Opinions

Laura Geiger
Publisher

It’s every parent’s nightmare. Our daughter Livia had just called to tell me she was leaving Athens for Christmas break after a grueling week of final exams at the University of Georgia. “Be careful, the weather is terrible,” I said. [Full story »] 

By Mike Ruffin
ruffinml@gmail.com

I was sitting in a classroom at Gordon Grammar School in the late 1960s, reading an article in my Weekly Reader about the future of space travel. [Full story »] 

By Jim Hoak
planejim@bellsouth.net
 
Well, here it is! Our sixth anniversary as a Youth Aviation Program. We started with the goal of giving local young folks an opportunity to look at aviation as a possible future in their lives. As evidenced by the number of youths who have attained their Private Pilot and additional ratings, or Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certification, we have succeeded thus far. With the continuing support of all who have helped along the way, we will strive to keep Ron Alexander’s dream alive. [Full story »] 

By Barbara Latta
kbkj@bellsouth.net

War doesn’t stop for Christmas. However, there was an unexpected truce one snowy Christmas Eve when a German mother brought two groups of enemies together.
Three Americans, one who was wounded, had become separated from their unit and were trudging through the Ardennes Mountains. After three days they discovered a small cabin nestled in the woods. The smoke from the chimney called to their cold bones and hungry bellies. [Full story »] 

Coming up in the public school system in Savannah many, many moons ago, I got a strong base education in Latin. It was referred to as a ‘dead language’ then and it has certainly flatlined now - gone the way of cursive writing. [Full story »] 

By Mike Ruffin
ruffinml@gmail.com

The church is in the middle of the Advent season. The word Advent means “arrival.” During Advent, we anticipate the arrival of Jesus Christ. [Full story »] 

I’m not really sure where the name The Flats came from but it refers to Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium on the campus of Georgia Tech. Bulldogs fans, who were there in force Saturday, refer to it as Mark Richt Field or The Joke By Coke.
[Full story »] 

By Beverly Brisendine
beverly.brisendine@gmail.com

Recently a great man of God, Dr. Randall Valimont, better known as Pastor Randy, unexpectedly stepped over into heaven. It was a shock not only to his family, but his church, the community, the nation, and the world at large. He had great influence wherever he went. He had chosen to do an elective surgery and complications ensued resulting in his sudden death. Pastor Randy and his beautiful wife, Jelly, and three daughters came to Griffin First Assembly of God in 1993 when there were only 400 attendees which has now grown to more than 7,000 on seven separate campuses. His passion was for the lost and in 26 years of service, he raised more than $28 million for missions outside of his own church. Pastor Randy had preached in more than 60 nations of the world. No one who ever met him would ever forget him. He was warm, compassionate and a friend to all.  [Full story »] 

by walter geiger
news@barnesville.com

I read with interest some of the old columns of the late, great Lewis Grizzard republished recently by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the occasion of Lewis being enshrined in the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame. [Full story »] 

By Mike Ruffin
ruffinml@gmail.com

First Kings 22 tells a story about the danger of preachers cozying up to politicians. [Full story »] 

By Walter Geiger
news@barnesville.com

Sports fans worldwide will be watching with interest Saturday when #1 LSU travels to #2 Alabama for an epic SEC showdown. After that battle, Alabama will have games remaining against Mississippi State, Western Carolina and Auburn while LSU will battle Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M. [Full story »] 

Dink NeSmith
dnesmith@cninewspapers.com

The rule was the same for Alan, Emily and Eric. When their noses inched above the mailroom’s table — so they could see what they were doing — they went to work. That meant by age 8, they got ink into their veins through their fingertips by inserting sections of The Press-Sentinel. [Full story »] 

By Dink NeSmith
dnesmith@cninewspapers.com

The noise threatens your nerves and your eardrums. Just listen and watch. Every day, the Left and the Right go to bed and wake up with a primary purpose: Attack the other side. If you ever catch a rare moment of silence, listen for something else. [Full story »] 

I’m in the middle of teaching a college course on the New Testament, and we just finished talking about the Gospels. I’m also about to start teaching another course, this one on just the Gospels. [Full story »]