Opinion

As my dad aged, he was continuously being duped; in fact, before his memory faded and clear thinking had passed, he managed to hire the most unscrupulous people. I always told him, “never pay the whole amount until the job is done, and always get it in writing.” What really made me mad were the ones who took advantage of him and my mom after they were in their golden years, especially with mom’s dementia...

Rotarian Laura Ford presented a program on the changing definitions of words at the Kennett Rotary meeting on Thursday. I found it fascinating so I thought I’d share some of her examples with you and throw in a few of my own. Over time, the meaning of words have changed, some several times and some have completely disappeared...

The traditional Church Year is drawing to a close. This calendar year—2019—the Church New Year begins Sunday, December 1, with the first season of the festival half of the Church Year and that is Advent, the four weeks of repentance before Christmas, when we examine our sins and unworthiness of God’s grace, come to us in the Person of Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. ...

Selecting a debut novel from a new writer promises something almost magical. This author could write entrancing novels for years to come or novels with a fresh slant on a tired subject. With a debut novel, the reader gets a first time impression. Although many “new” authors have struggled to obtain a publishing contract, some debut novels have sparked great careers and some are the writer’s best work. ...

Continuing last week’s article, the other sense in which “The Truth Works” is that when the truth is followed, it will successfully accomplish what God designed it to do, and does so without failure. God’s word is truth. (Colossians 1:5) When God teaches us the way something is to be done, He means for us to do it His way, because His way is the right way. ...

At 86 years old and in poor health, my dad was given a loan for a very large and expensive purchase that fell back on my mom to pay for after his death a few months later. After her death it would come back to the estate if we decided to send it back to the lender. ...

I never thought any insect could irritate me more than the dreaded mosquito. I was wrong. Gnats have now surpassed the skeeter as the most annoying bug on my list. For one thing, mosquitos seem to be loners, while gnats attack in groups. Gnats also like to come at my eyes and ears in full force...

Habakkuk was a prophet of God who lived around the time of Jeremiah, around 605 B.C. In Habakkuk’s day, Judah was in trouble, and there are many similarities in Judah during this period and what is going on here today, in America, Western Europe, and elsewhere. ...

Being a teen during the 1980s was pretty terrific. Big cars like Moma’s 1978 Oldsmobile 98 and small cars like the green Ford Pinto with imitation wood grain panels were stylish driving choices. Skin tight jeans were fashionable yet later on parachute pants were trendy. Short cropped hair or mid-length teased, sprayed hair was all the rage!...

I believe that “The Truth Works” and does so in two distinct ways. First, the truth, when planted in our hearts, will cause us to act. Second, when the truth is followed, it will successfully accomplish what God designed the word to do. Let’s look at the first now...

A couple of years ago, when my dad was alive, he almost fell victim to the “grandparent scam.” In fact, had I not been in possession of his high limit credit card, he would have handed the caller, posing as my son, $13,000. He told me then that he was not as quick to think as he was just a few years previous. My dad was 85 years old at the time...

Recently we have had letters to the editor submissions concerning the amount of unemployment in the area. One insightful letter was written from the perspective of a teenager inquiring about all the young men walking around in the afternoon, out of work, with nothing to do...

Some of you may recall the television program “Touched by an Angel”. It was your typical Hollywood pagan take on religion, popular today as the show was in the 1990s. It fits in well with the preference for which we sinful-by-nature humans would like God to be. ...

With the promise of cooler temperatures, recently published books are hitting the shelf and library patrons are the ones to benefit. Right now, some of the most popular titles are thrillers and suspenseful tales; and vampires and the paranormal earn attention, too. After all, October is just around the corner with Halloween and El Dia de Los Muertos...

We need to be wise. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom …” (Proverbs 4:7) Wisdom would help us keep to a minimum the spiritual damage done to ourselves and others by our sins. If you came upon a wreck and a person was bleeding to death, your goal would be to try to minimize any further damage by applying pressure, using a tourniquet, etc… In the same way, we should minimize the harmful damage done to ourselves and others by seeking to eliminate as much sin from our lives as we possibly can!. ...

Some of the finest people I know are farmers. I gain more respect for a farmer every time I interview one. The farming family as well. It seems they’re all involved in the business in one way or another. Over the past week I did a little research on farming and thought I’d share some of the statistics I found interesting about this noble profession...

Christians will struggle with issues that arise, yet consulting the Word of God is always our best avenue. God chose to reveal Himself (and us) through His appointed prophets, disciples, and apostles. In times of confusion about certain matters of discerning God’s will for us, especially when we’re not sure of what God says, there is a method that is not sure-fire but can be helpful. ...

Not quite officially here, but fall is near! The defoliate is being sprayed over the showy white cotton fields. The combines are stirring up the dry dust to reap the soybeans. And, the harvest of the acres of peanuts will be a learning experience. The Dunklin County Library is hustling with activity from the north of the county to the south end!...

When you read the scriptures, various words, phrases or thoughts often stand out and call for deeper study. Let’s look at a couple from the book of Genesis. “And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” (Genesis 42:36)...

Although seniors from the baby-boomer generation were the ones who raised a family, saved and prepared for retirement, too many are now selling their large homes to down-size and some are even renting rather than repurchasing. With the rising cost of living, along with the high cost of medicines, longer life spans, and the prospect of a nursing home in their future, renting is more appealing to them. ...

Whenever I sit down and prepare to write this column I’m often amazed at all the subjects I could cover. One of the first rules I try to follow is to keep it topical and there are a lot of topics to choose from in any given week. Those of you who have been reading these deliberations know I’m a tad bit superstitious. This being Friday the 13th and a full moon, I could write about this dubious day...

In the first century A.D., the Roman Empire wanted everyone in their empire, those diverse peoples, cultures, and religions to get along. It was to avoid getting involved with skirmishes among those different cultures and competing values. Fighting continuous rebellions and uprisings cost not only money, but weaken their military strength. ...

When my children were younger, a weekly chore chart adorned the refrigerator door. Each time those hungry little hands reached inside for a cheese stick or a glass of milk, they were reminded of chores that should be done around the house. For the most part, the girls would get their chores finished with the boys negotiating in the background. ...

A bit of wisdom that we should apply to our lives says, “If you want to get more out of something, you have to put more into it.” Every parent who has raised children has probably heard them say, “I don’t get anything out of going to school.” Then mom or dad would respond, “You will get out of school what you put into it.” This meant that if you pay attention, ask questions, do your homework, and study hard for tests, you will make good grades and end up with a quality education which will better insure a good paying job in the future. ...

“If I could have been a grandparent first, I would have had a house full of grandchildren.” That is a statement heard from many seniors who are blessed with grandchildren. Whether you are grandmother, mimaw, mimi, gigi, grandpa, pa, pop, or abuelo, the tiny voice calling out that familiar title is the apple of your eye, the center of your universe, and the beat of your heart...