Our parents thought they were anarchists and subversives sent across the pond to corrupt our morals—something of a payback for the Boston Tea Party. The Beatles had long hair. They were trend-setters. We teens began to follow suit.
Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma has won a $1 million grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for technical expertise needed to protect the property so it can remain active for generations.
A headline on the Religion News Service (RNS) announced: “Bible sales keep growing, even as many Americans lose their religion—about 18 million Bibles have been sold this year, part of a five-year boom in Bible sales.” (November 17, 2025). I …
With an older sister and a good friend who are experienced cooks and bakers, my attempts at creating edible dishes can be comical. In my defense, I’ve come up with a few things worth eating. Though I fail now and then, my walnut banana bread …
Our Alabama Baptist campsite at Shocco Springs is a gorgeous place, and I’ve enjoyed every event I’ve attended there. Several years ago, I attended a two-day training course for pastors. A conference for senior adults was on site at the same …
While attending college in Seattle, a good friend and I went to see Al Stewart in concert. Some may recall the popular song “Year of the Cat” or the epic “Roads to Moscow.” Years later, while browsing through a bookstore near my home in Calif…
A colleague accosted me in the Monday morning pastors meeting after Bob and Kay joined our church the day before. He told me he’d invested many hours in marital counseling leading to their recommitment, and he was disturbed to hear they’d pre…
My young Ethiopian friend Thomas sent me photos from a celebration in his homeland. He wrote: “Today, we Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have been celebrating the baptism of The Son of God by John the Baptist in The Jordan River.” Thomas is well aware that I would not be participating in that …
I grew up in a suburb of Seattle, Washington when the Christmas Season was marvelous and magical. Like many of my generation, each day of December sparkled with that unmatched anticipation of a child—expectant, wide-eyed for Santa, a fresh-cut tree, innumerable lights around foggy, frosty wi…
While at Judson College I was summoned to an evening meeting at the National Guard Armory in nearby Demopolis. The organizer forgot to confirm the meeting with guard personnel. We couldn’t find an open door. We tried them all. Someone suggested we find an unlatched window, but we quickly dec…
Since music was such an important part of my chaplaincy work through the years, many tunes and lyrics still linger in the dim-lit corners of my mind. I never know exactly why a certain song pops into my head. I suspect that I was singing in dreamland. This morning “Everyday People” floated t…
She called and asked if I’d like to look through her father’s library since she needed to empty the house. I found some old classics, and a book by Millard Fuller that I thought was unavailable. Fuller established Habitat for Humanity after his time at Koinonia Farms in Americus, Georgia. Ko…
Both my mother and my father-in-law were diagnosed with dread illnesses just after Thanksgiving and one year apart. It's been debated whether there’s more sickness and death at the end-of-year holiday season than at other times.
You may have heard statements like these: “Religious people are. . .”, “Atheists are. . .”, “Christians always. . .”, or, “Secular people always. . .” These may be followed by generalizations presented as facts, such as: “Muslims oppress wome…
A recent trip to the Auburn University campus brought back memories of my residency there. I often remark to current students I meet that I spent 18 months in Haley Center. This brings an instant bond! I knew Haley well since all my classes w…
My long-time mentor and friend, Pastor Jim Auchmuty, died this summer. He had a unique ministry in his later years conducting countless memorial services for families without local pastors. I’d talked with Jim earlier in the summer about supe…
It was some ten years ago that we upgraded our sanctuary lighting to an LED system. I was bold enough to suggest we add a screen and projection system at the same time. I didn’t have much experience with a system like this, but I thought it w…
I’m not one to make fun of religious beliefs or sacred scriptures. I will call attention to strange, irrational or nonsensical aspects of religion, and I’m particularly irked by superstitious things. Since many colleagues, friends and family …
Several times recently I’ve heard people say “Christians do this” or “Christians believe that.” When I have the opportunity, I gently respond: “Not all Christians do that or believe that.” Over the many years I identified as a Christian I bec…
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight across all of
Central Alabama with residual moisture on local roadways. This will
lead to the possibility of hazardous travel in some areas. Black
ice may create slick spots on some local roads...bridges and
overpasses. Please use extra caution if you have to travel.
Currently in Selma
25°
Cloudy
63° / 25°
4 AM
24°
5 AM
24°
6 AM
23°
7 AM
23°
8 AM
24°
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