Despite the COVID 19 virus, activities have not stopped in our town. Visitors have enjoyed our beaches, our fireworks and our hospitality in growing numbers. If you have been sheltering in place, wearing a mask or practicing social distancing, you are in the minority in POC!

FBC POC has been very busy preparing the Wednesday free meals. A very dedicated group of ladies and gentlemen have worked hard each week to make sure an average of 50 +/- people were provided with delicious dinners. The project was ended the last Wednesday of June. A big “THANK YOU” to all who helped with this endeavor.

The church had planned to honor our 2020 graduates with a Bible presentation and a meal. Sam Thuman attended the church service on June 14 and our Music/Youth Minister, Bro Raymond Grant presented him with a new Bible. Congratulations to Sam and all the other graduates. The meal had to be postponed to a later date because of the pandemic concerns.

On a very happy note, several of our children did get to go to Palacios to attend Camp KHAOS. Along with all the outdoor activities, they attended Bible study groups. God is so good and four of our young children accepted Christ as their personal Savior while there. There cannot be much happier news than that!

Vacation Bible School was held July 5-8, once again under the very capable direction of Candice Stryker. She always has everything under control! Considering these strange times we are living through, we had a large number of children attend, an average of 40 per day! Most of the activities were held outside, even though we were experiencing some of the hottest days of the year. Judging by their smiling faces and laughter, the children didn’t seem to mind the heat at all. They were just so glad to be around other children for the first time in a while. Thank you, Candice, and everyone else who helped make this VBS a big success. We take so much for granted, most of all our freedom.

We were thrilled to welcome a group of youth and adults from Highland Heights Baptist Church, Benton, Arkansas, to help out with our VBS. Their pastor is Brian Moore, Student Pastor Bryce Nalley, and his wife, Worship Leader Alyssa Miller Nalley. (Can you guess whose daughter she might be?) They kept the canopies erected, the kids in order, the activities, running smoothly and did anything else that needed doing. They also did some community service projects and Commissioner Reese provided them with vests, gloves and trash bags! Thank you, also, to Bro. Erny McDonough and Fisherman’s Chapel, for the use of their retreat center to house our visitors. We hope they enjoyed their time here in POC because we enjoyed getting to know them. Except for the humidity and giant mosquitoes, I think they did.

As ongoing projects, we are collecting food for the community food pantry and small items for the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas boxes. This month’s items on the wish list for the shoe boxes are school supplies and clothes. Please remember these two worthy projects need prayers and donations to succeed.

As always, our Pastor Phillip Miller and our congregation are waiting to welcome you to any of our weekly activities. We have masks and gloves available if you need them. The facilities are continuously disinfected and we are practicing social distancing. No hugs or handshakes are allowed, but we do have plenty of smiles behind our face masks. Church services are Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:45 a.m. Bible study for women is at 4:00 p.m. and for men at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Wednesday night Prayer meeting is at 6:00 p.m.

For the Ladies of the POC Community Service Club, it has been “business as usual”, doing great things for the POC Community!!!

In June the Service Club donated money to each of the well deserving 2020 POC High School Graduates, and had their first ever “MINI GARAGE SALE”, which was quite successful!!

In July they have delivered baked goods for the Fourth of July Fundraisers of the “POC Cemetery Association’s Bake Sale” and the “POC Volunteer Fire Department’s Barbecue Dinner”. The Club continues to restock buckets for the two “Beach Clean Up Stations” at Front Beach”, restock bags for the “Pet Clean Up Stations” at Front Beach, and make monetary “In Memorium” donations to the POC Cemetery Association for deceased POC Residents.

The Club is also busily preparing for their July “MINI GARAGE SALE” which will be held:
Friday July 24, 2020 6-8 PM
Saturday July 25, 2020 8-11 AM
1508 W. Adams (Corner of 16th Street and Hwy 185)
Something for everyone!! Lots of Sporting goods, fishing equipment, books, DVD movies, portable luggage carrier, bike rack, wheeless trailer, patio furniture, yard toys, etc!!! It is recommended that everyone wear a face mask and practice “Social Distancing” while at the Garage Sale.

The Service Club continues to need and accept your generous donations of clothes, shoes, decorative and household items, small appliances, toys, sporting goods equipment, tools, dishes, etc. Unfortunately, we cannot accept furniture, mattresses, or electronics. A huge “Thank You” to everyone for your continuous support of the Service Club and its fundraising efforts!! To donate items, please contact:

Alane Haardt- 281-416-6028
Marie Hawes- 361-920-2322
Terri McGuire- 817-980-1625

The Club’s next Meeting will be held on August 6, 2020 10:00 AM at the Pavilion at Front Beach. If you are interested in joining this wonderful group of ladies, who work tirelessly for the betterment of the POC Community, we would love to have you!! All are welcome!!!

When we think of eternity, do we truly believe it is hot in Port O’Connor? Summers are not always pleasant here, but there are many other places that are much more miserable to live! I am thankful that the Lord sent us to POC, because once he sent me to Buckeye, Arizona, where we pastored for almost four years and that place was the”hottest spot in America” many days!

What a great Fathers’ Day celebration! Marty’s Landing provided us with the gifts we gave each dad present, for which we are very grateful! The men always enjoy them greatly and we always have some of our ladies who wish they could receive one as well, instead of the chocolates! We followed the celebration with a Men’s Breakfast and enjoyed an old fashion breakfast, complete with egg, sausage, biscuits, and gravy (from the Old Indian Secret Recipe)!

We are honored that the Reverends Everett and Debbie Rucick have moved back this direction and are spending a frew days at the Chapel. They have been a great blessing in the past when they lived here and are a great blessing now! Welcome Home! Reverend Debbie’s Dad was the great fishing guide, Mr. Overton, so she grew up in Port O’Connor, and continues her friendships with many who are still here.

We were honored to have Pastor Bryan and his wife Sarah her from Denton for a few days. Their children were at a Youth Camp and they ran on down here to spend almost a week with us. Oh Wednesday, July 1, Pastor Bryan spoke at our Midweek Service and we were greatly blessed.

As all have, our schedules have been changing. Many events have been cancelled but that does not mean that we are not busy. Our Retreat Center continues to host folks from all around these parts and they are always a blessing when they come. We believe that when we have Christian groups here it helps change the atmosphere and God’s blessings rain down harder! Thank the Lord for “Showers of Blessings”!

We are thoroughly excited about Sunday, July 19. One of our local ladies, Jessica, has been away at a Christian Rehab Center for the past four months. The reports that we have received are that she is doing excellently. She will be here for the 10:00 and ll:00 a.m. services and will share her testimony of God’s Grace upon her life. No one will want to miss this special service. There will be others from the same Center who will also share what the Lord can do when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit. It will be a great time of rejoicing.

On July 31 and August 1, Friday evening and Saturday morning, Pastor Joane will be leading a Ladies Retreat. The special speaker is Pastor Susan Nordin, who is also president of Home of Hope. Home of Hope is a place where sex slaves are rescued and find safety and help to put some normalcy back into there lives. Most of us know that Houston is a major area in our Nation for sexual slavery and we are honored to have an opportunity to minister unto these young ladies’ needs. Pastor Susan is also very anointed speaker and lives will be enriched in this Retreat. Ladies, make contact with Pastor Joane as soon as possible for additional information at 361/648-4622.

It is not too early to begin praying for our schools and our children. School is scheduled to start on August 11, and both the Teachers and Students need our prayers. With all the unrest in our nation, we believe in the power of prayer and are asking the Lord for His mercy and blessings. Be watchful because some of the kids here may be walking or riding their bicycles and others will be standing in the dark awaiting the arrival of their bus.

We continued feeding needy families in this community from our Food Pantry. We also have received some pastries from another food bank which we have distributed. The community has generously provided much needed funds and we are honored to share them with those who come to us in need.

Captain Robert will be returning for another Captains’ Class on August 21. The Class will conclude on August 28. Those interested in receiving credentials from the Coast Guard to be a boat captain should contact Captain Robert as soon as possible at 361/758-6184.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is to assist all in their journey to find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Our service schedule begins on Sunday morning at 10 with Bible Study; 11 a.m. is Morning Service; and 6 p.m. is the Evening Service. We also give opportunity for those who wish an in depth bible Study on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.. Our study is called Fisherman’s Buble Institute and is taught by Pastor Joane. Our Midweek Service is on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Birds are singing, cicadas are buzzing, and…raccoons are out in the daytime? Summer is officially here, and that means wildlife is out and about, searching for food, raising their young, and seeking new territory. Many animals share our human spaces with us, and as we spend more time outside, we’re bound to run into them going about their lives. So to prepare for all of the wonderful wildlife encounters that summertime brings, I’d like to dispel some common wildlife misconceptions!

One of my fondest memories from childhood is heading to the park and feeding the ducks some bread. Only now am I learning that bread isn’t a healthy food for ducks, and it can actually harm them in the long term. Bread is full of carbs, and not much else—therefore, it doesn’t offer much nutritional value for the ducks, and can cause unhealthy weight gain. There are many healthy alternatives for feeding ducks, including frozen peas, grains like barley and oats, and grapes (cut them in half first!). Feeding ducks is a great way to get to know your local wildlife—just make sure it’s healthy for them!

Something that we hear a lot as bird biologists is that friends have found an “abandoned” baby bird in their yard. Animals do not make a habit of abandoning their babies, so there are several reasons for why you might find a baby bird all alone on the ground. If the baby is featherless or covered in downy feathers, it has likely fallen out of the nest, and the parents are still feeding it! If you can, place the baby bird back in the nest. It is a common misconception that birds will abandon their babies due to human scent. If you find a feathered young bird on the ground, it is a fledgling, and it’s learning to fly. Try and keep pets away from fledglings, as they can’t escape easily just yet!

In a similar vein, if you find an “abandoned” fawn (young deer) without mom in sight, leave it there! Mother deer leave their fawns alone almost all day, only checking on them occasionally, to keep them safe from predators. The mother will return, so leave them be! If you find an injured animal, do not touch it, or attempt to feed it; call your local wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

Another common misconception about wildlife is that if a nocturnal animal, like a raccoon, fox, or opossum, is seen outside during daylight hours, then that animal must have rabies. This is just not true! Animals can be outside in the daytime for many, many reasons that are not because they are infected with rabies. While nocturnal animals prefer the cover of night for most of their activity, sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the night to get everything done!

With hungry babies to feed, mother animals must spend large amounts of time searching for food, which might happen during the day. After those hungry babies grow up into hungry adults, they leave mom and dad and search for a new home. Because territories nearby where they grew up are occupied, young animals may have to search for long distances, and during the day, to find a new home. Seeing nocturnal wildlife during the day isn’t a bad thing—try and appreciate seeing these secretive creatures in the light!

“The Way I See It” is an attempt by the columnist to enlighten readers on a subject as he views it, and does not necessarily reflect the views of this publication. (See website for links and updates.)

Independence Day

Read the Declaration of Independence again. Try to understand what the words mean. The Declaration of Independence is our FOUNDING DOCUMENT. More here about what that really Means! And see: https://tnm.me/news/commentary/truth-independence-day-july-4th?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=truth-independence-day-july-4th&goal=0_244a299551-462db8bccd-320799717&mc_cid=462db8bccd&mc_eid=a3732b35cc
The Constitution was a “Contract” between We the PEOPLE of the Several States, then recognized as ‘Independent Nations’ by the Treaty of Paris-1783; the Governments of those Several States; and a “created entity” called the United States, or “Federal Govt”. This Contract created the Federal Govt and gave it specific and limited powers. The Federal Govt was the “agent” of the other Parties to create a “Union” for the defense of all Parties and secure borders; to regulate trade both between the State, and with foreign nations; a Postal Service; and to provide the diplomatic services needed with foreign powers. Another important Federal Duty was to create, mint, and regulate a stable currency. Also to regulate Citizenship and Immigration for the benefit of the Citizens (We the People), the States, and the Union.

At this point in our history, the Federal Govt does not perform any of these mandated services for the benefit of the Citizens, or the States. In fact, usually quite the opposite. President Trump has tried very hard to bring the Federal Govt back to being a “better agent”, more loyal to their Sworn Duties under the Constitution, and trying to limit the bureaucracies to their mandated duties. The Federal UniParty Establishment has resisted, obstructed, lied about, and even falsely accused and brought law-suits against him; even tried to impeach him over his trying to do his sworn duty and keep promises to the Voters who put him in office. The various departments, bureaucracies, even Courts are in “seditious rebellion” against not only President Trump and the American Citizen/Voters, but the Constitution (Contract) that created the “Federal Govt”, and the Existing Laws, Constitutionally passed by previous Administrations.

The ‘Federal Govt”, in many of it’s departments, is refusing to follow the spirit, intent, or letter of the Constitution, to the severe detriment of many States and most of our lawful Citizens. Those “Federal” entities are in violation of their Oaths to our “Contract”, causing corruption of the Courts with “Case Law” instead of Constitutional Law, and refusing to hold certain Judges and Justices to their Oaths of Office, making it impossible for President Trump as Chief Executive to “Enforce the Contract”. Under American Law, Common Law, and historical Western Law, whenever one Party is in Violation of a Contract, and the Other Parties have no legal means to enforce the Contract, the Contract become(s) NULL and VOID.

The Constitution created the Federal Govt, so if the Constitution is null and void, then so is the Fe(de)ral Govt. Therefore, The Several States, lawfully each a separate “nation under international law” from the Declaration of Independence, don’t even need to “secede”! The Federal Govt by it’s refusal to follow the Contract, allowing repeated violations of its own laws by favored individuals and groups, and usurpation of powers not mandated by the Contract, even if created by Bureaucratic Fiat or regulation, this unlawful “Fe(de)ral Govt” has destroyed itself.

We must return to the Declaration of Independence as our sole LAWFUL Founding Document. The Several States can simply “WalkAway” from the self-destroyed Dem-Soc/Marxist/Globalist “Fe(de)ral Govt”, and seek among themselves to form a new “Union”, or not, as it best suits the desires and means of their Property Owners, Producers, and other loyal lawful Citizens willing to defend their States.

Hard times require hard decisions by hard men and women willing to defend, rebuild, and improve their communities and States. The Gimmiecrats, Globalists, Marxists, and other parasites will not, and can not without control of the Productive Citizens and the real wealth we produce. American Citizens of all races, backgrounds, skills, and present economic levels CAN, as long as they have the desire and will to do so, and follow:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men (and Women) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”

The “long Train of Abuses and Usurpation” we have suffered so long at the hands of Marxists and Globalists “pursuing invariably the same Object”, a centralized and totalitarian Federal Govt, to rule “under absolute Despotism”rather than govern under our Constitution. To rule for the benefit of ‘self-appointed Elite and their minions’, rather than the safety, liberty, and individual Rights of our Citizens, MUST END! The Original Intent of the Constitution must be enforced for all loyal, law-abiding American Citizens, not “Federally preferred Special Groups, Foreign Entities, foreign philosophies, or Mega Rich would-be Oppressors”. Or to provide wage slaves and New Voters for these Anti-American elements.

We are “Created equal”, but do not stay equal in ability, education, or skills. It is beyond the earthly powers of any govt to “create prosperity for all”, only equal opportunity; but a corrupt govt can “create artificial prosperity” for some by stealing the production of wealth from others. Govts cannot create wealth except through slavery or theft, or by what they like to now call “Redistribution”, or creating Fiat ‘money’ that only destroys the value of the previously earned currency. There is NO Free Lunch! Someone always “pays”, and if you take anything from a corrupt govt, it will end up being you, also.

Washington DC is completely dysfunctional now. Either they get back to the Constitution, or the Conservative Christian States will have to separate. The Dem-Socs and their Media are intentionally leading the gullible people into Anarchy and a Marxist Revolution; so let them have it and see how long that lasts! After they fail, perhaps they will want to rejoin a Constitutional Union, but they are now the “Insufferable Abuses”, and Constitutionalist Americans will not tolerate Marxist Globalist slavery.