Opinion

Though they are in storage now, the little signs that trigger my dismay will be back out soon as the General Primary runoff approaches. The wording on the signs does not approach good grammar.

They read ‘Advanced Voting’ and, yes, we have been through this before in this space. ‘Advanced’ voting would indicate some sort of new form of casting ballots that is in some way ‘advanced’ over the previous method. It could be bigger font sizes on the ballot, new technology or even massage chairs to sit in while casting your vote.
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By Mike Ruffin

My Good Wife and I had the very good fortune of visiting the Newseum in Washington D.C. a couple of weeks ago. The Newseum is exactly what its name indicates: a museum of news. According to its website, “The mission of the Newseum … is to increase public understanding of the importance of a free press and the First Amendment. Visitors experience the story of news, the role of a free press in major events in history, and how the core freedoms of the First Amendment — religion, speech, press, assembly and petition — apply to their lives.” I highly recommend that you visit it.
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Livia Lanier Geiger was born four years and two days after the miracle birth of her sister May Melton. May Melton arrived after a troubled pregnancy, much prayer and, quite frankly, a series of miracles.

Livia Lanier arrived without any problem. She has been the well-adjusted second child since she was in the womb.

When we whisked May Melton off to her first appointment with the pediatrician, both of us carried legal pads to take notes. The veteran moms in the waiting room laughed at us. Livia Lanier never went to her six-week appointment with the pediatrician. She was thriving and we were busy. [Full Story »] 

By Mike Ruffin

I walked into the church office one morning and checked the voicemail on the prayer line. Someone had left the following message: “Please pray for my friend. She’s having an autopsy tomorrow.”

I will neither confirm nor deny that I laughed out loud.

I will confess to thinking, “I think it’s a little late for prayer.”
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Methinks, thou dost protest too much
-Shakespeare

I am a baby boomer, or so they say. Born in the 1950s, I came of age in the 1960s and was on a college campus in the early 1970s.

The 60s and 70s were tumultuous times. We became very well aware of demonstrations at an early age. Primarily those demonstrations were for civil rights and getting America out of the Vietnam War. Both were noble goals and both were achieved. The demonstrations helped to a point.
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By Mike Ruffin

May 3 was World Press Freedom Day, which is promoted annually by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). [Full Story »] 

I have been to a lot of graduation ceremonies but, although I am a UGA grad, I had never been to commencement in Athens until this past weekend.

What an extravaganza it was. Sorry Jackets, Tigers, Gators, Vols and the rest of y’all but Bulldogs do things with true class.
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By Mike Ruffin

I spent six years of my life preaching in a sanctuary that had a large stained glass picture hanging over its baptistery. (For you good folks who worship in churches that use less water than Baptists and some others do to baptize, that’s where they dunk new believers and the occasional backslider who wants a do-over.) The picture portrays Jesus holding a lamb. It’s one of the most beloved Christian images: Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
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By Walter Geiger

During Christmas break 1969, my family moved from Savannah to the metropolis of Ailey, Ga., population 350. We became proud Aileans, renting P.O. Box 58 in the town’s tiny post office.

It didn’t take us long to find our way to the equally tiny Ailey Baptist Church which was in the capable hands of Rev. Bob Brewer. We became members of the church. My Dad ran the Sunday School department. My Mom had her hand in everything.
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By Mike Ruffin

As I write this, my Good Wife and I are preparing to go to Orlando, where on Saturday night we’ll see the Eagles in concert. We plan to take it easy. Or we may decide to take it to the limit - you know, one more time.

If all goes according to plan, by the time you read this, we’ll have already gone and come back. We’ll just have to assume we had a good time.
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By Walter Geiger

The political primaries loom May 22 and hordes of candidates are roaming the state, various districts and precincts looking for my vote and yours.

As I was compiling data with which to write a story on qualifying several weeks back, I was drawn to the thought that very few politicians at any level have ever personally impacted my life. Personal impact seems to gravitate toward two ends of the political spectrum.
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By Mike Ruffin

Last Sunday was Easter Sunday, so we are now past Easter. Or are we?

I took the Monday after Easter Sunday off during the last few years I served as a pastor. Holy Week really took it out of me, as I imagine it does most pastors. As we moved from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, to the crucifixion on Good Friday, and on to the resurrection on Easter Sunday, I’d go through a broad range of emotions that left me drained. Spent as I was, there was no point in working on Monday. So I’d stay home and read a book. But Sunday was coming (again), so I’d get back to work on Tuesday.

The Sunday after Easter Sunday is traditionally known as Low Sunday, probably because worship was more subdued. But we preachers think of it as Low Sunday because worship attendance, compared to the high of Easter Sunday, will be low.
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Unless you have been living under a rock somewhere, you are no doubt aware there was a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day.

In that instance, things went about as wrong as they could have and 17 kids died.

The shooter, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, had tripped warnings for years. No one in authority took action. He had been recommended for commitment. Since the shooting his younger brother has been committed for acting up at the same school. Insanity runs in the family.
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By Mike Ruffin

I recently had the privilege of serving as an adjudicator for the Extemporaneous Speaking competition in the Region 5-AA Literary Meet. The event took place at Lamar County High School.

The class of 1976, of which I am a member, was the first one to graduate from that campus. I still call it “the new high school.” They are about to build a newer one, which is good.

As I walked the hallowed halls of my alma mater, I reflected on the fact that I’d never before done so. [Full Story »]