The nation of Iraq is often mentioned in current world news and there is much in the Bible on the nation of Iraq that may give us insight into the events happening in our world today. The relationship between Israel and Iraq is found throughout Biblical history and exploring their relationship will give understanding of God’s plan for mankind to unfold.

Last week my wife cooked a oriental dish and a small pot of rice. I started to clean the rice pot after dinner and I noticed there was a small amount of rice stuck in the bottom of the pot. Looking at those few grains, a thought came to mind.

I look forward to the Christmas parade like a dog sits patiently shivering for a treat. I try to contain my excitement and not act like a child who has over dosed on sugar, but even at my advanced age I am not all that adept at controlling my kid impulses.

Genetically Modified Food What is a genetically modified food?Genetically modified foods are foods that have been created with or derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A GMO is an organism (micro-organism, plant, fish or mammal) whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally.

Recently we heard of a football player for the Kansas City Chiefs who murdered his girlfriend and then took his own life. This is very tragic. We wonder why such a gifted person would do something like this?There are times that things may not be going well for us in our lives.

50 Years AgoDecember 13, 1962Being undaunted by short pecan crops and insects that damage crops and insects that damage pecan timber, the O.P. Leonard ranch, owned by O.P. Leonard of Fort Worth is busy setting out another improved pecan orchard of about 35 acres on land known as the Dr.

Soon the Christmas holidays will be upon us. Only a little over a week of school left before children will be home for the two week Christmas break. The Elm Grove Community Program has been changed to this Friday night, the 14th at 7 p.m. The change was made so that everyone could cheer the Coyotes to victory on Saturday the 15th.

Reading Recommendations: Cemetery John, The Undiscovered Mastermind of the Lindbergh Kidnapping, Robert Zorn, Foreword by John Douglas and Mark OlshakerFor eighty years, the kidnapping and murder of the infant son of world famous aviator Charles Lindbergh has gone unsolved. Evidence, opinion, and logic have discredited the notion that Bruno Richard Hauptmann, who was executed for the crime in 1936, acted alone.

Randy Alcorn tells a fictional tale about two people conversing from Heaven's portal. "Isn't it strange what folks think?" Obadiah asked.The Carpenter nodded. "They cling to youth and health. But they don't take time to prepare themselves for what awaits them."Obadiah nodded. "The one who spends his life moving away from his treasures is going to despair.

Lucas 2:8-20 Había pastores en la misma región, que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre su rebaño. Y he aquí, se les presentó un ángel del Señor, y la gloria del Señor los rodeó de resplandor; y tuvieron gran temor. Pero el ángel les dijo: No temáis; porque he aquí os doy nuevas de gran gozo, que será para todo el pueblo: que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de envuelto en pañales, ...

Dear citizens of San Saba County and out of town citizens, Thank you so much for entering the parade, helping with the parade or coming out to enjoy the parade. It was a lovely evening in down town San Saba, we had the M.T. Marley’s Minstrels, a Dickens era, Victorian quartet, strolling around the courthouse square singing Christmas carols, Relay for Life was selling hot chocolate, our treasure, Dora Miller announcing the parade that had many entries that were all aglow with lights.

Shiver—Karen RobardsTucker’s Reckoning—Ralph ComptonTarget Lancer—Max Allan CollinsNano—Robin CookSwift Run—Laura DiSilverioThe Thieves of Legend—Richard DoetschIn Praise of Pecans—June JacksoniPad for Dummies—Edward C. Baig

First get the theme song from Jaws in your head, and then proceed.In an unusual development that researchers are calling evidence of adaptive behavior, some catfish have taken to jumping on land to hunt live pigeons.Discover Magazine's Ed Yong writes, "These particular catfish have taken to lunging out of the water, grabbing a pigeon, and then wriggling back into the water to swallow their prey.

Well some finally got their wish, and the winter weather will be around most of this week. Turn off air-conditioners and turn up the furnace. Time to put on sweat shirts, jackets and longjohns for a while, and put away the shorts, but it will begin to warm up again this next week.The Bend Community Christmas event will take place Saturday, December 15, at 6:00 P.M.

I just heard the strangest thing from the living room. My husband Russ, who doesn’t like all this new fangled computer stuff, has decided he wants an MP3 layer. I’m not yet sure what triggered that request, but I’m sure I’ll find out shortly. Also for all of you who called or asked about the column, there was a glitch in the works.

I just heard the strangest thing from the living room. My husband Russ, who doesn’t like all this new fangled computer stuff, has decided he wants an MP3 layer. I’m not yet sure what triggered that request, but I’m sure I’ll find out shortly. Also for all of you who called or asked about the column, there was a glitch in the works.

San Saba River Golf Course

Scottish Rite 1983 Mercedes driven by Benton Miller

Mike Thomas, Donna Baker, Becky and Buddy Whitley (M.T. Marley Minstrels), singing Christmas carols at the Christmas celebration on the Courthouse Square.

On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, twenty-one members of The San Saba Garden Club gathered at the historic clubhouse in Mill Pond Park for a Christmas Celebration. The whole purpose of the day was to have fun and get to know each other better: by strengthening our relationships with each other we strengthen the performance of our club.Our wonderful old building was beautifully decorated by our resident interior designers, Gail Bruner and Anna Wilson.

As strange as it may sound coming from a female, I have always wanted to coach football. Instead, I had to be satisfied with studying the sports section of the newspaper and following the NFL, college teams, and my favorite high school teams. Last year, Coach Brand helped my dreams come true by starting a Faculty Fantasy Football League.

Fuel Coffee House will host the popular new animated movie, The Rise of the Guardians, at the LanTex this weekend! This PG rated movie is perfect for the whole family and will show on Friday, December 14th, at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, December 15th, at 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.This fantasy adventure film is about an evil spirit who hatches a plot to take over the world.

Saturday night, December 8, 2012, Pecan Valley Nursing & Rehab participated in the Christmas Parade presented on the streets of San Saba. The float was decorated and driven by Activity Director Pam Van Cleave. Representing the residents were Sam Tisdale and Lela Mae Gatliff. Also on the float were elves Dona Watson, Joseph Watson, and little white and furry Ewok Watson.

On December 4th, the Sharon Club and their spouses met at the Father's House, with Barbara Riggs serving as hostess. After a delicious meal, and a business meeting, the group enjoyed exchanging Secret Pal gifts and a "Chinese Christmas Exchange." Club members once again voted to participate in the Angel Tree by selecting two children for our Christmas gift to the community.

Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question most often asked of people is, “what did you get?” Much less frequently asked is, “what did you give?” Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts. Purchasing a gift can certainly be thoughtful and a wonderful gesture, especially when it’s backed up by your actions.

Receipts totaled 5457 head for the week. The market was active and demand good. The market had a softer tone on the light weight calves due to the continued dry conditions causing the wheat field grazing to deteriorate and sending those light calves to grow yards or feed yards where the cost of gain is much higher than the wheat fields.

For many pet lovers, holiday traveling without their beloved pet simply won’t do. Taking your pet along can make a holiday event fun for everyone, if you plan carefully.Sarah Griffin, a lecturer at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), says the first step in preparing for your pet’s travel is to keep up-to-date with interstate and international travel regulations, which can be found online at www.aphis.usda.gov.“If you are going acros ...

From blue catfish to desert big horn sheep, Texas Parks and Wildlife stocked a lot of fish and four wildlife species across the state in fiscal 2012, according to a report given to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Thursday.The department’s Coastal Fisheries Division stocked more than 21 million fish along Texas’ long coastline, including nearly 1,700 Southern flounder, 6.2 million spotted sea trout and 15.1 million red drum.

Birl "Buddy" J. Rives, Jr., passed away on December 2, 2012 in San Antonio, TX. He was born on January 28, 1937 to Birl Rives, Sr. & Martha McWilliams in San Saba, TX. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and later retired after working 30 years at Thermal Supply as a manager.

Dorothy Bernice Long, 91, of San Saba, Texas, after battling congestive heart failure for a number of years, passed away on December 5, 2012 at the hospital in Llano, Texas. Visitation was held on Friday, December 7, 2012, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Home in San Saba.

James Ivan Marion Hardy died Friday December 7, 2012 at Hillview Manor in Goldthwaite, TX. James was born in 1925 to Virginia and Thomas Hardy in Lampasas County. He grew up in Red Bluff, TX and joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, serving in World War II on the U.S.S.

Jeanne Greene, of Horseshoe Bay, TX, formerly of Lampasas passed away Friday, December 7, 2012. She was born October 16, 1929 in Turnersville, TX, the daughter of Pearl Francis Weeks Jones and Lem Houston Jones. She was a homemaker with many special talents. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Katy Baptist Church, Grace Fellowship Church of Lampasas.

Lillian Gage Cobern, age 96, of San Saba, went home to our Lord on Monday, December 10, 2012. Mrs. Cobern was born near Bend, Texas on January 2, 1916 to Essie (Stafford) Gage and Rufus Ernest Gage. She was a member of the San Saba Church of Christ. Lillian or Aunt Tude, as the Gage family called her, was a nurse, avid fisherman and known for her fabulous pecan pies.Lillian married L.P.

Richland Springs varsity Coyotes won a lopsided 82-44 state semifinals victory against Strawn at Hico last Saturday. It was a relatively warm afternoon game that proved to be an exciting game, at least for the Coyote fans. This Saturday, December 15th, the Coyotes will play Follett in the state finals match-up at Abilene ISD’s Shotwell Stadium.

RICHLAND SPRINGS SENIOR CAPTAINS MEET AT MIDFIELD VS. STRAWN GREYHOUNDS - #21 T. Fowler, #9 C. Munoz, #13 C. Bush & #1 G. Mann represent the Coyotes at Hico

COYOTES GROUND GAME PROVED EFFECTIVE IN SEMIFINAL VICTORY - #25 Bryan Salinas enroute to a TD with good blocking from #13 Chance Bush

The San Saba Lady Dillos hosted the Lady Dragons from Bangs on Tuesday night. Bangs came out hot and jumped out to a 14-5 lead early in the 1st quarter. However, the Lady Dillos did not get discouraged but instead fought their way back into the game. San Saba took a 17-16 lead into halftime when Kayla Kutin hit a shot right before the buzzer sounded.

The countdown to the Christmas holiday break is on! What a busy and fun season we are in!The junior high Indians hosted the Eden Bulldogs last Monday. The Lady Indians won 31-22, with Tori Morrison’s season high 23 point contribution. The Indians lost a tough one. JD Bell led the team in scoring.

The JV Boys basketball team has had another busy week. On Tuesday, December the 4th the boys basketball teams hosted Blanco. Our JV came out on the short end of a 44-19 score. Scoring for the young Dillos: John Faught (3), Holt Oliver (6), John Welch (2), Yason Aguirre (2), Ridge Smith (2), and Josh Cazares (4).On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 7th , 8th, and 9th, our teams traveled to Junction for their tournament.

When you get a bunch of coyotes together, you’re bound to hear some howling. When posed with the question, “What does it feel like to play in a state championship game as a senior Coyote?” the seniors of the Richland Springs Coyote Football Team of 2012 howled or voiced various reactions.

So far this school year, the campuses have seen outbreaks of the strep throat, the stomach bug and now just as we go into final exam time and Christmas break our students are beginning to experience the flu. It is very important to try to protect our students from them being exposed, but when we ride buses together and sit in class together all day sometimes it is difficult to limit exposure.