Ann Cipperly
Columnist
Ann Cipperly is an award winning journalist whose career includes being a lifestyle and food editor, feature writer, columnist and photographer for newspapers and magazines
Ann Cipperly's Latest
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — Submit to God. Humble yourself. Admit you need help. Surrender to Jesus. Ask Jesus to take over management of your life. This is the attitude one must have to become an authentic follower of Jesus. But pride stands in...
BY ANN CIPPERLY OPINION — When Hillary Bazemore White became passionate about healthy eating, she assembled quick and easy recipes in an e-cookbook to help other moms prepare nutritious meals for their children. Hillary and her husband, Dr. Evan...
OPINION — Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen. One day, when they were busy casting their nets in the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walked by. Jesus invited the two men to follow him, and added this promise: “I will make you fishers of men.” Their...
BY ANN CIPPERLY OPINION — With azaleas lining the drive, the home of Karen and Judge James Anderson is picture perfect nestled in a woodland setting. Native azaleas in pink, orange and yellow are also abundant on each side of the pond in the back...
OPINION — After he was hanged by the Gestapo in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings became a treasured testimony for Christians around the world. None has blessed me more than his book, Life Together, in which he shares his experience of Christian...
OPINION — What happened to Simon Peter can only be explained by the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. The leader of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, Peter had a gift for putting his foot in his mouth. Once Jesus rejected Peter’s counsel so...
OPINION — While Suzanne and Dr. Tom Tippett celebrated Easter traditions with their families growing up, they later found it more meaningful to call it Resurrection Sunday. A pastor and Bible teacher, Tom is active in the community on numerous...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — We buried our boy, our only child, on a lovely day in May. Our hearts were burdened with grief. That summer we sought relief from our sorrow by taking a vacation at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Billy Graham would be...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — I am indebted to Thomas Carruth. When I get to heaven I plan to look Tom up and thank him for what he did for me. It was a simple thing. He sent me a brochure that described a retreat called an “Ashram.” Attached was a...
BY ANN CIPPERLY OPINION — While Kathy Miller Lowe has a love of painting, she also enjoys the home arts, including cooking, decorating, gardening and floral arrangements. Her art includes anything for creating a comfortable home with attractive...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — In the early days of Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Years later, after the resurrection of Jesus, the beloved...
OPINION — Friends make an awesome difference in our lives. Two special friends – Greg Lotz in Cincinnati and Bonny Johns in Pensacola – shared with me a new song that stirs my soul. The song reminds me that the living Jesus wants to display His...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — The Church teaches that God provides for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace what are called the “ordinary means of grace” — the Word, prayer, the sacraments, the church’s discipline and care of souls. These...
Gholstons working on library events, high school theater by ANN CIPPERLY OPINION — Kate and Revel Gholston lived in various places across the country before settling in Opelika, as they found it a “warm, welcoming city.” Kate is the children’s...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — The songs we sing teach us where to find the strength we need in life’s trials. Pick up a hymnal and turn to “Soldiers of Christ, Arise,” written by Charles Wesley 275 years ago. Inspired by words in Paul’s letter to the...
BY ANN CIPPERLY OPINION — While Victoria Benson is a busy mother, she has a love of cooking and prepares all their meals at home. She has become organized at grocery shopping and planning meals by designing themed dinners for some nights. Victoria...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — In his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, Oswald Chambers declares that the supreme goal of his life was to be absolutely abandoned to Jesus. He writes, “I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him...
OPINION — In the days of my youth, I was frail and weak. My dad was a strong man. I admired his strength. In the picture book of Bible stories my mother read to me, I learned about a man named Samson whose story is in the book of Judges. I was...
BY ANN CIPPERLY | FOR THE OBSERVER OPINION — On Valentine’s Day, what better way to express love and caring than gathering the family around the table for a homemade meal with a yummy dessert. Since Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday night this...
BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas A. Kempis, written in the 15th Century, has been translated into more than fifty languages. It is considered, next to the Bible, the most influential book of Christendom. It’s a book I...