By Darryl Tippens America’s big birthday is here, but not everyone is into the spirit of it. One person tells me, “I’m not feeling it.” With the daily deluge of negative news I can understand why she’s pretty bummed; but, still, I believe this year’s birthday shouldn’t be passed over. Here are four reasons why I’m happy to celebrate: First,
Read more
Mike Patrick I had the privilege of teaching hundreds of undergraduate and seminary students from Hardin-Simmons, Abilene Christian, and McMurry Universities over a 20+ year span while serving as Coordinator of Ministry Education at Henrick Medical Center. A few of those students went on to become military chaplains. For example, Commander Alan Rogers, deputy force chaplain for the 12th Marine
Read more
By Loretta Fulton Multiple Independence Day celebrations will pay tribute to the nation’s 250th birthday, and one “Dependence Day” observance is set for July 3. The “Dependence Day” observance is to acknowledge a dependence on God and is sponsored by the Catholic West Texans for Life. The observance will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Nelson
Read more
By Loretta Fulton Amy Boone doesn’t see herself as an activist, but rather someone who is moved to action by injustice. Those actions might include showing up in person at a rally or event or a Facebook post. Most recently, she spearheaded the placement of a marker noting the site where Grover C. Everett was murdered by members of the
Read more
By Glenn Dromgoole When we moved to a new neighborhood a few years ago, we were pleasantly surprised to see that, on our trash pickup days, our empty dumpster had been rolled up to our garage by someone. We didn’t know who. It happened early in the morning before we were up and about. It was a thoughtful gesture, and
Read more
By Nancy Patrick As a writer, I confess not only to fretting over word choice but sometimes to an entire essay. This particular essay is my fourth attempt to express my feelings about the complexities and implications of fatherhood, and I still question if I have accomplished my goal. I begin with a poem by Robert Hayden I taught in
Read more
By Danny Minton “If you look for the bad in people, expecting to find it, you surely will.” (From the movie Pollyanna) Well, this is the fourth time I have used this phrase in my writings, and it probably won’t be the last. I guess I’ll keep putting it out there to remind us, and especially myself, that I need
Read more
Click here to read a story about a 2019 project commemorating the site of Grover Everett’s death. The Community Remembrance Project was sponsored by the Equal Justice Initiative to bring attention to the history of violence against Blacks. It involved gathering soil from the site of Everett’s murder to place in one-gallon jars for display in two museums. By Loretta
Read more
By Loretta Fulton Two historic Black Baptist organizations will meet jointly in Abilene June 29 through July 3. The 123rd annual session of the Original West Texas Baptist District Association (OWT) and the 112th Congress of Christian Education will meet together at Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road. Opening service will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, June 29. View
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 