Religion Column

Religion Column

Religion column: God created 'human beings' in his own image
By The Rev. Craig Schwalenberg "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them." The Hebrew Scriptures, Genesis 1:27, New Living Translation

March 3, 2012
Powerful preaching encourages life's journey of faith
Religion column by the Rev. Jim Wheeler Sr. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." (2 Peter 3:9-10)

February 25, 2012
Religion column: Respect 'the spirit that watches your back' and all will be well
By Cheryl Petersen I am going to use Quentin and Doris (the names of my late parents) as pseudonames for two friends in the story you are about to read, because I don't want to be excommunicated from these friendships. My conversations with Quentin and Doris always touch on a poignant spiritual element worth repeating. Recently, Quentin told me a story that topped all the news media's headlines about the economy while teaching me another lesson: Tell others why we have hope but with respect.

February 18, 2012
Religion Column: What has happened to civility back in public discourse?
By The Fred Albrecht ... This is a major election year. The American people will elect a president, all members of the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate. Numerous other state and local positions will be up for election. That means we will be inundated with political advertising. When I think about the political advertising during the past few years, I wonder what has happened to civility in public discourse.

February 11, 2012
Religion column: Creationists are the Charlie Sheens of Christianity
The Rev. Thomas Pullyblank In chapter 19 of "The Literal Meaning of Genesis," St. Augustine offers an opinion on Christians who use Scripture to argue against scientific learning.

February 4, 2012
We must understand the value of every soul
Have you ever gone out for a walk and noticed a penny on the ground? I have, and my first thought was to just pass it by, because pennies are worthless and can't buy much. I can remember growing up going to the corner store to buy candy for a penny, which can't be done today. As I passed by the penny I thought how many people we just ignore because we think they are worthless.

January 28, 2012
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly and you're good to go
As we start 2012 it is good to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. Many people think Christianity is only a crutch for weak people, for the needy or for the innocent. However, in life we need many things. Many of us need and prefer to have a spouse and children to love. We rely on people to bring goods to market so we can have food. We rely on the utility companies to provide us electric and heat so we can stay warm. We rely on doctors and nurses to help us get well. We do not call these people or companies crutches. And yet, when people seek God, and the community of believers, and cherish them in their lives, somehow others want to call that weakness. How foolish to accept the biased thinking that the God who made us should not be the best one to fix us, and the one we should worship and love.

January 21, 2012
How and why I vote religiously
The Rev. Craig Schwalenberg Now that it is 2012 and the election season has started in earnest (the Iowa Caucuses already behind us -- only 10 more months of campaign ads and political commentary to go), I feel compelled to admit a deep dark secret: I vote religiously.

January 14, 2012
Area residents rallied after flooding
Without a doubt the most important local event this past year is the recovery effort following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. In the days immediately following a natural disaster, the area is swarmed with emergency personnel, people trained to remove the damaged property, government agencies and the media.

December 31, 2011
Press has few revelations about Christmas
Newspaper staffs feel obliged to write something catchy during holiday seasons. To be "catchy" usually means to be either a novelty or at least a little bit outrageous.

December 10, 2011
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