by Joe Rector | Dec 27, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector I’ve watched some recent television families go through their holiday gyrations. Sometimes joyful endings occurred, but at other times, the whole family wound up dysfunctional by the end of the program. Even in real life, stories abound about the crazy...
by Joe Rector | Dec 19, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector Stepping outside our comfort zones is a scary thing. Little control over many situations is available, and our nerves are frayed in dealing with the simplest tasks. We can learn so much about the rest of the world and, in some cases, learn to empathize...
by Joe Rector | Dec 12, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector The older I grow, the more I come to realize that life resembles a ride on the biggest roller coaster in existence, and it’s a ride that travels much too fast for my taste. Those rides that make stomachs rise to throats and frazzle nerves aren’t things...
by Joe Rector | Dec 5, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector For most of my adult life, friends and acquaintances have at some point asked me where I’ve lived. When I reply, “Knoxville, except for the years I lived in Cookeville for college,” they wonder aloud why I never ventured out. The reasons are many. When I...
by Joe Rector | Nov 28, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector This time of year always makes me sit back and think about times gone by. I grow a bit nostalgic, and just a fleeting thought can fill my eyes with tears. The weather cools too quickly for my aching joints, but years ago it never bothered me a lick. We...
by Joe Rector | Nov 21, 2016 | Columnist, Rector
By Joe Rector Yes, it’s Thanksgiving time again. The world has spun around the sun and brought us once again to a day during which we count our blessings. We are supposed to pause for a moment to reflect upon the things for which we are grateful. This year, however,...
