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Local Columns

You’ll Figure It Out!

I amazingly received many calls, emails and even a few texts about my comments on our Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Coach, Fran McCaffery. I mentioned that (to me), he is an embarrassment to the University of Iowa and should be fired from coaching the Hawkeyes. But, hey, that's just my opinion. ...

Slices of Life: Toilet Paper

Turning the world upside down - one two-ply at a time There are some things in life that you just take for granted - no question asked. The beauty of a sunset. Syrup on pancakes. Turkey on Thanksgiving. Taco Tuesday. The yummy factor of pizza leftovers. Tighty righty, lefty loosey. The ...

Pastor’s Corner: The Best First!

First is the best! I remember the first time I learned to tie my shoes. After my dad showed me how I kept untying them and retying those (what my grandmother called) “clodhoppers.” Or there’s the first time I saw a movie in a theater (The Ten Commandments). I had no idea Moses was so ...

You’ll Figure it Out: Coaching

Do you remember the movie, "Good Will Hunting?" Towards the end of the movie, the psychiatrist, played by Robin Williams, repeats to his patient, Matt Damon, "It's not your fault; it's not your fault; it's not your fault." Notice to all referees and umpires from Little League, Junior High, ...

Slices of Life: If at first you don’t succeed…

In the last two years I’ve had step out of my comfort zone. Then again, I’ve stepped right into it. There’s both, and it’s all mostly good. In stepping out, I’ve sold and bought houses and cars. I’ve negotiated with air conditioner technicians and auto mechanics. I’ve tackled ...

Pastor’s Corner: Farming and the Stubborn

Someone once said, “Farming is an addiction!” I believe they’re right. There’s nothing like watching something you planted sprout or feeding an animal and watching it grow! Growing up on a farm early in life, I had chores to do every day. As soon as I got off the school bus, I had ...

Pastor’s Corner: One Finger or Two Arms?

As a 6-year-old kid, the farmer’s auction barns fascinated me. There were no dress codes, what you drag in on your boots left with you along with something else, and the smell was unimaginable. But that’s ok! Going to the sale barn wasn’t like going to church. Sitting in the ...

Slices of Life: The joy of meal planning

My grocery bills have been a challenge recently, so I’ve tried to be better about planning. Quite honestly, it’s been fun. Well, some of it has been. Because of the economy of grocery shopping, I’ve found the need for stricter strategies and more miserly meals. In this vein, I have three ...

Slices of Life: Falling off the cliff

Life changes us. Sometimes in increments, like accidentally stepping off the curb. Sometimes in ways akin to falling off a cliff. It’s these cliff-changing moments that transform us in ways we could never have imagined - before. It’s like falling from one world into another - into a life so ...