THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Less is heard about trains these days, particularly since the homegoing of Johnny Cash. He always loved train songs. Accounts of a single railroad car are even rarer, despite the jump start provided in 1930 by “The Little Engine That Could,” a children’s book. This piece about Christmas centers on a single 1950-model
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By NANCY PATRICK The holiday seasons that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s evoke many emotions from many of us. As a child and young adult, I felt excitement and anticipation as I waited for the holidays. My family had many aunts, uncles, cousins, along with our parents and grandparents. These early occasions provided the few times we all had
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON On Christmas Day: Many will gather around the tree to open fancy gifts wrapped in bright paper and ribbons. Others will gather to open gifts not as fancy or as professionally wrapped. Some will gather with small gifts due to a loss of income. Others will have no gifts at all. On Christmas Day: Many will gather
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By LORETTA FULTON Brandon Hudson was announced Sunday as the new senior pastor at First Baptist Church. Hudson, his wife Jill, daughter Sophia, 15, and son Quinn, 13, are expected to move to Abilene in early February. Hudson has been senior pastor of Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama, since 2013. Robert Ellis, chairman of the pastor search committee at
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON The fourth candle of Advent (third to some) is the “Shepherd’s Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” It, first of all, represents the joy that overcame the shepherds in the fields when angels appeared and told them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the
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CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION GIVEN TO DONORSBruce Migliore, Scott Dueser, John Connolly, Domingo Perez, Gail Waldmann, Paul Slabaugh, Armando Tamez, Ron and Mary Lou Sipe, Johnny and Lydia Rose, Larry and Pat Johnson, Angie Craghead, Dan and Grettal Cottner, John and Sylvia Herrera, Rick Martinez, Sr., Carl and Mary Migliore, Leah Parrish and Family CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION GIVEN TO PRIESTSMsgr. Bob
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By DARRYL TIPPENS “It is important to remember the deep, in some ways anguished seriousness of Advent.”—Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebrations A friend of mine endured a hair-raising escape from Tehran, Iran, one night in 1979. As the city fell to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Yasmin (let us call her) received an urgent call from the American embassy telling her
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By JIM NICHOLS At a holiday time it is a question asked innocently. “Will you be traveling to see family?” I asked my young friend and there was a pause that made me realize that might not have been a good question. His response was, “On the first day I’ll be with my mother and family in one city and
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The intent of this piece is to provide comfort to folks who are hearing more than they want to hear. There is much noise in the world, some of it pushing Christmas carols–and other worthwhile sounds–to the side of the road. In spouses’ conversations–whether interest in what the other is saying is sincere or
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Spirit Of Abilene 