THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Central to my Uncle Mort’s colorful life–now stretching over two centuries–are his scatter-brained decisions to “go off fourth-cocked,” even when “half-cocked” action might be preferable. Someone said that he’d be ahead of the game if he’d “keep his gun holstered,” even if his trigger finger gets itchy. Forget the holstered part; that’s simply
Read moreBishop Michael J. Sis will be in Abilene the week of Feb. 20 for Ash Wednesday services and for a Teaching Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church. The Teaching Mass will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Holy Family, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road. The bishop will explore “the beautiful meaning of the sign, symbols, and actions of the
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Dr. Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, longtime vice president at Abilene Christian University and former state legislator, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at age 94. A memorial service is pending. The following was provided by ACU. “Bob Hunter stands alone as the greatest friend-maker and ambassador in the history of Abilene Christian,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, president. “His spirit of hospitality and love
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By LORETTA FULTON Tonja Gray’s parents raised her to be servant-minded and then she passed that characteristic on to her children. Saturday morning, Feb. 11, Gray joined other representatives of McMurry University in demonstrating their servant-minded spirit by helping paint a new Habitat for Humanity house on Plum Street. “I’m trying to continue to set that example,” Gray said. The
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By JIM NICHOLS In the Old Covenant writings in the Bible (I Samuel 16) is the important story of the choosing of David as the next king of Israel. As Samuel is considering the candidates, God cautions him not to pay attention to physical height and strength (outward appearance), but to remember that “. . . the Lord looks on
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON I grew up in a segregated world. The images that divided my world existed all around. Everyone got along well, but segregation remained in many ways. The shop across the parking lot from A&P grocery, where I worked, showed a big sign in the window, “No Coloreds.” The first ten years of school were with all white
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The 21st century may soon be most known for worldwide paranoia. When topics worthy of fright are recorded, the list will spill over to a second page, and maybe a third. My aged Uncle Mort down in the thicket is a solid example. He claims that there’s been so much “buzz” about misplaced classified documents
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By NANCY PATRICK As our interim pastor, Dr. Matt Cook, concluded his time at First Baptist Church, he preached his last of four sermons about Abraham. Interestingly enough, the sermon topic dealt with uncertainty in life. Obviously, Matt’s profession as a minister with the Center for Healthy Churches in Dallas provides him with many opportunities to face uncertainty. When you
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you remember someone asking you that question? Maybe it was your parents, a teacher, or even someone you met for the first time. Asked during our elementary school years, we usually respond with something that has impressed us. I wanted to be a cowboy in the second grade. That developed later into the desire to
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Spirit Of Abilene 