By JIM NICHOLS Another author used the phrase “receiving the moment” as a paraphrase for contemplation and it struck a positive note with me. It was an admonition to pay closer attention and see what memories and aspirations God calls up from seemingly unnoticeable events. The biting wind of the day had relaxed to near zero leaving only a clear,
Read moreEditor’s Note: Jim Nichols wrote this piece for Spirit of Abilene just before Christmas 2019. The message is too good not to re-post for 2020. By JIM NICHOLS “No more let sin and sorrow grow,Nor thorns infest the ground;He comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found.” Somewhere in town is an unknown clerk at a convenience
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“The Year of COVID-19” won’t be celebrated by many people, but don’t discount the innovation and creativity that continues to pop up because of the pandemic. Spirit of Abilene would like to share the innovative and creative ways that congregations, or individuals, are coping with the chaos brought about by the coronavirus. What does your “Everyday Ministry” look like during this
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By LORETTA FULTON Someday, Nathan Wright wants to put his math and science skills to work as either an aerospace or chemical engineer. For now, he’s perfectly happy using his muscles more than his brainpower to help others. Wright is one of 12 missionaries in Abilene serving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Wednesday, July 22, they
Read moreRamadan, featuring a month of fasting and other obligations, will be observed by Muslims April 12-May 12. Abilene does not have a larger number of Muslims, but they will join others in complying with the traditional requirements of Ramadan. Following is a link to an explanation of Ramadan and its traditions. According to the article, more than one billion Muslims
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury They are to be commended–the “big box” store planners–for the many “edges” they’ve honed to make it to the ladder’s top for in-store shopping. Who would have guessed their modus operandi would feature vendors lined up like carnival barkers soon after shoppers have shown their credit card IDs for entry? Patrons truly haven’t “rolled” very
Read moreChristians got a glimpse of the future of the church on Easter Sunday, a story by Religion News Service says. The article was based on interviews with numerous pastors of various denominations nationwide. “The pandemic has ‘redefined for me what church is going to be like and what the definition of membership is,’ said one pastor in North Carolina. Read
Read moreA world premiere by Dr. Bernard Scherr, professor of music theory and composition at Hardin-Simmons University, will be part of a concert on Sunday, April 11, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. The church’s Chamber Music Concert Series begins at 5 p.m. and is free to the public. Sunday’s concert, “Baroque ‘N’ Modern,” will feature Dr. David Amlung,
Read moreErica Pangburn is returning home to be the new executive director of Global Samaritan Resources, replacing Michael Bob Starr, who held the position for four years. Global Samaritan made the announcement in a news release April 1. Starr is a retired Air Force colonel who announced his departure earlier in the year. Starr previously was 7th Bomb Wing Commander at
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It’s an expression tossed about regularly; calling it “trite” would be an understatement for the proverb originating in 12th century Germany that is still valid today. Just as rivers still run downstream, hot air rises and cream comes to the top, blood remains thicker than water now like when it was coined nine centuries ago. It
Read moreBy MICHAEL SISBishop, Catholic Diocese of San Angelo This is our second Easter during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have had our share of troubles over the past year. Most of us know people who died with COVID. Many have lost jobs. Families have struggled with virtual schooling. In the midst of so much hardship, it is good to ponder what
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Abilene Christian University’s stunning 53-52 win over the University of Texas at the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament is a great example of why the annual event is called “March Madness.” It was ACU’s second trip to the “big dance,” and its first win in the biggest basketball upset since David bested Goliath. Abilene radio sportscaster
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By DARRYL TIPPENS So now we are in the season of Lent, a time for penitence and self-denial. While the observance officially began on Ash Wednesday, rather than 40 days, it feels more like a 400-day observance. During this time, so many things have been denied to us—time with family, face-to-face worship, live entertainment, freedom to travel, and during our
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