By Matthew McClimon In our world there has always been a universal idea that there is good and evil. Good is described as the hero or the best a person can be. Evil is seen as angry, dark, and anti humanity. I think the better question to ask is whether we choose to be good or evil. This philosophical idea has many answers and they are incorporated into everything in modern … [Read more...]
Mother turned tying my necktie into a team roping event
I took a sales course early in my life. One thing stressed in the course was that how a man dressed could be telling of his character. The world has become much more casual in dress since then. I gave a eulogy recently. I have given many, each one has been a great honor and a humbling experience. As the inscription on the sundial reads, “I wait for no one.” When I was a … [Read more...]
“Amazing Grace” by John Newton 1779
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish Churches: Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston (and Lenora) Did you know that this powerful Christian hymn is 250 years old this year? 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of this great hymn written by John Newton. John Newton has a remarkable conversion experience in completing surrendering his life to Jesus … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Back and forth across the water
First of a series The Mississippi River and other navigable streams were the superhighways of the 1800s when the nation expanded west. After settlements had been established (five along the Mississippi in what became Houston County), all sorts of watercraft were used to cross the river back and forth, including canoes, poleboats, rowboats, excursion boats, show boats, … [Read more...]
Keeping my sanity
I am a Godlilocks weather person. Winter is too cold and snowy. Summer is too hot and humid. Spring and fall are just right. The moderate temperatures plus the scents of the seasons and the colors make me happy and more productive. The smell of mud and fresh green grass is intoxicating while the color of fall leaves and smell of bonfires makes me sigh with joy. Since … [Read more...]
Our focus in Lent is Christ
By Pastor Michael Harman St. Johns Lutheran Church and School Many Christians are in a part of the Christian Church year called Lent, a period of 40 days plus Sundays before Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). Lent reminds us of Jesus fasting in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights tempted by Satan. Some begin with ashes placed on the head as a symbol of repentance. … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Fires, fatalities, 50 years and leap year festivities
Part ten of a series It became associated with Sadie Hawkins, a 1937 cartoon character. But 57 years earlier, a similar social event occurred in 1880 Caledonia. The 1882 History of Houston County recounted notable events year by year. THE YEAR 1878 (continued) In December, Mr. John Knock, a German living in the township of Brownsville, was killed by the fall of a large limb … [Read more...]
The altar
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger One of my favorite poets is George Herbert, who is commemorated in the Lutheran church on the date of his death, March 1, 1633. He was born April 3, 1593, in Montgomery, Wales, into an aristocratic family. In 1609 he began studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, where in 1616 he … [Read more...]
Prepare for Liftoff!
With a big yawn, I exclaimed, “I dreamt I could fly!” I remember the weightless feeling of levitating like Superman into the air. From the time I was young, I have dreamed of flying both nocturnally and in conscious thought. My brother and I would always see how much air we could get. I remember packing snow up over the old stump in the middle of our sledding hill to make a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Sleeping through a theft, auspicious celebration in Brownsville
Part nine of a series A local organization of the national anti-liquor movement, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, was founded in Caledonia on November 1, 1878, “with many of the leading ladies of the village as officers.” This was published in an 1882 History of Houston County, which included year-by-year newsworthy events during the county’s first three decades. … [Read more...]