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 moreHunter Brown with flowered cross at Potosi Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Hardin-Simmons University By GRACE MITCHELL Hardin-Simmons University While Logsdon students take classes in preparation for ministry, many students are already putting their knowledge into practice in ministry positions. Hunter Brown has been serving as the youth minister of Potosi Baptist Church for almost two years. During that time, he
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Tom Reeder preached his first sermon Sunday, June 9, as the transitional minister at First Christian Church. Reeder is replacing Susan Payne, who served First Christian for a little over a year as interim pastor. Her last Sunday before returning home to Tulsa, Oklahoma, was May 25. Reeder will be at First Christian for at least a
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Warnings abound concerning the danger of saying “never again.” Most of us are guilty of making false promises on topics such as New Year’s resolutions, diets and exercise. I’m ready, though, to admit past failures, place my right hand on a Bible stack and gaze heavenward for this solemn pledge. Never again will I
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By NANCY PATRICK People who don’t know me well consider me smart, energetic, outgoing, upbeat, and quite nice. I know this because others have told me, but sadly, these assessments describe the veneer that covers the melancholia I fight daily. I have written about depression before, thus establishing the gravity of a condition inexplicable to those immune to it. However,
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By LORETTA FULTON Julie Pompa knew how fortunate she was. Her house is on the outer edge of the main path of a tornado that swept through the west side of Abilene on May 18. She got some roof damage and is living with her mother for the time being, along with her children. It could have been much worse,
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By DANNY MINTON You stand quietly and read name after name. Names of people you don’t know. Names of people you’ve never met. Mostly kids. It’s difficult to read the names without tears welling up in your eyes. You are standing before The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Each name represents a sacrifice of a young life in pursuit of
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Surely it was a slow news day on both coasts recently. In Rhode Island, they unrolled fireman-grade water hoses to wash egg from the faces of school board members, and in California, a small, “highest-scale” coffee spot sold out of a new magical coffee brew despite its introductory price of $75 PER CUP. Left-coast
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