This week's promise: God pursues us with his love

What is your definition of love?

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.  John 14:2 NLT

About this week's promise

A healthy definition of love is crucial to understanding the central message of the Bible. According to the Bible, love is not confined to sexuality, nor is it primarily a feeling at all. The Bible teaches that love is a commitment. As a commitment, love is not dependent of good feelings, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well-being of another. That commitment then produces good feelings, not the other way around. Jesus became the perfect demonstration of God's unconditional love for us by laying down his life for our benefit.

adapted from TouchPoint Bible with devotional commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), p 1227

Mardi Gras starts early for the New Orelans Saints:

Who Dat??  Who dat say dey gonna beat da saints? Who Dat??

The "Who Dat" tradition will ring on until eternity with this victory.  Super Bowl 44 (XLIV) aired CBS Sunday, February 07, 2010 with a win for the New Orleans Saints.  The Saints beat the Colts with a 14 point lead.  Final score 31-17.   The Saints surely deserves to win this year's Super Bowl.  As the Saints owner, Tom Benson said, "New Orleans is Back"!!  Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints for a job well done and for winning Super Bowl 44.

The GCA (Gilchrist Community Association) held an open meeting  Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 2:00pm in the High Island school gymnasium with GLO (General Land Office) representatives to obtain feedback and ideas from GCA members and the community in regards to the possible closing of Rollover Pass and what the future could hold for Bolivar Peninsula in the town of Gilchrist.  Only hours before the meeting held on Saturday, Texas GLO sent out an "Immediate Press Release" in regards to their alleged facts about closing Rollover Pass.  You can see that Press Release by CLICKING HERE.

Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of Texas General Land Office did not show up for this meeting but, did send several representatives on his behalf to take the heat.  The GLO presented a power point slide show with charts and graphs out the ying yang.

Bottom line, after the millions of $$ spent on preparing this study, GLO feels they are correct and plan to fill in the pass.  However, the plans to do so are not intended for another 2 to 3 years.  In the meantime, the seat of Commissioner of the Texas GLO will again be open this year.  In which time, Bill Burton will be running for this position.  Mr. Burton did however make it a point to attend this meeting to let the community know he would be following the outcome of this situation.

As most of you know, "Rollover Pass" was dredged in 1954 by the Army Corps of Engineer because they thought the fishing would be better.  Yes, they were right about that.  The fishing was always good on the peninsula but this made it "The Hot Spot" of fishing.  Visitors from all over the country come to fish the pass.  And still do, even to this day.  But they did not plan ahead to prevent some of the issues this community is concerned with presently.

Hurricane Ike took a toll on this community.  With only 12 homes now, no post office or rescue units and many empty parcels of land this small group of people are holding on to what little they have left.

Crystal Beach Local News welcomes our newest local business sponsors.

Debra's Gem Homes, Inc.; Guidry News; and Thomas Lawn & Remodeling .  Thank you and Welcome!!

Remember folks, it is the local business sponsors who make this webpage possible.  So, when you have business to do, do it closer to home!!  Remember to view the "Link" to the left to view ALL our local business sponsors.  Great place to "bookmark" for reference to our local businesses.

Bolivar Peninsula Community Outreach Food Pantry

Bolivar Peninsula Community Outreach Food Pantry now has a food barrel placed at the front door of the Big Store, thanks to the generosity of Keith, the owner.

Let me suggest as a minimum, that every time you go to the Big Store to shop, you pick up at least one can of dry goods or more than that if you are led,  and then place it/them in the barrel as you leave. This will help keep the pantry stocked.

Presently we have the pantry open only one Friday a month because we lack food.  We do have a truck that comes out every Monday to the Community Center where food is distributed.  They distribute mostly things like carrots, melons, onions, potatoes, oranges, grapefruits and once in a while some meat.  That's why we need the canned goods for the food pantry. The food brought each Monday usually comes from grocery stores who can no longer shelve the food.  That means bananas may be over-ripe or very green.  Nevertheless, it is food and I'm told a lot of banana bread has been made from them.  We are grateful to the stores that share in this way.

BPCO has applied for a 501c3 and it is in process - it has been for a long time.  Our government moves like a turtle - when the 501c3 gets here, we will be able to buy government commodities at a cheap rate.

Our philosophy in distributing the food is that no one deserves to go hungry. It's up to the individual to make the decision if he or she needs the food. The statistics I gave at Chamber yesterday is an estimate. 25% of those in our food line depend on the weekly groceries to have food on the table. 70% use it to supplement their low salaries or no salaries. This may be high, but I said 5% probably could make it without the food they receive there.

We are expanding the present food pantry at the former Second Goings building at 1050 Bay View Drive.  We presently have work crews here from the Reformed Church in America.  They are helping with several homes as well where the homeowners have the money to purchase the material and they contribute the labor.

Yesterday the Chamber gave BPCO $1000 to help ready Second Goings not only for the food pantry but also for a used clothing center and a social service center. Thank you chamber.  We appreciate the support from our community. And thanks in advance for all of you who choose to drop off can goods at the Big Store.

Tiki Bar & Grill

Big Super Bowl Party Feb 7th

mardi gras   party Feb 13^th

Butch Leger & Center Fire

12pm  - 5pm

Ship's Wheel

Super Bowl XLIV Party

Feb 7th

Mardi Gras Pardi

Feb 13^th

Valentine Party

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."  ~ Plutarch

Looking for a home to rent on Bolivar Peninsula?

Permanent Beach House Rental ~ For the one who wants to be a permanent resident of Crystal Beach.  920 Mr. G, 3 bedroom, 2 baths, $1200.00 a month.  Good view of beach, carport.  Call 409-720-9278 ask for Vi .

ATTENTION:

Please make note of the

NEW DATES for the 2010 Texas Crab Festival!!

2010 Texas Crab Festival

will be June 4^th, 5^th & 6^th

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

"If one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better."  ~ Jane Austen

Acupuncture & Oriental Medical Services

OFFERED HERE IN CRYSTAL BEACH, TX

Mary Ellen Bestani OM, L.AC
409-225-2625
the worlds greatest natural resource is your health,
care for it naturally with acupuncture & Chinese medicine.

The Port Bolivar Fire Dept

is looking for sponsorship for this year's

annual oyster supper on sat Feb. 27th.

 A $100.00 sponsorship will get you or your companies name on our sponsor board.

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain!" ~ Vivian Greene

"The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter."  ~ Norman Cousins

Bolivar in the news.....

Officials disagree about tax appraisals

By T.J. Aulds, The Daily News, Published February 7, 2010

TEXAS CITY - Millions of dollars in property value are in question because of a dispute between the county tax assessor and the central appraisal district on how severely houses that have been rebuilt since Hurricane Ike should be appraised.

http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cf3e56f7ff626cb6

From humble beginnings, a bishop is formed

New leader of Austin diocese is known for his hard work and humility.

By Joshunda Sanders, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

As a young seminarian 20 years ago, Joe Vasquez spent his summers back home in Abilene, working in fields. He could have found work in an office, something that kept his hands clean. But he knew his father had dropped out of school in second grade to work land owned by others because he had to help his family and Vasquez told his father he wanted to work, too.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/from-humble-beginnings-a-bishop-is-formed-218227.html

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.

Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he was ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'

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