By DANNY MINTON This week’s title may seem strange, but the same theme connects all three. Most of us know of Stephen, a Christian in the first century stoned to death before an angry group in Jerusalem. We first learn of him in Acts 6, where he was chosen with six other men to serve the physical needs of the
Read moreBy MARIANNE WOOD Perhaps you know the sticky note story. These ubiquitous and often colorful bits of notepaper come in many shapes and sizes. Once, they were only pale yellow rectangles. Envisioned by 3M chemical engineer Art Fry in 1974 as his mind wandered during a sermon, Art was inspired to create the notes that would not leave a trace
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Uncle Mort, a veteran of 108 Christmases, has razor-sharp memories of long stretches of silence at various times of the day. And there were silent nights, too. Nowadays, he makes Herculean efforts to quieten things down on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This includes turning phones to off position, stilling pendulums on grandfather clocks
Read more
Community Las PosadasWhen: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20Where: St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, 2525 Westview DriveAdmission: Free, pubic invitedDetails: Event will include traditional reenactment of the journey of Joseph and Mary to find a place to give birth to Jesus, followed by Ballet Folklorico performance, mariachi band, raffle, vendor booths More information: Contact Aida Pantoja for more information or to
Read more
Jay Moore’s newest book, “Abilene Daily: Snapshots of Home,” contains one or more vignettes from Abilene’s history for each day of the year. Periodically, stories with some connection–however loose–to Abilene’s religious life will be featured in Spirit of Abilene. The book can be purchased at Texas Star Trading Co., 174 Cypress St. www.texasstartrading.com or call 325-672-9696. Books are $27.50. Following is an excerpt
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON Even COVID didn’t knock out the Living Nativity production last year at Our Savior Lutheran Church–and it won’t this year, either. “We generally have it unless it is freezing and raining,” said Janna Atkins, who has been director of the pageant since 2003 and a member of the cast for years before that. The Living Nativity will
Read more
Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo wrote the following column for the West Texas Angelus, the diocesan newspaper. It is reprinted here with permission. By BISHOP MICHAEL SIS Christmas is a celebration of the Incarnation of God. It commemorates the fact that the eternal Son of God took human flesh and become one of us for
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Creative minds at Young and Rubicon—a recognized advertising agency in New York City— have introduced jingles, catch words (as well as “catch phrases”) and slogans that have withstood the test of time And there are few tests any tougher than time. Well, I committed a king-size “boo-boo” in a recent column that warrants review. I
Read more
By JIM NICHOLS It is important that we not miss repeated stories and illustrations in scripture. Good pedagogy emphasizes repetition and Jesus certainly knew that. Collectively, many of his parables or descriptions also indicate that he had a different view of mathematics and, in fact, economy, than we do. We would do well to notice how far our views are
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 