Articles by Toni Becker

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Senator McCaskill Appearing in Poplar Bluff

August 4, 2009 in Archived Announcement by Toni Becker | 11 comments

Missouri Senator, Claire McCaskill, is hosting a town hall meeting to hear the input of her constituents on the health care “reform” debate that is currently raging across America. The free and public event will be held on Monday, August 10 at 2:30 PM at the Rutland Library on Three Rivers Community College Campus. (2080 Three Rivers Blvd. in Poplar Bluff). UPDATE: According to TRCC, the event will be at the Tinnin Fine Art Center, not the Library. (Thanks, Eleisha!)

You can contact the Senator by calling her Columbia Office at 573-442-7130 or emailing her through her web site with any questions or to make your voice heard on this crucial issue.

There are many websites to get up to speed on the topic of “health care reform” to equip you further in clarifying your opinion between now and then. I strongly urge you to take the time to attend this town hall meeting with Senator McCaskill and respectfully state your concerns or register your support before the Senate reconvenes in the fall.

To RSVP your attendance, please contact: http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/poplarbluff081009/

It’s For The Kids

July 13, 2009 in Entertainment, Features, General Articles, Human Interest, Sports by Toni Becker | 6 comments

An enormous amount of energy from a wide cast of participants goes into carrying out a successful summer youth baseball season. You’ve got the Park Department staff, coaches, parents, players, concession staff and ball park maintenance staff, each playing a vital role in pulling it all together. Now we know that baseball enthusiasts come in all ages, but the cliché is true that the baseball program is primarily “for the kids.”
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“Mirror, Mirror On TheWall…”

April 17, 2009 in Business, Features, General Articles, Human Interest by Toni Becker | 1 comment

In just a few short weeks the weather will warm us to the idea of shedding some layers of clothing and even trying on last summer’s bathing suit. It is then, when that Paul Lynde voice behind the dreaded mirror reflection either purrs and winks back or grimaces while hurling awful insults, that we are faced with the consequences of a long winter’s worth of food and exercise choices. I can think of two friends, off the top of my head, to whom the mirror will be kind, but if you are like me, you are woeful at the wiggliness of that skin between your elbow and arm pit, sickened at the size of your thighs, bothered by your blubbery belly… Can I get an “Amen” here, people?
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A Fresh, New Voice in Music

February 27, 2009 in Entertainment, Features, General Articles, Human Interest, Uncategorized by Toni Becker | 1 comment

A little over a year ago I attended Gateway Church with some friends who’d recently relocated to Dallas from Poplar Bluff. Setting the worshipful tone of the morning’s service included a young, female worship leader named Kari Jobe.


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Swimming Upstream with the Duggars

January 27, 2009 in Entertainment, Features, General Articles, Human Interest by Toni Becker | 7 comments

I had just concluded a lecture-ette, warning my children not to believe that anything said or done on the iCarly show (or any TV show for that matter) resembled reality. “Try talking to your boss disrespectfully some day and see if your real life ‘audience’ cheers you on like that! No. You will end up on the street with your little box of office knickknacks.”

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Advent: The Christ-Child Candle

December 24, 2008 in General Articles, Holiday Posts by Toni Becker

This is the final post of a 7-part series on Advent by Toni and Brian Becker.

Opening Prayer and Lighting of Candles
[light the four candles]
God of wonders, we worship You. We know that You are here with us as we focus our hearts and minds on the miracle of Christ’s birth. What a wondrous season this is when its true meaning is celebrated! Thank You for Your amazing love for us. We surrender our hearts here in worship. You alone deserve our praise.

Songs of Worship
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
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Advent: Lighting the Third Candle

December 11, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Holiday Posts by Toni Becker

This is part 5 of a 7-part series on Advent by Toni and Brian Becker.

[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer and Lighting of First and Second Candle
[light the first and second candle]
Father, we take this time to pause and consider how good and faithful You are. We acknowledge and thank You for the moments You have given us to spend here on earth together. Your loving-kindness sustains us. We apologize for the ways in which we violate Your commandments of love and squander precious moments of this life. Thank You for Your mercy. Fill us with Your peace. Our souls’ joy is found in You. Open our hearts to listen to what You have to say to us in this Advent time. Amen.
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Advent: Lighting the Second Candle

December 4, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Holiday Posts by Toni Becker

This is part 4 of a 7-part series on Advent by Toni and Brian Becker.

[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer and Lighting of First Candle
[light the first candle]
Lord God, we open our hearts to You. We remember that the first candle represents the hope that we have in You, the light of the world. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Oh God. You are long-suffering and full of loving-kindness. We are the recipients of that love even when we are the least deserving of any of it. We are humbled in Your Presence. We worship You in spirit and in truth and know that we will be changed for the better for the time we spend in Your company. Forgive us. Fill us with Your Spirit. Draw us close to You now.
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Advent: The First Candle – Advent Service (Nov 30)

November 27, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Holiday Posts by Toni Becker

This is part 3 of a 7-part series on Advent by Toni and Brian Becker.

[Play Christmas worship music before gathering to set a special tone. You can even play the four songs you are going to sing during the service to familiarize everyone to the songs.]

Opening Prayer
Lord God, Creator of all of heaven and earth, we gather in Your holy Presence during this sacred season to remember and celebrate the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus. Open our hearts to hear Your voice of love and truth so that this time spent in Your presence will make us better examples of Your love in this world.
Forgive us of every sin so we can worship you with clean hearts. We set our hearts to worship You now. In Your holy Name we pray.
Amen.
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Advent: Reclaiming the Spirit of Christmas

November 21, 2008 in Features, General Articles, Holiday Posts by Toni Becker

This is part 1 of a 7-part series on Advent by Toni and Brian Becker.

One very special way our family celebrates the Christmas season is to have “Advent time” together in our home. Advent is a season where believers in Jesus Christ remember His arrival on earth as a baby in Bethlehem and ready our hearts for His return to earth as the Lord of all. Some of our favorite family memories were born during these sacred, and dare I say, silly moments huddled around our fireplace, reading from the Bible by candle light.

advent-wreath.JPG

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