Category Archives: Opinions
What to find at the food bank
I recently learned a few things about my local food bank that I didn’t know. Maybe your 
food bank has these services as well.
The local food bank has a mobile pantry that goes to the senior housing building once a month for seniors who can’t get out to the regular weekly location. While they don’t carry a large variety on the van, they do have some of most everything, including canned and boxed foods, coffee and tea, some
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Knowing God through His word
Even with something as simple as praying and reading the Bible every day, it’s a challenge even to those who are determined and sincerely seeking God’s divine guidance.
As a Christian writer and teacher, I encourage everyone to make time and find the secret place of God’s presence where they can spend quality moments alone with Him.
I’ve noticed a huge difference between reading non-religious books and reading the Bible. There is no
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Who was Naomi?
Ruth 1:2 “And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. 
And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.”
Several characters in the Bible that played a vital role in the lineage of Christ and ultimately the salvation of mankind have been overlooked in their importance. Their sacrifice and suffering
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Stolen valor: When they didn’t earn it
Despite the Stolen Valor Act and the punishments for violating that act, there are still far too many who decide to take the chance on reaping the material gains of claiming 
benefits and wearing a uniform they didn’t earn.
A veteran on the east coast was nailed not only for scamming charities but for pretending to be a Purple Heart recipient. In a rare change from the usual in
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Gift giving this year?
A show of hands, please: How many of us are already in a panic about just how we’re going to give holiday gifts to our family and friends this year? With the costs of everything seeming to go up by the day, how are we going to manage to stretch our budgets to include
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The easy way is not God’s way
Seeking comfort and not being willing to stand against sin leaves us lukewarm and vulnerable to defeat and destruction. Christians who avoid getting their hands dirty with prayer and obedience might have religious knowledge, but are developing spiritual muscle atrophy. If we stay on the couch and only eat rich
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Courier Letters to the Editor 10-22-25
Compromise is governing
Dear Editor,
Compromise is not weakness — it is the foundation of governing. Since the Constitution was written, compromise has been essential. It gave us two houses of Congress in 1787.
In 2010, the Affordable Care Act was itself a compromise: Democrats wanted universal healthcare, Republicans opposed it. The result? Americans gained coverage for pre-existing conditions, young adults stayed on their parents’ plans until age 26, and mental health care finally achieved parity with physical health care. While Republicans still
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Be careful choosing with your ancestors
Deuteronomy 4: 9 “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.”
Have you ever wished you could have chosen your ancestors? Perhaps you’ve looked in a mirror and
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Dealing with food recalls
It’s impossible to say exactly what’s going on, but lately there are problems with our food supply, one after the other. Listeria and salmonella are at the top of the list.
Listeria shows up in water, waste and the soil and ends up in our meat, fresh produce and dairy products.
Some say the rising number of cases of listeria are because we’re eager to grab ready-to-
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Mayor: City is steady, responsible and proud
When I talk about the strength of Pickens, I’m not just talking about our spirit — I’m talking about our finances, too. A strong city needs both. And I’m proud to say that in 2025, the city of Pickens is in better 
financial shape than it’s been in many years.
If you’ve been following along with city council meetings or reading the budget summaries, you’ve seen the change for yourself. If you’ve been listening to some on social media more concerned with creating drama than knowing or telling the truth, you might think the city is on its last legs. They are talking about the past and ignoring the progress of the last two years.
Back in 2023, our general fund budget was overspent by around
