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 moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury That my Uncle Mort is determined to keep his enlightened self-interest inflated to the max is a foregone conclusion. For more than a century, he has claimed much from Independence Day celebrations, since he and Uncle Sam share the same July 4 birthday. Mort, who turned 107 recently, has always chosen red, white
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON A move to Abilene as senior pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church put Steve Patterson almost back at Square One, give or take about 30 miles and a population difference of several thousand people. The journey to St. Paul started in 1991 at the United Methodist Church in Avoca, located southeast of Stamford in Jones County.
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By LORETTA FULTON The following article by Loretta Fulton first was published in the Abilene Reporter-News June 29 July will be a momentous month for Dennis and Janelle O’Connell, but June wasn’t bad either. On July 7, the couple will celebrate 40 years of marriage and on July 20 they will depart for Thailand for their 20th mission trip with
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By DANNY MINTON When you go into battle, chances are you are going to face an injury or wounds of some type. My battle injuries have not come from war since I have never been able to serve our country in this manner. My battle scars come from sports. In baseball, I’ve had “strawberries” from sliding into a base and
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Radio listeners heard it from the lips of England’s Prime Minister–the inimitable Winston Churchill. In the 1939 radio broadcast, he said Russia “is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” Fast forward 80 years to Uncle Mort’s 107th birthday party on July 4. This old Churchillian quote fits my kin quite well,
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By LORETTA FULTON The 116th edition of the annual Original West Texas District Assocation got off to a rousing start Monday night, with praise and worship music, scripture reading and words of welcome from representatives of several Abilene institutions. The opening musical program held at New Fellowship Baptist Church set the tone, literally and figuratively, for the coming five days
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By LORETTA FULTON In her recurring dream, Elizabeth Flores is holding her baby daughter, Harley, in a small room in Agreda, Spain, waiting for a priest to take her. “I’m handing her over to be baptized,” Flores said. In reality, Harley Flores is 15 and a student at Abilene High School. But in May, Elizabeth and Harley actually were in
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