way, the truth and the light.”

Jesus is light personified. Just as the sun gives light freely to everyone in the world, Jesus gives spiritual light to anyone who looks to him. The Apostle Matthew calls Jesus a great light that shines upon a people sitting in darkness (Matthew 4:16).

“Jesus gives light to everyone by giving them the choice to accept him and not forcing them to receive him,” says Jonathan, 8. “If they do receive him, they will be rewarded with light in their souls, and they will have hope.”

Imagine the absurdity of people blaming God for not providing sunlight while choosing to live in caves below ground. That’s what happens when people say, “What about the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ?” They may have never heard the name of Jesus, but they have seen his work in creation. Also, they have a conscience or a sense of right and wrong.

Have you ever been to American national parks such Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon? Beauty on such an immense scale should leave everyone who sees it in a state of awe and wonder.

“Jesus gives his light to everyone by sending witnesses out into the world to spread his light,” says Clarissa, 12.

The history of personal evangelism and the work of missionaries demonstrate that God sends people the good news about Jesus Christ when they respond to the spiritual light they already possess through creation and their own conscience (Romans 1:18-32). Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Every Christian should be alert constantly for opportunities to speak the gospel message into the lives of those God has prepared.

“When you accept Jesus into your heart, he gives you light,” says Morgan, 10. “He tries to make it so evil can’t get to you.”

In the heart of every Christian, Jesus wants to start a bonfire that will burn brightly for all to see. John the Baptist served as the forerunner of Jesus to announce his coming. He faithfully pointed to Jesus Christ. False ministers always point to someone or something other than Jesus Christ.

“Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. That is how he gives light to the world,” says Wilson, age unknown.

Think about this: I like to think of creation and our conscience as God’s spotlight that points to Jesus. His sacrifice for our sins is like a laser light that penetrates searching hearts.

Memorize this truth: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

Ask this question: Do you know Jesus as the light of your life?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email. 

Capitol Update: Flood Relief Bills, Emergency Preparedness, and Community Outreach

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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September is finally here, the school year is in full swing, football stadium lights are back on, and dove hunters across the state are heading back to the field.

As I’m sure many of you are aware, this year’s dove season starts on September 1 and will run until the end of October. I’d like to remind all of my fellow outdoor enthusiasts, if you haven’t done so already, to purchase a hunting license before you head out. 

You can pick one up at your local sporting goods store as you’re loading up for the season, or purchase one online on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s website,  www.tpwd.texas.gov. More and more hunters are purchasing digital licenses because of their convenience. 

With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol… 

Capitol Update

With the return of many of my House colleagues, these past two weeks in Austin have seen a flurry of activity. On Thursday, August 21, the House passed its packages of bills aimed at providing flood relief for the victims of the horrific July 4 floods and establishing procedures to better prepare flood-prone areas for disaster. 

Among the bills passed were House Bills 1, 2, and 3. HB 1, known as the Youth CAMPER Act, seeks to improve youth camp emergency preparedness by requiring all resident youth camp operators to develop, implement, and annually review written emergency plans for responding to emergency events.

Additionally, HB 2 addresses the need to improve the way local and state authorities respond to natural disasters. The bill does this by providing for educational requirements for local authorities when managing disasters, requiring emergency management training for local authorities, and licensing county emergency management coordinators. 

Finally, HB 3 seeks to address the inability of first responders to communicate with outside departments and facilitate interoperable communications between first responders by creating the Texas Interoperability Council. The Council will develop and coordinate the implementation of a statewide strategic plan for the interoperability of emergency communication equipment and infrastructure for first responders in Texas. 

The mobile office is on the road again in September, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: September 3 at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:30-11:30am; September 10 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; September 17 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30pm.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 and our Capitol office at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.

My Five Cents: A Weekly Column from Senator Robert Nichols

By
Senator Robert Nichols
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This month the Legislature began our Second Called Special Session. We again have 30 days to complete the items on the Governor’s call. 

Here are five things happening around your state: 

  1. Redistricting maps pass both chambers, head to Governor

This week, both the House and the Senate officially passed House Bill 4, which updates the US Congressional maps in Texas. These new maps reflect Texans’ voting preferences. The new maps rework districts in East Texas so that there are five members of congress representing the region rather than the current seven. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval. If signed, the maps will go into effect on the 91st day after the last day of the special legislative session. To learn more about the new maps and see what they look like, including if your representative has changed, visit https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. 

  1. Various flood recovery measures pass, Legislature honors victims

Last week, both the House and Senate passed legislation relating to flood mitigation, response, and recovery while honoring the victims of the Fourth of July floods and their families. The Senate Disaster Preparedness Committee held a hearing on legislation and invited the families of victims to testify about their experiences. Families of the 27 victims at Camp Mystic recounted the aftermath of their horrific ordeal and advocated for changes to state policy around summer camp safety. 

Senate Bill 1 by Senator Charles Perry would ensure that summer camps cannot build cabins or house campers within a floodplain. It also requires camps establish emergency procedures for a variety of events including a lost camper, fire, flood, severe injury, or death. Those procedures must be part of a mandatory safety orientation before each camp session begins. Further, each camp must be equipped with a radio capable of providing real-time weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service and install an emergency warning system at the camp that is capable of alerting campers and counselors to an emergency. 

  1. Legal defense for human trafficking victims passes Legislature

Senate Bill 11, by Senator Tan Parker, passed both chambers this week and is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill would provide an affirmative defense for human and sex trafficking victims who commit a crime under force, fraud, or coercion from their trafficker. Under current law, young victims can be prosecuted for crimes they assisted in or committed with or for their trafficker. Often traffickers will force their victims to commit these crimes. When a victim has a criminal record, it can make it even harder for them to leave their trafficker. This will help victims of human trafficking leave their abusers without a criminal record and ensure they can take the next steps to a new life. 

  1. New laws go into effect September 1

September 1 is the day that most of the bills passed by the Legislature go into effect. While over a thousand bills were passed, around 750 will go into effect over the weekend. Here are some of the new laws to be aware of: 

  • Senate Bill 7 – This bill, by Senator Charles Perry, creates a framework for funding water projects throughout the state through the Texas Water Development Board. It accompanies a constitutional amendment voters will have the opportunity to vote on this fall to allocate $1 billion each year for 20 years to the Texas Water Fund to combat the state’s looming water crisis. 
  • Senate Bill 17 – This bill, by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, will ban governments, companies, and individuals who reside in China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran from owning land or property in Texas. US citizens or permanent residents are not part of the ban. 
  • Senate Bill 835 – This bill, by Senator Angela Paxton, bans the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault and human trafficking cases. It also voids existing nondisclosure agreements in those cases. The bill, named “Trey’s Law,” is named for Trey Carlock, who died by suicide in 2019 after signing an NDA related to abuse he suffered as a child by a camp counselor. 
  1. New World Screwworm protection facility announced

The US Department of Agriculture announced a $750 million investment to build a facility in Edinburg, Texas to combat the spread of the New World screwworm. The facility will sterilize New World screwworm flies and prevent their reproduction. There are no facilities in the US that currently produce sterile screwworm flies, instead relying on facilities in Panama for the flies. The new facility will be able to produce 300 million sterile flies per week. 

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