By KAYLA WEINKAUF I walked into the woods—a light breeze blowing breaths on my back Wanting space—and time—and solace, perhaps? The woods called out to me “Come—walk deeper into the unknown…” They dared me to take a new path I trust the woods, and so I wandered Each stride took me further away Each stride brought me closer I landed
Read more(Editor’s Note: Amy Wilson Feltz, associate pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, shared this Facebook post, encouraging others to join her in contacting elected officials to advocate for peace and justice for all. “I will do . . . something, every day,” is her vow. Contacting senators and representatives is a start.) By AMY WILSON FELTZ Hi, Friends. I typically reserve
Read moreBy THE REV. MARY GLOVER Let us pray to our Creator: Every day, but on this day especially, we ask your blessing on all fathers: For those whose hair is curly, buzzed, blonde, red, black or brown For those whose hair has greyed, thinned out, or even disappeared For those standing tall as a tree and those barely taller than
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK I grew up in a simpler time than today’s society. My dad was a child of the Great Depression, born in 1928 in the dirt poor farming community of Blevins, Arkansas. His parents had five children; my dad, the second. He grew up working hard, leaving his home at age 14 to move 17 miles away to
Read moreBy DR. KRISTINA CAMPOS DAVIS Director of Communications, Hardin-Simmons University On June 14, the Hardin-Simmons University family lost one of its most distinguished and well-loved members, former President Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher, who died at age 87. A memorial service celebrating Dr. Fletcher’s life will be held in the main sanctuary at First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Monday,
Read more(Editor’s Note: The following article first appeared on the Womenary blog site in May, 2018. Womenary is Tyler-based program that offers seminar-style classes for women seeking a theological education. The author, Leslie Strader, is a freelance writer who lives in Tyler but grew up in Abilene, the daughter of Rob and Linda Carleton. She graduated from Baylor University and then earned
Read more(Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up column to a previous one written by Mike Patrick, “Where Is God When We Suffer?”) By MIKE PATRICK One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:26 (NIV) – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes
Read more(Editor’s Note: Carolyn Newman wrote this column, “Father’s Day and Foregiveness,” in 2006 and recently updated it for Spirit of Abilene.) By CAROLYN NEWMAN “I have returned to the God of my Father, the most God-like man a child could know.” Those are lyrics from Marijohn Wilkin”s “I Have Returned.” Before singing it at church, I asked, “Is that a
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Say the words “first responder” and an image of a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or paramedic most likely will come to mind. But what about the spiritual needs of the people affected by the trauma and their loved ones? That’s where “first responder” takes on an additional meaning. And that’s where people like Dan Franklin and his
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