By Joe Rector joerector@comcast.net I’ve tried to write this piece a couple of times but found it almost impossible. The key is to put it on paper without sounding preachy or religiously stilted. So, here goes another attempt. The main characters in books, TV, and movies are increasingly expressing their doubts or disbeliefs in a […]
By Joe Rector I’d listened well, so when our anniversary arrived last December, I bought a tent, sleeping bags, tarps, and air mattresses for a new activity. Amy has this burning desire to camp and hike, things quite different from my preferences for sleeping in my own bed and mowing the yard for exercise. I’ve […]
By Joe Rector It’s summer time, and one never comes around that I don’t remember the good and bad times I had during these months when I was younger. Twin brother Jim and I awoke to the morning air heavy with the perfume of honeysuckle, and we played hard all day. When we reached high […]
By Joe Rector I don’t know about any other Tennesseans, but I, for one, feel so much safer knowing that our state officials are taking care of us. If you don’t believe they are, just check out State Senator Frank Niceley’s “fatherly” leadership. Niceley’s proposal would remove the arduous task of choosing Democratic and Republican […]
By Joe Rector Last week was Pentecost Sunday. It’s that celebration for when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and they spoke in the languages of all who were gathered. It’s also recognized as the birth of the church. During that time Peter addressed the crowd that accused the disciples of being drunk. In […]
By Joe Rector The news today reported student debt is closing in on $1 trillion, more than credit card debt which anemically trails at between $650-850 billion. ”Woe is us” seems to be the cry from the millions who have accrued debts for education. According to Bloomberg, college tuitions and fees have increased 1,120 percent […]
By Joe Rector It’s a world where I’m losing ground. I consider myself technologically educated, or at least I did until recently. That’s when my ignorance became glaringly obvious, and I suddenly felt old and as out of date as a Kodak Instamatic camera. My iPod Touch stopped working, and I visited the iPhone store […]
By Joe Rector Best-selling author Wally Lamb did speak to an audience of 900 who attended the 2013 Carry the Torch Luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center. It is sponsored by the Volunteer Ministry Center as a fundraiser for its programs. Lamb also mingled with a group the night before. Lamb’s most personal appearance occurred […]
By Joe Rector The state of Tennessee has come up with another brilliant idea for improving schools and the education they provide. How? Why, the legislators have decreed that all students must be in school for 180 full days. Oh, the wisdom of our representatives is overwhelming sometimes. In Knox County, that means the half […]
By Joe Rector Inspiration is defined as “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.” Most of us acknowledge its effects on our feelings, but we also recognize inspiration during those “AH HA” moments. What’s wonderful is inspiration can come from so many different areas. Many of us find inspiration from celebrities. Sometimes […]
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