IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Abilene Christian University’s stunning 53-52 win over the University of Texas at the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament is a great example of why the annual event is called “March Madness.” It was ACU’s second trip to the “big dance,” and its first win in the biggest basketball upset since David bested Goliath. Abilene radio sportscaster
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By CARLO SOSA-ORTIZ In James K.A. Smith’s book, You Are What You Love, he tells us that humans are created by God to be lovers, not thinkers. All our hearts desire after something, whether we know it or not. Just as liturgies in our worship services – prayers, hymns, and sermons – can help us love God more fully, there
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By DARRYL TIPPENS So now we are in the season of Lent, a time for penitence and self-denial. While the observance officially began on Ash Wednesday, rather than 40 days, it feels more like a 400-day observance. During this time, so many things have been denied to us—time with family, face-to-face worship, live entertainment, freedom to travel, and during our
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Monday, March 29“The Unsung Hero of Holy Week”Phil Christopher, First Baptist Churchhttps://vimeo.com/529522707 Tuesday, March 30“When God is Late”Shane Hughes, Highland Church of Christvimeo.com/527855462 Wednesday, March 31“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep”Steve Patterson, St. Paul United Methodist Churchvimeo.com/527413002 Thursday, April 1“The Final Miracle Before the Crucifixion”Cliff Stewart, First Central Presbyterian Churchvimeo.com/527862671 By LORETTA FULTON For the second consecutive year, the
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Around 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, a friend and co-worker, Mark Rogers, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. The wreck left his wife and children in the hospital, recovering from injuries both physically and emotionally. This past week in Abilene, the news and social media have been filled with stories, pictures, and tributes to a fine
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By DAN STIVER For women’s history month, an ancient woman who comes to my mind is Heloise, from the twelfth century (c. 1095-1163). She may not be a contributor to U.S. history, but she is a notable contributor to church history. As Wikipedia states, “Her surviving letters are considered a foundation of French and European literature and primary inspiration for
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS When I was a boy, one of my sets of grandparents had a large front porch. The whole house seemed to be made of rock and concrete and the porch was similarly constructed. There was a black wooden swing suspended from the ceiling and both children and adults could sit together. There were also other assorted chairs,
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My intent was to write a tribute to a long-ago university chancellor. He handled problems with dignity and grace, typically responding with a twinkle in his eye, beaming countenance and droll wit. Were he still living, he would have chuckled at my misadventure in finding the definition of “droll.” Sure enough, it is a reference
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Editor’s Note: “Flannery,” an American Masters segment on author Flannery O’Connor will air on PBS at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. Larry Fink, a retired Hardin-Simmons University English professor, explains why O’Connor’s works are a “must read” for anyone who appreciates great literature. By LARRY E. FINK “I am no disbeliever in spiritual purpose and no vague believer. I see
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Spirit Of Abilene 