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Bible truth or tradition: One’s own interpretation

Columnists

Many years ago, I heard a statement that has stayed with me ever since: “Man’s basic spiritual problem is the integrity of the Word of God.” From the opening chapters of Scripture, humanity’s trouble did not begin with violence, injustice, or immorality—it began with a question: “…Did God actually say…?” (Genesis 3:1). Eve inaccurately handled God’s word, which led to her believing the serpent’s lie in verse 4. The consequences were catastrophic. That pattern has never changed. When God’s words are doubted, altered, or subordinated to human opinion...unbelief, ...

Trust is Iowa’s competitive advantage

Columnists

Small Business Week gives us a chance to step back and recognize what truly drives Iowa’s economy — and what sustains it. The numbers are compelling. 99.3% of Iowa businesses are small businesses, employing 637,557 Iowans—nearly half of our workforce. Even more encouraging, these businesses added more than 12,500 net new jobs in the most recent year. This is not just economic activity. It is momentum. And it is increasingly diverse. Women now own more than 103,000 businesses in Iowa — 43.4% of all businesses statewide. Minority-owned businesses, including Hispanic-owned ...

Warning signs of a mental health issue

Columnists

May is mental health awareness month. Do you know the symptoms, which are warning signs of a mental health issue? They can affect how you think, feel, and behave, and they can vary in intensity and duration. Chances are you know some of them but others may surprise you. Recognizing the warning signs can help you seek help early and manage your mental health effectively. There are emotional, physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms. Emotional symptoms often influence your overall mood and outlook on life. Physical symptoms are often a response to emotional stress. Behavioral ...

Return of the Goldfinches, or Duke comes visiting

Columnists

Iknow summer is here when I see the Goldfinches return. I call them Iowa Gold, and they are the State Bird of Iowa. They color coordinate with the dandelions that are ubiquitous in our yard. I’m not going to lift a finger to eradicate these globes of sunshine for three reasons: 1. When my grandkids come out to the Empty Nest Farm, I can show them how to hold a dandelion under their chins, and if their chins reflect yellow, it means they like butter. They love it! 2. The bees use the dandelions as a source of nourishment. We must protect our bee population! And, 3, I’m too short of ...

PIE shouldn’t cost Iowa taxpayers millions

Columnists

Paying an out-of-state vendor millions of dollars to do what the State Auditor’s Office can do at a fraction of the cost — literally about five cents on the dollar — isn’t efficient: It’s a waste of your tax dollars. Iowans love pie — me included. My favorite is strawberry rhubarb. Local governments also love a different kind of PIE — that’s short for Public Innovations and Efficiencies. It’s a program I launched in 2019 that encourages counties, cities, and school districts to use innovation and common sense to save tax dollars. About 500 local governments around ...