Opinion
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Blessings---Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, when we ask You to bless us or to bless others, we are asking YOU to impart Your favor, protection and peace. Blessings prayed for others have a way of returning to bless the one who prayed. Yes, we ARE born to die and several folks w...
When Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday coincide...
This past week Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday occurred on the same day. I'd never thought about how often these two holidays, both with religious underpinnings, fall on the same calendar date....
New Year's Wishes--- Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, a New Year has dawned and as we flick the calendar to the New Year, we come face to face with the fact that our days on earth are numbered. As we turn to this clean, fresh, new page on the calendar we’re also aware that we have a...
A TIME TO … WAIT?
When you are waiting for something special, time seems to come to a stand-still. For children anticipating Christmas, it can feel like an eternity waiting for Santa to make his world-tour. For adults rushing to get every last holiday detail in...
NUMBERS ------------------------------ Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know Lord, t’was fun listening to kids talk about numbers. Here’s a bit of what they said. D. J.: “My grandma’s having a hard time trying to remember her cell phone number, but when her phone rings, even in her old age, she’s smart...
Bands of Belonging
I belong to a tribe of ranchers who base their happiness on harvest and whether the cows get home, women who throw their hair in a bun and cook until the skies are full of warm colors, and small-town country kids who work in the time they aren’t...
Super Guys Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know Lord, a couple cousins shared what their girls were looking for in boyfriends to make the boys super husbands. The cousins got a kick out of listening to that chatter - sensing that their girls had noticed several neighbors, some as super...
Letter to the Editor
As a past Paramedic/firefighter I want to bring attention to another 1st Responder that is rarely recognized or thanked. Recently one of our County Newspaper articles had a thank you given only to the Police, Fire, and ambulance. We do not value our...
Encourage Someone - Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know Lord, looking back to a time in our life, to someone who encouraged and helped us along our way, Lord, You may be calling us to DO the same for someone in our life who might need a bit of help, cheer or even some praise right now. K.A., a...
Grant Us Wisdom Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, not every day is easy…. J.J. from out of town, shared that as she was driving the two-lane highway toward her neighbors, a loud vehicle zoomed up behind her, could have passed, but waited until a vehicle was coming toward them in...
Happy Moments - Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, we all love happiness. How about a family get-together; sharing some happy moments, that was fun! ‘Oh, it’s delightful to see you here – lets have some ‘Happy Moments’, eh?’ Elly laughed. Lady #1: ‘Well, as old as we...
God's Calendar-------------- Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, innumerable words have been, and still could be written about June. Here’s an excerpt from “God’s Calendar”, By William A. Quayle: “June is the rose month, but God’s calendar is not made by things men grow but by things...
Is it a Sin to be Patriotic?
Special Article Submitted in honor of Flag Day. Some people call me “Old Glory” others call me “The Star-Spangled Banner;” but whatever they call me, I’m your flag-the flag of the United States of America. Something’s been bothering me,...
In rural America, we are more self-reliant, more capable
In our highly politicized, mass-media, instant-news culture there are ongoing messages about inequality, gender disparity, unfairness, race conflicts and other social ills. People argue that more regulations or more government money or more programs...
Sugarbeeters to send Three to State C Golf Tournament in Great Falls
The Chinook Sugarbeeter Girls and Boys Golf Teams have certainly faced a number of obstacles that they had to overcome. It’s fair to say all teams have faced similar obstacles with a few managing to get on the course more than others. In...
Letter to the Editor
Respect Isaiah 17:7 – At that day shall a man look to his maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. Philippians 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in. whatsoever state I’m there with to be co...
Letters to the Editor
As many know about ten nursing homes in smaller towns in Montana have closed, partly because Medicaid did not reimburse the facility the cost for skilled long term care. Several others are just barely staying open unless the state can increase the...
Letters to the Editor
To whom it may concern I would like to give a huge shout out to all those who have come forth to support the revamping of the Chinook Pool and Park. As many are aware, our pool and park serve many functions in our town. It gets used for family...
A smattering of observed curiosities from western Washington state
It's that time of the year, my wife and I are back in Woodinville, WA (east suburb of Seattle) dog/house sitting while the owners spend some time in Florida. The couple owns an Airbnb we used several...
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, This letter goes out to the members of the Bear Paw Credit Union. It pertains to the proposed merger with Altana Federal Credit Union. I am urging all members to vote no on this merger until all facts can be gathered. I received a...
Where the "Copper Kings" reigned
I recently wrote about my wife and I visiting the Merry Widow Health Mine in Basin, Montana. Before that stop we stayed three days in the Anaconda/Butte area and had the opportunity to learn about...
A first visit to the Merry Widow Health Mine
On a recent outing to southwest Montana my wife and I made an overnight stop in Basin in order to visit the Merry Widow Health Mine. Sherry, my wife, has wanted to visit Basin for some time as she...
Letter to the Editor
I am writing this letter in support of my daughter, Courtney Bell’s decision to recently resign from the Chinook School System where the school board recently passed a policy that said guns would be carried by some of their staff. I am proud of...
Ancient Order of the Deep: Lutefisk Eaters
When my wife and I moved to North Dakota we lived among a lot of Norwegians, a new experience for us. We'd never heard of lutefisk...and certainly never eaten it. We learned a lot about "lutefisk and...
God works for the good ---- Hello God, it's me, Mara
You know, Lord, sometimes our thinking gets mixed up, we think the quality of our life is based on what happens to us, but that isn’t so - we’re forgetting that the quality of our life is how we respond. We probably know someone-including ourselv...