In 1953 when the first Playboy magazine was published, America was not plagued with somebody’s child or wife being raped every 3.8 minutes. Our children were not being stolen from our playgrounds and shopping centers. Many of these stolen children have later been found to be the victims of sexual molestation and then murdered.   Before the first Playboy magazine, we did not have 460,000 children missing each year. Teenagers were not programed to accept promiscuous lifestyles.

Jesus taught with parables in hopes of expediting the “dot connecting,” and so shall I with my column title.    “Loaded for bear” is a mother who fastidiously and methodically researches her hypothesis via any and every medical internet avenue that is available—with successful results. The “jammed rifle” is the corporations/enforcers (doctors) who are so full of fear (of their corporate bosses), ego and pride that they will not partner with patients or their loved ones in an

 Earl Scruggs took a three-finger style approach to picking using his thumb, index and middle finger, in a forward rolling rapid pattern. This style is what turned the banjo from a rhythm instrument to a lead instrument.

Joe Shearrer, CPFA® is Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Fervent Wealth Management.   I’ve been in this business long enough to see investors go through several versions of the Federal Reserve, from crisis fighter to inflation watchdog. What’s different today isn’t just policy; it’s how much uncertainty surrounds it. For years, investors could count on the Federal Reserve to play a familiar role: steady, predictable and largely insulated from politics. When markets stumble

The tangibles are the “things.” The “intangibles” represent the environment and manner in which the “tangibles” are presented, and how they impact guests’ feelings as they participate in various activities.

Possible theological concerns aside, the story’s theme of giving our best to Jesus resonated with children and parents.

Written on Christmas Day, 1863, the poem is Longfellow’s personal reflection while hearing church bells during such a tumultuous time in our country’s history.

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by…”   And I remember a long ago and cold December evening, standing, ready for bed, barefoot, wearing one of my dad’s worn out white t-shirts as a makeshift nightgown, while a PBS personality of sorts — I’ve no idea who — began reading “Sea Fever” by John Masefield. The guy looked very appropriately poetic standing with the sea behind, while wearing a thick

The next day, true to his word, the General had contacted his counterpart at Ft. Riley and a Huey gunship landed at Sherman Field at 8 a.m. sharp. I looked at the cameraman Jim Conlon who promptly said, “I don’t do helicopters.”

I cope in practical ways by simply turning on more indoor lights, and I may light a candle or two. I might turn on my fireplace. All seem to bring me comfort.

     So where does the "Table Rock" name come from? Well, go upstream a few miles above Branson and there's a turn in the river, a large bluff that features a rock formation that was recognized as being as flat as a table top. 

This reminds me of what James wrote concerning the brevity of our life; “It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Ja. 4:14). Life on earth is indeed short. The passing of family traditions is a stark reminder of this.

I am no Spring chicken but can safely say that in my entire lifespan, I have neither known anyone or heard anyone say, in passing, that they have ever tasted or consumed a persimmon! After reading about them, I’m looking forward to tasting one.   We have never heard of a persimmon pie OR persimmon jam—like—what is the deal? It seems there are two types of the fruit; one version called “Fuyu” and the second referred to as “Hachiya.” They are a great source of fiber and loaded

Dr. Richard Baker, AIF®, is the CEO and executive wealth advisor at Fervent Wealth Management.   My wife is a little disappointed. We are recent empty-nesters, and for the first time in years, there is no one home to look forward to her Advent calendar full of little notes and candy. Still, her disappointment isn’t anything like the disappointment that Europeans are feeling this winter.   For years, European leaders told their citizens that if they went all in on the green en

The limestone cliffs on Highway 165 near Table Rock Mountain tower above the road and above the lake which flows, ribbon-like, far below. Brief afternoon sun highlights the bluff, etching ancient karst rock in warm relief. Cathedral walls in nature are easy enough to overlook on a busy schedule — just another rock cliff, just another bunch of trees, just the lake below. Even here, in the miracle of space and air and stone and life, the mind reduces the experience to the munda

What is less encouraging to consider, however, is the waiting; there, we can look to those involved in Jesus’ birth on earth for inspiration.

Therefore, with all of this success, one might ask themselves why I made a recent announcement that I won’t be running for reelection when my current term ends in April of next year.

This year has brought with it a new normal that I’m not quite sure how to deal with other than to pray and ask God to meet me in my sadness.

You might wonder what is so bad about these books. So did this writer, so Sen. Moon referred me to a sample, from the book ‘Thrones 2: A Clash of Kings,’ by George R.R. Martin. Unfortunately, after reviewing the excerpt, it was not acceptable for this column in a family paper—and yet, it’s one of 119 books with language deemed unacceptable at a school board meeting, but within reach of students in one of our local public schools!  –CT 

Advent is a perfect time to begin, or renew, study of the Bible, seeing its thematic unity from Creation to the Fall to renewed hope, masterfully developed by divinely-inspired individual writers over centuries.