Opinion

It’s fair time, and the cost for everything from vendor food to carnival rides will send a person to the poor house, or at least bust the monthly budget, especially for those, like seniors, on a fixed income. However, after the carnival rides are gone, the trash is collected, and the wallet empty, the University of Missouri Extension (UME) has some suggestions on how to beat rising food prices to save money...

Trash is once again at the forefront of discussion around town. The proposal for CLGW to provide trash services has sparked much debate throughout the community. The phone calls and emails I’ve received seem to be against it. Many have stated the community was not involved in this decision...

As a seminarian preparing for the pastoral ministry, I had been invited to sit among some pastors during one of their monthly circuit meetings. I thanked them for sharing their wisdom with me, which they found amusing as they denied that they had much wisdom, if they had any at all. ...

The anticipation of the Delta Fair Parade is a feeling of excitement and eagerness that builds as the parade gets closer. Our rural communities come together to celebrate the best of our local culture with the derby and tractor pull, exhibits, amazing food stands, arts and crafts, and agriculture. ...

Think for a couple of minutes about a united religious world, before you read on. What would that be like? How wonderful that would be! I don’t know if I have the words to describe the beauty of such. But, I believe today we are seeing the fruits denominationalism produces. By denominationalism, I mean, the dividing up into smaller parts of the religious world by their various sects, doctrines, organizations, worship, etc…...

Most everyone, at one time or another, has awakened to sciatica, that crippling pain, radiating from the back, through the hip, and down the leg. The condition has many symptoms, causes, and, thankfully, treatments. Knowing exactly what sciatica is, may help to understand the condition to avoid it. ...

As the Delta Fair fast approaches I anxiously anticipate my foray into the food delights that await. I love fair food and I’ve had my fair share of it over the years. No pun intended. I once attended a county fair with work friends and their families...

At this present “Time-of-the-Church ‘season’” of Pentecost (always fifty days after Easter Sunday), we Biblical believers reflect on the Church and its situation and setting in the world. The Old and New Testament recorded God’s revelation of Himself and His expectations for all human beings. ...

The Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, asks questions of the attendees while walking through the panels. The rural theme is quite strong, and drops of information are provided to spur thinking and hopefully research. One of my favorite thought-provoking questions is “What does rural sound like?” In our beautiful Dunklin County, the fall and winter have different rural sounds...

I’m guilty, oh yes I am! I love preaching whether it is someone else who is preaching or I’m the one privileged to present the Good News. There is one stipulation--it is the proclaiming of the Word of God to which I am referring.  In recent columns we have addressed the topics of, “I Love the Lord” and “I Love the Book.” My wife and I have just returned from a preacher’s camp meeting outside of Conway, AR, where we heard powerful messages from the Word of God Wednesday evening and all day Thursday and Friday--a total of 14.  As you can imagine, we are now in the process of “processing” all 14 of these. ...

Why are you not yet a Christian? I have known many through my years of preaching who said they wanted to be Christians and go to heaven, but who kept putting off becoming one. Some eventually did so, but others died never having obeyed the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) If you are not a Christian, why are you not a Christian? Let’s consider one possible hindrance...

Saving money is important for seniors, especially those with fixed incomes from small Social Security benefits and no retirement supplemental checks. These days a dollar does not go far and as winter weather nears, heating bills are bound to skyrocket with the increase in propane and natural gas...

This weekend kicks off a string of fall festivals and community events. Fall Into Arts, the Kennett Kruisers car show, Crossroads exhibit and Author’s Fair at the Kennett Branch of the Dunklin County Library, and Clarkton’s Purple Hull Pea Festival, all culminate this weekend...

Some pastors have reported that many people who had been faithful in their worship service attendance before Covid had still not returned to the church. Three years is a long time without God’s Word spoken to them (Romans 10:14-21) and no Sacrament administered to them for the forgiveness of their sins (Matthew 26:26-28). ...

The exhibit is here in the balcony area of the Dunklin County Library in the Kennett headquarters. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute Museum on Main Street Project and the Missouri Humanities Council, Crossroads: Change in Rural America is an interactive record of rural beginnings and adaptations. Considering literature to set the tone for viewing this exhibit, what books would capture rural life?...

We are to serve the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart. Some try to serve the Lord without joy. Many do what the Lord requires, but do so without deep thought, affection or devotion toward God. They go to worship on Sundays and offer lip service, but lack true desire and affection for God...

There are so many ways to save money, especially when living on a fixed income like Social Security. The last two weeks, Aging Gracefully has concentrated on ways to help make that dollar last longer and go further in purchasing groceries, auto upkeep, utilities, home remodeling, and maintenance/cleaning. Part 3 looks at ways to stretch each hard, earned dollar when trying to find ways to tend to a yard and raise a garden, as well as expand personal finance, and enjoy entertainment...

Be prepared. The old motto from the Boy Scouts rings especially true now. September is National Preparedness Month. Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has taken steps to encourage all citizens to make their own survival preparations. This year’s theme is “Preparing Older Adults” highlighting key challenges seniors can face when it comes to preparedness...

As the time grew short for the conclusion of the purpose, the ministry of Jesus, we read from Matthew 16:21-28, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ...

Getting a card or letter in the mail is a delightful surprise! Moma was so faithful in sending cards to family and friends on their birthdays. Numerous family members have stated “I always knew that I would get one birthday card, and it would be from Aunt Syble!” Family friends have expressed that they miss getting a card in the mail from Moma. Being close to Moma’s birthday, celebrating cards and letters is quite appropriate...

How do you feel about life right now? Is it pretty good or pretty bad? Those who are older have lived long enough to experience many of life’s sad experiences like losing a child, health deterioration, or possibly the loss of all their worldly possessions. Youth should be a happy time in life. Sadly, many young people today don’t feel like life is very good. Suicide is on the rise among them...

Trying to save these days is harder than most, especially with the cost of food, fuel, and interest rates rising, along with a recession on the horizon. The first in the series of “Finding ways to save,” suggested ways to save on food and auto upkeep, as well as keeping your bank account safe by using low-limit credit cards for online purchases. Still there are more ways to save on utilities and home remodeling...

They say that confession is good for the soul. I’ve decided to test that theory. What follows are a few of my most private moments. Some are embarrassing, however, hopefully they’ll be cathartic. Here we go. When I’m grilling I occasionally pretend to be on a cooking show...

In teaching Christian Apologetics (the defense of the Christian faith), I would look for online posts from unbelievers to copy and print to share with parishioners and the teen/pre-teen youth at the church I serve. Usually, the writers are mocking Christians, claiming we are uneducated, mindless followers of myths and fables that they claim have been disproved by the sciences and human reason. ...

Beach reads often involve sun, sand, and string-bikini-thin plots. Now, that summer is winding down and school has started, readers may find less time for their favorite activity. Labor Day is approaching so one last time to enjoy the pool or a long weekend get-away is possible. The question of “what shall I read?” is easily answered with several late summer publications...