THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Bob Hope, beloved humanitarian, comedian and patriot, may have been America’s best ambassador of international goodwill–ever. He was able to “localize” his jokes and stories no matter where he appeared. Always on the road, this British-born icon became a naturalized American at age four. He spent some 80 of his 100 years starring in vaudeville,
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By Jim Nichols The chorus concluded the last notes, and the director dropped her hands during the silence. Immediately, applause erupted from the audience. The conductor gave a thumbs-up to the chorus, smiled, and turned to the audience and bowed. She stepped to the side and waved her hand to the chorus as the audience continued applauding. Then, the conductor
Read moreBy Danny MintonAround midnight one evening, I rose from my chair and began shutting the house down for the night. It is in those late nights, or should I say early hours of the day, that memories of things past tend to creep through our minds. On this night, I had thoughts of our son Scottie, who was born with
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By Jay Moore Feeling stressed? Don’t know whether you’re coming or going? Maybe there’s too much on your plate or you’re up to your neck or you’ve run yourself into the ground. Well, if you happen to be free any afternoon at 3:15, consider this three-minute, soul-rejuvenating activity: drive over to Heavenly Rest at S. 6th and Meander, park by
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By Glenn Dromgoole Abilene poet Bob Fink spoke at our church on a Wednesday night and gave us a handout – a one-page excerpt from Michael Perry’s book, Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time. Bob encouraged us to select one line from the piece that might make a good first line in a poem. I was
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The public is invited, either in person or online, to the Carmichael-Walling Lectures at Abilene Christian University Thursday, Nov. 7. The annual lectures are hosted by ACU’s Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts. Dr. Te-Li Lau of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School will give the 2024 lectures on the theme Spiritual Emotions. 4 p.m.–Listening to Pauline Shame7 p.m.–Emotions and
Read moreBy Danny Minton Over the years, I have been asked to officiate at the memorial service for numerous people. Of the more than 120-plus people I have spoken over, all but a handful were either relatives or friends. Most have been good Christian men and women who have served the Lord faithfully. I have shared their life stories and notes
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Tickets are on sale for two performances of An Aaron Watson Family Christmas at the Paramount Theater Dec. 20 and 21. Both performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $29-$49. Click here to purchase tickets. A publicity blurb says this about the performances: “An Aaron Watson Family Christmas is the perfect holiday event for the whole family.
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Names of luminaries met at intersections along our pathway keep popping up as corner posts in life’s fence row. They are not remembered as being Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, liberal or conservative. Each, however, has two characteristics in common — notable public service and unquestioned Christian commitment. A friend of some half-century, the
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Spirit Of Abilene 