THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Odds of brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright constructing, then flying, the world’s first powered aircraft in 1903–and Southwest Airlines’ founding what would become one of the world’s leading airlines 64 years later–were about the same. Most figured the odds to be slim and none. And most were wrong. While the Wrights’ contraption was aloft
Read moreBy Danny Minton Have you given any thought to when you made the decision to come to Christ? For each of us, there are times that probably touched us to follow Christ. It could have been one specific point or a series of events that moved us to change. In my case, there were three separate events where my heart
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Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo will be in Abilene for Ash Wednesday observances at all three universities, McMurry, Hardin-Simmons, and Abilene Christian. He will be at McMurry for an 8 a.m. Mass in the chapel in the student center. The McMurry service will be the only Mass that the Bishop presides over. He will conduct
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Editor’s Note: The following was written by David Romanik, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Heavely Rest, for the church’s newsletter. It is reprinted here with permission. By David Romanik At the end of last summer, I donated blood at the Hendrick Regional Blood Center. I have been donating blood with some regularity for a number of years now,
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By Nancy Patrick When I taught composition as part of my language arts curriculum, I would allow the students to choose their own topics. Many times, they would tell me they couldn’t think of anything to write about. When that happened, I would present a list of possible subjects that should interest just about any student. Today, I find myself
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Editor’s Note: Ramadan, a month of devotion, abstinence, and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide, will be observed from Friday evening, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 29. The following explanation of Ramadan was written by McMurry University student Faez Mufti. By Faez Mufti Ramadan: A Month of Spiritual Renewal and DevotionRamadan, the ninth lunar calendar month whose cycles track the moon,
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Editor’s Note: March is Women’s History Month. Spirit of Abilene will highlight influential women, including biblical figures during the month. By Leslie Strader When we think of Moses in the Old Testament, Hollywood’s Charleston Heston most often comes to mind. A flowing mane of hair, staff in hand and standing before Pharoah demanding he, “Let my people go!” The Sunday
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Column deadlines often are near enough to nudge before first paragraphs are actually written. Some might think such to be sheer procrastination. I prefer to consider my “delays” to be viewed as being more akin to prolonged research. Pretend that I am hacking through the vines of a word jungle with a machete, searching
Read moreBy Danny Minton One of the ways the strength of someone’s faith shines is when they know they are facing death, either their own or a loved one’s. I look back at so many families that I have counseled during the time of death and find myself often surrounded by people whose faith in God and the promise of Heaven
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Spirit Of Abilene 