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Culpepper named PHS principal

Culpepper named PHS principal

Neuner, Plyler named principals of DES, FAE By Bru Nimmons Staff Reporter bnimmons@thepccourier.com COUNTY — The School District of Pickens More »

SCDOT seeking comment on 183-178 intersection

SCDOT seeking comment on 183-178 intersection

By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com PICKENS — Officials are seeking public comment on a proposed “road diet” along portions More »

Cannon Church breaks ground on new building

Cannon Church breaks ground on new building

By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — Construction of a $2 million addition to the grounds of Cannon Church More »

Lady Lions take down county foe Pickens for 18th straight victory

Lady Lions take down county foe Pickens for 18th straight victory

By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — After blowing by county foe Pickens in their first matchup this season, More »

Red Devils go cold against top-ranked High Point

Red Devils go cold against top-ranked High Point

By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com LIBERTY — Hosting top-ranked High Point on senior night, the sixth-ranked Liberty High School More »

Deep Winter Blues Festival returns

Deep Winter Blues Festival returns

PICKENS — The soulful sounds of the blues will once again echo through the hills of the Upstate as the More »

 

Darkness can never overcome God’s light

There is a lot of talk today about the reality of a global system of organized evil that controls the governments and social politics of the world.

There are many different attitudes, from thinking this is silly to being consumed with anxiety and stress. Those who pay little attention to the news have learned that ignoring negativity makes them more calm. However, just because someone puts their head in the sand does not mean the problems are not real. For those who carry the heavy burden of worrying about the future and their own safety, fear can take a devastating physical, emotional and spiritual toll on our personal well-being.

In psychology, we know there are subconscious reflexes that cause us to reject information that challenges our worldviews. When certain information is just too overwhelming, we can build barriers to prevent knowledge from intruding into our thought processes and also develop a familiar internal security system that allows us to feel contentment by concluding it’s not true. In other words, hiding our heads in the sands of denial is the easy way to avoid dealing with uncomfortable knowledge.

On the other hand, truth seekers embrace all opinions because they want to research as much as they can to discover what is right and wrong. Even if it’s painful.

As Christians, the empowerment of being indwelt with the presence of God and having the opportunity to renew our minds can completely transform our attitude. Instead of thinking about how weak we are and submitting to the imagination that we are going to be devoured, Christians must realize they are in covenant with the God of all creation, and as a part of His family, nothing is more devastating to the forces of evil than His authority. In our daily lives, darkness is never confronted or cast out by those who are shaking in their boots. Faith is having confidence in who God is and who we are in Him.

When the Bible says the enemy roars like a lion, it means he likes to make a lot of noise, but if we study this closely, this is a scare tactic he uses to make people believe he is stronger and more fierce than he actually is. This is a common strategy used in the animal kingdom, where certain species will puff themselves up, spread their feathers or do a lot of screaming to make their opponent afraid. The old saying that a dog’s bark is worse than his bite applies here.

As we pray for spiritual wisdom and discernment, we understand the devil is not a carnivorous beast looking to literally eat humans. He is trying to persuade and deceive someone who does not comprehend spiritual truth, and because of a lack of understanding, he will harass and bully them until they learn how to stop him in the Name of Jesus.

When we realize that Satan is a faker and underneath the mask is a sniveling coward, we can walk in the revelation of spiritual victory. God says, “My people perish from the lack of knowledge,” and this explains the foundation of spiritual warfare. The devil is sneaky and can throw obstacles in our path and he can make things difficult by launching ambush attacks, but the dark side cannot separate us from the love of God or stop us from accomplishing God’s will. What the enemy is trying to do is convince us that we are a failure, our mission is impossible, no one cares about us and we might as well give up.

Of course, this is a lie and has no effect on anyone “until” someone believes it. It’s true that mountains are moved by positive faith, but negative faith can also steal our joy and crush us under the weight of pessimism and doubt. Believing is the fervent acceptance of something we accept as true and releases power into whatever we agree with. Why is this important? The attitude of our conscience is forming the basis of who we are and who we will become. I encourage you today to guard your thoughts and your words and remember that God never fails.

When a room is dark and you turn on the light, what happens? Darkness runs and hides. God is Omnipotent, and evil will always bow down to Him.

William F. Holland Jr. is a minister, chaplain, psalmist and author. As a freelance faith writer, his books and newspaper and magazine articles are enjoyed around the world. Dr. Holland’s weekly column, “Living On Purpose” is focused on bringing spiritual hope and encouragement through God’s Word. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.

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Courier Obituaries 5-26-23

VICKIE DARLENE LEDFORD SWAYNGHAM

EASLEY — Mrs. Vickie Darlene Ledford Swayngham, 68, wife of William Paul Swayngham Jr. (Bill) went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Mrs. Swayngham was born in Easley, a daughter of the late Jack Ledford and the late Christine Painter-Watson. She was a graduate of Central Wesleyan University and was a retired accountant and a member of Hepsibah Baptist Church in Seneca.

Vickie loved her church kids and was a leader in several programs. She was Cubbie director and preschool choir director. She served in the

Go lemon all the way

Courier Comics, Puzzles and Games 7-26-23

Courier Classifieds 7-26-23

Announcements

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running or Not – 24 Hour Response – Maximum Tax Donation – Call (888) 515-3810.
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DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance – NOT just a

Courier Trespass Notices 7-26-23

In the state of South Carolina, trespass after notice is a misdemeanor criminal offense prohibited by section 16-11-620 for the South Carolina Code.
Those who enter upon the lands of others without the permission of the owner or manager shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor trespassing. All persons are hereby notified and warned not to hunt, fish, cut timber or trespass in any manner whatsoever upon the lands of the undersigned:

James Dan Winchester Aug. 2023

Courier Notice to Creditors 7-26-23

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on Form #371ES with the Probate Court of PICKENS COUNTY, the address of which is 222 MCDANIEL AVE., B-16 PICKENS, SC 29671, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.

 

Estate: Wallace Elmer Smith

Courier Legals Notices 7-26-23

SUMMONS
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF PICKENS
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
C.A. NO. 2023-CP-39-00430

Roger Moorehead, Plaintiff, v. Dawson Cagle and Rodney Cagle, Defendants.

TO THE DEFENDANTS ABOVE NAMED:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, of which a copy is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer to the said Complaint on the subscriber at this office at Post Office Box 35, Anderson, South Carolina, 29622,

Easley names new administrator

EASLEY — The current utilities director for the city of Camden will become Easley’s new city administrator.

In a release issued Friday, Easley officials announced the hiring of Tom Couch. City council approved Couch’s hiring in a special called meeting the previous day.

“Easley is a place unlike any other to work and live, beaming with citizens who are sincerely passionate about our city,” Easley Mayor Butch Womack said in the release. “City council took the task of choosing a new city administrator very seriously, as it was important to find an administrator

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Tax-free weekend planned Aug. 4-6

STATE — The S.C. Department of Revenue (DOR) has announced the dates of August’s tax-free weekend.

Computers, clothes, school supplies and other items can be purchased free of sales tax during the 72-hour holiday that begins Friday, Aug. 4.

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