By JIM NICHOLS The preacher was clearly saying it on purpose. At first, those of us in the congregation did not notice it. Perhaps we attributed it to the fact that he was young (as was I) and new. Soon, like something blurry becoming clearer, it came into focus. Some churches, including this one, take the Bible quite seriously. In
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS During my years of college professor work, I often envied the students’ enthusiasm, naivete, and joy for life. I did look out from the front of the classroom, however, and be thankful that my life as a college student was in the past. Although life is good in many ways for a student, did I really want
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Another author used the phrase “receiving the moment” as a paraphrase for contemplation and it struck a positive note with me. It was an admonition to pay closer attention and see what memories and aspirations God calls up from seemingly unnoticeable events. The biting wind of the day had relaxed to near zero leaving only a clear,
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS The cartoon was making a wry attempt at humor. The boy said to his father, “It got dark real early. Why is today the shortest day?” The father’s reply was, “I guess 2020 is finally giving up.” Winter solstice has come and gone recently. This is an event with a long history of meanings. Officially, this marks
Read moreEditor’s Note: Jim Nichols wrote this piece for Spirit of Abilene just before Christmas 2019. The message is too good not to re-post for 2020. By JIM NICHOLS “No more let sin and sorrow grow,Nor thorns infest the ground;He comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found.” Somewhere in town is an unknown clerk at a convenience
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Many of us have heard that preachers (or writers) often preach or write what they, themselves, need to hear. When the product comes out, it may not be obvious, but I believe it is often true. That is an admission from me that I want to talk to myself here and let you listen in. These seem
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS “Bench research” describes scientific endeavor that involves, at least partially, standing at a laboratory bench doing experiments. This might involve test tubes, various liquid solutions, small machines, and, in the case of a biologist, some sort of living organisms. The goal is to generate numbers that have some meaning or usefulness. I have done a lot of
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Several weeks ago, small flags appeared in our front yard. Our next-door neighbors were re-financing their house and one of the legal requirements was to identify the true boundaries between the properties. Boundaries are apparently important to all of us. In recent days, more flags have appeared, this time in our back yard. After asking my permission,
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS If you understand anything about computers, you know more than I do. Most of us carry around a small computer we use as a telephone but also use for many other purposes. Many of us have access to a larger computer that we use for gathering and sorting information, communicating, and, frankly, playing. My hunch is that
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