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  • CONNECTING POINT: Life Behind Bars

    BILL LANES, Whitehall Assembly of God|Sep 24, 2025

    Incarcerated but Free: Four New Testament Books for Today I’ll call him Bob. We traveled for not a few years on business, and when he was the driver, he would get into the zone and could talk. We could go twenty miles, and he could talk the whole time. I’d sit quietly for those miles, and he would just jabber away. Talk about “talking a person’s ears off.” I was his captive, no foul. This gives us our title for this new series: Life Behind Bars. We will study four Epistles, otherwise known as the “Prison Epistles.” We will examine the b...

  • Thought Provokers: Week of 9/17/2025

    Sep 17, 2025

    Ever wonder how history might have unfolded if, instead of Columbus sailing westward to reach the East, an Indian sailor had sailed eastward and discovered the West coast of America first? With modern materials, we could all have unbreakable dishes, never having to buy another plate or glass. What’s stopping us? Some people knew what burning bread smelled like even before bread was invented. If cars had legs instead of wheels, people would have to change shoes instead of tires. The first person to hear an echo probably thought the world was t...

  • Dear Editor: What is the Real Motivation Behind Roadless Rule Repeal?

    DON LEPINSKY|Sep 17, 2025

    Dear Editor, What is the real motivation behind the roadless rule repeal? The U.S. Department of Agriculture's roadless conservation rule was adopted about twenty-four years ago, with 95% of the 1.6 million public comments in favor of the rule. Since then, the rule has preserved and protected watersheds, fisheries, wildlife habitats, and enhanced recreational opportunities that many Montanans enjoy. I enjoy our pristine public lands and riparian areas for day hikes, backpacking, kayaking, morel...

  • Dear Editor: Think about where you will be then...

    SUSAN PASINI|Sep 17, 2025

    Dear Editor, The death of Charlie Kirk was a tragedy beyond words that shook the nation, and many questioned why the Lord would allow such an occurrence. However, there has never been a martyr for God without a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When William Tyndale was burned at the cross, it was only then that the King of England allowed the Bible to be translated into English and shared. When Jim Elliott was martyred by the Auca Indians, the Holy Spirit caused these same Indians to share...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 9/17/2025

    GEORGIA|Sep 17, 2025

    GEORGIA, I have a question, I (36F) have been with my bf (36M) for 5 years. When we started dating, I expressed to him that I wanted us to grow together and that I was looking for a long-term commitment, including marriage. He said he was slow-paced with everything that he does, and if we made it 5 years together, he’d feel comfortable proposing. We discussed this often throughout our early relationship, so it was well established, and we’d both agreed that even though 5 years seemed a bit too long for me, I was understanding of how he fel...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 9/17/2025

    Sep 17, 2025

    ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 This week sharpens your focus with daily routines and well-being, Aries. It’s an excellent time to streamline your schedule, tackle neglected tasks, and prioritize self-care. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Creativity and joy are themes for you this week, Taurus. Engage in hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, and pursue enjoyable activities. Your artistic side may be especially inspired GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Your home and family life take center stage right now, Gemini. You might be focused on domestic projects, r...

  • CONNECTING POINT: The Other Side

    BILL LANES, Whitehall Assembly of God|Sep 17, 2025

    Most people ponder if there is life after death. Poetry, song, books, and columns explore this subject that has been on the minds of individuals for centuries. As Christians, we base our beliefs, hopes, and aspirations on the Bible, which has endured ridicule and history itself. I like other clergy members, scholars, and fellow Christians see the Bible as the consistent source for truth, without those fundamental teachings presented in the pages of Scripture our faith is meaningless. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 establishes, “All Scripture is G...

  • Dear Editor: What is a Living Constitution?

    JIM BUTERBAUGH|Sep 10, 2025

    Dear Editor, What is a Living Constitution? Since I have become politically involved (thanks to my youngest daughter), I have occasionally heard references to the Constitution as a living document. I have always regarded the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. What our great country was based on, and without it, the United States would just be another kingdom or worse. And of course, the only way to understand something is to learn about it. After many hours of researching the concept...

  • Dear Editor: Announcing My Intentions for HD 69

    KEN WALSH, Montana HD 69|Sep 10, 2025

    Dear Editor, I'm announcing my intention to seek reelection to Montana's House District 69. Serving this district has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I'm proud of the work we've accomplished together-from strengthening water policy, protecting our health care system, supporting public education, enhancing conservation measures and infrastructure, to ensuring fiscal responsibility and advocating for rural communities. While the election season is still months away, my focus...

  • Dear Editor: Square Deal is a Gem

    MARCIA KAY WILLIAMS|Sep 10, 2025

    Dear Editor, Mike at Square Deal Auto Repair is a gem! Our car broke down and not only did he fix it quickly, he was so kind and considerate we wanted the city to know how fortunate you are to have him in your town! Marcia Kay Williams Whitehall, Montana...

  • Thought Provokers: 9/10/2025

    Sep 10, 2025

    The most common hairstyle is bald. AI would be less creepy if it talked like a robot instead of mimicking natural human speech. Humans feel bad when they see animals hurt, generations of evolution alongside companion species encoded empathy for animals possessing traits closer to domestic species in our psychology. Every new credit card expiration date feels like a lifetime away. But before you know it, some kind-faced barista says your card has failed. Hiring managers have more job security the worse they are at their jobs. Some dreams are...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 9/10/2025

    GEORGIA|Sep 10, 2025

    GEORGIA, I have a question, My girlfriend (30F) hates clothes. To the point where she has actively researched nudist colonies, and if it wasn’t for having to occasionally go into the office, she would have moved there long before she met me (33M). She’s always naked around the house. Which, for me, is really nice and not a big deal - she has a rockin’ bod. The issue is her two-year-old dog. The dog is a super cute and fluffy Great Pyrenees, very well trained, and huge. My girlfriend was there when her friend brought the heavily pregnant mom h...

  • CONNECTING POINT: Justice and Peace

    BILL LANES, Whitehall Assembly of God|Sep 10, 2025

    Generally, our assumption regarding “justice” is linked to societal wrongs, and while that may be true in some cases. Please allow me to broaden the scope with a Biblical foundation. Throughout the Bible, justice is often closely tied to love, which involves demonstrating kindness and mercy to others. One of the most prominent texts in the scriptures is Luke 10, where Jesus uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan to make a direct point: Christians who claim to love God should demonstrate love in action towards anyone they encounter. His...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 9/10/2025

    Sep 10, 2025

    ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You might be anxious to say what’s on your mind this week, Aries. Words are on the tip of your tongue, and you aren’t afraid of letting them fly. Expect some feedback from others. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Make sure you are taking care of yourself as well as you are taking care of others, Taurus. Handle any tasks that require a lot of mental effort first, then move on to something enjoyable. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Do your thing this week and don’t worry about how others feel about it, Gemini. Take control of an issue when you...

  • Thought Provokers: 9/3/2025

    Sep 3, 2025

    At some point, a lot of people became okay with or at least ambivalent towards dozens of potential incendiary devices in the form of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries being all over their homes. What if we don’t remember the first 2-3 years of life is because we’re so traumatized by the journey of birth that we blacked it out to forget it? If you’re named Colin, it’s probably a bad idea to introduce yourself at the poker table. Playing horror games could be a good way to cure claustrophobia. Hide in a small locker or face the scary monster...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 9/3/2025

    GEORGIA|Sep 3, 2025

    GEORGIA, I have a question, It’s summer - hotter than ever - but I have to have a humidifier going in our living room for health reasons. I recently had a friend and her 11-year-old son over. He wanted to watch a movie, so we popped one on and his mom and I went to talk in the kitchen. About an hour later, we returned to the living room - it smelled really weird in there, and I have a very sensitive sense of smell. As it smelled a bit like urine, I wondered if my cats had peed in there, but they were all hiding because of my visitors. It really...

  • CONNECTING POINT: Cultivating a Strong Work Ethic

    BILL LANES, Whitehall Assembly of God|Sep 3, 2025

    It is true “work” is a four-letter word; however, the nature and design of work is God orchestrated and valuable for life. Is it just me, or has our society begun to lose sight of the importance of a good work ethic? In part, yes! Could this be attributed to the “entitlement” generation that has slowly developed, where individuals demand support? Another factor could be that throughout history, affluent nations tend to create this type of scenario, abundance and luxury lend to comfortable excess. When this occurs, underwork becomes normati...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 9/3/2025

    Sep 3, 2025

    ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You’re feeling bold this week, Aries. Use a surge of energy to speak out about something that needs to be said. Be mindful of how others may receive it. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Stability and home life are in the spotlight, Taurus. You may be called to handle something domestic or financial. Use your natural patience to avoid impulsive decisions. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, conversations will flow with ease this week, and you’ll be a magnet for interesting ideas. If you have been waiting to pitch an idea, do it right now...

  • Dear Editor: Can We Talk or Are We Doomed to Argue?

    TIMOTHY BENNETT|Aug 27, 2025

    Dear Editor, Thank you for the cartoon on the "Readers Speak" page of the August 13th Ledger, the caption of which read "Exemptions for school vaccines are at an all-time high... I don't know who they are, but you sure can spot 'em." I, too, celebrate the rising number of people seeking and winning exemptions from school vaccinations. I see that as a very healthy trend. And I agree that it is easy to spot the children who are not getting vaccinations. Having been schooled as a scientist and...

  • Dear Editor: Visit the Senior Center!

    MARY GUSTIN|Aug 27, 2025

    Dear Whitehall Seniors, Hey seniors looking for a great deal: if you are 60 years old or older, come to the Whitehall Senior Center for a wonderful meal and good company, all for just $5! The Senior Center has a great cook, with balanced meals, and there is always amazing company! Home deliveries are available. Call 287-5336 to place your order! That's not all!!! Patti M has free coffee and baked goods on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7 AM to 1 PM. Don't miss out! MARY GUSTIN Whitehall,...

  • Thought Provokers: Week of 8/27/2025

    Aug 27, 2025

    The average Facebook user probably knows “Never Gonna Give You Up” for a different reason than other Internet users. Since dwarven women have beards, Gimli would have thought that Galadriel would be even hotter if she had a beard. There is a non-zero chance humans may have already gone back in time to keep humanity from suffering worse historical and current events than we already have, and this is actually the brightest timeline. You never see a traffic jam from behind you. All for-profit industries try to attract new customers, but the tob...

  • Op-Ed: Time for an "Adult Conversation" About a Montana-Wide Sales Tax?

    ERICH DIETRICH, Montana Free Press|Aug 27, 2025

    For generations, Montana voters have been famously averse to the notion of a statewide sales tax, repeatedly rebuffing efforts by political leaders to persuade them that one would be good medicine for the state’s public finances. But ask Todd O’Hair, the leader of the state’s most prominent business association, and he’ll tell you a changing economy means it’s time for thoughtful Montanans to take a deep breath and ponder swallowing that pill. O’Hair, the president and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, has made that case in a recent seri...

  • Just Ask Georgia: 8/27/2025

    GEORGIA|Aug 27, 2025

    GEORGIA, I have a question, My husband (51 M) and I (53F) have been married for over 25 years. I started getting tattoos three years ago, and I currently have 7. They all hold sentimental meaning for me (one is my late mother’s birth flower, another is a lighthouse in honor of my grandmother, etc.). Most of the tattoos are on my arms, and all can be covered if/when needed. My husband has complained each time I’ve gotten a tattoo - to him, they are a waste of money (my money - not from our joint account), they're ugly, I have too many of the...

  • CONNECTING POINT: A City on a Hill

    BILL LANES, Whitehall Assembly of God|Aug 27, 2025

    Living in rural communities all my life, and especially in Montana, I’ve grown to love the sky that is often breathtaking. There is something special about driving in the dark of night and noticing just beyond the horizon bright lights of one of the “larger” cities. In perfect weather conditions, there are many nights here in Whitehall where a person can see the glowing lights of Butte, mixed with the array of stars. Jesus used a familiar description, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasone...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 8/27/2025

    Aug 27, 2025

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 You are likely to experience a week full of thoughtfulness and introspection, Aries. You are searching for a new source for self-fulfillment, and may be inspired by another’s ideas. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, now is the time to identify your priorities. Figure out what you want or would prefer to do before you start taking any steps forward. This is the only way to get satisfaction. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Prepare for a week that will pose some challenges, Gemini. A last-minute project at work may test your mettle. CANCER J...

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