Recent Articles

I no longer live in the middle of nowhere.
I recently found out in an email from a friend that 61 homes are going up right next door.
I thought we'd get a letter or some kind of notice if something major was changing. Heck, a neighbor across the road wanted to do something with a fence close to the property line a year or two ago and signs went up and letters went out to the next-door neighbors.

Sitting at the keyboard this morning to write a short column is more difficult than usual as I attempt to place words in this space that could sum up the chaos and disbelief many are feeling after the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Thousands across the nation followed Kirk for either his Christian teachings or his political views. Many for both. Kirk's willingness to engage in debate with college students brought forth a new generation of people getting more involved in politics either to join his mission or for the opportunity to speak against it.

Dear editor, Have we become a nation so divided that the only way to settle our debates is to eliminate the opposing side? I believe that is not the case. As Nash County Teenage Republicans Chairman and National Communications Director for the High School Republicans, I have worked with people from diverse backgrounds and opposing views. In most cases, when I speak with those who hold different viewpoints face to face or over the phone, our discussions never escalate to threats or ill will.

Dear editor, I wanted to add my two cents about the necropsy report that was posted on the Fighting Crime social media site regarding the deceased kitten found during the Department of Agriculture's inspection of Nash Animal Shelter (aka Nash Pet Connection) on 7/22/25.
The kitten referenced in this report was brought in on 7/18 late in the day. During inspection on the morning of 7/22, the inspector discovered the deceased kitten.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on August 18, 1968. This team of Future Farmers of America from Coopers High School was awarded the first place trophy for judging in the Meat and Animal Show and Sale held at the Eastern Carolina Livestock Arena.

Last week, we began to look at the historical writings of the prophet Isaiah in the fifty-third chapter. Even so, my feeble description there failed to convey the proper weight due to Isaiah's words written some 700 years before the Servant was born: seven hundred years! Read for yourself:
See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

DWI; Child abuse-misdemeanor; S. Clarendon Dr., Nashville on 8/18/25
Carrying concealed weapon permit violation; concealed gun after/while consuming alcohol/concealed no permit at N NC 58 on 8/23/25
Carrying concealed weapon (gun); DWI; possession stolen firearm at NC 58 on 8/22/25
Damage to real property on Ward St., Nashville on 8/19/25

Assault law enforcement officer/police/other serious injury; assault-simple at 100 N. Boddie St., Nashville on 8/26/25
Possession of stolen vehicles; larceny by employee on 1100 S. NC 581
Assault-simple; assault on a female at 13690 Avent Rd., Whitakers on 8/24/25
Misdemeanor breaking and entering at 13705 NC 98, Spring Hope on 8/25/25

When I've moved to a new community, finding a good church to attend is number one on my to-do list. While finding someone to cut my hair is not second, it certainly makes the top ten. That's because the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about two weeks, which can seem like an eternity if you're on the losing end.
When we moved back to Concord, I reunited with a hair stylist I had twenty-two years ago.

Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV) reads
"And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."
Jesus is concluding what many refer to as "the Sermon on the Mount." He has laid out expectations for those who would follow Him. He has just shared with his listeners the principle of wise construction vs. foolish construction. Now the crowd is astonished at His teaching. But why would the people be so amazed?