By JIM NICHOLS My elementary school was within walking distance of my home. It was even close enough that I walked home from school for lunch. We apparently had a rather long time for lunch because, even though it was several blocks, I do not remember having to hurry home and hurry back to school. It was certainly preferable to
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By LORETTA FULTON Praise music, scripture reading, prayers, homilies–and a dash of COVID-19 humor–greeted Abilene university students this week as they returned to campus after an extra long spring break that morphed into summer. Like most colleges nationwide, Abilene’s three universities shut down on-campus classes after spring break due to the COVID pandemic. Classes were held online for the remainder
Read more“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) Hi, I’m Laura Lacey Johnson. The other day, my family and I were talking about sports teams and their mascots. And I got to thinking about my son’s favorite basketball team, the San Antonio Spurs. A spur is a metal tool worn on
Read moreEditor’s Note: The oldest daughter of Don and Brenda Newbury died August 15. Following is a message from Don Newbury concerning the service, which will be livestreamed on Saturday, August 22. Don Newbury writes the weekly Idle American column that is published in several hundred newspapers and on Spirit of Abilene. Newbury is the retired president of Howard Payne University.
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON To wear a mask or not to wear a mask has been one of the biggest controversies during the pandemic. Some say it’s an invasion of their constitutional rights to require them to wear a mask. Others point out that masks will not keep you from getting the virus, while others post concerns about masks restricting oxygen
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By LORETTA FULTON The wait was worth it for Dr. Robert Ellis, who just learned that he had been chosen the Faculty Member of the Year at Hardin-Simmons University, an award that normally is announced at the end of the spring semester. But last spring was far from normal, with COVID-19 disrupting all aspects of life. So, Ellis learned via
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By LORETTA FULTON School starts in Abilene Aug. 24, but a bunch of children got a head start Sunday when they received blessings in special services held at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest and at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. “Are y’all ready to pray together?” David Romanik, rector at Heavenly Rest, asked as children and their parents filed
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Over the years, I’ve read articles and excerpts from books that speak of an experiment that supposedly took place in the U.S. in 1944. Some have said it was a Nazi experiment during the war, and others say it happened sometime in the 1800’s. My guess is that it did happen, and it was such a cruel
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Has anyone ever so deeply hurt, angered, or wronged you that you could not get beyond it? The idea of forgiveness made you laugh, not with humor but with a sarcastic sneer. I hate to confess, but I have felt this way on more than one occasion. I know the depth of pain, rage, and bitterness that
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