Opinion

I so enjoy looking at old issues of our newspaper. As time goes by, so many segments of our lives change. They evolve. One thing that has remained a constant is this newspaper. This week I’d like to share with you portions of the editorial printed in the first edition of The Dunklin Democrat, a name change from the original Kennett Clipper...

Parishes of some Church bodies have been vandalized during these evil days because of their love of God and humans created in His image. Pro-abortion protestors have spray painted threatening, obscene messages on their doors, broken into their sanctuaries, desecrating their chancels and altars. ...

Names are important because they are one of the ways that we mark our place in the world. Choosing what to name your baby may be one of the hardest decisions ever. A name is one of the first gifts a parent gives to their child. The first symbols of our identity and one of the first things we lead with when we meet someone new. Baby names reflect family, current culture or trends, and the parents’ personality. Another source of meaningful names is literary connections...

The next book in the Bible is Exodus. Altogether, there are 66 books that make up the Bible. Exodus records how Jacob’s 12 sons grew into a great nation. (Exodus 1:1-7) A new Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites and also killed their male babies in order to prevent them from becoming a military threat in the future. ...

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and it may range from light stroking to deep pressure. Usually, a massage is most associated with expensive high-end spas and health clubs and enjoyed by only the wealthy. But who isn’t keen on a good foot or back rub?...

Today is National One-liner Day. A one-liner is a funny remark or joke told in one sentence, for example, in a play or comedy show. I love one-liners. Henny Youngman, a classic comedian of yesteryear, fashioned a whole career around one-liners. Here are few that I enjoy...

The Hoover Institute, a conservative think tank at Stanford University, posts an interview show (“Uncommon Knowledge”) on YouTube featuring philosophers, historians, politicians, and authorities on current social, political, and demographic trends in the United States, the West, and the rest of the world. ...

Living in the South is quite different than any other place in the grand USA. There are slight nuances wherever you may visit. People in a coffee shop may start a conversation with you. Dining in a restaurant, you may have someone ask “how’s your dinner?” before ordering the same thing. ...

We continue our study of what is contained in the Bible by looking at the life of Jacob in Genesis 29. Jacob goes to his mother’s brother, Laban, in Haran or Padanaram. (Genesis 28:1-5; 29:4) Jacob meets Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter, and works 7 years for her hand in marriage. ...

Everyone needs electricity. In fact, people cannot survive without it. The brain cannot operate without the body’s own electricity. Everything is made up of atoms, and atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Our bodies are made up of huge masses of atoms that generate electricity. So, how do we use those atoms, neutrons, and electrons?...

Insomnia. That word can send shivers down your spine. Anyone who struggles with it can attest to that. I never had trouble falling asleep. Never. I also, admittedly, didn’t really have the level of compassion I should have for those who did suffer with it...

Biblical historians will recount hard times for the people of the southern kingdom of Judah, circa late 700s BC, especially after the death of Uzziah, who had ruled over God’s people for more than fifty years. The Judeans had enjoyed a lengthy period of peace and stability, much of which can be attributed to one of Uzziah’s predecessors, Josiah, who, as one commentator wrote, “was Judah’s last gasp —the last good thing that happened to the Israelites before their kingdom was destroyed.” (722 BC) At age 25, Josiah made it a mission of his to refurbish Solomon’s temple that had fallen into disrepair. ...

You have read the novel. Or, possibly you have read the entire series and are waiting on the next storyline of your favorite character. You know all this character’s idiosyncrasies, the car he or she drives, the reason he or she lives in a dumpy apartment, and even how he or she likes a cup of coffee. ...

We are seeking to learn what is contained between the covers of your Bible. What further information is in the book of Genesis? After the flood, Noah’s descendants repopulated the earth (Genesis 10). Have you ever wondered why there are so many languages in the world today? The answer is given in Genesis 11. ...

Whether you believe in God, reincarnation, life after death, or aliens, one thing is true and sure, no one lives forever in this world and there is no getting around it. But your death doesn’t have to be a burden on family or friends. When a loved one dies, the pressure of paying for a funeral, making the arrangements, and locating important documents, should not be a stressful experience or a scavenger hunt. That’s why everyone should prepare for death just like they do for old age...

Transparency. Every election we hear about it. More transparency is always promised. Sounds good, but the follow through is weak. With 20 of the last 22 council meetings ending with a closed session it’s apparent that transparency is not a priority...

The worldwide historical Church has a long history of festivals, feasts, and celebrations to acknowledge and mark important truths, events, and messages from and about God. It is important for Christians to live deliberately, to be consistent in our understanding of who God is and be reminded of who we Christians are to be as His redeemed, forgiven people. ...

Stumped on what to read next? This is a common comment heard in the library which usually leads to a conversation about the patron’s preferences. With so many books on the shelves and on ebooks through Libby, surely there is a title that will appeal to a stumped reader. ...

This New Year, we begin a series of articles to learn more about your Bible. The Bible is divided into two sections: The Old Testament and the New Testament. Although some are familiar with the Bible, there are many who are unfamiliar, and therefore the reason for this study...

Several years ago, I wrote “Rules to live by, succeed.” It was based on some note cards I found in a draw that belonged to my late mother. As the country becomes a “criminal’s paradise” rather than the home of the free and the brave, it is important to revisit the rules that make a strong, moral country and promote success. Perhaps coming into a new year, this is the best time to make some more useful resolutions to live by and succeed...

Do you have favorite holidays? I guess mine would be Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day, although Halloween is right up there too. I feel a little guilty not saying Easter, after all, it celebrates our savior’s resurrection. I was wondering who else we should honor with a holiday...

Years ago, an acquaintance shared his frustration after attending a Christmas Eve service at a church his wife likes to occasionally attend. Expecting the “swaddling clothes” narrative of the birth of Christ from the apostle Luke (2:1-20), he complained of having to listen “about some Old Testament prophet.” That was likely Isaiah who is often quoted during Advent, the multi-week, pre-Christmas season of repentance and eager expectation of rejoicing in God becoming flesh to offer Himself as sacrifice to save the world from sin, death, and the devil. ...

Receiving a text message a while back, it included “TLDR”. I had no idea of the meaning of these four letters in all capital letters. So, I Googled it! “TLDR” is an abbreviation for “too long didn’t read”! Almost offended, I reviewed my grammatically correct four sentence text message. ...

Do you have a hard heart toward people in general? Would the Lord Jesus be grieved about you having a hard heart toward your fellowman? Jesus was grieved at the Pharisees’ hardness of heart. (Mark 3:5) The Pharisees had no compassion for a man with a withered hand, but Jesus healed him even though it was the Sabbath day. ...

The old year is ending, and the new year beginning, but with weather patterns changing and more artic blasts hitting the Bootheel, new problems add to the old ones, especially for seniors in rural areas. During the latest Siberian blast, my little electric heater couldn’t stand up to it and my pump fell victim to it and busted, so for me, that means no water. Yikes!...