One summer, I was in Montana at my son, Marty’s house while on vacation. And each day, I took a walk to gather myself and listen to music. After about 40 minutes, I realized I should turn around— since I was on a ridge in the forest. And since some of my son’s neighbors had witnessed a black bear in the area.
Matthew 13: 18-23 Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Scams related to cryptocurrency jumped from the seventh riskiest scam in 2020 to second riskiest in 2021, according to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, released today. Although cryptocurrency scams made up only 1.9% of the scams reported to BBB Scam TrackerSM in 2021, the average reported median dollar loss reported for these scams was $1,200, much higher than the overall median dollar loss of $169 for all scam types. The annual report analyzes scams reported to the Better Business Bureau.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun, concerns grow about current and potential emergency needs of the Ukraine people. Generous donors want to help by supporting charities that are raising funds for assistance. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips for donors to consider along with a list of BBB Accredited Charities that have announced Ukraine-related activities or plans on their websites.
The Northeast Texas Community College Foundation recently received a donation from the Jr. Delphian Club to support the Work4College Program. Jeanne Blevins (right) is pictured presenting the gift to Dr. Jonathan McCullough, NTCC Executive Vice President for Advancement. The Jr. Delphian Club gift, along with any others made to the Work4College program, will be matched dollar-for-dollar by two outside foundations. This means double the impact for gifts of all sizes. Please consider supporting the NTCC Foundation on East Texas Giving Day, which will be held on April 26. Gifts will be accepted starting April 4 at www.easttexasgivingday.org/ntccfoundation. COURTESY PHOTO
