Opinion

As the United States faces the worst public health crisis in a generation, we want you to know we are here for you – and with you. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper (the DDD) will be there for you. We’ll be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis – from business to government to the health care system and schools to the drastic impact on individuals and families...

As the time of Lent draws to its glorious end, the appointed Scripture readings (the Lectionary) include the theme of death, but pointing to Jesus as He travels closer and closer to Jerusalem to fulfill His purpose as God becoming flesh to die for the sins of the world. ...

Answering the phone at the library desk, a woman’s voice whispered, “Please pick out three books for me and my husband will get them this afternoon.” I agreed to do so and asked her name. She mumbled her name but I thought I heard “desperate mom stuck at home with kids”! I selected three terrific books, checked them out to this patron, and placed them in a sack for pick up. ...

Of late, I have been concerned that young people of our generation don’t have as strong of a desire for self-preservation as past generations once had. They don’t seem to think it possible that they could die. I have never bungee jumped before. In fact, I have no desire to sky dive, paraglide, or scuba dive. ...

It has been scientifically proven that a person’s attitude can have a phycological affect on people, whether it is positive or negative. If someone is always gloom, doom, and a half-empty glass, their lives will, ultimately, result in poor health and depression and negativity will follow them. ...

What a difference a week makes. Last week the virus had not affected me too much. I became a little more diligent with my hand washing and practicing standard precautions. Now the pandemic has affected my family here and throughout the nation. We’ve adopted new words and terms into our vocabulary like, social distancing, novel coronavirus, surge capacity, flattening the curve, and of course self-quarantine...

One day God called upon His angels to appear to Him and Satan was among them. God said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Satan’s reply was a two-fold accusation, claiming that Job was not actually righteous but was motivated by God’s generous provision granted to Job: wealth, health, wonderful family, etc. ...

Talking to children is a great pleasure in life. But, then, again, I just like good conversation. Children are so full of ideas, innocence, and inquiry. Chatting with a little boy the other day, he told me in his “big voice” that he liked my purple shoes. ...

I hope to say something that might help calm fears about the virus presently plaguing our world. I would remind everyone of a very basic Bible teaching, often forgotten, which is that we are to work together with our Great God. We are to trust God for our daily necessities. ...

It is time for people to take a minute and breathe. Because of the panic over the Coronavirus, the country’s population has not only lost a lot money in the stock market, but they have also lost their minds. Using common sense, mutual respect, and common decency is needed right now. Go to the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) website to learn the facts on cases reported, ways to prevent the spread, and what you can to protect yourself...

To say that coronavirus fear has a tight grip on the world would be an understatement. It’s all you hear or read about it. I’ll admit I haven’t got too worked up about it. I believe using universal precautions, as we all should be doing, will essentially prevent the virus...

During a recent Wednesday night dinner before our Lenten midweek worship service, a high school-aged parishioner shared with the rest of us that his English class was reading a book on the Salem witch trials. Eleventh grade English curriculum reading has exclusively been American literature, and the two most frequent works which have been read in government schools has been “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathanial Hawthorne and the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards, of the Great Awakening movement which fanned the flames of Christian faith in eighteenth century America. ...

A Facebook post by a friend this week provided food for thought. The image displayed three figures with their per hour wage or position stamped underneath. Other information which explained their financial status was provided as well. Listed under the lowest wage is “hasn’t read a book in 14 years” and the figure with the highest income “reads four books a month”! The reading difference was alarming. ...

Unlike our country, Israel was a country which was under a constant threat from lions. In King David’s time, there were many lions and David mentions them often in the Psalms he wrote. He gave God credit for once delivering him from a lion. (1 Samuel 17:37)...

While talking to a senior at the nutrition center, it was brought to my attention that before going in for an MRI, the attendants asked her the same question twice: Do you have a tattoo? She couldn’t figure out why they were so interested in whether she had a tattoo or not until she asked the question, “Why?” The answer, “lead,” but that’s not all that is in a tattoo that can cause problems in the young and old...

Much of Christendom today is known for its focus, if not an outright human narcissistic viewing of God as intervening in the daily lives of us believers. We always hearing “God has a plan for you”, or “God is working in my life”. Both are true. Yes, God has a plan for everyone who lives today, who lived in the past, and in the future. ...

Jeff Dorris jdorris@dddnews.com I never liked cats. I’m a dog person. I’d had some bad experiences with felines throughout the years and never really desired their company. When I married my wife she had a cat. A big cat. Nugget. He was black with white spots sprinkled on his face and nose...

Christian and inspirational fiction has blossomed with new authors joining this publishing genre monthly. A list of this genre’s authors would include world renowned pastors and televangelists, numerous female authors, and individuals with a story to share. These books can teach, entertain, and inspire reflection...

This week, let’s consider a passage from Proverbs. “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness and honour.” (Proverbs 21:21 KJV) The unsaved person needs to seek to be made righteous by God’s righteousness. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested …” (Romans 3:21) God’s righteousness is manifested in the gospel. ...

Missourians will be receiving a census survey in the mail, and many are already seeing a lot of informational advertisements on the upcoming 2020 Census and its importance to the state and its citizens for various programs, but how secure and confidential is the data that is received?...

In the last few weeks I’ve watched debates, viewed television news reports, and read a number of poll results concerning the 2020 election. I am amazed how many of today’s issues mirror what was happening in our country in the sixties. The decade of the sixties was a turbulent time for our nation and I’ve had lots of discussions with friends about how everything changed after the assassination of Kennedy...

Recently, I was driving from home to the church and was listening to the news on the radio. It was announced that a study had been completed by the United Nations’ World Health Organization that concluded that there are an estimated 9 million people in the world who are not secure in adequate sources for food. Some are literally starving, but most of those 9 million fell into the category of ill-fed, their diets were not enough to keep them healthy...

Do your favorite books have similar qualities? One of my favorite books is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This classic novel has well-developed characters with a definite appearance, dialogue, and unique mannerisms. Scout and Jem refer to their father by his first name instead of “Dad”. ...

What does Peter say in his two epistles about Christ? If you did your homework, as I earlier encouraged, then this article will sound familiar. Peter referenced several different names or titles for Christ. Peter mentioned “Jesus Christ” at least sixteen times. Once, Peter reversed the order and said, “Christ Jesus”. (1 Peter 5:10) “Christ” is used ten times...

Every ten years, the country in accordance to the constitution, counts America’s population; that time is here again and Census Day for 2020 is April 1. However, the Missouri bootheel, especially in Dunklin County, is one of the most poorly counted because of lack of participation. ...