Opinion

Temper tantrums. Crying when they hear the word no. I’m bored, uttered throughout the day. You would think this is the behavior of toddlers. It’s not. These are examples of what teens and twenty-somethings exhibit on a regular basis. Are we raising a generation that lacks any coping skills whatsoever?...

In a recent Sunday afternoon neighborhood prayer canvas, the church’s youth and I knocked the doors of some forty-three houses. Considering that at least a third of the residents were not home or opted not to answer the door, we felt blessed to have been trusted by eleven of the residents who requested prayers from us strangers as we promised to do when the youth and I returned to the church later that day. ...

Julie Orf Dunklin County Library Returning home after church on Sunday, the comforting smell of roast beef cooking in the oven was welcoming and moving. Joining together in the kitchen after changing out of our Sunday clothes, Moma would begin doling out instructions. ...

These days, nothing is sacred, and modesty is out the window. I can remember when Eve Arden talked about the “cross-your heart” bras in the 1980s Playtex commercials, and a headless and armless torso was the model. Today, half-naked women parade across the television screen during prime time selling bras and panties, so when it comes to modesty, that’s out the window, so we can talk about anything—even constipation...

Secular psychologists attempt to explain human behavior outside the existence of God. Limited by observation and study of the human body and familial/social circumstances, their diagnoses of behavioral dysfunction usually describe what we Christian know as the product of human sin nature inherited from Adam and Eve in their rebellion against God. ...

Jeff Dorris jdorris@dddnews.com The longer I live the more I’m convinced in the benefits of positive thinking. No matter how bad things seem, keeping a positive mental attitude lightens the load. This statement was confirmed many times for me this week as I met with breast cancer survivors throughout the county...

H.P. Lovecraft, a famous American horror novelist, wrote “the strongest kind of fear is the fear of the unknown.” A writer increases fear in a reader by not giving away every detail of a monster, ghost, or place. Building suspense, the reader fills in blanks with his own imagination and experience desiring to continue reading and find out more. ...

The scriptures teach us not to worry. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” “Take therefore no thought for the morrow …” (Matthew 6:31, 34) One reason the Christian does not worry is because he does not think as the world thinks. ...

In a world of fast, processed foods, covered in salt, and a ton of ingredients that most Americans cannot pronounce, it’s a miracle the average life expectancy has risen. However, perhaps it’s because more people are discovering that chronic illness, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can be avoided, or at least lower the risk by changing their diet...

Step right up! Get your peanuts! Get your popcorn! You are about to witness something you’ll never forget. That familiar cry usually preceded lions roaring and jumping through hoops, while elephants stood on one leg and trumpeted loudly as acrobats slowly walked the tightrope high above the cheering crowd...

These days, social workers report what is likely a trend among young families today—more single fathers as sole parents. Moms have flown the coop, seeking self-satisfaction from increased time for themselves, greener financial pastures, new bed partner(s), or chemically-induced escape from this life—the same kinds of temptations which has been luring fathers from their responsibilities and joys of loving others as God loves them. ...

It is the spookiest time of year again! What better way to spend these long fall nights than to be scared senseless (or just a little spooked) than by reading creepy stories to get you in the mood for Halloween? The Dunklin County Library has lots of Halloween picture, ABC, and Easy chapter books for your little ones. ...

“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” (2 Peter 3:4-6) Peter told about scoffers (3:3) who expressed their disbelief in Christ’s second coming and argued that cataclysmic judgments on earth have never occurred, but rather all things will continue the same forever. ...

Over the years, I have enjoyed listening to financial gurus like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, and I have learned a lot from them. However, I wish I would have known about them many years ago when I first started working, I would be a lot better prepared for my retirement years...

L.E. Jones’ song, “We Shall See the King Some Day” is an uplifting song. We will examine its words together. The first stanza begins, “The way we journey may be often drear.” A Christian will have times in his life which may be dreary. He is not immune from the problems that earthly life brings. Everyone has to provide for their families even as taxes and the cost of living rises. All must face the sorrows of sickness, disease and deaths which no man has control over...

This past weekend I attended a family reunion. Relatives came back home from all over the country to laugh, eat, and visit. One of the highlights of our reunions is the auction. Everyone brings something to put in the auction and all the money raised is used to pay for next year’s reunion...

Years ago, as a requirement in seminary, I attended a Jewish synagogue to view people worship the God of the Old Covenant, the first one in which God chose Abraham with whom to promise to make his offspring great to glorify God. I had a difficult time following the message the teacher was delivering, but my professor had been raised a Jew but had answered the call to faith in which God had given him and had become a Christian. ...

Last week I read a column from a Nebraska newspaper online. This column posed a question: How long has it been since you touched base with your best childhood buddy? I wish I could share one more Eagles tune or a pork tenderloin sandwich from Kampus Korner with Sally because October 2 is her birthday...

My granddaughter loves the song, “Let it go” from Disney’s “Frozen” and she sings it all the time. I don’t think I have ever seen the movie all the way through, but from what I have seen, the message it sends is one everyone should take to heart. It’s about letting go of hate, controlling anger, learning to forgive, and coming together as a family to be happy. Hate and anger is something that can affect one not only mentally, but it can also destroy them physically...

It's Delta Fair time again. I’ve always enjoyed a good fair. I would even schedule vacation time to return to Kennett each Fall to attend the Delta Fair. It’s a great place to meet friends and relatives that you haven’t seen in awhile. As a younger man I enjoyed the carnival rides...

The Tuesday excitement is churning in Kennett and in surrounding towns. Folks are putting final touches on floats and posters for cars. Large bags of candy are ready; and throwing arms are warming up, and golf carts are charged and ready to go! Queens have practiced their wave, and bands are marching the streets to practice curves and corners. Yes, the Delta Fair Parade is Tuesday beginning at 5:30 pm!...

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)...

Now that I’m 60, I realize that I don’t bounce quite as good as I did in my thirties, so avoiding situations that could possibly cause a fall is high on my list these days. Even those beautiful stiletto heels have been put to rest, well most of them anyway. With Saturday, Sept. 22, slated as Fall Prevention Awareness Day, it is important to remind everyone how easy it is for a senior to slip and fall...

It’s been another busy week around Kennett. This past weekend my family and I attended the Fall into Arts Festival. I ran into many friends and left with some great jams and some local art pieces. Despite the threat of rain and an actual downpour or two, the community came out and really supported the festival...