Opinion

RESURRECTION FAITH

Pastor Lanette S. Van   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.

Comments, Please!

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.

Des Moines Register Series on Healthcare Misleading

  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.

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 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.

Know your candidate

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*.

The Anatomy of a Story

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.

The Royal Icing on the Cake

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's Blog: Whose we are - Part 5 'When We Give'

  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.

Off they go into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sky

Veterans welcoming home fellow Veterans after their trip to Washington D.C.D.C. 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's Blog: Whose We Are part 4 'What We Have'

  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.