Guest Columnist, Author at The Selma Times‑Journal

Van Sprague, a faith columnist, is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship after, at 10 and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.

Columnists

Faith: Sought Out, Not Forsaken

We want to be wanted. Our desire to be desired is so powerful that we will break ourselves for it, heedless of the consequences. Attempting ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, September 6, 2025 4:43 pm

“Reflections” is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church’s website is siluriabaptist.com.

Columnists

Reflections: Unusual Funeral Music

A Facebook page for denominational pastors, was recommended to me by our student pastor. I’ve since offered it to several others, telling them it will ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, September 6, 2025 4:41 pm

Library director Becky Nichols is surrounded by Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. David Scott, Dallas County interim Superintendent Hattie Shelton and State School Board Member Dr. Tonya S. Chestnut to unveil a new initiative to help local students learn to read and excel in the classroom. (Brent Maze | The Selma Times Journal)

Features

New initiative looks to get students involved with reading at library

September is Library Card sign up month and all around the country, public libraries will be celebrating reading and encouraging students to join the local ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Tuesday, September 2, 2025 10:41 am

Austin Bishop, a faith columnist, has been a professional journalist for more than 45 years and is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Those wishing to receive his daily devotional/Bible study notes may sign up by texting 601-938-2471 and asking to be added to either the morning or afternoon list.

Columnists

FAITH: Your attitude absolutely affects your spiritual opportunities

By Rev. Austin Bishop, Faith 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, August 30, 2025 4:00 pm

The Rev. Mathews (J.D., M.Div., B.A.), a faith columnist, is the author of the Reaching to God series. Contact her at RAMathews.com.

Columnists

FAITH: No one in the Bible had a perfect life

A friend showed up last week for a preseason NFL game. “Who are we cheering for?” she asked. “The Christians!” Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, August 30, 2025 3:00 pm

Dean Kelly, author of Meet Me at the Cross, is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.

Columnists

Meet Me At The Cross: A Recipe Not to Be Altered

My wife, my daughter and my daughter-in-law are all excellent cooks. Like most good cooks I know, they find a recipe for a dish they ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, August 30, 2025 2:00 pm

“Reflections” is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church’s website is siluriabaptist.com.

Columnists

REFLECTIONS: Ghosting the Local Church

It’s a fairly new verb — “ghosted.” Merriam-Webster added it to the dictionary in 2017. And I guess I did it. Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, August 30, 2025 1:00 pm

The Lemonade Brigade from left Tasha Dangerfield, Community Empowerment Coordinator, Police Chief Kenta Fulford, Det. J. Benjamin, Sgt. B Givan. Sgt. M. Hale and Lt. Ray Blanks. (Christine Weerts | Special to The Selma Times-Journal)

Lifestyles

Lemonade and law enforcement: Event puts positive police vibes into city ward by ward

Selma Police officers painted murals, served lemonade, played ring toss and demonstrated their new “rides” with kids and their parents at Byrd School Playground recently.  Read more

by Guest Columnist, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 4:50 pm

Van Sprague, a faith columnist, is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship after, at 10 and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.

Columnists

FAITH: How Do You Handle the News?

The world is small today. Sure, if you measure it you'll find that the circumference hasn’t changed, but news is available faster than ever. If ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:48 am

“Reflections” is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church’s website is siluriabaptist.com.

Faith

Reflections: Wise Leaders Know They Don’t Know

The editor called before Christmas and asked if I could be on a teacher podcast. We recorded this remotely, and the first question he asked ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:45 am

Dean Kelly, author of Meet Me at the Cross, is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.

Columnists

Meet Me At The Cross: Back To School

It’s that time of year. Summer vacation is coming to an end, and school is about to start back. There is the sadness and sometimes ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:42 am

Columnists

FAITH: The great lesson from Peninnah’s life

Peninnah is an obscure woman in the Bible. She might have gone unnoticed if she hadn’t bullied Hannah, who turned out to be an important ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:40 am

Austin Bishop, a faith columnist, has been a professional journalist for more than 45 years and is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Those wishing to receive his daily devotional/Bible study notes may sign up by texting 601-938-2471 and asking to be added to either the morning or afternoon list.

Columnists

FAITH: Understanding what God’s blessing looks like is important

As a child of God, do you know that you are blessed? Do you feel that way? Read more

by Guest Columnist, Sunday, August 3, 2025 9:37 am

“Reflections” is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church’s website is siluriabaptist.com.

Columnists

Reflections: What Bible Should We Use On Sunday?

George W. Bush famously said, “When I was young and foolish, I was young and foolish.” Me, too, Mr. President. Read more

by Guest Columnist, Saturday, July 26, 2025 2:00 pm

Christine Weerts | For The Selma Times-Journal Blaze: The Sturdivant and the Chestnut family homes were destroyed by the same fire on Friday morning.

News

Two homes destroyed during middle of the night fire

Lawanda Sturdivant woke at 2 a.m. Friday to the smell of smoke at her home in north Selma. She saw a fire outside the front ... Read more

by Guest Columnist, Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9:37 am

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