You become what you worship

By Rev. Ralph Davis

In the Church, there is a phrase in Latin that goes “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi.”  Translated it means “The law of praying is the law of the believing.”  Some more recent translations go with “As we pray, so we believe.”  In effect, it means that how we pray (and worship) our Lord Jesus Christ will ultimately dictate what we believe about Him and His teachings. 

Tribes of the Turkey River

By Terry Landsgaard
I have not mentioned materials that have both a defensive and domestic purpose but now it is time.

One of the primary multipurpose objects used by Native American is the lance.  Lances could be straight poles which have a sharp stone or metal head.  These lances were used for the hunting of bison and other large animals like elk, deer, moose, bear.  The large animal was dispatched by thrusting the lance into the animal as the hunter rode alongside the prey. Or, in other cases, the hunter would lie in wait for the animal in dense cover or camouflage. 

Choosing wisely as Christians in the 2024 caucus and general election

By Pastor Ethan Bogan
Separation of Church and State is a phrase we are all familiar with. As a pastor, I frequently hear it used as a proverbial cudgel to beat American Christians into a sense of silence and apathy regarding the political landscape of their communities, states, and nation. After all, it is the law of the land, right? Wrong. The phrase separation of Church and State is absent not only in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, but also in America’s founding documents. Instead, it comes from an 1802 letter written by President Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association, whereby he assures the association that the First Amendment, that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” guarantees a “wall of separation between Church and State.” In other words, separation of Church and State does not exist to keep the Church out of the State, but the State out of the Church.

Guest Column
The Giver of Gifts

By Sue Wolf

      In gathering my thoughts to write my own tribute to Jerry Blue, I was searching for just the right way to describe Jerry. Then I received my Dec. 27 Union Echo Leader, and on the front page, there it was: Remembering Jerry Blue…The Heartbeat of West Union.  Perfect!

      Mike Van Sickle’s article and personal tribute to Jerry brought tears to my eyes. Having worked for and with Jerry for 19 years myself, I found myself nodding in agreement with so many of Mike’s reflections, which mirrored many of my own experiences with Jerry. Now I’d like to share my additional thoughts.

      I believe each of us is blessed with a gift, or some who are especially fortunate are blessed with several. To me, Jerry Blue’s gift was his love of people, and he shared that gift in a multitude of ways, whether that be with friends or strangers.

The Gift of Generosity

Letter to the editor

      “Dr.” Chad Ingels is not an OB-GYN doctor but plays one in the Iowa Legislature.

      As such, by the laws he helped pass, he has put himself in position to stand by your doctor’s side, tapping them on the shoulder, and forcefully reminding them that he is here to help. He will be the ultimate guide in your treatment…..helping by impacting the courses of treatment that he has now denied to you.

      Iowa is at or near the bottom when it comes to OB-GYNs per 1,000 women of childbearing age. It is a good thing that “Dr.” Chad and his fellow Republican legislators have stepped up and are willing to pick up the slack. Who wouldn’t want a politician to be intimately involved in their health care? Who wouldn’t want, as your only choice, to see a witch doctor or a politician when your pregnancy heads south?

      You can take great comfort from knowing that “Dr.” Chad knows best.

Tribes of the Turkey River

By Terry Landsgaard

I have not mentioned materials that have both a defensive and domestic purpose but now it is time.

One of the primary multipurpose objects used by Native American is the lance.  Lances could be straight poles which have a sharp stone or metal head.  These lances were used for the hunting of bison and other large animals like elk, deer, moose, bear.  The large animal was dispatched by thrusting the lance into the animal as the hunter rode alongside the prey. Or, in other cases, the hunter would lie in wait for the animal in dense cover or camouflage. 

A tribute to my mentor

By Mike Van Sickle

      This was meant to be the time that I roasted two of my longtime friends and co-workers, LeAnn Larson and Connie Lauer, as they set out on their path to retirement later this week. Instead, I’m sadly writing this in remembrance and honor of my mentor, Jerry Blue, who died Saturday at the age of 83.

      It was in 1997 that LeAnn first called and asked me if I would be interested in sports, news, and feature writing at The Union. Almost immediately after accepting the position, it was Jerry who started providing me guidance in the profession. Not surprisingly to anyone who really knew him, promoting West Union and the surrounding communities was among the biggest objectives he first instilled in me.

To the editor:

      The Iowa caucuses are right around the corner. Now, more than ever, Iowa must choose right. We must choose a conservative leader who can win – I believe Nikki Haley is that person, that is why I am giving her my full endorsement.
      Haley is a two-term governor and understands how to run a state effectively. She cut taxes, brought jobs to every county in the state, and repealed
cumbersome regulations.

Tribes of the Turkey River

By Terry Landsgaard

Horses made the life of the Native American very different!  Not only could horses be used for riding, but horses could be adapted to a travois (a device made of poles that supported a platform). The travois could be loaded with a Native Americans family's belongings and drug behind the horse that had been fitted with a harness like device. This harness secured the travois to the horse.  The horse travois allowed for a greater amount of "carriage" than the previous dog travois.

The poles of the travois could be used to construct a tipi.  This new situation could be self-adapted and not dependent on the inventions of the Europeans.  The horse could also be ridden while the travois was used. Thus, "killing two birds with one stone."

Horses became the preferred standard of wealth and social standing.

What is newsworthy?

What events grab the headlines and the interest of people all around the world? 

Let me give you a sample.

Take the year 1809. The international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria; blood was flowing freely. Nobody then cared about babies. But the world was overlooking some terribly significant births.