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A good word for this chaotic time

Words are vitally important. Sometimes one word or the wrong word can be disastrous. In the financial world, one wrong sell order sold 610,000 shares at 1 yen vs. 1 share at 610,000 yen, creating a massive loss. During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese propaganda broadcaster Hanoi Hannah used words Americans might mishear. American soldiers misheard her saying their units had been “eliminated” when she said “evacuated.” The Bible often talks about “words.” Scripture states, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will ...

Liberty or bondage: The choice we all face

If you listen carefully to people today, you will often hear the same feeling expressed in different ways. “I feel stuck.” “I wish my life was different.” “I’m trying to find peace.” Some feel trapped by stress, guilt, addiction, anger, or broken relationships. Others feel trapped by religion itself. At some point they tried church, but it felt empty or full of rules, and they quietly drifted away. But the message of Jesus Christ was never meant to bring people into bondage. It was meant to bring them into freedom. The Bible says, “Stand fast therefore in the ...

Get your tent ready for the new season

The recent glimpses of warm weather may have been a tease, but they were also a sign that winter is almost over. Every time we experience a warm, sunny day, we are reminded of two things: that soon, that will be the norm, and camping season is almost upon us. With that in mind, it’s time to talk about getting your tent ready for the new season. More specifically, airing it out before taking it out. A big mistake new campers make is buying a new tent and taking it on the maiden trip without ever taking it out of the stuff sack. Not only does this prevent you from becoming familiar ...

Celebrate the strength of the Irish spirit

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, my inquisitive brain began to wonder: why are Americans like me, who carry Irish heritage in our bloodlines, so incredibly proud of our Irish roots? Surely it must be more than shamrocks, leprechauns, and a pint of Guinness. As I dug a bit deeper, a few possible reasons came to mind. Could it be the legendary Irish resilience? Their fierce independence? Or perhaps the unmistakable do-or-die spirit that has defined the Irish people for centuries? Throughout history, the Irish have experienced more than their share of hardship and heartbreak. Many of ...

Second read of a good book at MCL

Getting older comes with its own challenges and rewards, especially as a reader. I have always been a big reader. It was never a problem for me to read a book a week, pretty much my whole life, but especially since I began working at Mifflin County Library. And for the most part, I remembered which books I read and usually, especially if I loved the book, I could give a brief synopsis or book talk to recommend the books to library patrons. Recently, I’ve noticed a change. Honestly, I am not one of these people who regret getting older. In fact, I loved turning 50 (several years ...

Mini-golf event April 17-18 at the Juniata County Library

Your local Juniata County Library is planning an exciting mini-golf event, and we’d love for you to join us. April 17 and 18, we plan to set up an indoor mini-golf fundraiser throughout the library. The event will be held on two separate days. Friday, April 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This night is geared towards adults, as alcohol will be served along with food from Harshbarger’s. Spots are limited to 40 people per hour (6 p.m. and 7 p.m. slots). Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This day is geared towards kids and families. Food will be provided by Harshbarger’s. ...