Several laws passed in the 2021 Texas legislative sessions laws took effect Jan. 1, including a revision to how property taxes are collected, an expansion of the judicial branch and an amendment to pollution standards.

Strong harvest-time commodity prices pushed farmer confidence to its highest level in 16 months, said a Purdue University poll of large operators released on Tuesday. The abrupt 24-point climb in the Ag Economy Barometer “was motivated by producers’ stronger perception of current financial conditions on their farms,” said agricultural economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier.

If you are reading this column, that means you survived the sub-zero temperatures and the even worse wind chills of last week and are enjoying balmy (relatively speaking) temperatures now. A few of you braved the elements, though, and brought donated books to us here at Rhoads Memorial Library.

Headlines everywhere are warning about extremely cold weather conditions ahead as a result of the “Cyclone Bomb” winter storm. According to forecasts, most of the lower 48 states will be affected, meaning hundreds of millions of people will be preparing for potential hazards.

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Corinthian 4:1 NASB) Paul knew that anyone who preaches or embraces the Gospel would experience resistance. Therefore, Paul urges them to never lose heart.