By Nancy Patrick Ray Miller, the new senior pastor at First Baptist Church, has been preaching a series of sermons entitled Messy Grace. These sermons have reminded me that God’s grace is not always neat and tidy. Life itself is anything but neat and tidy. My human nature tends to be mean, selfish, and ugly—the opposite of God’s grace which
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By Loretta Fulton Most traditional Christian denominations are represented on local university campuses for the fall semester, but only a handful of students come from faith traditions outside of Christianity. Abilene Christian University is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, McMurry University is United Methodist, and Hardin-Simmons University is Baptist. Only ACU and McMurry responded to a request for denominational
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Gentle friends, if any such folks are reading, I wish to make it clear that during my 22+ years of writing this piece, I have avoided ever using “bad” words. If any sneaked in, they were mild, never thrown carelessly around like many words crossing the lips of broadcasters, particularly in the sports world.
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The chairman and CEO of Providence Bancshares, Inc., will the the final speaker for the Fletcher Lecture Series at Hardin-Simmons University on Oct. 28. Mark Lovvorn will speak at 11 a.m. at HSU’s Houston-Lantrip Center, 2241 Pine St. The lecture is free but an RSVP is required by Tuesday, Oct. 14. Click here to RSVP. Mark Lovvorn The following is
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“Writing on the Wall: Indigenous Rock Art in Central Texas” will be the topic for the Oct. 22 meeting of the Abilene Association of Congregations. The public is invited to hear Dr. Jeremy Elliott, professor of environmental literature at Abilene Christian University, talk about the stories that indigenous rock art tell. Elliott takes his students to Paint Rock to teach
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Music, dancing, and Native American drumming will be among the highlights of the Abilene Interfaith Council’s 25th anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 18. The public is invited to take part in the festivities from 2 to 4 p.m. in Storybook Garden West on the corner of North Sixth and Cedar Streets next to the Abilene Convention Center. Susanna Lubanga, chair of
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By Jim Nichols He unrolled a long section of white paper with heights marked off on it with a black felt pen. The marks were in feet and inches. After taping it in the correct position on the back of a bedroom door, he used snapshots of previous years to add dates such as “1-1-54” and “1-1-55” on smaller pieces
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By Danny Minton If you can’t be a wave, be a ripple.If you can’t be a forest, be a tree.If you can’t be a rock, be a pebble;But the thing most important is to “Be.” If you can’t be a king, be a peasant.If you can’t be an “A,” then be a “Z.”For the joy after all is not lessened,If
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My friend–call him Barney–has jumped through hoops and negotiated mazes that are part and parcel of a long and successful professional communications career. Now, he is spending well-earned retirement years on an East Texas farm. He’s learning to be a “yes” man to his wife and daughter, and he’s said “yes” repeatedly to
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