Getting to know people who are persecuted for their religious faith is life-changing. To meet people whose everyday life involves the real possibility that they might be kidnapped, tortured or killed simply because they are Christian, Yazidi or Uyghur Muslim gives you a whole new perspective.   more

As I write this, I am in my hotel room on a Saturday morning in Seoul, South Korea. I’ve been here as part of a small group which is cultivating partnerships with several South Korean universities. more

“The next person who slide tackles is kicked out of school.” I loved our principal, but he was our good times’ buzzkill. more

I believe most of us take many things for granted. Enjoying the manger scene at Christmas is one of them. Many of us have a manger scene inside and often outside our home as do many churches, and other locations throughout our community. more

Mother Helen’s funeral was yesterday. I’m running this column, originally published May 12, 2008, in her memory.  more

Growth spurts are not the easiest things to manage. Ask any parent of any tween-ager. Or any business owner who woke up one morning and realized that overnight his or her business just doubled.  more

This fall, Pittsburg officially established an arts district. Some residents have probably not heard about this. One reason for that may be that people often pay more attention to bad news than good news, and there is no downside to speak of in designating such a district.  more

What's more important? A political issue or a practical achievement?  more

Republican lawmakers will take control of the House of Representatives on Jan. 3. That means that, among many other things, they will take control of the House's investigative committees and subcommittees. more

The following was sent to me by Neil Sowards. His mother, Genevieve Sharp Sowards was born in Kansas on June 29, 1903. In 1913, her parents homesteaded for a year in eastern Colorado. Neil sent a marvelous recollection by his mother of their first Christmas there. — J.T.K.   more