IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Give me a break. There are pitfalls when one is in tall weeds trying to determine the origin of expressions. I’m “old school,” still delighting in reading newspaper comics. A recent Bizarro panel from the fertile mind of cartoonist Dan Piraro struck a chord. (I tend to communicate best at a fourth-grade level, so I miss the
Read moreEditor’s Note: The following Lectionary to Life reflection, based on Psalm 145: 8-14, was written by Loretta Fulton for the Center for Congregational Ethics Facebook page. It was posted July 3. The center was founded by Bill Tillman, former ethics professor at the Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University. Psalm 145: 8-14, the appointed reading for today, is one
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK In case you hadn’t noticed, “smart” stuff surrounds us: phones, homes, classrooms, cars, and even a little contraption called Alexa. We can give her commands such as “set the timer for 20 minutes” or “play (song) for me.” I usually forget Alexa sits right there on a table in my den and opt to set my kitchen
Read moreRegistration URL: https://summerseminar2020.eventbrite.com/Event page URL: https://www.siburtinstitute.org/event/2020/7/30/summer-seminarCost: Free. Attendees must register to receive a link to the webinar. The annual Summer Seminar at Abilene Christian University is moving online this year as a precaution against spread of COVID-19. Online registration is open now for the July 30 event. The seminar will be streamed 9 a.m. to noon one day only, Thursday, July 30. The
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON I was probably around ten when my dad bought a box of fireworks for us to ignite in a July 4th celebration. Excited about the events, I begged to be able to fire at least one of them ahead of time. My dad let me choose one, and I chose a package of 50 “Black Cat” firecrackers.
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
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS I suspect that I am not the only one frustrated, angered, confused, and altogether discombobulated by the world today. Frankly, it is difficult not to get discouraged and, I am afraid, let that discouragement lapse over into our spiritual lives. As I fight that concern, I realize that one of my problems is that I am thinking
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By STEVEN T. MOORE for George Floyd I’m reading a children’s book about knights and castles to Mrs. Walker’s class,their tiny faces beaming as I read each page.But this morning, I’m only watching the black boys and black girls because of last night’s news:another unarmed black person dead. I turn the page, see the black boy in blue.He will be delayed during 3:30
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Dr. Jerry Taylor, founder of the Carl Spain Center on Race Studies & Spiritual Action, is asking friends of the center to form a prayer cell to begin functioning as a “Prayer & Meditation Think Tank” with individuals across the Carl Spain Center network. “As you gather to meet virtually or by phone,” Taylor said in an announcement, “please ask
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Spirit Of Abilene 