By LESLIE STRADER The book of Ruth opens with “a famine in the land” – a stark contrast from the common “once upon a time” prologue that points us to palaces and princesses. Ruth wasn’t royalty, and her story isn’t a fairy tale. Ruth was a stranger in a strange land, widowed without a caretaker in sight in the middle
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Several years back there was an animated movie entitled, “The Emperor’s New Groove.” The villain in the film was an ugly woman, described as “scarier beyond all reason,” whose name was Yzma (eezma). Her sidekick was a big dumb looking guy, who provided comic relief in the movie, named Kronk. There is one scene in the movie
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By NANCY PATRICK Women’s History Month provides a time for everyone to pause and reflect on the value of women in society. Modern women benefit greatly from the dedication, persistence, commitment, and sacrifice of our female predecessors. No longer does the developed world relegate women to the home as wives, mothers, and caregivers. Though many modern women choose to retain
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By LESLIE STRADER The book of Joshua begins with a somber reminder that Israel’s beloved leader, Moses, was dead. But hopefully so was the rebellious, faithless way of living displayed by previous generations of the children of Israel. Because of their unbelief (Num. 14:2-4), they had wandered 40 years in the wilderness, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s judgment against
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By LORETTA FULTON During March, which is Women’s History Month, Spirit of Abilene will feature posts from contributors about women of spiritual influence in the Bible, in their personal lives, and from history. Below is a story I wrote for the Abilene Reporter-News for Women’s History Month in 2016. It is about a woman who was a giant in the
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By DANNY MINTON I’m a big Dallas Cowboy fan. I have been since Eddie LeBaron was a quarterback and as a junior high football player, I could get end zone tickets for 50 cents each at the Cotton Bowl. At halftime, we’d move on over to the 30-yard line since Dallas didn’t always draw big crowds in 1960. I was
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By DANNY MINTON I grew up under a dark “cloud.” It hung over me for much of my life and every so often floats back over, although there are more times of sunshine than I had in the past. You see, I belong to a congregation of people who call themselves “The Church of Christ.” The cloud? Well, growing up
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By NANCY PATRICK Living in the Bible Belt of America has many advantages. Christian people who live morally upright lives, support their families, participate in their communities, donate to charities, and exemplify integrity and honor comprise the majority of the community. In spite of the positive aspects of living in a Christian community, some people feel alone and alienated when
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By DANNY MINTON Jerry Kramer was an offensive lineman drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft by Green Bay in 1958. In 1959 Vince Lombardi became the head coach of the team. The story goes that one day Kramer was having such a bad practice that Lombardi became fed up and said, “Son, you are a lousy football
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