Opinion
PASTOR LANETTE S. VAN - May 13th, 2011 11:35 am

Acts 2:14a, 22-32
I Peter 1:3-9
In the movie, "UP," we see Carl's front door door and listen as he unlocks, one by one, six locks follwed by the drawing of the chain bolt.
Carl is grieving the death of his wife, Ellie. He's angry -- Ellie is gone, the big city has grown up around his home, and the world as he knew it is gone.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - May 9th, 2011 4:01 pm
One of my favorite things about working on the website is all of the comments that we get.
Sometimes they are REALLY, REALLY well written and I want to put them through, but I CAN'T...
PLEASE sign your comments...first and last names...
If you don't I just assume that you are just venting and want to make sure someone knows what you think, but are too embarrassed to sign it.
MIKE RIEGE - May 9th, 2011 11:06 am
April 23rd an article written by Clark Kauffmann of the Des Moines Register wished to make readers believe that Home Healthcare in the state of Iowa has no oversight, which is just ridiculous.
The Virginia Gay Hospital Home Health Agency was inspected by the State Department of Inspections and Appeals in 2010, 2007, 2003, and 2000.
PASTOR LANETTE S. VAN - May 6th, 2011 2:59 am

This is part five of the series, "Whose We Are" based on Wesley's Covenant Prayer. Please see an earlier post for the complete prayer.
"I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal."
Philippians 1:20-30
Matthew 26:36-46
All things, LORD? Everything, including my will, my affections, my stuff, my personal power, my life?
While the others waited at the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus took three of his most trusted disciples farther into the garden to stand watch and pray for him during this dark time of his greatest need.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - May 5th, 2011 12:42 pm
Last week the nation was treated to another "breaking" news report, the president released his birth certificate, the long form...with signatures, that says he was born in Hawaii.
I'm not sure if I am more amused that politics has come down to this, or disappointed.
If it had been me running for president, the very first time the issue came up, I would've said, "Here's my birth certificate, I know my name is NOT the typical all American name, so I expected this, thanks for caring enough about your country to ask, but *insert grin here* really, I was born here, see *hold up the certificate*.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - May 2nd, 2011 10:24 am
Over the years, it never ceases to amaze me.
I've married a guy that has a memory unlike mine.
Certain dates will pop up on the calendar and I'll hear..."Do you know what today is? 10 years ago my grandpa's shed burned down." Of course, my birthday comes up, Valentine's day...well you guessed it, it's like it doesn't happen every year.
VINTON TODAY - April 29th, 2011 12:15 pm

Every morning should begin with all the romance and drama of an English royal wedding.
Some here complain about big deal that many of us Americans find fascinating. "What's the big deal?" they ask.
In today's world the big deal is the the hope that a wedding brings.
The memories of the William's mother Diana's wedding.
PASTOR LANETTE S. VAN - April 29th, 2011 12:11 pm

WHOSE WE ARE, part five "When We Give"
This is part five of the series, "Whose We Are" based on Wesley's Covenant Prayer. Please see an earlier post for the complete prayer.
"I freely and heatily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal."
Philippians 1:20-30
Matthew 26:36-46
All things, LORD? Everything, including my will, my affections, my stuff, my personal power, my life?
While the others waited at the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus took three of his most trusted disciples farther into the garden to stand watch and pray for him during this dark time of his greatest need.
VALERIE CLOSE, EDITOR - April 26th, 2011 11:55 am

Today I'm at the helm of Vinton Today, alone.
Dean is off with the Veterans on his 2nd Honor Flight, so here's hoping the pilots are awake and sober, and the folks in the control towers are as well.
It's always an honor when we are asked to cover events like the Honor Flights, and we are always glad to help our Veterans in any way we can.
PASTOR LANETTE S. VAN - April 26th, 2011 11:18 am

This is part four of the series, "Whose We Are" based on Wesley's Covenant Prayer. Please see an earlier post for the complete prayer.
Matthew 8:18-22
Philippians 2:1-11
"Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing."
Have you ever discussed the question, "If there was a fire, what three things, besides family members and pets, would you take with you?"
Several years ago, for a rural Marion family, that question became a reality.