Opinion

Do you know what I hold most precious? Time. My time and how I choose to spend it. There’s time for work and time for play. There’s time for family and friends. There’s time for planning and dreaming. Time for prayer and meditation. For me its always been so important...

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13) We need to be more like God who is great in mercy. (Numbers 14:18) The fact that God chooses to be merciful and offers forgiveness to all is just and fair. ...

My late grandfather, G.T. Smith was a wise man born in the late 1890s, and he passed during the late 1990s. He buried his parents and an expectant wife during the influenza epidemic of 1917, he lived through two world wars, he owned one of the first Model A cars, watched man take his first step on the moon, and experienced the first of just about everything. ...

I enjoy Christmas very much. I have, through the years, maintained my child-like enthusiasm for the holiday. Even as an adult when old Saint Nick put a hole in my pocketbook. I still enjoy Christmas. However the last few years of political correctness have hindered thoughts of peace on earth and goodwill towards men...

Mary Shelley’s famous book “Frankenstein” may be an unusual topic in this time of Advent, the brief, three-week season of preparation for Christmas. But one scene in the book reads almost prophetic—not something of God, but of Man. The situation is when the Creature faces his creator, Dr. ...

My heart goes out to those young pre-teens and teens who are being bullied at school and on social media. It isn’t easy growing up and dealing with peer pressure and the desire to be accepted by friends. The problem of bullying has become so severe that some students have taken their own lives. This should not be happening! Let me suggest a few ideas to help those dealing with bullies...

Anyone who has cared for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s knows that life changed in so many ways for both, caregiver and parent/spouse. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among adults. They estimate that in 2018, approximately 5.7 million Americans are now living with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death for all adults...

I can’t run a washer or a dryer. Let me clarify this statement. I can run a washer or dryer that’s 25 to 30 years old, I just can’t run a new one. I discovered this fact while my wife is away helping my father-in-law recuperate from heart surgery. She offered to leave instructions, but I laughed at such an absurd idea...

If you want to say that you’ve read a book of the Holy Bible, you could opt to read the book of Jude. It’s so short it doesn’t even have chapters. It reads kind of like the book of Amos, full of warnings, woes, and pleas to repent and stay focused on the will of God. ...

Thanksgiving dinner is over, and the kitchen is clean. Leftovers are stashed for a tasty Thanksgiving multi-layered Friday sandwich. You could watch football or a Christmas movie. If you desire to grab a book and relax with a good story, you are not alone. ...

Do you quickly tire of suffering some type of inconvenience? Maybe it is your employer’s poor management skills or your children’s constant demands upon your time. Possibly, people’s less than kind treatment of you quickly exasperates your ability to control your tongue and actions. If yes, then you are not alone. This is why we need the fruit of the Spirit called “longsuffering”...

With Thanksgiving around the corner, a lot of people are being asked, “What are you thankful for?” This week’s column is on somewhat of a personal note because a lot of what I’m thankful for involves the seniors I work with and my own senior, my mom...

As Thanksgiving draws near I always like to share my thoughts on gratitude. Here’s a column I ran last year on gratitude. I’d like to share this again with you because it made such an impact on me. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you realize the significance of gratitude...

In the traditional Church Year calendar, the focus in November is the end of the Church Age, the symbolic use of “1,000 years” or the time between Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Covenant by His substitution of His flesh for ours to free us from the consequences of our sins and His ultimate return. ...

Julie Orf Dunklin County Library Mention giblet gravy to folks and you will have a variety of responses from “Yuck!” to “You can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without giblet gravy!” Moma always made giblet gravy. Even though her dressing was moist and delicious, a drizzle of giblet gravy made it perfect. ...

Why aren’t people, including those who would claim to be religious, content to follow God’s will and way? All around us, many are discontent with God’s will and seem intent on progressing further away from what God desires. Why doesn’t everyone want to follow God’s will and way?...

Sunday was Veteran’s Day, but the official observance day for many businesses was Monday, so for our veterans, this week’s column is for them. For me, this Veteran’s Day was even more special since, in July, I lost my dad, a marine veteran. My children’s dad was a Vietnam veteran, and my mother’s brother, the late, A.W. ...

As we honor our men and women for their military service this Veteran’s Day, I ask the question is patriotism alive and well? It would not appear so if you focus on the flag burners, the national anthem kneeling athletes, and the extreme divisiveness in our country...

One of the most admired qualities a person can have in this fallen, sinful world is “practicality”. We desire to be “practical” when choosing a new vehicle, spouse, career, and house. Some explain their voting habits by choosing the most practical candidate. We desire him or her to agree with beliefs, which we hold as realistic. The Holy Bible is so helpful in guiding us believers in this life. Filled with humans who fail, we can study their words and deeds and see the consequences...

“White Christmas” is one of my favorite movies. The screenwriter, Norman Panama, hit all the right notes completing this gem of a movie script. A love story times two and a war hero are all wrapped up with memorable spoken lines, singable tunes, and unforgettable dance numbers. With the talents of Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera Ellen, this movie musical is worth watching for numerous reasons...

We are encouraged in the scriptures to sing praises to God. “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (Psalms 95:1) “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Psalms 147:1) Charles Spurgeon said about this verse, “It is good because it is right; good because it is acceptable with God, beneficial to ourselves, and stimulating to our fellows.” The righteous “doth sing and rejoice.” (Proverbs 29:6). ...

Winter does not only bring falling leaves, north winds and icy snow, but it also brings influenza, colds, and coughs. For seniors with weakened immune systems, that can mean lengthy hospitals stays or worse, even death. Immunizations and vaccines are important for many reasons, but especially for the elderly to remain healthy throughout the fall and winter months...

Revelation chapter seven records two visions the disciple John has of the saints at the throne of God. Verses 2-8 record the 144,000, a symbolic number of completeness, with the twelve tribes of Israel each having 12,000 saints standing before God. They are the victorious Church on earth. ...

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The devil is trying to destroy your soul! One way he seeks to prevent your salvation is by discouraging you from studying your Bible. ...

It’s another busy weekend in Dunklin County. This weekend is packed with events that offer something for everyone. Saturday, November 3, kicks off with the Annual Presbyterian Bazaar. The Bazaar will be held at the Presbyterian Activity Center located at 226 North Main in Kennett...