Ted Okolichany Guest Columnist The article below by Don Williams has just been published in our December Heart to Heart magazine with the title “Are You Down in the Pit(s)?” Since many…
Category: Faith & Family
Do you hear what I hear?
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist 1942. As the story goes, a young boy named Bruce was to be the Wise Man from the East in a Christmas pageant at a rural church…
Are you experiencing a prolonged spiritual dry spell?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Has it been a while since you truly felt that God heard your prayers? Maybe you haven’t even wanted to pray. Do you feel unworthy? Insignificant? Do…
A true Christmas story
Halie Wetherington ECB Publishing, Inc. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called…
Celebrate the wonder
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Often what we see and we hear in life depends not so much upon the events as much as who we are as people. It’s not just…
Gordon Scott shares thoughts on Islam at Christmas prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The fellowship hall of St. Margaret Catholic Church was bedecked beautifully for the Christmas season on Dec. 4, when they took their turn hosting the Monticello Community…
First graders sing at LLL
Jackie Clemens Contributor At the Dec. 9 meeting of Triple-L at First Baptist Church Monticello, the program featured first graders from Aucilla Christian Academy. The children recited scriptures, sang Christmas songs and…
The Grinch, Rudolph and the miracle
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist The Grinch’s plan is simple. He figures that if he takes away all the Christmas “stuff” the Who’s won’t be able to celebrate Christmas. But the Grinch…
Christ, the firstborn
Carlton McPeak Guest Columnist After identifying the Christ as being the one who has rescued people and transferred them into His kingdom, Paul gives evidence to identify Him. Paul begins by saying…
Step by step
Rev. Cheryl Cruce Columnist I’m sure it happened like this, though I don’t remember my first steps. Nonetheless, I imagine Mom there, her two fingers tucked safely in my little hands as…
Don Condon presented with Diocesan Medal of Honor
Story submitted On Nov. 6, 2025, Don Condon of St. Margaret Catholic Church was presented with the Diocesan Medal of Honor for Lifetime Achievement at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Diocese…
From my mom’s typewriter to my first children’s book
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist I’ve loved writing ever since I watched my mother – an aspiring author – peck away on her Royal manual typewriter. Her example sparked my own passion…
Riverlyn Odiorne receives early gift from Jesus
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Five years ago, Adam and Haley Odiorne were doubly blessed as Haley gave birth to two vibrant twins, Baylor and Riverlyn. The joy of their arrival came…
Christmas reflections with a touch of grace: There must be a tree
Mickey Starling Columnist In Florida, getting in the Christmas spirit can be a little tricky. December may be the wearer of many meteorological hats. It can be as “hot as blue blazes”…
Thanksgiving blessings, one meal at a time
Shirley Gilley Contributor Rev. Martha B. Wilson had a vision about giving and described it this way: “I just wanted to bless anyone, by the aid of God by the Holy Spirit.”…
A visible peace that inspires hope
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Despite your brokenness, wouldn’t you like to experience the kind of peace that others envy? Wouldn’t you like to feel a peace that defies understanding, no matter…
Hallelujah Harvest Festival brings food, fellowship and fun to Cody Church
Bri Rodriguez ECB Publishing, Inc. The scent of simmering chili and the sound of laughter filled the air Nov. 15-16 as Cody Church hosted its Hallelujah Harvest Festival, a weekend designed to…
Christmas IQ Test
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist It’s December, and the Christmas season is before us! We’ve heard the stories and sung the carols, but how much of the scriptural Christmas story do we…
Gifts produce unity and maturity
Carlton McPeak Guest Columnist Jesus wanted there to be unity among His followers. He wanted them to grow into mature Christians. Paul said Jesus provided five gifts to “equip the saints” and…
Repent – and clean out the “freezer”
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist I love ice cream. But every time I eat a bowl in the evening, I regret it the next morning when I step on the bathroom scales….