IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It still lurks in my mind’s “crannies,” jumping to the forefront of my thoughts more often than I’d like. It was a single sentence–uttered by someone whose name I don’t know–imparting an important truth usually requiring paragraphs, chapters or even volumes. It was uttered in a large room where a few dozen people were scattered,
Read moreEditor’s Note: Laura Lacey Johnson is a former employee of KTXS-TV, the Community Foundation of Abilene, and Howard Payne University in Brownwood. She now lives in Missouri and is an author and creator of Christian videos. Her latest contribution follows. To see more, go to https://lauralaceyjohnson.com
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By STEVEN T. MOORE Moving down Freedom Laneblack naked feet protected inside white Nike AirI keep trying to fly yet can’tas each foot rises and falls pounding the pavement belowon this cool evening with the naughtywind tickling against my legs and necka few birds cooingmoon jumping in the skyrefusing to be ignored. I see Wanted signshanging on every lampposton both sides of
Read moreEditor’s Note: McKenzie Flowers Fergus, a McMurry University graduate, is actively engaged in various human rights, anti-discrimination, sustainable development, and peace-building organizations. After graduating with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Yale University, she was awarded a Russell Berrie Fellowship in a program that collaborates globally with interfaith institutions and universities to promote interreligious dialogue. She also received her degree
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By SARA CORE It’s funny what you can find on the internet. I’ve gotten myself into some crazy situations by researching things online. Sometimes a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Like the time recently when I was reading and learning about growing water lilies. Seems you can grow them in a large pot of water, no pond needed.
Read moreVacation Bible School is going online July 27-31 at First Baptist Church. All children are welcomed to tune in. First Baptist joined other churches in town, and across the country, this summer in moving the summertime favorite to a virtual experience. VBS was just one of many summer experiences either canceled or altered, thanks to COVID-19. VBS at First Baptist
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS I have mentioned before my fascination with the paradoxes of life, the opposites that must be simultaneously true and the tensions that we must accept. Lots of these paradoxes show up in scripture—for example, the last shall be first, Jesus is fully human and fully divine, if you think you can see, you are actually blind. However,
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By LORETTA FULTON A new banner for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church proclaims, “St. Mark’s is Not a Place, But a People,” and as if to emphasize the point, the banner currently is on the move from one place to another. Effective July 12, the banner will be stretched across the front of Abilene Community Theatre’s Black Box Theatre, 809 Barrow
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By CARLO SOSA-ORTIZ As I ruminate over our country’s new year of independence, I cannot help but think about previous Independence Day celebrations when our country saw brighter days – a country not in the midst of riots or global health pandemics, days when July 4ths were spent watching Will Smith save the world from aliens and grilling hotdogs with
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Spirit Of Abilene 