Opinion

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

It’s not unusual for people to feel a little down when winter gets as cold as it has been this year. Sometimes this feeling is called the Winter Blues, or more scientifically, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Even the most cheerful people encountered low spirits since events around the nation in January. There were fires in Los Angeles. There was terrible weather coast to coast, and plenty of political uncertainty. Then came the crash of American Airlines flight 5342.

When the bad news touches close to home, we all find it hard to smile and keep going.

That has definitely been the feeling on the Seward County Community College campus over the past week.

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).