By Rev. Thomas Cowell - Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Burt and Partnership Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church
The Environmental Christian
The topic of our adult Bible study at Trinity Lutheran-Algona and St. John’s Lutheran-Burt these past few weeks has been various issues in the realm of Christian ethics. Our most recent Bible study concerned the relationship of Christians to our environment.
Some years ago when I lived in Ennis, Texas, a town of about 20,000 people built on cattle, cotton and the railroad about a half hour south of Dallas, I was invited to be one of the people to introduce a speaker at the Ennis Negro Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. The speaker I introduced then introduced the Hon. Alfred Bennett, a federal judge serving in the Houston area, and a native of Ennis.
And so begins Detroit-area writer Michael Zadoorian’s provocative novel, The Narcissism of Small Differences, a story of how a pair of Detroit hipsters approaching middle age negotiate the throes of the 2008 crash.
I am working hard on three bills. One is a simplified version of the commutation bill I drafted last year that stalled out. It had great public support but was too big of a lift. This year’s bill simply makes the case that the legislature sees merit in looking at commutations for some of our adult lifers who have served over 35 years and have undergone verifiable change.
There is proposed legislation at the Statehouse that would make it illegal for a driver to use a mobile communication device unless it is done hands free or voice activated. This is a good idea. Drunk driving has long been a scourge on our roads, but distracted driving can be every bit as dangerous and is more commonplace.
Hey dad, I finally know the stuff I am supposed to...
I thank my God every time I remember you. – Philippians 1:3
Part of my job as a Christian leader is to let children and teens talk to me about whatever they want to talk about. I need to listen and respond. It all goes back to my own youth.
When I was a kid, I always realized I talked too much after I talked too much.
I contacted Brad Hicks, Editor to comment that I thought his editorial in the January 13, 2022 edition of the Kossuth County Advance, about legalizing marijuana was woefully incomplete and that marijuana and alcohol are very different substances. For one thing marijuana does have medicinal value while alcohol does not.
When I became a member of the Algona Police Department 16 years ago, I pledged to protect and serve this community. In my current role as the police chief, I can tell you that our officers fulfill that duty daily and often go beyond it to help, educate, and support our community.
