By JIM NICHOLS The previous article ended with a suggestion that competition between humans has significant negative consequences; collaboration and cooperation are preferable. As usual, however, suggesting alternatives (collaboration and cooperation) requires identification of their inherent problems also. Working with one another rather than against one another is difficult to accomplish because of our competitive nature. Whether that nature is
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Push Americans into a corner, and they’ll either start painting or enliven the crunched space with creative juices soon to spill over. Superintendents and other school “brass” have greatly expanded committees planning commencement ceremonies, realizing that “same old” plans employed historically since the earth started cooling are “no more.” For many reasons–some understandable,
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By LORETTA FULTON Resumes poured in from California to South Africa, but in the end the best man for the job was right here in Abilene. In fact, he was in the building. “We bring to you the name of John Whitten to be the sixth senior pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.” John Whitten 10 months20 meetings46 resumes4 finalists1
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Editor’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. She will be an occasional contributor to Spirit of Abilene. Following is a brief bio and links to a book and videos. To see
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury “No one is an idol to his valet.” historian/writer Thomas Carlyle so contended two centuries ago. In one case dating back 60-plus years, Carlyle would have been “dead wrong” about a couple of Brownwood High School athletes. Lawrence Elkins –the “idol”–re-wrote dozens of records in four sports, dazzled at Baylor in football and
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON I would like to share what is wrong with the music our young people play today. The answer is as simple as, you know, “the nose on your face.” It is so plain that it will make perfect common sense once I explain it below. The main issue with music today is that it is too loud,
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Many people have suffered from boredom and lethargy during the COVID-19 quarantine. My husband, Mike, and I, both retired for several years, had already adjusted our schedules for more home time than younger families who suddenly had to miss work and school. With the time and limitations associated with social restrictions, we undertook a major DIY project
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Here comes a compressed story, a punchline, and some reflections. A bit over twenty years ago I moved for a year from teaching to research responsibilities. I was engaged in a research laboratory in Atlanta and was one of several workers in what might be called a “research group.” The group had a boss who was about
Read moreOn Thursday, May 7, 2020, Sharon Higdon Leyerle, devoted wife of David Leyerle and loving mother of Melanie Vincent, passed away at the age of 78. Sharon was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 7, 1941, to Eleanor and Albert Higdon. She graduated in 1959 from du Pont Manual High School in Louisville, and she received her undergraduate degree
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