Columns

Earlier this month, James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the Starship Enterprise, and otherwise known as William Shatner, ventured where few have gone before — into outerspace. Not in his official capacity as a senior Star Fleet officer, mind you, but as a civilian just like you and me. Shatner made the suborbital flight atop a Blue Origin rocket at the invite of that company’s owner, Jeff Bezos (purportedly the richest person on the planet). And Shatner’s reactions to the adventure were much as mine would be, I’m sure: initially, terror at the thought that the rocket (fed up with the ups and downs of space flight) might decide to commit suicide by exploding, followed by the giddiness of gamboling about in the space capsule weightless as a feather, then amazed at the view of Mother Earth laid out below him. But finally, awestruck; awed at how thin and vulnerable Earth’s biosphere truly is. The only known life-sustaining biosphere in the whole of the universe.

Our friend, David, is a rancher who has handled and sold thousands of cattle through the years. One particular part of the job of raising cattle is roundup time in the fall. All those animals have to be gathered up so new babies can be branded, the unhealthy treated, older cows can be separated out to be sold or recreated as steaks, and the whole crowd counted and accounted.

Ever got a case of the guilts for taking a few minutes to do absolutely nothing that contributes to your finances, your job, or your family – simply doing what you want because you like it? The guilt is a pretty common reaction in our American culture that believes in the axiom, “Waste not – want not.” Unless of course, you are a part of the fluffy subculture that feels having experiences in life is so much more valuable than having stuff. You know, boring stuff like a job, money, a home or transportation. But that sentence leads to another topic entirely, so we will rapidly leave that thought alone for another day.

We’re fast approaching the season for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Current plans are to be back LIVE and in person this year! No matter where you live, there’s a Walk close to you! Texas Walks are just part of the over 600 being held nationally this year.

My name is Lynda Rutherford and I have lived in Canton for over 20 years. I’ve been a nurse in this area for about the same amount of time and I am always looking out for the elderly.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery,” (Gal 5:1) The context of Paul’s exhortation is a gospel-destroying submission to the law as a means of justification. But as the gospel transforms everything, so freedom in Christ impacts our duty to obey civil government. The authority of civil government is limited, legitimate and binding only within its God-ordained sphere under God’s sovereignty and word. To bow to civil government’s unlawful edicts is no less to take on a “yoke of slavery.”

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer during the long Labor Day weekend. The Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.

Not surprising, the 2021-2020 school year has kicked off to a rocky start. School is back in session in Texas, but some have been forced to return to virtual learning or close altogether because of a resurgence in COVID cases. Also not surprising, is what appears to be education administrators’ lack of preparedness for this unfortunate but not unexpected setback. I feel for the educators who are navigating this persistent uncertainty with care and professionalism. I also feel for the families and students who are the most affected each time public education must change directions. The losses are piling higher every day. I salute you all.

Dear Editor: We met a great Samaritan on the Old Bethel Road (VZCR 2301) on Tuesday, Aug. 31.