At the end of August, the world lost an amazing writer and poet, Wendell Berry. His poem "The Peace of Wild Things" has grounded me and refocused me for decades. Up until recently, I had this poem posted on my wall next to my desk. I never printed one after becoming director, but that will ...
From natural disasters to political, agricultural, scientific and technological revolutions, certain events change the course of human history. This year, we celebrate 250 years since America’s founding patriots signed the Declaration of Independence. Since then, generations of Americans ...
I had the opportunity to attend the Marshall County Food Access meeting this week at the ISU Extension Office. Meetings are held quarterly. You would be surprised at how many people and groups are working their tail off to help people have access to food. Food banks, little food boxes that you ...
Is Christianity inclusive or exclusive, and how is that reflected in our styles of worship? Contemporary worship styles of worship seem to focus their presentations aimed at finding a theological and cultural lowest common denominator to attract and engage the greatest number of people; hence such styles of worship clearly indicate the inclusiveness of Christianity. As a result, in contemporary worship services there seems to be no need to be a Christian to understand almost everything that was said or sung. So why sing ”Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” when one does not know what ...
Tensions Push Oil Up Thursday night’s oil prices placed West Texas Intermediate crude over $104 per barrel and Brent crude over $110. The price jumps reflect increased political tensions between the US and Iran and military attacks by both sides. A U.S. shortage of refining capacity sent diesel prices upward even more than crude prices. Interest Rates, Heads Up? Expectations have increased that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at its meeting next week. Thursday, the US Producer Price Index showed a jump of 1.1% for final demand goods. The consumer price index was ...
Thanksgiving may still feel far away. For the turkeys destined for Thanksgiving tables, it is not. The turkeys many plan to eat on Thanksgiving, have just been born. Long before families write shopping lists or debate who is bringing the mashed potatoes, millions of turkeys are being raised by an industry designed to turn living animals into holiday products as quickly and efficiently as possible. They are only a few weeks old and they will be slaughtered before they’ve lived even six months. By Thanksgiving, their story is already over. But ours does not have to follow the same ...
