Opinion

Tai Chi is an ancient form of Chinese martial arts that involves slow movements and controlled deep breathing. Because of its low impact and ability to give people with poor limited mobility a chance to improve their balance, broaden their range of motion and coordination, and with its gentle, but effective activity, it is the perfect exercise for seniors...

Everyone has a favorite quote. Looking back at my recent column I began to think on all of my favorite quotes or sayings. Here are just a few. I can’t change the direction of the wind. All I can do is adjust my sail. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything...

With much of the news media focused on the drama with Prince Harry and Meagan, most actual news does not rise through all this manufactured commentary. For centuries, the royal family members have fascinated people around the world. Netflix’s wildly successful show “The Crown,” the seemingly endless hype around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meagan) and the paparazzi frenzy that once surrounded Princess Diana are just a few of the most recent examples. ...

Perhaps the most common occurrence recorded in the Holy Scripture which is read on the Day of the Epiphany every year (January 6) is the Baptism of our Lord. When Jesus approached the Jordan River, the last prophet of the Holy Bible, John the Baptist was horrified, considering himself to be unworthy to baptize the long-promised Messiah. ...

Have you read the Bible for many years? Isn’t it amazing that each time you read the Bible, another passage will stand out that you hadn’t given much thought before? 1 Peter 2:3 recently stood out to me about God being gracious. Peter says a lot about God in his two epistles...

Adult day care centers, senior centers, churches and social clubs are important to those traveling into their senior years. The journey for them is long and hard when retirement, loss of spouse, and the empty nest appears in the rearview mirror. The cost, however, is not only physical and mental, it also affects them financially, especially to state and federal coffers...

The new year has arrived and people are making resolutions and setting goals. Hopefully our community leaders are focused on growth. Three areas that I believe we should be working on are economic development, addressing poverty levels, and healthcare...

From January 6 until Ash Wednesday (February 26 this year), some churches, especially those who date back to the 16th century, particularly of the Reformation, will focus on the Epiphany, which means “sudden revelation” or a new understanding of something or someone which one or many did not previously know, were unsure of, or did not comprehend. ...

The forecast for the end of this week is rain! When the weather gets cold and wet, there’s nothing better than curling up with a soft blanket, a hot beverage, and an engrossing mystery novel. Classic mysteries will pull you in with their compelling characters and intriguing plots that will keep you guessing until the very end...

The soul which is purified by obeying the truth experiences a complete change of life, starting with the heart. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth though the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (1 Peter 1:22) The heart can be “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” according to Jeremiah 17:9, and needs to be purified by the word of the gospel. (1 Peter 1:25)...

For years the con-artist has used flattery when convincing people to give them money; however, today those tactics seemed to have changed. Now the standard call, especially to a senior, contains some type of bad news or a threat to coax money from them. So, with a new year beginning, learning how to deal with the scammer before they call may save you a lot of money, time, and anxiety...

January is National Mentors Month. The dictionary defines mentor as an experienced and trusted adviser. I’ve had many mentors throughout my life. I believe everyone should have a mentor. In fact, according to a recent research study we could all use at least five...

Luke’s account of Jesus the Christ includes the eight days after His earthly, fleshly birth, in which Jesus was circumcised. When He was forty days old, His mother and father brought Him to the temple to make a sacrifice, required by the Law as recorded in Leviticus 12:1-5 for the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus as her first born. ...

The crystal ball has dropped. The sparkling cider is now flat and I made a few resolutions. However, by the time you read this column, several of my New Year’s resolutions will have fallen by the wayside. Like most people, I usually resolve to drink more water, to exercise more, to eat better, and to be a better person in some manner. Now, I may need help getting back on track. But, never fear the Dunklin County Library has something for all resolutions!...

“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Paul refers to the saints, who made up the church at Corinth, as being God’s building. (1 Corinthians 1:2) From the Old Testament, we learn that Moses built the tabernacle and later Solomon built the temple. ...

When closing out the old year and welcoming in the new, one resolution that may be at the top of a few lists is losing weight, but the challenge is not just losing it, but also maintaining it. My journey for weight loss began on January 1, 2019, and going into 2020, I’m still 32 pounds lighter. Intermittent fasting is the one of the secrets to my continued weight loss, but what is it and how does it work?...

Another year has come and gone in the Bootheel and it’s time to reflect on the events of last year and prepare for 2020. Once again I’d like to thank all the people that allowed me the opportunity to interview them and share their stories. I’ve met some wonderful people this year...

It is December 26 as I write this, and later today I will send Christmas cards to some loved ones. No, I’m not late. The Christmas season begins December 25 and ends January 5, the day before the Epiphany. For twelve days, we Christians enjoy hearing “Merry Christmas” because it is a declaration of sweet dependence on Christ. ...

The publishing industry is wasting no time getting books out in 2020. However, what were some of the most read books for Dunklin County during 2019? This list of frequently checked out books interests me greatly. First of all, the frequency of checking out books indicates that patrons are using the library, they are enjoying reading, and the staff is engaging with the patrons to serve their taste in books. ...

As this year closes and the new one begins, we should give glory to the wonderful name of Jesus! Jesus’ name is above all names. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth … even by him doth this man stand here before you whole … Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12) We want to examine some things from 1 Corinthians chapter one regarding the name of Jesus.. ...

Although I don’t always agree with AARP’s politics, they do have a variety of great information in their magazine as well as some wonderful discounts. I’m not biased, however, because I not only subscribe to AARP, but I also subscribe to AMAC which provides information not covered by the former. That said, with 2019 coming to an end, many seniors may be looking at medical debt or debating procedures that will put them into debt. Seniors do have options...

When did it become acceptable to heckle others during public meetings? It’s not a pep rally, folks. I see this kind of behavior more and more at our area meetings. I have observed way too much of this kind of behavior over the past few months all across the county...

A fellow Reformed Christian (of the Reformation, 16th century) recently reported the birth of a child who was expected to have special needs. The child was also going to need major surgery immediately after his birth. The parents were blessed with a caring group of physicians at the hospital who saw to it to collect a team of surgeons and specialists at the hospital at the time of the child’s birth, ready to help save the child’s life. ...

So, here we are just a few days before Christmas and I still have presents to purchase. I love giving gifts; the selecting of an appropriate gift bothers me. Presents are the best and worst part of the holiday season. On the one hand, people give you presents! You get to buy nice things for the people you love!...

As human beings, we are interested in who built things like the Pyramids, or the Empire State Building? Why are men not equally as interested in who built the universe? The universe was designed and built by someone. The one who built all things must be powerful! “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ...