House-arrest haircuts
By Tom Poland Nancy’s eyes betrayed frustration and fear. “I can’t cut your hair right now. I’ve got to close.” Early April 2020, the year of perfect vision, what do we see? Closings. Not so perfect, but to venture out is to risk death. So they say. So they say. Perched on the edge of chaos, it’s a good time to be handy, a jack-of-all-trades, a do-it-yourselfer. You’re on your own. Making do will have to do. Not happy with your shaggy...
Living on the West End: Worship time!
Editor’s note: This is a reprint of a Bill Shepard column that was published last year. By Bill Shepard When my dad moved with his family to the mill village in Darlington in 1922, there were no churches on the mill village where he lived. It would be 10 years before a small group of worshipers would come together and organize a church and erect a small church building on Phillips Street in Darlington. That church, known as The Church...
Living on the West End: The YMCA
Editor’s note: This is a reprint of a Bill Shepard column published last year. By Bill Shepard The YMCA was a big part of my world when I was a boy and living on the west end of Darlington. If anyone had asked me what the letters Y M C A stood for, I would not have known what to answer. If would be years before I could answer Young Men’s Christian Association! For many years, when anyone asked, “Bill, what’s your address?” my answer...
Living on Purpose: The power of staying positive
By Bill Holland Those who have a certain amount of worry and concern are not necessarily weak. Stress, like all the other negative forces which attempt to influence our thoughts every day, is real and there is no condemnation toward those who battle against it. However, it would also not be a balanced perspective on this subject without adding that negativity is actually an invited guest rather than an unwelcomed intruder. You are...
This silent, strange spring
By Tom Poland Spring’s springing. I put my hummingbird feeders up for soon the feathered jets will arrive. My azaleas burst into living color as Disney phrased it, and hardwoods’ newly minted leaves look so green they’re fluorescent. The cypress I planted long ago sports tender bright green needles. Yes, spring’s here but there’s no joy in Mudville, nor any town for that matter. A silent strange spring we have. Most folks have nowhere...
Living on Purpose: Even now, God is in total control
By Bill Holland Praise the Lord, I am feeling better and beginning to regain some of my strength. I want to thank everyone for your prayers. Pneumonia is a formidable opponent, and it takes a while for the body to defeat the infection and manage the healing process. I received an e-mail yesterday from a sweet lady who attended a church with us back in 1997. The church was called “Christ Fellowship” and was facilitated by Bob Neff and...