First off, I want to go on record as saying I have never taken much stock in the whole astrology thing.
I’ve never been convinced that my behavior, personality, luck, looks, chances for success or any other facet of my humanity could be impacted by the location of stars and planets in the sky on the day I was born. That’s just me.

Shot who?
Although most Christians may have never heard the term “Supersessionism,” it is a doctrine that has been hotly debated in theological circles for centuries.
Supersessionism, also called “Replacement Theology,” is a Christian doctrine which asserts that the New Testament or Covenant through Jesus Christ has replaced the Old Testament or Covenant, that was exclusively made with the Jewish people. As usual, I don’t have the print space to ferret out all the implications of this doctrine, but I am going to try my best to simplify it. Wish me luck!

One of the things that has always amazed me about Tennessee is the kindness of most people. Not that people are not kind elsewhere, it just seems to be much more abundant in the hills and valleys of Tennessee. I have already mentioned some in past articles. Here are some more, and they are not in chronological order:
When we first moved into the state, we had to stay in a motel. With the help of a couple of people in our new Athens church, we had a house to move into the very next day. And the ‘couple of people’ became a group to unload our U-Haul.

Becky Miller, the community coordinator for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH), met with the Union County Business and Professional Association on Feb. 11. Miller serves 16 counties in East Tennessee as the liaison between outlying schools and the hospital. ETCH, the primary provider of pediatric care in East Tennessee for the past 80 years, offers this care regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

A recent study finds that acupressure, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, can improve chronic pain symptoms in the lower back.

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of needles, pressure is applied with a finger, thumb or device to specific points on the body.

While acupressure has been previously studied—and found to be beneficial—in people with cancer-related or osteoarthritis pain, there are few studies that have examined acupressure in people with back pain.

What is it that makes one wise? Most remember the old saying that has pretty much become a cliché:

Early to bed, and early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise

Being well into winter, perhaps you are a thermophile (one who likes heat) and don’t really want to read about cold. But stay with me on this one and perhaps you won’t be so down on our own winter weather.

I don’t like to sit still. Never have and probably never will. Why? Because I am restless and I bore easily. This is one reason why I don’t like red lights.

One morning, I was sitting at the red light at the intersection of Emory Rd. and Maynardville Hwy. Being bored, I looked up. Scampering across the power lines above all the traffic was a squirrel.

My son joined Cub Scouts when he was eight. That was a year older than his friends, but because of the dynamic nature of this group, he quickly caught up. I credit most of the pack’s excitement to the Cub Master, Judy Shelton. Judy’s son, Casey, and our son, Tommy, were almost the same age and already buddies from Niota School. Judy was a veteran bus driver and a farm wife, but still found time to work with about two dozen boys.

Hearty soups have meat in them. What if it's the day before payday and none can be found in the freezer? What to do? You can make potato soup, if the potato bin isn't empty. It doesn't need to be raining to make this soup, but it helps, especially if it is a cold winter rain and, maybe, spitting snow. That is what you call a soup day. I have several recipes for rainy day soups. It might not sound like something your family would go for, but ask yourself:
1. Does my family like potatoes?
2. Do they like dumplings?
3. Is there any milk leftover from breakfast?