Abilene Christian University added two new members to its board of trustees, effective Jan. 28. Luke James is president of VitalCaring Group, a home health organization based in Dallas. He graduated from ACU in 2004 with a degree in financial management and filled various roles at Encompass Health from 2004-2021. In addition, James has been a board member for Medalogix
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My aged Uncle Mort is “up in the air” about balloons. “Until recently, balloons were festive, often gleefully ‘popped’ at parties,” he moaned. “Stick a pin in one now, and folks nearby crawl under tables, look for exits, call 9-1-1 and shield the bodies of young’ uns.” Mort contends that governmental leaders’ confoundment
Read moreBishop Michael Sis announced the following clergy assignments for the Diocese of San Angelo, effective July 1, 2023. Deacon Mike Elsner as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Midland Father Francis Onyekozuru as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Odessa Father Bala Anthony Govindu as pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Midland Father Mamachan Joseph
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By LORETTA FULTON It’s a question Shaun Casey is often asked, and it happened again when he spoke for a gathering Feb. 16 at Abilene Christian University, his alma mater. Exactly who is this devil, the questioner wanted to know. Casey had just spoken about his new book, “Chasing the Devil at Foggy Bottom: The Future of Religion in American
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Some people in life go unappreciated. Sometimes it’s because of perceptions we make without knowing the person or all the facts. Have you ever sat in a meeting when someone was more assertive than you felt comfortable? Have you ever been around someone and couldn’t stand the attitude they presented? Have you ever been around people that
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By JIM NICHOLS It is a startling poster/photograph. Taken during the January 6, 2021, riot, it shows a white-skinned, bearded Jesus (like I grew up with) wearing a red MAGA hat. Before we dismiss it and the woman carrying the photo as extremist nuts, let us be honest about what is seemingly common in our country today. There is a
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By LORETTA FULTON Jeff Reid remembers that when he first started leading the Primetimers ministry for people over age 60, he was the age of their children. “Today, I am a Primetimer,” he joked. Reid joined the staff of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in 1993 and began leading the Primetimers in 2001. On Sunday, Feb. 5, Jeff’s 30 years of
Read moreThe Hindu Holi Festival of Colours will be the focus of the February meeting of the Abilene Interfaith Council. The meeting, which is open to the public, begins at noon Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. Lunch, including a vegetarian option, is by donation. Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, director of the Texas Tech
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Central to my Uncle Mort’s colorful life–now stretching over two centuries–are his scatter-brained decisions to “go off fourth-cocked,” even when “half-cocked” action might be preferable. Someone said that he’d be ahead of the game if he’d “keep his gun holstered,” even if his trigger finger gets itchy. Forget the holstered part; that’s simply
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Spirit Of Abilene 