By JIM NICHOLS In the middle 1980s there was a popular television show titled “The A-Team.” Re-done as a movie several years later, it followed a set of four unorthodox ex-soldiers who devised elaborate designs to right some perceived wrongs in the world. Their leader was Hannibal Smith and at the end of every adventure (each of which, of course,
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The former Shelley Cockes–who turned down a “Coke date” offer as a college freshman from the same guy she married a few days after graduation–could not have imagined the “roller coaster” experiences to come during the next three decades. Now, she’s counting the days before leaving a camper trailer where she and her husband,
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON The 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition World’s Fair was one of the most extraordinary events of the 19th Century. The previous fair in Paris highlighted by the Eiffel Tower was nothing compared to what Chicago offered. There would be grand, whitewashed buildings that gave a gleaming portrait when the lights penetrated the night. It was labeled the “White
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View Post Dr. Travis Craver, director of spiritual formation at Hardin-Simmons University, has been promoted to associate vice president for spiritual formation. Craver joined the staff at Hardin-Simmons University in 2016. He is responsible for the weekly chapel service at HSU, among his other duties. Craver also is active in the community, serving on the city council and various boards.
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Jay Moore’s newest book, “Abilene Daily: Snapshots of Home,” contains one or morevignettes from Abilene’s history for each day of the year. Periodically, stories with some connection–however loose–to Abilene’s religious life will be featured in Spirit of Abilene. The book can be purchased at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. www.texasstartrading.com or call 325-672-9696. Books are $27.50. Following is an excerpt from
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The Understanding of African, Caribbean, and African American History will be the theme for the Woodson Lecture Series Feb. 28, sponsored by the Carol Spain Center on Race Studies & Spiritual Action. The series will focus on unifying and strengthening the African Diaspora through a solid knowledge of history, according to a new release from the center, which is housed
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By JIM NICHOLS When I was younger and a bit braver, I occasionally climbed onto the roof of our house. Usually, it was to replace or secure a shingle. I was struck by the view from there. The whole neighborhood was visible in a way that is much different than what we might call “ground-level.” The ugly wooden gray fences
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK I grew up in an era when people talked about shame and understood it. Today’s permissive culture tends to excuse bad behavior in an effort to avoid appearing prejudiced or judgmental. Although past generations may have taken too severe an approach to shaming people guilty of committing social taboos, modern societies seem to have gone overboard in
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury John and Mary Smith had ordinary names, but their extraordinary 60-year marriage was anything but that, ending with her death one year ago. It had to be a marriage made in heaven, because they hardly had any planning time during a six-week courtship between their initial blind date and wedding in 1961. They defied
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Spirit Of Abilene 