If you’ve attended special events around the Branson area, you may have seen “Diskey the Wonder Dog” performing some amazing feats. Now readers can enjoy Diskey’s adventures in other settings, and pass her legacy on, thanks to a book series by her owner, Russ “Allright” Rosencrans. Thank you, Russ, for sharing your story of hope and healing. “I Wasn’t Done Yet” By Russ Rosencrans Most people look at retirement as the finish line. For me, it kept turning into a restart.

For many people approaching their senior years, declining memory is a primary concern. Whether you’ve noticed it yourself as you navigate daily life, or perhaps are a caregiver watching it happen to an elderly parent or other loved one, it is a frequent reality, estimated to affect at least 1 in 10 Americans. The good news, though, is that there is a proven way to help! On Wednesday, June 10, Kimberling Area Library and Senior Age will present “Introducing Stronger Memory

During my study of the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah, one thing that stuck in my mind was the list of sacrifices. “For the dedication of the house of God, they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel” (Ezra 6:17). That number pales in comparison, though, to the lists from King Solomon’s dedication of the first temple, described in I Kings 8, when the numbe

Area libraries can be a great source of information about local and regional Ozarks history! Whether you’re a native wanting to know more about how your ancestors lived, or new to the area and curious about the origins of local legends, you can often find resources at the library. This month, check out some great offerings from our neighbors to the north, the Local History and Genealogy Department of the Springfield/Greene County Library. The “Preserving the Ozarks” series

Studying the books of Ezra and Nehemiah recently, I’m amazed at the relevance of the Old Testament today. Obviously, many prophetic writings are applicable, but there are valuable principles in the historical books as well. In addition to pointing in some way to Jesus, they can provide insight for our daily living. This week, I read about Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, which had been reduced to rubble by the Babylonian conquest. Although Ezra’s work had reinst

This year marks the 68th anniversary of National Library week, celebrated this year from April 19 through 25. If you haven’t celebrated yet, it’s not too late to plan a trip to your local library or a special time of reading with children or grandchildren. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy,” highlighting the joy that comes from the services, books and special programming provided by community libraries. Key dates during the week have included “Right to Read Day” on April

Has anyone else noticed that many people seem to think they should comment on anything and everything, regardless of whether it is actually their business or whether they have anything constructive to say? I’m not talking about well-written letters to the editor or commentary shared on public pages; rather, I’m referring to those people who jump right in to criticize news shared by others, without taking time to actually read the posted information and learn more about the si

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about maintenance. My husband and I are blessed to have a paid-for place to live and a couple of reasonably decent paid-for vehicles. While we are immensely thankful to be in that situation, we are also keenly aware that just because you have something, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely and forever trouble-free. We have a special section in our budget for our home, for example—insurance, pest control, regular maintenance visits by the HVAC pr

These days, one can’t be too careful when navigating social media, email, or those dreaded spam/scam robo-calls. Although all people face safety risks that affect their well-being, older individuals may be particularly susceptible and at higher risks due to physical, mental, or learning changes related to aging. Learn to navigate those risks and “Be Aware to Prepare,” by joining Sergeant J.J. Goulbourne of the Kimberling City Police Department to participate in the May 13

I’m fascinated with my current study of the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which describe the return of the Jewish exiles to their homeland. As often happens, I’m also finding parallels with current events, plus applications to my own life. Ezra opens with the amazing story of God’s timing for the return, just as prophesied; the support received from King Cyrus of the Persian empire, including retrieval of Temple objects seized years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar; a

Since my regular Bible study has a “weekend wrap-up” without introducing new material, I enjoy spending part of my weekend devotional time in the Psalms and Proverbs. Reading Psalm 27 recently, I could still quote some of the verses I memorized as a child, including v. 1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?” (NIV) For years, that verse gave me comfort in scary situations ranging from Kansas torn

But which of us are worthy, in our own power, of God’s attention? Have I taken Jesus’ work of atonement for granted? And when I receive a special blessing or answer to prayer, do I thank Him?

Even without the current Middle East considerations, Purim is an encouraging reminder of the faithfulness of God.

And no, this little book does not bash modern worship music. It does, however, challenge readers to make sure what we are singing is truly sing-able and accessible to all worshipers