By NANCY PATRICK Abilene, Texas, a relatively quiet, safe place to live, has had a recent increase in violence. This has prompted me to ponder the causes of such unusual behavior not only in Abilene but also around the world. My dilemma relates to the apparent fear and anger felt by many people who behave badly—both verbally and physically.
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By PAUL FABRIZIO As the U.S. Senate examines and then debates the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, there is much discussion of how he may vote on various issues if he were to be on the Court. Admittedly, no one knows the future. However, Brett Kavanaugh’s writings, rulings, and speeches have provided a pretty good
Read moreAbilene will be well represented when the Parliament of the World’s Religions meets Nov. 1-7 in Toronto. Retired Hardin-Simmons University religion professor Rob Sellers is chairman of the board of trustees of the parliament. And Dennis Land, a McMurry University graduate, is an ambassador. And, a number of university students and others in Abilene are expected to attend. Land is recruiting others to
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON Running late to get to my breakfast meeting, I decided to take a shortcut, bypassing the school zone that would have made me even later. This particular morning I was watching carefully since there were children out by the curb waiting on the school bus. Passing several houses, I spot an old man in his late eighties
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By LORETTA FULTON In the second grade, Rick Atchley announced what he was going to be when he grew up. And, no, it wasn’t a fireman, policeman, or cowboy. “I’m going to be a preacher,” he proclaimed. For the past 40 years, Atchley, senior teaching minister at The Hills Church in North Richland Hills, has been making more proclamations. And
Read moreBy LORETTA FULTON Sunday was not a day of rest of a lot of church members in Abilene as they joined together to pack 2,500 boxes of non-perishable food for Children’s Hunger Fund. The food packing took place at Zion Lutheran Church. It was the fifth year for the church to partner with Children’s Hunger Funday for the
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By DAN STIVER A recent Barna study of Bible appreciation and usage among Americans (here referring to people in the U.S.) is encouraging (https://www.barna.com/research/state-of-the-bible-2018-seven-top-findings/). It indicates that half of all American people use the Bible, many “give a lot of thought” to it, and many find it helps them to be better people. This is significant in light of reports
Read moreWho wants to go to a marriage enrichment event called Fight Night? Backers of the event in Abilene are counting on lots of couples, married or not, and singles thinking that sounds like a great idea. Fight Night is presented by Les and Leslie Parrott, a husband-and-wife team who host seminars, co-author books and appears on television programs such as
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Scott Bader-Saye, acting dean of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, will bring an important conversation to Abilene in September. Bader-Saye will lead a conference Sept. 14-15, “Fostering Civil Conversation,” at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. The conference, which includes dinner on Friday night and breakfast on Saturday morning, is open to the public.
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