Opinion

GUEST COLUMN, Greg Doering, Kansas Farm Bureau

My sister called me out of the blue last week. As her name and face appeared on my cell phone screen, I immediately wondered what was wrong. She’s a busy mom shuttling three boys around to practices after school on most weeknights. I was making sure my kids had their homework done, the TV had been turned off and I was getting everyone ready for bed.

My sister and I don’t normally call one another unless it’s the weekend. If it’s a weekday conversation, it’s mostly through text.

GUEST COLUMN, Patrick Plues, Biotech Innovation Org.

The key to a stronger, more vibrant, and more secure American economy could be staring us right in the face. A groundbreaking new report circulating in Washington reveals that one of America’s leading industries still has untapped potential to drive job creation, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth.

That sector? Biotech. America’s biotech industry already contributes $3.2 trillion to the economy -- but could add much more with the right reforms. Healthcare spending accounts for more than 17 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, and life-science companies are uniquely positioned to curb those costs.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

Since November, we've been looking at the idea of the Messiah, the One promised and anointed by God, who came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Last week we touched on a Jewish ritual performed by John the Baptist, and how Jesus came to John to be baptized.

The baptism of Jesus was a part of His fulfilling all the Mosaic laws. His parents had presented Him as an infant in the temple; for the feast of Passover, they took their 12-year-old, where He met with religious leaders in preparation for becoming a son of the law. Now, Jesus' baptism as an adult marked a pivotal point in God's interaction with humanity. This event became part of establishing a new covenant where spiritual laws are written on our hearts, and upon our minds (Hebrews 10:16, quoting Jer. 31:33). The author of Hebrews calls it "a new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20).

GUEST COLUMN, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator

Since this is my third Saturday newsletter in a row, does that qualify as a “Three-peat?” Wow, no better way to start off than with an incredible Chiefs victory to send them to New Orleans for yet another Super Bowl Championship. How quickly things can change, however, as that joy and celebration turned instantly to shock and despair with the news of the oh-so-close-to-home Kansas Day flight from Wichita to Washington that never made it, conjuring up memories of the ill-fated Wichita State University football team crash from back in 1970. Our Senate Chaplain probably said it best when he offered in his Invocation, “Lord, this tragedy reminds us of the uncertainty of life and causes us to reflect on our own mortality. Make us mindful of the certainty we can have in You and the peace and comfort that only You can give to us and the families of the victims, as the lengthy process of closure begins.”