What does it mean to be baptized? Christians may differ in how they understand and practice baptism, but it holds a special place in the life of faith. Baptism is a powerful expression of our …

I have written before about our family farm dog, Jake. Some years ago, Jake, a Lab mix, began showing up at the farm. He belonged to a neighbor but every morning he would show up on our porch. We …

Throughout October, I had the opportunity to travel across Missouri’s 3rd District and meet with hardworking Missourians, local business owners, farmers, manufacturers and community leaders. These …

With another college basketball season underway, my thoughts drift to one of the best seats I ever had for Missouri basketball. Actually, it wasn’t a seat. It was an elevator. During my …

Dear readers,   On the Monday after a Friday night football game, my class went out to the football field and spent 30 minutes picking up trash around the bleachers and field. We filled …

Richard was already late for school when Henry suggested they go to California. It was October 1947 in Hopkins, a northwest Missouri town of less than a thousand people. At 15, Richard had about $25 …

There are people who can tell a story, and then there are people who can make you believe it. Jerry Clower could make an ordinary tale hilarious simply by telling it. Imagine Michael Jackson’s …

My older sister, Glenda, had a way of “correcting” my vision without making me feel less than for not seeing clearly in the first place. This was no exception on a summer’s day when I was …

For weeks, candidate ads have dominated television viewing. Text messages and phone calls are nonstop. Yard signs are popping up like my late season tomatoes. Much of this messaging is for …

When we talk about supporting our nation’s veterans, the conversation often centers on gratitude, patriotism and the sacred obligation we share as Americans to care for those who wore the uniform. …

A few weeks ago my youngest grandson was at my house. I was teaching him about the “special” tree in the Garden of Eden and how God had instructed Adam and Eve to eat from any tree in the garden, …

It was back in 1906 the forward pass became legal in football. Turns out, in the later downs, if the ball was too far from the line to gain, a forward pass was most effective against a wild …

Long before escape rooms were part of anyone’s vocabulary, our FFA chapter built them out of small square straw bales. They were among the attractions at Barnwarming, the annual fall dance. While …

My granddaughter, Addie Grace, called me on Aug. 25, very distressed. “Grandma, Dolly died.” I reassured her.   “No, I hadn’t heard that. It’s probably just fake news.” But sadly, it …

We are registered to this political affiliation with the state. However, for the first time in decades, there is some embarrassment in saying this. Actually, a lot of embarrassment. …

       After almost every golf practice or event our team has a P.O.W meeting. The acronym stands for positives, opportunities and what’s next. The goal of the meeting is to …

For too long, rural America has had to chase the Small Business Administration instead of the other way around. In towns across Missouri’s 4th District, the people starting shops, farms and family …

Every thriving small town has one thing in common: people who are willing to step up, invest their time, and work alongside others to make their community better. Strong leaders don't just keep good …

We have reached an important milestone this week. It is the first anniversary of the installation of the crown jewel of Morgan County:   the Versailles roundabout.   …

Most people probably don’t spend much time thinking about the shoes on their feet. We put them on in the morning, wear them wherever the day takes us and kick them off that evening without much …