New Rockford Transcript - Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Without even saying, “be not afraid,” the familiar and beloved Ecclesiastes 3 addresses fear head on.  I think this is the reason Ecclesiastes is so beloved. Because it’s true. It’s true that half of life is suffering, and half is joy. It...

Fear can be a positive protective measure, and fear can morph into something destructive. When fear overwhelms us (2020 anyone?), we often tend to isolate ourselves, curving more and more inward. Scripture tells us the last thing we should do is to...

How have you experienced fear? What paralyzes you? What keeps you up at night? Psychology would tell us that fear is a natural defense mechanism, and can keep us from danger. We all have experiences where our fear kept us safe, avoided a dangerous...

There are 365 times in scripture that we read the words, “Be not afraid.” I’ve never gone through and counted them, so don’t quote me on it, but a simple concordance search confirms: there’s about that many. The remarkable part is to whom...

Nearing the end of a two-week quarantine, snow, a contentious election, among many other 2020-ish happenings, I’m trying to focus on what I’m grateful for. Here’s my list: • The relative health and safety of my family, and the community I...

If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and go read the book “Wonder” by RJ Palacio. (The movie isn’t enough; you need to read the book!) It’s a kids’ book, wisely assigned to the sixth grade language arts students. But this book isn’t...

As the world spins in increasing chaos, COVID rates rise, and a contentious election draws near, it’s hard to find peace and calm. While finding peace has always been elusive to human beings, right now it feels especially difficult. In these...

First Congregational Church I am moved by what poet and songwriter Sara Graves shares in her song “The Dream” about her grandfather’s recurring image of God:  You are standing in the driveway  As I come up the street  I can tell by your...

It feels like we hear about suicide more and more all the time, and it’s hard to know how to talk to our kids. Death by suicide has increased every year since 1999 in people age 10 to 74, as this community has felt acutely. Thea Gallagher, clinic...

There are certainly so many factors that may lead to increased suicide risk amidst this global pandemic: social isolation, economic hardship, lack of spiritual sustenance, worry about the wellness of loved ones, not knowing what the future holds and...

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding myself very edgy these days, and the tears come easier than normal. Then I try to avoid my short temper by zoning out on my phone. It’s normal to feel out of sorts. It’s okay to be sad, angry, or fearfu...

This is from the devotional, “God is in the Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who was imprisoned and executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. In an incomparable reversal of all righteous and pious...

This is from the devotional, “God is in the Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who was imprisoned and executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. God becomes human, really human. While we endeavor to...

This is from the devotional, “God is in the Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who was imprisoned and executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?...

This is from the devotional, “God is in the Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor who was imprisoned and executed for participating in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Authority over the world is supposed to lie on the weak...

I need to exercise more. No doubt. I know this. Our town (and the internet!) has resources to help me carve out time for exercise. Exercise lengthens lives, and increases quality of life. It helps our brains and our mental health. So why don’t I...

The John Tesh radio show told me about an experiment done on competitive bicyclists. All the participants started by competing in a hot-weather bike ride. Then they were split in half, one group continued to train physically in the hot-weather...

Moses declares the Ten Commandments two different times in his lifetime: once on Mount Sinai, just after God freed the Israelites from slavery, and again 40 years later, at the end of Moses’ life, just before the Israelites enter the Promised...

Genesis 2:15,18,19: The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the Lord God had formed out...

Sunday, Sept. 29, Eddy County Community Cares will host it’s fifth annual Lights of Hope. The event begins with a film screening of “Suicide: The Ripple Effect” at the Rockford Theatre at 5 p.m. Following the film at around 6:30 p.m. will be...

Crisis. We’ve all known it in some way or another. Sometimes we are facing the crisis and other times we are watching others. Regardless, there is one thing we are often told to do- to stay calm. Breathe, and don’t panic. Sounds familiar, right?...

This time of year, snow covers the ground. Everything is white and beautiful, and the whole of nature seems to be in deep peace. If it’s not windy. But I know what my yard looked like a couple months ago, that the white flakes have covered fallen...

ALERT! Quarantine mode: separate toothbrushes, separate blankets, Lysol doorknobs and light switches every morning, noon and before bed. Gatorade...check, BRAT diet...check. Constant laundry. “Don’t go near him! In fact, don’t even look at...

I need to exercise more. No doubt. I know this. Our town (and the internet!) has resources to help me carve out time for exercise. Exercise lengthens lives, and increases quality of life. It helps our brains and our mental health. So why don’t I...