Who is "the least" in your life?

I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it for me!  Matthew 25:40 NLT

Loving the Least

I remember a poster on a dorm-room wall during my days in college. The poster was a picture of a homeless man lying in a dirty gutter holding a bottle in a paper bag by his side. The inscription on the bottom was a quote from Mother Teresa. It read, "You love Jesus only as much as the person you love the least."

For all we don't understand about the life of Jesus and the true nature of God, there is one truth that he made completely clear. The Christian faith is about service and humility. It's about helping those who can't help themselves. It's about loving others more than we love ourselves - even the most unlovable among us.

What is the sign of true followers? Is it the amount of knowledge that we have? Is it the money we give to missions? the degrees we've earned? the number of people we've preached to? the hours we've spent worshiping in church? the books we've read or written?

According to Jesus, the sign of the saved is their love for the least.

It is said that when Francis of Assisi left his wealth behind to seek God, he stripped naked and walked out of the city. The first person he encountered on his journey was a leper on the side of the road. He first passed him, then turned back. He embraced the leper in his arms before continuing his journey. A few steps down the road he turned and saw that the leper was gone. Until his dying day, Francis of Assisi was convinced that the leper was Jesus. Even if he was wrong, he was right.

adapted from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins and Frank M. Martin,, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), p 3Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

Trusting you all had a wonderful Mardi Gras on Bolivar AND that you treated your sweethearts deservingly on Valentne's Day.  With the cold and blistering weather we have entreated recently and still to come, don't you think God is deserving when He blesses us with exceptional days of joy and sunshine like we enjoyed on Saturday.  With the Mardi Gras season coming to a close Winter Olympics continues in 2010.  Be sure to watch for the Ford Silverado commercial that was filmed in Galveston and Bolivar last month. 

Thank you Bolivar Peninsula for a job extremely well done!  There were over 60 entries in all and several last minute.  So if your name is missed, it's only because I am overwhelmed at the show of love and support in the small but might communities.  Kudo's to you ALL! (ps... remember Ash Wednesday is just around the corner)  People's Choice went to Crenshaw Bulldogs and Most Theme Oriented, goes to North Harris County Football League-Theme NHFL Loves Beer.

Large Float Entries: Stuart Standley; Randall Petty, Sonny Makin, ReMax on the Water, Weisinger on the Beach, Coastal Waste Management; Crenshaw School; David Meaux; AM Coastal Construction; Larry Flanagan (Casa Mare/Beachside RV).

Small Float Entries: Seaweed Bank; Robert Daniel (Tri Point Construction); Debby Ward; Dickie Brocato;, Jim Denys (NHFL loves beer); Casa Blanca/Out By the Sea B&B; Crystal Beach Fishing Club (Yellow Submarine); Nancy Bachman (Tavern by the Pass); Galveston Co. Democrats Club; Jim Norton; Triange Concrete Services; Krewe d'Beaucoup d'Cuckoo; Ellie Pollard (Holiday Beach); Kelly Suppes (Stella Maris Krewe); Pat's Tires (Love Bugs); Bolivar Chamber Loves Mardi Gras; Swede's Love Shack; Texas First Bank; Hunting Club; La Playita; High Island R/V.

Vehicle Entries: Brint Construction; Steve Baker (1976 Ford Bronco); Ervin McMillen (2007 honda rebel); Mac's Septic; Dale Hammock (1947 Crosley Car); Dienst Dist. (fire truck); Bill Reynolds ('39 Studebaker truck); Tiki (limo); Rickie Brown (1946 WW2 Jeep); Matt White (gray convertible); Wayne Chapman (2 convertible & 1 truck); Charles Pusson (4 wheelers); Jimmy Lumpkins (model T); Rhea Hemmings (antique truck); James Self (small motorcycles); Suzane Schwab (truck); CJ Danna (Miller Light truck); Farouk (on foot); James Stuart (29 Ford Model Street Rod); DA Kamping Krewe (golf cart), Josh Clausson (glof cart); Dennis Gassen (golf cart); Pat Self (golf cart); Neil Jones (golf cart); Harry & Sue Sharpless (golf cart); Bob Mergan (golf cart); Mark Hunstinger (golf cart); Mike Bourque (golf cart)

ABOUT BOLIVAR PENINSULA COMMUNITY OUTREACH:

                    In 1995, five dedicated Christians joined to form the Bolivar Peninsula Community Outreach Committee. The first order of business was to start a food bank for those who needed help on the Peninsula. Then, at Christmas time, members donated money for children who needed toys and clothing for Christmas.

                    In March, 1997, the program was organized under the umbrella of the local AARP group. Sixteen persons were present at the meeting, the purpose of which was to expand the Food bank and enlist more interest in the Children's Christmas. The name, "Bolivar Peninsula Community Outreach" was taken. A bank account was opened with $500. The first year the Outreach delivered 39 Thanksgiving baskets and 98 children were provided with Christmas gifts.

                    Throughout the years, the Outreach provided assistance to from 20-200 children and from 12-75 families a year every Christmas and Thanksgiving. All of this has been done using donations from various sources.

                    In 2006, BPCO endeavored to become more involved in community outreach. New leadership suggested that the organization was now ready to act on its own. The process of becoming an official non-profit charitable organization was begun. On December 14, 2006, the Articles of Incorporation were filed.

                    In 2008, we undertook a more aggressive approach to providing nutritious food for low income persons. A partnership with "Gleanings from the Harvest" provided semi-trucks full of produce to the Peninsula every Monday. Volunteers assisted in the dissemination of the goods.

                    All documentation was in order by the summer of 2008, but before the 501c(3) process could be finalized, Hurricane Ike hit.  At this time we have a tax-free number: 23-7319310 and are waiting for the official notice of our 501c(3) status.

BPCO Organizing Volunteer Workers

BPCO has an unusual group of volunteers working with us on the peninsula this week. This is a group of 20 women - all from the east coast. They are skilled workers - some of them have worked building homes for Habitat for Humanity.  They are working in what used to be "Second Going" and also in various homes in the community - getting more folks back to "normal."

20 volunteers each week from January 18th to the middle of March are here. They stay in the Presbyterian Retreat Center in High Island and the base of operations is at the 1050 Bay Vue Drive location.

A generous gift for Ike victims

Advertising Opportunity with our Local Chamber

There is a great opportunity for you to advertise your business on a billboard located on the major highway arteries leading to Crystal Beach.  The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will administer billboards within the areas of the Golden Triangle/Beaumont, Galveston, Houston areas. The message will be stating that Crystal Beach is "Open for Business",etc..   There will be a very affordable advertising fee per month due at the end of each month for a six month period.

If you would like to see your business name in front of 70,000+ people per day, please contact the BPCOC @ our email address: bolivarpeninsulachamber@yahoo.com or call 409-684-5940 with your interest and/or attend a BPCOC Tourism Meeting on Feb. 18 @ 5:30 (Coconuts VIP Room).  We will have our advertising agent there to explain the advertising program to you.

Thank You, The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
409.684.5940, Mon-Fri 10a.m.-2p.m., www.bolivarchamber.org

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!!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Primary Election

Commissioner of General Land Office seeks 4 yr. term

Offices up for Election in 2010  CLICK HERE

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/whatisontheballot.shtml

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Primary Election

Commissioner of General Land Office seeks 4 yr. term

Offices up for Election in 2010  CLICK HERE

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/whatisontheballot.shtml

 Ballot Proposition 4: Public Acknowledgement of God
The use of the word "God", prayers, and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be permitted on government buildings and property.

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.

"When you cannot make up your mind between two evenly balanced courses of action, choose the bolder." ~ William Joseph Slim

Bolivar in the news.....

Bolivar Peninsula Mardi Gras 2010

This year is the biggest EVER... 59 entries in all and the most wonderful group of cheering crowds you could ever ask for.  The Chamber gave prize money to the best of Large Floats, Small Floats and Vehicles.  Winners were, Large Floats - ReMax (Loves Bolivar) - 1st, Krewe De BeauCoups - 2nd; Tx 1st Bank - 3rd. Small Floats - Crystal Beach Fishing Club - Yellow Submarine - 1st; Swedes - Love Shack - 2nd; Pat's Tries (Loves Bugs) 3rd.  Vehicles - Harry & Sue (golf cart w/glasses) 1st; Erwin McMilian (2007 honda rebel) - 2nd; Rhea Hemmings - Sweet Potatoe Queens - Wannabees - 3rd.

Until Next Mardi Gras, Les le bon ton roule! http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000024316

Island hotels booked up for Mardi Gras

By T.J. Aulds The Daily News

Published February 14, 2010

GALVESTON - There are several ways to measure how successful Mardi Gras was this weekend. You could count one-by-one the number of people who lined the route of the parades.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d1fb1af4f6a8242a

Break out! Time to plan your spring break beach trip

By Helen Anders AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Updated: 10:36 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

Published: 12:44 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

This year, spring break gets back to normal on the Texas coast. No more getting crowded out of hotels by post-hurricane construction workers. Shops and restaurants are back, except for a few that couldn't survive the double whammy of the storm and the recession. Many beach houses have been rebuilt.

http://www.statesman.com/life/travel/break-out-time-to-plan-your-spring-break-235496.html

Forgotten

Hurricane Ike and one city's refusal to die while no one was watching

We're devoting one chapter of "Forgotten" to telling the story of what happened on the Bolivar Peninsula. I think a lot of people dismissed the damage in Crystal Beach, Gilchrist and the other peninsula communities because so many of the homes lost belonged to wealthy people who rented them to visitors. If more of the homes obliterated by Hurricane Ike belonged to full-time residents, I think the peninsula would have gotten much more sympathy, and therefore help. http://www.forgottengalveston.com/

Residents say goodbye to Fema's

Community Park in Bridge City
TEXAS CITY, Texas - One year after the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened a temporary manufactured housing community site in Bridge City to provide disaster housing to 39 households displaced by Hurricane Ike, the last resident has left and the park is closing.

http://www.theanahuacprogress.com/articles/2010/02/11/news/news12.txt

A history of Mardi Gras at a glance

By Emily Carden

It is hard to imagine something other than what Mardi Gras is today. From the costumes, parades and festivities, all seem to have been around for years. While this is true, the history of Mardi Gras has a detailed and fascinating past that most are unaware. http://tigerweekly.com/article/02-10-2010/13644

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

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