Lifestyle

“The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity,” John Adams. “He changes the times and the years .

Today many are caught up with the challenge of getting into the mind of God with a human attempt to think in terms of the reasoning and the rationale of how God thinks. Adding politics to the equation creates more confusion because in many instances some want to suggest that there is a blue God, or a red God, or that God sits on the fence, and He leans in one direction or the other. This leaves us in a quandary, as we try to figure out where God is in the focus of politics and life.

How can Christians love one another despite political differences? It depends on our perspectives as we ask the question. If our first thought or feeling involves thinking of “them” as a problem, or of “them” as “members of another faction” who ‘”need to be loved,” then it indicates worldly views (views that focus on our differences and separate us). These may supersede views that Christ wants us to have, and we may have even made our political views an idol over Christ and His teachings. In that case, we’ll need to first get the log out of our eye to see clearly to help our fellow believers with the speck in their eyes.

Dear Amy: I’m 32 years old. For a multitude of reasons, my personal growth was stunted after high school, and it took me twice as long to finish college than planned.

One summer during my college years, I had a roommate who suffered from suicidal thoughts. She’d attempted suicide before we met, and been hospitalized, but continued to struggle.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have prostate cancer. My PSA levels were as high as 48, and I’m taking medication to lower the numbers to 40. My urologist has recommended a high-intensity focused ultrasound after reviewing my MRI and biopsy results. Apparently, the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. I was told that this procedure is much better for recovery purposes, as well as for quality of life afterward. The procedure is done via sound waves to focus on the area without having to damage anything around it. When the doctor explained to me that I would not have any of the side effects from the standard surgery, I was on board. Have you heard of HIFU, and if so, what do you think about it? -- J.W.

Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency Dear Amy: I am an atheist. I believe in practicing kindness and respect for other people’s views.

Q: Winter’s shorter days and lack of sunlight really affect me. What can I do to fight off my doom and gloom? -- Jessica D., Camden, Maine A: Many people react negatively to the shorter days and longer nights.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was told by my doctor that I need a tetanus booster shot, but when I was 17, I cut my foot and needed stitches. I was told then that I was allergic to the tetanus shot, so they gave me penicillin instead. Of course, that was a long time ago, since I’m now 81 years old. How could they have determined I was allergic to the shot, and is that even reliable?

Hays High student Chase Summers has been named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. Chase placed in the top 50,000 students in the entire United States.