IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A minister friend–aware of ever-growing complications and mounting tonnage at the trough of trivia–often used the expression from the pulpit, in staff meetings and in conversation. He felt strongly about “keeping the main thing the main thing.” It was a serious challenge made so often that friends often referred to him as the “main
Read moreBy NATHAN JOWERS Now winter distributes cold lungs under bows of wind, the reddish haze of Abilene’s sky spread by streetlamps that pin the seams of our poorly wrapped city. This poured-out town will roll into wilderness, a pacified lake of civilization between empty sweeps of a blue-norther chill. Waking to daylight, a bright-beaten ruin is level and wide as
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We’ve heard about the chances of being hit by lightning, winning the lottery or scoring a hole-in-one on the golf course, but nothing about the probability of two distinguished educators meeting up at a rodeo. Dr. Ronny Collins, former school superintendent at Wellington, Jacksboro, Snyder and Mineral Wells, was a rodeo clown to
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By AMY BOONE It’s been only two hours since I heard the news of Rachel Held Evans’ death. I was walking to my car after browsing a vintage market following the always inspiring and delightful CASA Superhero 5K. All week this day had been taunting me with its potential for fun and adventure. A couple of texts buzzed my pocket.
Read moreBy JIM McDONALD Baptism is a sacrament that John the Baptist performed for many and later baptized Jesus and this was firmly approved by God. Baptism is by water. Water is a component created by God. It is essential and useful in many applications. One interesting example is that fire must have fuel and heat to burn. Water (H2O) contains hydrogen, a
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By DANNY MINTON Where were you on May 5, 1961? Of course, some of you would have to admit you were too young to remember or had not entered this world at the time. Me? I was in the seventh grade 58 years ago this weekend. It was a Friday morning. The time was 8:37 Central Time, 9:37 Eastern. At that
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By LORETTA FULTON “Breaking Bread Together in Peace,” the motto of the Abilene Interfaith Council, was a welcome relief Thursday from news of recent acts of violence in houses of worship in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the United States. “The work we do today,” said AIC President Jacob Snowden, “are the things that make for peace.” Something as simple
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By LORETTA FULTON Three services, at times to fit all schedules, will be held in Abilene in observance of the National Day of Prayer. The actual observance day is Thursday, May 2, and two services are planned that day, one a 7:30 a.m. breakfast and the other a noon service. Two of the three services will be Christian-based, and one will be
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury In wildest dreams, it never occurred to me that one day I’d write a piece referencing three bigger-than-life personalities. This day, I am. Two of the three are valued friends whose names are well known in Texas, and the third I’ve never met. There’s nothing gained by keeping readers in suspense (as if I
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Spirit Of Abilene 