THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The old hymn declares that we are marching to higher ground. Our prevailing culture, however, suggests otherwise. Consider a joke making the rounds at the turn of the century when the internet was beginning to take hold. A couple of 10-year-olds were chatting aimlessly during summer doldrums. Something about Washington, D.C., came up. “What does
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It may not say it on the calendar, but summer is here. Vacation Bible School is the unofficial beginning of summer, even though the calendar says summer starts June 20. But the old summer standby, VBS, will be well under way before then, with some churches starting as early as May 28. As always, the themes carry some intriguing titles–Heavenly Rest
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By Nancy Patrick I have decided that watching news programming on television, listening to podcasts, and creating blogs may contribute negatively to my mental health. I actually have friends who limit news time on television to thirty minutes per day to avoid overdosing on the information about world’s tragedies and atrocities. Of course, podcasts and blogs typically focus on the
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Two thousand plus years and still nothing can compare with the truths He taught. Glenn Dromgoole is a former editor of the Abilene Reporter-News and the author of numerous books. He and his wife, Carol, own Texas Star Trading Company.
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Abilene author and retired minister Janice Six has written a book for parents, grandparents, and other adult caregivers to read and discuss with young children ages 4-10. Life Lessons for Littles suggests 26 spiritual values that children need to understand early in life ($16.99 paperback, photos by Julia Six Aldriedge). A few examples: Compassion, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, honesty, hospitality, kindness,
Read moreAt least two observances will be held in Abilene on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. Elmwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park will begin its observance at 9 a.m. Monday. The funeral home is located at 5750 U.S. Highway 27 South. The annual Memorial Day observance at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery will begin at 11 a.m. Monday. The ceremony will
Read moreBy Danny Minton On Saturday, March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt stepped onto the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol and made his first speech as president of the United States. The country was in the midst of a significant depression, resulting in homelessness, poverty, and a loss of jobs, with families trying to exist at a low point for
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By Jim Nichols Here is an odd suggestion for you. Sometime soon read a series of published obituaries online or in a newspaper or magazine. Notice the words early in that article that describe what happened to the person of concern. That is, the person who is no longer alive—what occurred to him or her? I have been following an
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury This is a backstory of “Touchdown Jesus” on the 50th anniversary of Notre Dame’s football faithful making the massive Hesburgh Library’s south wall mural better known than the building itself. Ever heard of the Hesburgh Library, or does “Touchdown Jesus” sound more familiar? I thought so. The artist properly centered on the depiction of Jesus,
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