Opinion

[caption id="attachment_51574" align="alignleft" width="68"]Doyle Sager[/caption]Springtime —- a season of hope, right? Not for everyone. According to studies, more suicides occur in the warm, sunny days of spring and early summer than any other time of year. In the northern hemisphere, suicides reach their highest numbers in the months of May and June.

Terror attacks in little-known pockets on the African continent often are overlooked in international reporting or are barely mentioned. But that was not the case with a horrific attack at Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya on April 2 that left 148 people dead.

Jesus' example at Easter gives believers hope and triumph over fear and reason for confidence in God's work through his Son and Holy Spirit.

Retirement means shifting gears, remaining true to oneself and preparing to continue to improve oneself. Each retiree must find his or her own way.

If some non-believers can brighten this earth, how much more should Jesus' followers? We profess to know a peace and joy that are literally out of this world. Perhaps we should start acting like it.

Older adults -- just like every age group -- have something to offer others and God since "we're not dead yet!"

If Protestants had saints, Dietrich Bonhoeffer would be one of them. And Feb. 4 would have been his day. He was a German pastor and theologian, a prolific writer and an early opponent of Hitler. He ultimately paid for his resistance with his life, when he was executed in April 1945 by the Nazis just days before the Allied troops liberated his prison camp. He was 39 years old when he died.

Parents' decisions to withhold vaccinations for their children may put others at great risk of contracting diseases unnecessarily.

Many religious leaders believe it is past the time when racial discord should have been resolved. The faith community can lend a prophetic voice as legislative remedies are formulated and proposed. They can make sure they and their congregations demonstrate acceptance and support themselves. Churches not only can make a difference, they must.

Being honest about one's life offers God a palette for transformation -- a fresh start.