THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury When my aged Uncle Mort tells a story that is not “truth-proofed,” it merely means he heard it somewhere, and details may be accurate–or, more likely–figments of his imagination. Herewith is his most current tale. An habitual criminal–swearing to lead a new life on the straight and narrow–still owed society some “slammer time” for
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By JIM NICHOLS Occasionally, a question is asked whose answer is difficult. This is because there seem to be multiple facets that are conflicting. The consideration features a series of, “Yes, but . . . “statements. Sometimes we try to deal with it by asking related questions. If one enters Walmart or Starbucks, one clearly is a customer. However, if
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By LORETTA FULTON Jennifer Schroeder kept hearing people say they were longing for community, so she did something about it. And she went big. Schroeder is the new director of Summit, which is celebrating its 116th year at Abilene Christian University. As director, Schroeder came up with an entirely new format with an emphasis on community since that what people
Read moreHOWARD PAYNE UNIVERITYNEWS RELEASE Dr. Don Newbury, Howard Payne University chancellor, will sign copies of his new biography this Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, as part of the university’s Stinger Spectacular. The book, titled Faith, Fervor and Fun: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Don Newbury, Howard Payne University’s Popcorn President, was commissioned by friends of Dr. Newbury and written by
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By LORETTA FULTON The United Methodist Church is united no more. A number of local congregations have voted to disaffiliate with the UMC and join the new Global Methodist Church. That trend is expected to continue in Abilene and across the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, a regional jurisdiction. For those who have voted to disaffiliate, the change takes effect Jan.
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By LORETTA FULTON It’s finally here. After a COVID delay, a postponement, change in leadership, and a reshuffling of the format, Summit is scheduled for Thursday-Friday, Oct. 13-14, at Abilene Christian University. The event, which originated at ACU in 1918, has a new director, Jennifer Schroeder. And, something else is new. Instead of a four-day gathering, Summit now will be
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Uncle Mort refuses to give in to what he thinks leads many folks to early graves. He says he’ll resort to extreme measures to avoid falling into a trap he calls “terminal boredom.” Mort finds much to merit his attention on his little spread down in the thicket. Sometimes, though, he seeks a scene
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON I am rich. Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not wealthy, but I am rich. Society uses the word rich to refer to people with a lot of money and valuables. And although that is what the primary definition of rich is in the dictionary, it’s in the second definition that we find the true meaning. I may
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By GLENN DROMGOOLE In our Presbyterian church, when we observe Communion, the pastor always says, “This is the Lord’s table. It is not a Presbyterian table. All who proclaim Jesus as Lord are welcome.” As it should be in all churches. But isn’t. I grew up Baptist, and when we observed the Lord’s Supper, as we called it, it was
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Spirit Of Abilene 