Follow Jesus outside

I pray a lot, it’s what a pastor does. I keep a prayer list and I have columns on my list. I pray for those who are sick physically, sick spiritually, I intercede for my enemies (that list seems to grow all the time), I pray for our president and other leaders around the world.

All thorns are woven into a crown

In chapter twelve of Second Corinthians Paul tells us: “A thorn was given me…” What was this thorn? We don’t know. Sometimes Paul was totally disabled by it. The best guesses are that the thorn was epilepsy or migraine headaches or a malarial fever.

Language

The language used by former President Donald Trump could help to build a case against him, says a Texas A&M University rhetoric expert, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to lay out its findings during hearings.

Enjoy these tidbits of useless information

• Where there's a will, I want to be in it. • The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on my list. • Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak. • If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

A better life through Temple College

We certainly need more education opportunities in Milam County. Education is the key to a better job, higher pay and a better lifestyle. Education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle.

Looking back... Through The Reporter Files

100 YEARS AGO… The American Legion boys were to be congratulated upon the success of the Fourth of July celebration staged in this city under the auspices of the local Post.

July 4th

Hear that marching band playing patriotic music? Smell those hot dogs cooking on the grill? See those fireworks exploding in the night sky? Then it must be Independence Day.

Don’t believe fireworks misinformation

There is a lot of firework misinformation going around our town. I had a very nice meeting with Jerry McPeek on Tuesday. Jerry and his wife own and operate Big Tex Fireworks out by the KC Hall and they have been doing so for 15 years. “Fireworks” are not banned. “Aerial fireworks” are not banned.

Singing national anthem strains vocal chords

(A timely column from the late Willis Webb from 2014.) As I sit at the desk in my “man cave” (Life Mate’s name for it) in the predawn hours of Independence Day, I think about strained vocal chords. Mine, when I try to sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” even in my mind as I’m doing now, it hurts.

Looking back... Through The Reporter Files

100 YEARS AGO… A special called meeting of the Austin Presbytery was held in Rockdale for the purpose of examining, receiving and ordaining Rev. D.C. Wallace, who was chosen by the Rockdale Presbyterian church as pastor. Our fellow citizen, Lem Smith, was taken very ill and became unconscious.