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Palm Sunday should serve as a modern day cautionary tale

Faith

This weekend, Christians worldwide will celebrate Palm Sunday, the first of many milestones of Holy Week, the period leading up to Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. This is the Sunday that celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem, where he would participate in the Jewish festival of Passover. Interestingly, Jesus, the son of God nonetheless, chooses not to march into the holy city atop a mighty war horse, but rather a lowly donkey, which was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. And the adoring crowds gathered to see their messiah, waving palm branches and ...

Our Easter celebration

Faith

“Whatever questions or problems you have,” stated Russell M. Nelson, “the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” There has been, and will always be a positive influence for good, if we collectively follow Christian habits of daily prayer coupled with daily scripture study, by ourself and with family and friends. Those important routines help us to remember our relationship to our Father in heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ, and the immeasurable blessings we can access due to Christ’s life and sacrifice. Many will say that claiming to be a ...

The gospel can be as simple as taking someone to lunch

Faith

“Do you take hugs,” my friend Shannon asked. Admittedly a bit surprised, I stretched my arms wide and with a grin said, “Absolutely!” And there we stood, two large-size grown men, embraced in a bear hug with a sea of people around us. No shame, and no quick bro pat on the back here. Shannon, the police chief here in my not-small-but-not-big town, was retiring after three decades in law enforcement, and while I knew I couldn’t stay long, I knew I had to drop by his retirement celebration just to say thank you. You see, prior to eight months ago, I knew the chief from ...

As Easter nears, set aside quiet time to worship and reflect

Faith

In preparation for Easter, many Christians and Catholics have been observing Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and will continue for 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving until April 17. Not everyone necessarily abstains from food. Many people are choosing to fast from social media or other popular indulgences, such as coffee, sweets and television. While I do prepare to reflect on Christ’s triumph on the cross and praise God for His gift of salvation during this time of year, I have never observed Lent. The Southern Baptist church that I grew up in did not lead members ...

Faith Briefs for April 4

Faith

Belgian waffle breakfast April 13 A Belgian waffle breakfast sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group at St. Mary’s in Cottonwood will be from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 13. Free will offering. All proceeds go to St. Mary’s youth programs. Dick Bremer at Lake Sarah Baptist Church Lake Sarah Baptist Church is having a morning with Dick Bremer, former play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Donuts and coffee will be served, starting at 10 a.m. Dick will then share memories and celebrations of Twins baseball, his life, and some of how that intertwines ...

SMSU employees recognized for work milestones and retirements

Schools

On March 26, Southwest Minnesota State University recognized employees who achieved work anniversary milestones and those who are or have retired in the current academic year between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Each year, SMSU celebrates individuals who have reached 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service. The contributions by the years-of-service honorees come to over 760 combined years of service to the University. This year’s employment milestones include: 40 years: Mary Mortland 35 years: John Alcorn, Pat Daniels,Gerald Toland 30 years: Donald Bethune, Susan ...