By NANCY PATRICK Living in the Bible Belt of America has many advantages. Christian people who live morally upright lives, support their families, participate in their communities, donate to charities, and exemplify integrity and honor comprise the majority of the community. In spite of the positive aspects of living in a Christian community, some people feel alone and alienated when
Read moreDr. Travis Frampton, longtime religion professor and administrator at Hardin-Simmons University, has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Schreiner University in Kerrville. Frampton, who has been at Hardin-Simmons 19 years, currently serves as vice president for university mission and strategic vision at HSU. According to a news release from Hardin-Simmons, Frampton has held numerous positions, including professor
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A minister friend–aware of ever-growing complications and mounting tonnage at the trough of trivia–often used the expression from the pulpit, in staff meetings and in conversation. He felt strongly about “keeping the main thing the main thing.” It was a serious challenge made so often that friends often referred to him as the “main
Read moreBy NATHAN JOWERS Now winter distributes cold lungs under bows of wind, the reddish haze of Abilene’s sky spread by streetlamps that pin the seams of our poorly wrapped city. This poured-out town will roll into wilderness, a pacified lake of civilization between empty sweeps of a blue-norther chill. Waking to daylight, a bright-beaten ruin is level and wide as
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We’ve heard about the chances of being hit by lightning, winning the lottery or scoring a hole-in-one on the golf course, but nothing about the probability of two distinguished educators meeting up at a rodeo. Dr. Ronny Collins, former school superintendent at Wellington, Jacksboro, Snyder and Mineral Wells, was a rodeo clown to
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By AMY BOONE It’s been only two hours since I heard the news of Rachel Held Evans’ death. I was walking to my car after browsing a vintage market following the always inspiring and delightful CASA Superhero 5K. All week this day had been taunting me with its potential for fun and adventure. A couple of texts buzzed my pocket.
Read moreBy JIM McDONALD Baptism is a sacrament that John the Baptist performed for many and later baptized Jesus and this was firmly approved by God. Baptism is by water. Water is a component created by God. It is essential and useful in many applications. One interesting example is that fire must have fuel and heat to burn. Water (H2O) contains hydrogen, a
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By DANNY MINTON Where were you on May 5, 1961? Of course, some of you would have to admit you were too young to remember or had not entered this world at the time. Me? I was in the seventh grade 58 years ago this weekend. It was a Friday morning. The time was 8:37 Central Time, 9:37 Eastern. At that
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