By Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid Christ Lutheran Church, Preston “You are the salt of the earth!” This familiar phrase is from a sermon Jesus gives in Matthew. He tells the crowd – you are the salt of the earth. Put simply, when your life is the right amount of salty, your actions enrich and benefit other people. When Jesus was giving this sermon, a crowd was gathered. … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project Exploring the Impact of Music on the Mind
By Saturn Ludewig Music is widely known as a potent form of expression that goes beyond linguistic boundaries and connects with the innermost part of a person. Apart from its capacity to stir emotions and spark imagination, studies have shown that music has a significant effect on the brain, affecting different cognitive processes and promoting overall health and wellness. … [Read more...]
Your Flying Farmer – Making Magic
Feelings of excitement flash around me as I prepare to breach the laws of the physical world and make my neon green scarf vanish into thin air! From my 11-year-old vantage point, I see my audience is enthralled with my latest magic show given by me and my string puppet sidekick named Louie. Who doesn’t love a good physics-bending show and a two legged blue creature who sniffs … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: We have a new driver in the house. I was trying to explain to my child what to do if you have a tire blowout or experience steering failure. It might mean a bit more coming from a State Trooper. Could you please explain? Thank you for all you do. Answer: A “blowout” is a burst tire that can throw your vehicle out of control. Before a blowout occurs, you may hear a … [Read more...]
A Summa Cum Laude Grad Would Have Worn a Baseball Glove
It was an endurance test for bladders. Muhammad Ali said, “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” A graduation on a lovely May day was a highlight reel of shining moments. The ceremony included a plethora of robed students with more degrees than The Weather Channel. It seemed longer than it was because that’s what those … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Booze, Billiards, Peddlers and Poll Taxes; It Was the Law
Part two of a two-part series Were there too many circuses passing through town? There were likely quite a few peddlers. Were there problems to be solved or was there revenue to be raised – maybe both? But someone could not just show up and conduct business in Houston, Minnesota. In 1889, it became unlawful for any owner, manager or agent “of any circus, menagerie, concert, … [Read more...]
Johnny Cash Sang It, So It Must Be True
I knew the day would be special. What I wanted for lunch was breakfast, but the server asked if I’d like to hear today’s special. Why not? She said, “Today is special.” I appreciated that. Cheerfulness is a flower that doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden. The cafe’s radio played softly in the background, occasionally rising above the talk and the clatter of tableware. … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions – Are You Led or Are You Driven?
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger A few Sundays ago, April 21, was “Good Shepherd Sunday,” the day in the Easter Season focused on images of Christ as our shepherd. There’s a story about a seminary professor who told his classes that in the Holy Land a shepherd went in front, and the sheep, knowing his … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Livestock at Large, Insulting Language and a Curfew
It was unlawful to drive cattle to and from pasture or water through village streets of Houston, Minn., in 1890. Both two-legged and four-legged residents were subjects of ordinances passed by the Village Council. Fines imposed over 130 years ago may sound minimal, but $1 in 1890 had the approximate purchasing of $34 in 2024. In addition to fines, there was also the cost of … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – The Dawn of a New Day: Part 2
The following is taken from “Tales from Heritage Farm” written by Wenda and Randall Grabau. Huffing and sputtering out her troubles, Hildy listed all of the things she expected to encounter that day. “I’ll hunt and get pecked by Annie. I will peck and be nipped by Dolly. After scratching a while, I’ll get chased and jabbed at by Little Red. Once I lay my big brown egg, … [Read more...]